Poignant Poetry That Will Touch One's Heart and Inspire Compassion -- Ruth Whitaker Burke Shares Her Brother's Moving Poetry That Will Tug At Your Heartstrings

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 26, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There are writers out there who need a creative channel for their talent. One of these channels is poetry. Ruth Whitaker Burke explores the sensitive nature of poets through a poignant collection of poems by her late brother Willard Denver Whitaker through the picture book, Smile Through the Mist.

The poetry in Smile Through the Mist aptly fits the description of ``songs that gush from the heart.'' It is a touching commentary on one of the lost, unhappy people with great talent. It likewise depicts the sensitive nature and the sad plight of poets that will tug at the readers' hearts. As a sister of a deceased talented poet, Ruth decided to share her brother's wonderfully poignant works -- poetry that sang through his soul and spoke of his feelings of loneliness and homesickness. She also incorporates her own photos to the book, adding to its beauty and charm.

This book is beautiful inside and out and will motivate us to show compassion to those homeless and lonely people who need our help. Those people who have experienced the same feelings of loneliness and homesickness can relate with the author. The beautifully moving poems will touch your hearts and inspire compassion for others.

About the Author

William Denver Whitaker was a gentle and tender man of great sensitivity and talent. In infancy he had polio or as they called it then ``infantile paralysis'' which left one foot humped and crippled, the leg shorter than the other, causing him to walk with a limp. Unfortunately, Willard's schooling was limited and his activities led him into a way of life which today would be called a ``hippie'' style. He was one of the wanderers who seemed to be searching for ``something'' just over the next hill or in the next city; though much of the time he would have had it otherwise, but it was beyond his ability to make these changes. Many times, the author tried to ``break the spell'' of this wanderlust -- ``in vain.'' His sensitivity to hurt -- and the aching emotions drove him to the bottle and alcoholism took its toll. Happiness and laughter were spontaneous with Willard, but very short lived because he was hurt and miserably unhappy most of the time, being misunderstood and not accepted by many who could have helped him. Much of the time the author felt completely alone in the world -- as his poems say over and over again. His writing tells much about him. Willard Denver Whitaker, son, brother, husband, father, lover, wanderer, ``The Gypsy Without a Caravan'' died at the age of 56 in a lonely distant city, far away from ``home.''

           Smile Through the Mist * by Willard Denver Whitaker
                                 Poetry
                   Publication Date: September 6, 2006
          Trade Paperback; $21.32; 34 pages; 978-1-4257-1199-3

To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7479. Tear sheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Marketing Services. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7876.

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