Wayne H Drumheller

A Rockfish Valley Poet and His Camera Wayne H Drumheller

This book is a work of fiction, but the narrative poems are mostly true. In A Rockfish Valley Poet and His Camera, the author explores his coming of age feelings, perceptions, emotions, doubts and fears in a 134 page book with over 90 narrative poems and 75 gray-toned landscape scenes and theme photographs. He traces his young adults' fantasies, memories and personal interactions in a candid and realistic manner. Within the writings he reveals a social-psychological look at his family ideals that have been shaped more by legend and historical circumstance than reality. He examines his own perceptions of life in the valley community through poems of forbidden love, an unsolved crime, a suicide, his own racial naiveté and a driving desire to tell a story that he hopes will be remembered. This book could became a classic read for those who see the Rockfish River Valley as more than a by-way or thoroughfare to a weekend get-a-way, ski trip, kayaking adventure or a hike in the National Forest. It is about a young man who grew up and lived in the valley among real people who loved, laughed, cried and struggled with everyday challenges, just like everyone else. This is not some picture postcard fantasy dreamed up for someone's "get-a-way from the busy city or stressful job." It is narrative poetry, with visual images, that let the reader see and feel the Rockfish River Valley through a native born poet's eye, soul and spirit. He says in the beginning of the book: "Every time I look at this old faded photograph of my first grade classmates, I am reminded of the dreams we had for a better tomorrow. There is the life we now realize in our early autumn years of family, children, grandchildren. Many of us are still friends. We have endured and championed the tests of time. We now stand on another portal looking to the next chapter in our lives and legacies, to a future generation that we hope will remember us.