The Midwest Writing Center invites you to the launch of our most recent publication “Greater Joy, Shorter Sorrow, Thankful Prayer” by Richard Collins and illustrated by William Hannan.  This is a collection of poems written over the course of Dick Collins’ life.  Dick was a much loved and admired middle school teacher and coach spending his entire teaching career in the Moline School District #40.  He ended his coaching career in the Rock Island, Illinois.

The foreward of the book is written by Ryan Collins.  Ryan is Dick’s son and was only thirteen when his father passed away.  Ryan says, “The bulk of these poems I had never seen before reading a proof of this book. Sure, I knew he wrote Christmas poems.  But these are not the light holiday verse you and I might expect—these poems are sparse and searching, elegant in form and shape, more memoir than occasional poems.  They are devotional, but not simple-minded or reductive.  Rather, they express his devotion, in the most pure and universal way.  They reflect his struggles and joy, ultimately human, uncertain and hopeful.  You can see a life unfold when reading these poems—his life—told in the terms he felt best suited for sharing with the people he loved and the world outside.”     

An excerpt from the introduction by Dr. Ann Boaden, “Each year, from 1965 until 1990, fortunate friends received from him an original Christmas poem.  Since his early death in 1992, many of those friends have wished that a collection of those poems might be assembled.  The present volume does just that—along with some samples of his other verse.  Needless to say, the project has been a labor of love for all of us involved.  Each piece bears the shining mark of Dick.  May it shine in your hearts this Christmas and always.” 

Dick’s life ended January 8, 1992 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. This was much, too, soon with so much living and writing yet to do.  Friends and family have encouraged the publication of some of Dick’s poetry, and here it is.  We hope you find it inspiring and enjoyable.  The proceeds will be shared by the Midwest Writing Center and the Richard J. Collins Scholarship Fund.