Holding Grace: Prose & Poetry

by R.J. Heller

" Holding Grace embraces a contemporary, free verse style of poetry as the voice for sharing a range of life’s experiences and emotions, creating an approachable and highly readable collection. Within these pages are recognizable tales of friendship and loss, contentment and longing, reflections on current events and locales, and the pure pleasure that may be found when one stops to soak in the beauty and rhythm of nature.

The storytelling here breathes life into the moments captured. From the exuberance of a child free to swing high on a rope and drop into cool waters in Washed Anew, to the quiet reflection of a young father realizing life’s blessings on Christmas morn in A Morning Made of Perfection, the images conjured by the author strike a chord that is at once familiar and emotional.

Tenderly written remembrances of childhood, tales of middle-aged angst as one feels the press of time, and backward glances at life’s choices are all countered with stories of nature’s challenging beauty, and the too infrequent simplicity of enjoying a quiet rain or a frozen breath on a cold day.

This collection offers sentimental reflections on life and the memories we carry, as well as an unblinking look at the need to accept the passage of time with grace and appreciation.

Pause and take in the life moments, both common and unique, that are so lovingly shared in Holding Grace. "

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2013

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, specifically Allentown, PA, where constant motion seemed to be the norm. The love of the outdoors and athletics proved to be the drive throughout the school years.

Graduating college and finding work, he married and began a family. Two children later and a successful climb up through the ranks of work, he had an idea and created a business for himself, and as it turned out, a business which employed many others.

A quick experience within the culture of “Corporate America”, the creative call came again. In following it, he abandoned the “box of business”, went back out on his own, and formed a consulting business assisting others with their dreams of success.

During these “past” steps, a creative drive was emerging. Guided by a passion for writing, photography, and what people are thinking (music and books), this drive is now expressed in his voice. A voice filled with words and photos.

Nature and the love of all things living is a theme that runs throughout his work. He currently resides in a small town in Pennsylvania with his family, but his true passion and voice reside in a small coastal town in Maine.