Fire

May the itch of wanting 

to know what's

around each bend

always nag you

may your bearings

you never fail

to find,

and a pleasant calm

drift over you 

and usher tranquil sleep

each night 'till rise and shine

may your soul

always be 

at peace

when life takes 

you far from home,

may you follow 

in the footsteps 

of your Father

in whichever 

world you choose 

to roam

may you be wise enough

not be saddened

by the embers' fading glow,

but have the wit 

to build your own fire 

whenever cold winds blow. ~Eric Vance Walton~

The Greatest Gift

  When there are no more jobs for these hands, no more ideas  streaming from my mind

I wish to be remembered as a cultural chameleon, a humble drifter, sensitive to the beauty of this world

these days, they are borrowed, but the memories are ours to keep

the greatest gift of the mortal is living a life so brave that you find your tribe, and grow old with those know your soul so well, they can see the world through your eyes.

~Eric Vance Walton~

A Writer's Life

Shaky with apprehensions, poorer this year than the last,

existing in the place between

what will be and what has passed

it’s an author’s life for me

I have given the benefit of every doubt,

and during fevers of eloquence,

found myself electrified absolutely

by the lightning bolt of muse

this current flowing through me,

greater than any currency

it has given me friends that span oceans wide

there are no borders here, no blind pride

we are bound by our love of words,

and have found an all embracing tenderness

that shows us

there should be no other way.

~Eric Vance Walton~

Do you know what you’d like to say to that special someone but can’t find the words?

I would love to help. I’ve been writing poetry for over two decades and have published several books. Google my full name (Eric Vance Walton) and you will see that my individual poems have been published widely in many publications and literary journals.

Through my decades of experience I will insure that the poem we craft together reflects the depth of your caring and love for the recipient. This poem will make an impression that will be remembered always [read more]

Beyond Words

Blessed beyond wordstruth is like a bird with a broken wing, it cannot fly but can surely sing

this song calls to me, the inner voice of muse speaks volumes, stitching together fractured moments of my life and giving each of them worth

these words bubble up gently from a place, cool and deep inside of us all that is immortal and wise, their warmth and their light wash over me to cleanse my soul and remind me that in a world the reeks of harshness we are never fools to be kind

all who seek solace will one day find in each day a reason to keep smiling in spite of the world and all its beguiling ways for it is true, we are blessed beyond words.

~Eric Vance Walton~

Unbroken

The world has grown up around usleaving us with our memories and the beauty of broken things, dusty relics of the time we knew

even the sky is different now but yet we cast the same shadows and these shadows still stretch as we walk away from the sun

the crowd grows younger each year but I feel a warmth that only wisdom brings to have weathered all the winds life has blown and still be able to smile...to find joy means, today, I've won. I am not broken

These years have taught me to feast on the marrow of life to wring out the glistening drops of happiness and not trouble myself with the trivial,

the day's events slither, they are shallow and fickle sometimes difficult to grasp they do not even know themselves

in the end all that matters is the sum of the words written on the pages of our book of life and their unique and personal truths.

~Eric Vance Walton~

I Present to you...The Greatest of Secrets!

On Sale Now...my new poetry chapbook, The Greatest of Secrets! This beautiful chapbook contains more than twenty original poems suited for Valentine’s Day and is entirely handmade and bound.

I’m so happy with how this book turned out. I collaborated with the talented Twin Cities artist, Kristi Casey, on this project. The Greatest of Secrets is a very limited edition of 100 copies and half of them were sold in pre-sales. Each of the 50 copies left will be hand-numbered and autographed. The dimensions of the book are 5” x 6” and the interior is printed on 24lb ivory colored paper. This even smells like an old book because the artist has used vintage sheet music for the cover. Since it’s handmade, each book cover will be slightly different.

The price for this one of a kind chapbook is $15.50 per copy US domestic and $16.50 for international orders. Shipping is included. Purchase your chapbook(s) now via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com) in 4 easy steps: 1. log onto your Paypal account; 2. choose, “Pay or Send Money”; 3. click, “Send money to friends or family (or Paypal charges a fee); and 4. send the proper amount to, “ericvancewalton@gmail.com”. Please don’t forget to include the shipping address in the notes.

If you’d rather pay by check please email me at ericvancewalton@gmail.com with the number of copies you wish to purchase and your address and I’ll respond with the address to which you can send a personal check.

