As I sit and begin to write these linesIm reminded of a much earlier timeI must have been 8 when I first beganTo create prose with a pen in my handAlthough most times it was done for funWhod have guessed one day a writer Id becomeSo Ive laid myself bare all the triumphs and trialsThe trauma the hurt the frowns and the smilesLet these words be a beacon and offer insightWhen youre alone in the darkness and looking for lightIm certainly grateful that you took the timeTo share my experiences Ive put into rhymeThe Crystal Rose is a captivating collection of poetry and art Beautifully illustrated the accompanying artwork helps bring to life the riveting prose Moving and inspirational these pages are a journey through love heartbreak friendship betrayal and a celebration of life