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www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1899071

I'm Tom and if you are new to my site I'd like you to know that often ( well sometimes anyway) when I get really inspired by a photo on flickr I write a poem and leave it in the postings under the photo .... Once a year I try to collect these poems and maybe put some of them in a book. Of course with the permission of the contributing photographers from flick.com. It can be a long and tedious project but for me it is a lot of fun. I do this work with my daughter who is more tech savy than I am. I dont know a MyFace from a Spacebook (???)

The book above is a collection of about forty poems mostly written this year (2010) but a few of them are old poems that I have dusted off, cleaned up and made presentable for the book.

You can view all of the poems above right here by hitting that photo. If you are looking for a really special memento of good poetry (he says humbly) you may want to get this for your own collection in print!

There are some themes in this book of poetry .... aging, awe and wonder, the beauty of the seasons and Nature, the importance of talking to ( and sometimes screaming at) your God, peace, justice, brotherly and sisterly love and the oneness and commonality of all of us here on this tiny little planet called Earth.

I am not a great photographer but I am having a lot of fun learning...... and I put some of my photos and poems on Spacebook ( what! ... my daughter says it is called Facebook ..... okay !.... whatever!)

Here is some other stuff I said once about our wonderful site Flickr. here in Flickr dom) Nice meeting you!
1. I like flickr …… but I am concerned about it becoming a cult ……. When we start talking about following Hally’s Comet in a rocket ship or getting together for regional Flickr Fest -- it scares me.

2. We are all of one family ….. With a thousand shades of blacks, brown and tans from deep blue black to pink and freckly. Since time began we fought with each other, wages wars with each other , killed (and sometimes ate) our enemy, took their possessions, dominated, enslaved, condescended, patronized and then begrudgingly “liberated” each other. We may be a wee bit more civilized today but often the real nature of our fragile underpinnings ascends to remind us how very vulnerable and foreboding our temperament can be. Flickr helps us to see the commonality of each of us and as we dare to become “contacts” or “friends” or even “family”.

3.I have a great sense of humor. I laugh at life as life in return is always laughing at (and with) me. If you ask me is the glass half full or half empty, my response is “Wait I’ll get a smaller glass!”

4. I believe in God ……. But I don’t care if you do ….or not …… I love religions of all kinds……. It helps me to see that we all seek to find the answers to life’s big questions.

5 I am an eternal optimist. Good eventually comes, buses sometimes, subways tomorrow and politician rarely.

6.Rarely but sometimes I say or make dopey comments. Just send me a note and tell me I am stupid, I listen and I learn.

7. Some of my favorite friends are agnostics or atheist but I will only speak with them when the universe’s course of travel puts them randomly in the accidental and fortuitous interfacing collision with me or when they write to me or stalk me.

8.I like taking pictures; I like to paint and sketch (when I have the time) I like to play around with photoshop and I am almost religious about finding time to write ….. Most always poetry.

9.Poetry is my way of communicating with me and with God ….. Often in ways and places I never thought I would find God. Usually in the ordinary messy part of our lives… in the pain and in the laughter.

10.I don’t comment on flickr because you make me or tell me I have to or suggest I join groups where I must post comments to get a comment. (Do you see the cult theme developing!).

11.Often if I really feel like telling you something I will send you an email …… sometimes we need the privacy. So please don’t tell me where and how to type my messages to you or others.

12. Flickr is a social network and a way for us to all come to see each other as long lost family members

13. I am not superstitious … are you?

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ISFP)

Your personality type is caring, peaceful, artistic, and calm.

Only about 7% of all people have your personality, including 8% of all women and 6% of all men
You are Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Photos of tom_sketching (8)

tom_sketching's favorite photos from other Flickr members (3,785)

Contacts (584)

m_eileen2001 No real name given
patricio... patricio villarroel
fmr -- No real name given
NickShark Nick Shark
idarose33 No real name given
Abby Braman No real name given
Vicki & Chuck... No real name given
Skizha Sanjesh...
marco berna marco Bernasconi
~lala~(Lisa) No real name given
lindalht No real name given
Yvonne Raftery Yvonne Raftery

Groups (50 50)

