Jim Boone Biography

US Poet Laureate Nominee 2012 - PROOF OF LIFE POET; POINT OF VIEW POETRY, i.e., GAY: Free verse style that has a rhythm, but not a fixed meter. There is something here for all of God's children, and equality is not just for someone who happens to be hetrosexual. 'I Am that I Am.'

I was born with the 'writers soul, ' but that never came out in my English classes in any of the schools I attended. I did, however, write everything down and eventually gave myself permission to call my writings 'poetry.' It was not easy being born a homosexual boy-child in the late 1930s, growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, but that's how this life of mine has played out as I navigated the path I was given at birth. Interestingly enough, my two years in the US Army were the two best years of my life. For the first time I had total male acceptance while serving my country and you'll have to read my poems for any more information on that chapter of my life. Yes, this is a poetic autobiography of the life of this Poet and of many a male, like me in the 'Doo-Dah Days' of the 'Sexual Revolution.' Dance with me.

My first book of poetry is titled 'Somebody Say Amen! ' and can still be found on Amazon occasionally.
In 1993, I began 'The Texas Poetry Project' and began
doing public readings for the first time. In 1997, I
was invited to participate in the 'Art Now' demonstration for Nat'l Endowment for the Arts increased funding by Congress and the Senate: The politicians who control this. In 2001, I was named a
'Distinguished Poet of Dallas' along with other local
poets. In 2011 I received notice that I was being nominated for the title of 'US Poet Laureate' for 2012. 'It's like the lottery, you have to be in it to win it'. The Nomination is everything, especially to an openly Gay Poet 'whose poetry also speaks to other observations of life which all people can relate to'. Many, many thanks to Jake Sitters for that nomination.
I love living on Galveston Island off the coast of my native Texas.

NOTICE FROM JIM BOONE: When you go to read my poetry,
check the box to the left of the poem title. Then click on 'Preview'. Do not (please) click on " Listen
To This Poem" . It's computer generated and is as irritating as any other robot. TYVM