James L.Tashoty
Norfolk, Virginia
James L.TashotyNorfolk, Virginia |
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I am a poet born Jan. 19, 1949, in Portland, Maine. I am a single father of two grown children, a son, Jason (22), and a daughter, Jamie (19). My past employment includes: retail store (jewelry) manager for 11 yrs, sales rep. and sales mgr. I have several national, regional and local awards including sales and marketing executives of Tidewater. I am currently devoting my time exclusively to the completion of a book of poetry tentatively titled "The Voyage, From the Darkness, Towards the Light". This is my first attempt at being published (contest entered or submitted). I am a high school graduate and I was accepted to college but never attended. Instead, I went out on my own at 18 following my parents divorce (probably the worst mistake I've ever made). I managed my first store (Zales jewelers) at 22. I spent 14 years in the auto business (new), received 2 salesman of the year awards, and 72 salesman of the month awards. I earned national awards from Honda, Toyota and Mazda in only 1yr. as a sales manager. I was exempt from military service due to two fractured vertebrae in my lower back (4f) which I incurred as a teenager. I have had 3 major and 4 lesser spinal surgeries from 1978 to 1988. I also had ulcer surgery in 1989. Effects of medication!! I was diagnosed in March 1995 with very rare neuro muscular disorder. After Cervical neck surgery in 1988 and the break up of my 17 yr. marriage, I started writing to help cope with the physical and mental pain! |
KnowingIf only I could have learned wisdom from the written pageRather than by using the effects of times passage as my only gauge For in my youth I thought but could not truly know If all the mysteries of life were or were not so Yet now that I've turned life's page to middle age When I look back now I feel quite sage But will I in the ripened years of old age come to truly know Only to realize that life has passed me by and knowing has no meaning though For is knowledge only gained within the environment in which we each grow The answer to this question I think but may never truly know. |
A Gift From The Giver?Some would stare at this barren page and it would make them quiverNot I, I see the thousand or so words it could be Some seek wisdom to possess it's fruit Not I, I long to nurture the mighty knowledge tree Some see love as a gentle river Not I, I see the wide expense of an endless ocean sea Some see my vision as a great gift Not I, I know the full weight it's burden has tolled upon me Some will be content to wade in love' gentle river Not I, I long to swim to the banks of love's endless sea Some will opt to bask in the enlightment of the great question Not I, I seek to linger in the shade knowing the answer of the knowledge tree Some face tragedy and in their despair cry out why Not I, I know to well that what will, will sure be Some will read this verse and think we vain Not I, I know that this gift was but bestowed by the giver upon me Some will foolishly long to covet this gift Not I, I know the loneliness of seeing clearly that which others can not see Some see life as a long meandering river Not I, I know it's but a solitary rain drop leading toward eternity Some will pray to the giver for this gift he has bestowed upon me Not I, often wonder just who peaceful blindness could be |