Sense of Words

This is poet Bobby Ferguson's first book. Fascinated by words from an early age, he always wrote without thinking about it. "Some used to say I was in a world of my own when I stared into what seemed like another world. One of my head injuries resulted in epilepsy. I do not dream, so maybe my poems are from underlying dreams in my subconscious." The author never studied poetry, nor has he read it. "My advantage was that I could never be influenced by other poets, as I had never read any." He says his poems "are from deep inside me, as my poems come from somewhere, and there is so much emotion in my poetry that I often wish someone would be able to tell me where they do come from." Bobby Ferguson of Glasgow, Scotland, was told in 2008 that he had 18 months to two years to live and would never walk again. Seventeen months later, he had a 30 percent chance of survival after a cancer operation, "so I should not be here." He adds, "I suppose with many writers, letting go was difficult, as even though I did not know why I was writing my poems, they did still feel personal." Self-taught, readers do not believe the author never went to college or studied poetry. His is a natural talent. Sense of Words is my first book and it includes 21 poems. I have now written over 1,000 poems and I also have a children's book in the works. I was inspired to write this book because I have amnesia and bought a computer with writing pads and pens without knowing I had done so. After so many great reviews and constantly being asked to publish, I decided to go ahead with my book of poetry. Though I did not know why I was writing my poems, they still feel very personal. My thoughts are always looking into the distance and to faraway places. I write of romance, nature, childhood, and life in general. My poetry comes all of a sudden. I can see an object and build a poem around it. I have always been fascinated by words and science from a very early age, and always wrote about something without thinking about it. I do not dream, so perhaps my poems are from underlying dreams in my subconscious. I have been called a whispering poet, as my words seem to touch many people. Many say I am a born poet since I never studied poetry, yet there is so much emotion in it. Bobby Ferguson of Glasgow, Scotland, was told in 2008 that he had eighteen months to two years to live and would never walk again. Seventeen months later, he had a thirty percent chance of surviving a cancer operation, "so I should not be here." Publisher's website http: //sbprabooks.com/BobbyFerguson

BOBBY FERGUSON is Head of Technical Services, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Louisiana.