Welcome to our Poetry Library!
The original poetry published below have been contributed to Axis of Logic by various poets for your reading and enjoyment. Some of the original works are listed beneath the name of the poet. A number of other original works submitted to Axis are listed under "Other Poets and Their Poems". Also included in our poetry are favorite lyrics under "Song Lyrics as Poetry". "Venerable Verse" includes poetry that has stood the test of time.
If you have a favorite poem that you would like to see included on Axis of Logic, please submit it to the editor. Thank you for visiting ... and reading from the Poetry Library of Axis of Logic!
POETRY OF DARRELL B. GRAYSON, Introduction by Esther Brown
Darrell B. Grayson was born 2.26.61. He was raised in Montevallo, Alabama with 11 siblings in a single parent household. He dropped out of school in the 9th grade, and with no prior criminal history, received the death penalty from an all white jury at age 19. After some years of severe depression, which he describes as spending flat on his back, the death of his mother brought about the decision to do what he could to better himself. He began to write poetry and received his GED and Associate Science degree. In 1994 he became active in Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty, a deathrow inmate founded and run organization. In 2000 he became its chairman. Under Darrell Grayson’s strong leadership, PHADP was restructured and became a 501 C3 organization. It received its first grant, doubled attendance at its vigils and became a member of other grassroots organizations in Alabama. He took over the editing and formating of Wings of Hope, the PHADP newsletter, which up to then had been done on the outside.
His poetry, which he defines as "a contagion of insecurities", reveals Darrell Grayson to be a spiritual, sensitive writer with a deep love of life and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Recently a fellow poet interrupted a reading of his own poetry in Birmingham and read Darrell’s "Universal Song," moving many in the audience to tears. He speaks with a unique voice to the power of the human spirit to live in darkness without being vanquished by it. "Oh, teach me the meaning of tenderness, dear skies…"
Esther Brown was recently introduced to us by our new contributing writer, Britta Slopianka. Esther is executive secretary/treasurer of Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty. Her e-mail address is beesther@earthlink.net.