Life Songs

This is a compilation of original poetry and song lyrics by Marilyn Gilbert Komechak. Ms. Komechak is an award-winning, published poet and songwriter. Michael Baldwin, President of the Fort Worth Poetry Society and winner of two state-level poetry manuscript contests, said of this book, "Are you missing the duende, the deep passion in poetry that is haunted by reminders of mortality? You will find it in abundance in these wonderful poems by Marilyn Komechak, but also her exuberant love of life and her uncanny evocation of sun-washed Southwest Texas, New Mexico, and even more exotic imaginary venues. There is something to astonish in almost every poem: tear-catchers from the Civil War, ancient Indian petroglyphs, Russian holy icons on barn steps, meditations on pentimenti. Each poem is extraordinary in extraordinary ways. Then come the song lyrics. Willie and Waylon need not apply. These are story songs of sly insouciance amid deceptively simple tales. I've loved and been nourished by Marilyn's writing for many years; I think you will too if you are sufficiently adventurous."Marilyn Gilbert Komechak is a licensed psychologist who has served as a consultant to schools, businesses, and corporations. While maintaining a private practice, she wrote numerous articles and a book, Getting Yourself Together. She continued writing after she retired and has now included an award-winning children's book, Paisano Pete: Snake-killer Bird, a children's historical narrative about Deborah Sampson, a true hero of the American Revolutionary War, entitled The Girl Who Went to War; and she collaborated with her talented artist daughter, Kim Komechak, on an illustrated collection of poetry and paintings, titled Painted Poems: Interior Scapes. Now, she offers this beautiful collection of poetry and song lyrics which take the reader on a moonlit waltz through a world filled with laughter, tears, song, and wisdom. Come glide along the Pecos, find yourself in the reflection of a painting or dusty petroglyph, or learn Sacajawea's nickname.