Tom V. Warren

Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends. - Richard Bach

Tom writes poetry and fiction.

Tom and I met on an email list discussing Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. We began a long-term correspondence, engaging in a playful conversation between Emily Bronte and Charles Darwin (I was Charles, he was Emmy.)

Over time, our friendship became more intimate and we began to exchange poetry. Most of the poetry I wrote in 1998 was written in an exchange with him: conversing via poetry. I'd been stuck. Hadn't written a word in the previous seven years. My correspondence with Tom was an essential piece of my renewal as a writer.

Ultimately, he moved to Oregon to try to establish an intentional community with a group of us here. We did not succeed in establishing a community, but the experience was worthwhile in every respect.

I owe Tom my deepest gratitude for several gifts: for helping me wake up after several years asleep and cut off completely from my work and for helping me learn to say "no," enough," and "you do not define who I am."

I've not forgotten to spend all my kisses.

Chaos Revolves

You return
and turn
and turn
again

Turn...
you are
where you
always
have been

Remember,
you gave me
the key

I threw it
away
beyond the dream-
time

Never
lost

We are
where we
always
have been

In the heart
of
the dancing
star

Tom's Work

Haven't been able to find any online and I'm not posting the stuff I have.