Questions in the Balance

While rhythmic, rhyming poetry may seem to have become a vanishing genre since the advent of “free-verse” and “avant-garde” forms of expression; a cadre of dedicated songwriters, lyricists, and traditional poets have been the faithful defenders of the once common, yet still venerated “music of the spoken word,” dating back to the poets of Old Ireland. Mr. Boyden has been honored to be one of such poets, associated with perpetuating and promulgating this classic art form, since he won the first poetry competition he entered in 1974. With the perceptible cadence and the audible “echoes” of his ongoing and anticipated rhymes, both the simple and most complex of emotionally charged issues spring to life in the “mind’s eye” of the reader, evoking a myriad of irrepressible and deeply held psychological responses. In fact, many of his poems have been licensed as lyrics to collaborating songwriters, who prepared sheet music in multiple formats, including rock, show rock, country, folk and ballads. As his poetry embraces varied and diverse subjects, from the incredible majesty of our surrounding natural world to the intense, romantic feelings of the human heart; to the esoteric philosophy of life’s existential questions of purpose and meaning; the poet’s unique display of intellectual insights, blended into rhythmic rhyme, seamlessly provides a compelling, enjoyable reading experience. Mr. Boyden’s poetry has garnered numerous awards, most notably from The National Library of Poetry and The International Library of Poetry in their acclaimed anthologies, “Best Poems of the ’90’s;” The Best Poems and Poets of 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2007. He was inducted into The National Author’s Registry in 2002 and has attained the distinction of Founding Laureate Member of The International Society of Poets.