Poet Eric M. Black

About Eric M. Black

Eric Michael Black was born December 31, 1975 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  Growing up in a military family, Eric lived in North Carolina, Germany, Michigan, back to North Carolina, New York, and finally to Kentucky where his father retired after a twenty year career in the United States Army.  Eric graduated from Christian County High School in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in May 1994.  Upon graduation, Eric attended Hopkinsville Community College for one year.  From there, he transferred to Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

Eric's college experience was not without complications.  After several semesters at Murray State University, and a less-than-expected performance, Eric returned to Hopkinsville Community College for one semester.  It was there that he began to write poetry.

Though young, Eric had many experiences through his moving around the country and the world, and experiences his own personal decisions would lead him to.  As a result, Eric had seen quite a bit and experienced many cultures throughout the United States, and had an opportunity to be involved in the many activities and relationships of those cultures.  Throughout college, as well as his travels across the county in his early twenties, Eric began to learn more and more about life.  This led to many unanswered questions such as: Who am I?  What am I here for?  What do I want to experience in life?  What do I truly believe?  Can I really impact the world?

These questions helped shape Eric's poetry. 

Throughout Eric's early twenties, he decided to take time off from school, and he spent most of time working to travel, and then working to travel some more.  In fact, in 2000, Eric planned a three-month backpacking trip across Europe.  He would go by himself, traveling the continent, learning more about himself and the world, and enjoy life.  As he prepared for his trip, he decided to work one last job to save extra money for the trip.  It was at this job he met his true love - Gina Renae Halstead, during the summer of 2000.

Eric did go to Europe, although he did not stay the full three months.  He returned and Gina and he were married on June 2, 2001.

In January 2001, Eric returned to Murray State University, where he completed his Bachelors of Science in Outdoor Recreation in December 2002.  He presently works for the Boy Scouts of America, with whom he has been employed since March 2003.

On October 2, 2003, Eric and Gina had their first child, a son, Dylan Michael Black.  The three live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Two of Eric's greatest accomplishments in life are receiving his Eagle Scout in May 1992, and having published his first book of poetry, An Old Man.

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