Kaye Nelson Ratliff

The River Running Through Him Kaye Nelson Ratliff

Just as a river shapes the contours of the land around it, our lives are shaped by the currents that flow through us; currents such as family, friends, experiences and places. This collection of poems reflects many of the currents encountered in the poet's life. They are a selection of poems written over the course of that life, and include the heartbreak of young love, memories of family and friends, and reflections on some of the poet's experiences.

These poems also include the ebb and flow of the writer's faith journey and relationship to God. They reflect the idea that without art, including poetry, we cannot fully express our experiences of the Creator. And sometimes, a poem is a prayer.

The Pee Dee River which begins as the Yadkin and flows through the Carolinas, also flows through the many of these poems. This river is an integral part of life in the Yadkin-Pee Dee Valley and it shapes much of the culture of the area. Thus, based on the poet's experience of life in that culture, these poems reflect her experience of the metaphorical river flowing through us.