Author Bacon’s best barometer for a work’s merit is the heart
Life Times Editor
(The Laurinburg Exchange,
Friday, January 5, 2007
When Melie Bacon and his parents, Robert and Earline Bacon of
the youngster would occupy himself, hours on end, by asking,
“What’s that sign say? What does that sign say?”
Through that game, young Melie got an early edge on the English
language. And when his father was stationed in
the family, little Melie learned to speak French, and soon he began
to display a natural aptitude for languages and the written word.
His book of poetry – “Stix & Stonz” – provides a peep into his love
of words and creative writing that has helped him express his
feelings through the years. His book contains selected poems he
has written during the past 25 years.
“Stix & Stonz” is a paperback collection of 38 poems, “ranging
from free verse, haiku, syllabic and avant-garde to prose,”
according to Melie.
He derived the book’s title from that age-old, familiar nursery
rhyme. “Regardless of whether we are 9 or 90, there is a little
child in us all, and it is this childlike quality that enables us –
even in this space-age of unprecedented crime, violence and
moral decay – to appreciate the beauty and balance of nature;
to love and forgive our fellowman; and to adore, in awe, our
benevolent Creator,” he wrote in the book’s preface.
The writer hopes to “inspire artists of all genres to believe in
themselves, exercise and explore their potential, forge their
own way and strive for excellence in artistic expression.”
In addition to his passion for poetry, Melie says the book is a
“testament to my tenacity and triumph over illiteracy.”
Melie began to develop his writing skills in a serious fashion
while in reform school. Born in
Army Base, he dropped out of school as an eighth grader.
But he continued to learn through the process of self-education,
mainly.
As a child, Melie wrote “little poems” to his mother. As he grew
older, Earline Bacon became a major source of encouragement
in her son’s love of poetry as well as in getting his collection
published by PublishAmerica.
friends,” he wrote, “and to the memory of my elder brother,
Robert R. Bacon Jr., who, despite his tender age, displayed an
uncommon intelligence and the potential for greatness before
his untimely and tragic demise.”
Robert Jr. was killed at the age of 4, in 1957, when he was
struck by an automobile while playing.
The book is also dedicated to Melie’s younger brother, Sgt. 1st
Class Henry “Butch” Bacon. Exchange readers may recall that
Henry Bacon was killed in 2004 in the line of duty during
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
About his heroic military brother, Melie wrote: “If the true
measure of a man is determined by the number of people
who attend his funeral, then Butch is head and shoulders
above the throng. Surely his name is written in the Book
of Life."
Melie’s poetic piece penned in memory of “Butch,” who gave
his life bravely for his country’s freedom, is as follows:
"If the message on this page – a relic ravaged by time – is
found by a distant age (an age without war and crime),
then these words on musty leaf will reveal a prophet’s grief
and echo a poet’s rage at a past world’s heedless plight:
'To its end with all its might!’ ”
Robert Bacon Sr. said that his son’s writing on page 56 in
“Stix & Stonz” is his favorite, and one that brings tears to
his eyes every time he reads it.
Melie Bacon’s book of poetry can be purchased for $12.95
[retail] through www.PublishAmerica.com.
(The caption under the picture of his book reads: It is
Melie Bacon’s belief that writing is an art form
that requires a love for composition, imagination
and perseverance. He advises the would-be writer
to “adhere to the rule of thumb: Forget the rules!
This is the first step toward discovering one’s own,
unique voice.”)
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