The Empty Nest Express 58 photos, 103 members
Vegan Foods ( ONLY) - bought or homemade 53,408 photos, 3,585 members
Christmas from around the world 2011 102 photos, 121 members
frog pond florals.. by invitation ~ P1/C2 6,302 photos, 471 members
Your Preferred Picture 11,622 photos, 1,113 members
! * HDR-pictures*High Quality Only P1-A2*Admin moderated 1,662 photos, 223 members
PHOTOTALKGROUP[High Quality Images] 2,426 photos, 549 members
The Art of Silliness "4" 1,342 photos, 135 members
Group with experience 378,044 photos, 90,837 members
Intuitive & Creative Photography 562 photos, 34 members
Digital Paintings 5,582 photos, 439 members
Darters 1 photo, 2 members
Macros de Naturaleza - Macros of Nature (Post 1, comment 3) 95,470 photos, 6,890 members
Anolis Decorus (Beautiful Anoles) 577 photos, 112 members
This is an Anole 361 photos, 79 members
Shags & Cormorants 541 photos, 168 members
Cormorants 2,126 photos, 430 members
Butterflies 100,104 photos, 11,730 members
* THE 3 B's ~ BEES, BUTTERFLIES, & BUGS (post 1 ~ award 1) 36,156 photos, 3,113 members
Butterfly Gallery - P1/C1 Please 92,972 photos, 12,995 members
Lovely Ducks 18,671 photos, 3,209 members
Canon DSLR User Group 1,798,261 photos, 104,007 members
Insect Macro 1,577 photos, 111 members
Dragonflies 47,892 photos, 6,518 members
Dragonfly Gallery - P1/C1 Please 32,830 photos, 4,023 members
Dragonflies around the World 10,841 photos, 1,353 members
Rails, Limpkin, and Cranes 1,475 photos, 252 members
For The Love Of Dragonflies 29,157 photos, 3,925 members
Birds of prey watchers 761 photos, 70 members
Ospreys 879 photos, 153 members
Vintage Photographs and Genealogy 345 photos, 118 members
worldlightning 51,121 photos, 2,521 members
Natural Light Done Right 11,304 photos, 937 members
Natural Light 29,862 photos, 1,509 members
Hibiscus Pics 6,465 photos, 1,094 members
The Hibiscus 751 photos, 142 members
Flower Macros 7,421 photos, 626 members
Flaming Flower Macro 1,705 photos, 245 members
NATURE'S PRIME (post 1 award 4) Contest: Hugs & Kisses-ENTER 195,717 photos, 13,917 members
The Moon [*current* photos only] 24,343 photos, 9,149 members
Full Moon 6,255 photos, 2,141 members
! JUmPs oFF tHe PAgE ... IMPACT ! MoTioN ! [ Must Awd 2 ] 3,838 photos, 408 members
Squirrel Photography 12,631 photos, 2,574 members
squirrels 58,775 photos, 9,370 members
The cutest girls (faces) 24,149 photos, 4,388 members
German Food Culture 7,248 photos, 425 members
German Food 4 photos, 7 members
Middle East Gypsies (www.middleeastgypsies.com) 77 photos, 349 members
Christmas & Feliz Navidad 670 photos, 125 members
Feliz Navidad de Mexico 2005 76 photos, 26 members

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Galleries (8)

Signs I Wish I Made 1 photo
More Poems I Have Written 13 photos
Poems I Have Written 15 photos
Nature 7 photos
Flowers 2 photos

Testimonials (14)

Masala Cha says:

"Tom's poetry is something quite exceptional...he tells real life stories just by looking at an image and then captures the spirit of the person so well it is almost like magic...his talent is really a cause for celebration.....

I learn something valuable from him every time a gaze at one of his images and read his words ...thank you Tom for being so generous..."

29th September, 2009
HappyHorizonzzzz ;-) says:

"Tom! one of the sweetest person I have come across in my recent days, Very creative at writing, An complete artist, most importantly very Good Human who share a lot of love and peace to the whole world!

Thank you for being my friend and all your kind words to me :-)

Cheers,
V"

9th September, 2009
taK-tiK says:

"Tom, is a wonderful artist, a lovely person, and his writing has so much grace and charm. I love looking through his photostream. Keep up the good work Tom!"

26th August, 2008
~In pursuit of happiness~ says:

"I dont know how to describe tom. All I know is he is compassionate and tom I am posting this testimonial after reading the 13 things about you. Some of them may not apply to me (like pain, sketch) but you are a special person for our family.

I love all your pictures, though I may comment on only few of them who make me think and who move me deeply. Just keep writing those wonderful poems tom. When I see your sight I am smiling with out my knowledge. Thank you."

20th August, 2008
Brigitte Bravo Foreman says:

"Tom is a wonderful poet and I am happy to call him friend. I welcome his work and look forward to his thoughts. Thank you for being a part of my life. xox"

17th July, 2008
Janet Lee Felisa says:

"A very warm friend who always encouraging people to do more
and generously giving kind comments all the time :)
A True Artist in Both Visually and Literally :)"

28th December, 2007
anna_titi says:

"I was touched to see Tom had left a comment in my flikr page on a painting my daughter made. Even happier to see he added me as one of his contact. I really love flikr for the opportunity it gives each and everyone of us to discover special people from around the world. I really loved Tom's profile and I beleive he has a gifted talent. His poetry is pure, his art is outstanding and profound. His words and talent gives me power and inspiration. Thanks Tom ..."

2nd November, 2007
Ester Björg says:

"wow I Love the poem you wrote for me :)
you are a great artist, thank you !!"

23rd October, 2007
suryani shinta says:

"He also lovely person and also suport many time for me,..he is like my father my bestfriend and truly friend,...even we never meet in real life ,..i just tough him in my life like pearl like his poem his beauty soul,..his words his my wonderful friend,..Thank you suport me always,..hug and kiss Suryani"

18th July, 2007
heavens1 says:

"I didn't know any other way to post about all of Tom's photos than to write a testimonial......The phenomenal photography and artistic sketches and watercolors to match are beautiful! Brilliant and a master when it comes to creativity........"

20th March, 2007
caos says:

"More than a poet or artist, I think that Tom is a respectable wise man ♥♥ God bless this lovely angel"

30th January, 2007
Obi-Akpere says:

"Tom_Sketching is a poetic flickr user who has the ability to inspire people with his splendid photos and poems."

21st September, 2006
♥ Raycillient ♥ says:

"Not many people have the talent to put everyday life onto a canvas or a piece of paper. I so admire the art you create with your sketching its so different from photography. and yet so similar in giving out msgs and thoughts. Keep up the good work and hope to see you feast our eyes more on your creative works in sketching! good luck!"

13th July, 2006
John Cañares (Photo-Graphic) says:

"Great artist! I admire how you view the world."

12th June, 2006