Voices: The Root of My Rhyme

After years of silencing the voices in his mind, poet Ronald Baldwin courageously decided to pen the controversial words which were delivered through a dream-like state where he witnessed a ball of fire flashing before him. Baldwin says the voices produced piercing words and he was compelled to share them like fire shut up in his bones. Compared to American Novelist, poet and social critic James Baldwin, Ronald says, “The voices we hear have the capability of dictating our choices, opinions, thoughts, and ultimately the direction of our life.” Voices – We all hear them, but how many of us are bold enough to acknowledge them? The voices of our parents, our past, our hurts and pains, voices from broken relationships and even the voices of our own conscience speak loud and clear, but oftentimes they are suppressed or completely ignored.

Ronald M. Baldwin Sr. was inspired by the late James Baldwin, American Novelist, poet and writer of similar subject matter - that of controversy and truth. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia to Naval Chief Petty Officer Daniel James and Betty L. Baldwin, Ronald is the sixth of nine children all born on the East Coast. Orders from the United States Navy relocated the family to Pensacola, Florida where the father retired after serving 30 years. After attending grade school and graduating from high school in Pensacola, Florida, his dream to serve his country as his father did came to fruition. Ronald served three years in the United States Army and although a short military career, he learned countless life lessons and began to write about his everyday life experiences in the form of poetry. He writes about subjects everyone can relate to and subject matters pertaining to the challenges of life - love, political, spirituality, and personal life issues. Ronald's desire is that his work will stir the mind, heart, and soul of the reader. His poetry will help you enjoy, relate and embrace the challenges we face in our ever changing society.