Sound Words Seen

A collection of poetry written by a novelist.

In these are contained, close observations turned into sound, as poetry is meant to be read aloud. Some are derived from personal experiences intensely felt, others from observations of what others have done.

The author, Charles Bechtel, has explored many forms: haiku, haibun, sonnet, rhyming couplets, free verse, always with an ear for the crafted sound and an eye for the specific and singular event.

Always looking for the unique image perfectly framed to deliver a succinct thought, Bechtel crafts more than writes his poems. He believes the point is to use the fewest number of words to bring the reader to the sharpest association with his experiences.

Website: http://www.charlesbechtel.com

Born: Spring Lake, North Carolina, April, 1953, fourth day, five minutes past midnight (thus late for my parents’ anniversary, which set a behavioral standard for all such future events.)

Educated: A long while back, when colleges offered to improve human beings attending their classes, not merely dedicate themselves to making a person employable. Ahh, the good old days.
Undergraduate degree: English.
Master degree: English.

Marriage: To Manuela, the finest woman on Earth, by the accounts of many more than myself. Two daughters: Elizabeth (Baby Beth) and Manuela (Meme), who each in turn delivered into my life some ladies of inestimable worth: Sky (b. 2003) Lucy (b. 2007) and Mia (b. 2008.) Though I gave to each huge chunks of my heart, doing so increased heart size.

Work History: Let’s say I worked.

What I do for fun:Everything. If it is not fun, I quickly stop doing it. (see Work, above)

Writing Philosophy: Make sense by appealing to the senses.