Own or gift a copy of my very first poetry chapbook. When they’re gone, there will be no more. This would make a very thoughtful and unique Valentine’s Day gift. Although we can’t guarantee it, we will do our very best to have these to your doorstep by Valentine’s Day. Again, the price is $15.50 per copy US domestic and $16.50 for international orders. Thanks!

Freedom in Sixty-Four Bars

5:30AM wake up, shower, coffee, buttered toast, and So What flowing from the radio

its call and response, like smoke, coaxes me softly to some other kind of consciousness

a strange feeling settles at two minutes thirty-three, reality? It's just some charlatan

"you've been a harlot, son." the notes say, "You've sold your best years for a song."

By three minutes twenty-six Mr. Davis had me transfixed, I was living 2/7ths of a life

struggling through the mires of a Monday to Friday strife for such a small slice

but who am I to whine? it's taken quite a long time but...so what? I've found freedom in sixty-four bars.

~Eric Vance Walton~

Truly

Of all these things I covet,all I've loved to pieces until they are no more you are my greatest enigma

my touchstone, the thief of my heart your words drip as your soul skips through the next field of daisies

the words you've said will echo through the ages in my head,

they will wrap me in warmth on cold days and one day will remind me what it was like to truly be alive.

~Eric Vance Walton~

Broken Dreams

In this world it's so easyto be broken, so many dreams are fractured every day

We must carry on in this world of madness, when all we want to really do is play

Trust is such a scary road to wander, it can feel like a stone in your shoe

The pain brings you back to this moment, and can reveal a very sacred truth

Don't ever spend too much time looking backwards or laying down and gazing at the stars

This life is all about the journey and these broken dreams can show us who we are.

~Eric Vance Walton~

Give the Gift of Poetry!

The holidays are upon us once again! A few of you have asked if I’m still offering my poetry for sale...I am for a limited time. Please place your holiday orders by 12/12 to allow time for delivery. Pricing is as follows: 1 poem for $20 or 2 poems for $30. After 2 poems are purchased each additional poem is $15 (same order only.) Each poem is printed on parchment (suitable for framing) and autographed.

Payment is accepted by credit card via PayPal, see the link below for details on how the process works:

https://ericvancewalton.wordpress.com/poetry-for-sale/

If the poem you have in mind isn’t listed on my site just private message me to confirm if that poem is available or if you have any other questions. Thanks!

Memories Of The Sun

Smothered...in this deep winter bleakness as the sun walks away from us, an ancient journey to be traveled once again

but I will hold fast in my memory the days when it seemed close enough to pull from the sky and whisper to

I remember each moment it warmed us and the wondrous twilight when we squinted as it danced broad along the water's edge

these memories of the sun, they will offer me solace through the gathering darkness as we patiently await the lushness of the equinox with a certain feigned indifference that fools no one.

~Eric Vance Walton~

My Autumn Muse

Thoughts thunder through me,

twisted magic,

minus metrics creating absolute

unbridled hope,

static pops,

air electric I am immersed

in the fathoms

of my muse during

these fall days I wring the darkness,

words drip slowly

and freely like syrup

and to my soul

they taste just as sweet. ~Eric Vance Walton~

Two Poems Published in the Literary Journal Page and Spine!

Two of my poems, "The Writer's Life" and "Memories of the Sun" were just published in the literary journal Page and Spine. Click this Link to view:  http://www.pagespineficshowcase.com/197/post/2014/10/eric-vance-walton.html#comments

25% Off All of My Books Through Monday, May 26th!

25% Off All of My Books Through Monday, May 26th!

Happy (US) Memorial Day everyone! To celebrate this Holiday weekend, and the unofficial start of Summer, please enjoy a 25% discount on all four of my titles (including my debut novel Alarm Clock Dawn) with the discount code MEMORIAL25. As always, thank you for your support!

My Poetry Was Published!

http://www.leaves-of-ink.com/2014/04/madison-avenue-marionettes.html?m=1 Please check out my poem, "Madison Avenue Marionettes" in the literary journal, "Leaves of Ink"!

Success

Both a seeker
and a scarred sage
I am approaching
that certain age
when you
learn that
each decision
matters,
Fear is both
a bully and
a coward
stand up to it
more than
once and it
shatters

Mine heart
has felt
the glory
of the dawning
of this dream
to be found
a few steps
beyond the
searing pain
of defeat

Each time
you fall
you must rise
again
to your feet
because with
persistence
you will win
and this
success is
so sweet.

~Eric Vance Walton~