Books by Larry Troxel

Poeming Life is a rhyming word scape for every you and mood. It is a collection of short reads crafted to uplift and provoke memories of the things of life both of time past and present. So, peruse these pages of literary good and find poems that will momentarily entertain or inspire the spirit.

Plan life's chapter with loving care, allow the reader a pleasant surprise. In poetic fashion, Larry has created new worlds and characters, recounted personal stories, captured histories of families, fantasies in humor, conveyed affections of life, and shared upthoughts of inspiration, memories, music and musings. Out on a limb, he tells of events and expresses views of a patriotic heart and politics, and shares empathetic poems about addiction recovery influenced by his work in an addiction recovery program. One literary critic said, "The time and care that has gone into this compilation of poetry is clear. I love the line in the opening 'As if taking a selfie, questions of this poem may help in deciding, if just a little, about what our story is, or can be' - I want to share that with the youth in my life in particular and see if they wouldn't be inspired to turn to this creative outlet of writing! The title piece, In the End We're All Stories, is a beautiful work to reflect on, to 'plan a final chapter with loving care, allow the reader a pleasant surprise' is a worthy goal and tool for recovery.' Pat W.-Colorado

"You have a very nice writing style and make it easy for your reader to identify with your words...You have a wonderful compilation and have crafted an excellent piece. Bravo!"-A literary review commentaryAlexander Pope, in his An Essay on Criticism, wrote of a mythical and sacred fountain in ancient Macedonia known as the Pierian Spring. All those who drank from the spring, it was told, were taught and endowed with great knowledge and inspiration. Comparing this to our life experiences, pleasant or not, can be as "teachers" as if we drank deeply as though from our own personal Pierian Spring. When we are put upon by good and badMay we embrace "whatever is" life bringsAnd learn from each though glad or sadCannot life be as a Pierian Spring?-From As a Pierian SpringAs I have written poems about past, present and future life experiences, I began to think about how we can or should view those events and what they ought to mean to us. I discovered poetry can also parallel the Pierian Spring experience, if permitted. So, as you read and consider some of the poems in this anthology, open your mind and think beyond the mere words, to a fuller meaning these symbols might convey. Sound words in poetry, well chosen and thoughtfully placed, serve as tips of truth.Words are pointers for our sensesFor things they representOf mysteries behind invisible fencesOurs to learn their full intent.-From Tips of Truth