Now That I Am Older: Poems and Short Stories

Now that I Am Older is a captivating collection that displays Myrne Roe's award-winning poems, spellbinding short stories, and personal favorites. From the elegant Foreword by Roy J. Beckemeyer, author of The Currency of His Light: "Roe proffers us the captivating glimmer of moments, insights, smiles, tears; a treasure chest of words and imagery to enjoy over and over again, each time we open its cover." Myrne Roe is a former teacher, congressional chief of staff, university public relations executive, editorial writer, and nationally syndicated columnist. Winner of awards for her poetry, her feminist anthology, Radiating Like a Stone, is a gold mine of the history of Wichita women. Now an octogenarian, these poems and short stories reflect her life and career.

About the Author :
Myrne Roe has had a series of careers that would be enough for five people. She sharpened her writing skills as a teacher, congressional staff director, university public relations administrator, editorial writer, and nationally syndicated columnist. Winner of awards for her poetry, she has compiled and edited several anthologies about Kansas people. Radiating Like a Stone: Wichita Women and the 1970s Feminist Movement is a gold mine of the history of Wichita. Now, as an octogenarian, she has gathered some of her poems and short stories, reflecting her life work. She was married to the late Jon Roe for 59 years; they have one son, Matthew.

Review :
Myrne Roe is a writer. Her poems get to the very heart of things. Whether she is talking about a funeral-her own-or squirrels, or pondering a wedding ceremony and how fleeting life's defining moments are, or just what it is like to live a full and examined life, her wisdom and inner truth is a salve to me. It will be to you, too. -Sarah Bagby, Owner, Watermark Books & Café, Wichita Roe uses crisp imagery to explore aging: "Gold gifts lost in places I cannot point to / I can only remember the brilliance of what has gone." Comedy: "The girl had the glazed look of a lost mall shopper." And candor: "If we live long enough we move from being a child to being a child again. Mother is all the evidence I need." You will see yourself in her writing.-Kelly Johnston, Fellow poet; author of "Kalaska" and "Tumbleweed" This book is full of sweet and poignant storytelling in poems and prose. Whatever stage of life you are currently in, you will find an inspirational short story or poem here. You will not want to put it down! -Melody J. Cole, Author of Sentiments of a Survivor Wit and wisdom shine in stories that reflect lives of a generation. Roe's poetry extrapolates a gem from each experience drawing one into a vivid tapestry of emotions. -Margalee Wright, Former Mayor City of Wichita Myrne Roe writes with such honesty, insight, humor, and lyrical brevity that each piece causes reflection, recognition, smiles, and, sometimes, laughter. "Writing While Walking" is any writer's best advice, shown, not told. My favorites among the short stories are "The Sewing Room," "The 1953 Wellington Wheat Festival," "Two-Headed Calf," and "Before it Gets Dark." Like her poems, Roe's stories are carefully crafted without extra words. Up close we see truths and are moved. I will reread this book again and again. -Gretchen Cassel Eick, Professor of history; author of eight books Experience the humor, grief, wonder, and grit Myrne Roe expresses in Now That I Am Older. Her pieces are accessible to all, even those peoplewho have thought they either don't like or don't understand poetry. You will have a remarkable experience. -Marietta Anderson, Writer and communication strategist . . . when Myrne worked at the Wichita Eagle she proved to be one of the most insightful people I've ever known. She was ever mindful of the importance of the printed word. When she complimented me on a column, it made my day. -Bonnie Bing, Freelance writer and Wichita Eagle columnist