The River Running Through Him

Just as a river shapes the contours of the land around it, our lives are shaped by the currents that flow through us; currents such as family, friends, experiences and places. This collection of poems reflects many of the currents encountered in the poet's life. They are a selection of poems written over the course of that life, and include the heartbreak of young love, memories of family and friends, and reflections on some of the poet's experiences.

These poems also include the ebb and flow of the writer's faith journey and relationship to God. They reflect the idea that without art, including poetry, we cannot fully express our experiences of the Creator. And sometimes, a poem is a prayer.

The Pee Dee River which begins as the Yadkin and flows through the Carolinas, also flows through the many of these poems. This river is an integral part of life in the Yadkin-Pee Dee Valley and it shapes much of the culture of the area. Thus, based on the poet's experience of life in that culture, these poems reflect her experience of the metaphorical river flowing through us.

Kaye Ratliff graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in Psychology in 1967, and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an MSW in 1986. She worked for Sandhills Center for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services from 1974-2006, beginning in Mental Retardation Services, then as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker after receiving her MSW. She was the Unit Manager in Anson County, supervising the staff as well as providing therapeutic services to adults and children. She retired in 2006, and provided consultant services and clinical supervision until 2015. Mrs. Ratliff is married to William Ashe Ratliff, and is the mother of two adult children, the Rev. Stephen Ratliff and Ashley Ratliff, and the proud grandmother of Jacob and Benjamin Ratliff and Katie and Eli Haynes. She is an ordained Presbyterian Elder and is active in her community where she has served on many boards. She and her husband reside in Wadesboro, NC. While at UNC-G, Mrs. Ratliff developed a life-long love of literature and poetry. She belongs to the Anson County Writers Club, and currently serves as its President. She enjoys writing poetry and short stories, often writing stories for her grandchildren. She also enjoys her hobbies of reading and crocheting.