Arts & Entertainment

Readings for 'Sea Glass' Trilogy Scheduled for Today, Next Week

Invisible Colors joins Long Beach Island poet Richard Morgan's I Am Sea Glass (2011) and Sea Glass People (2012) in time for National Poetry Month this April.

Sea Glass Soul – Invisible Colors joins Long Beach Island poet Richard Morgan’s I Am Sea Glass (2011) and Sea Glass People (2012) in time for National Poetry Month this April.

Each of the three books combine Morgan’s poetry with paintings by his wife, artist Pat Morgan.

In the title poem, ‘Sea Glass Soul,’ Richard Morgan writes, “You might love me less/For I am broken.” The poem goes on to draw parallels between people and sea glass. Both come in varied colors. Both are damaged, worn and mysterious. Life experiences burnish the craggy parts of people the way the ocean polishes sea glass, Mr. Morgan said.

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Mel Stabin, AWS artist and author, called the book, “A truly enjoyable collection, heartfelt, thoughtful…complemented by sensitive watercolors.” Andy Bass, organizer of Poetry Palooza, described Richard’s work as “etched by the sands…each poem an unexpected surprise.”

The Morgans live in Beach Haven, where the quiet of winter gives them more time to follow their art, Mr. Morgan said. Both teach what they have learned.

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“Putting pen to paper is a rewarding way to distill meaning out of heartfelt feelings, joyful or sad,” Mr. Morgan said.

All three books are available at Amazon, area gift shops and at the author’s poetry presentations. At readings, audiences are encouraged to participate with comments and questions. Future dates include: Lacey Library (Saturday, April 20,1 p.m.), Stafford Library (Tuesday, April 23, 1 p.m.) and Surf City Library (Wednesday, May 1, 10 a.m.).

Mr. Morgan told Patch he enjoys the readings, because "I not only read from the three books of my poems, I also explain the stories behind them and the humanity that's involved in them ... I say this after 40 years of teaching, and education, I love being in front of a group, and try to move audiences with things they'll find enjoyable and interesting."


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