choosing between my children

My ex has always warned me to be careful about showing favourites amongst my children. It can be tough, although I do believe I love them all the same, each brings different aspects to the world and to my view, and thus they may get different levels of and different kinds of attention from time to time.

So it is with my poems, and, of recent relevance, my books. So, to answer a challenge from a reader, here's my preferences in my books:

INVOCATO - While shorter than the P'cycles, this volume has the blood, sweat, toil and tears works. The ones I am most proud of, the children most likely to be the heirs for me and my messengers to future generations.

THE COMPLEAT PANTHER CYCLES - I have some emotional issues with this book, as it represents both the best and worst of me and my relationships with the world, but as a monument it is undeniable. Over 600 poems. Some of my best works, woven in a tapestry that also includes some loose threads and worn spots, but like some Renaissance tapestry, well worth the adoration it inspires.

LOVE GODS OF A FORGOTTEN RELIGION - Some of my better works, including "The Patchwork Skirt of My Love". While not as massive as P'cycles or FAUQ, it has many excellent works, and a cover that I designed from a picture of my second ex...

FROM AN UNEXPECTED QUARTER - Until the P'cycles, this was the big book. It has the complete Goldenheart Cycles, as well as some of my best works....but included some filler when putting this together and that always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

THE MORGANTOWN SUITES - Personal, yes. Intimate, yes. Earnest, yes. But the limitation of the theme of finding works about a town that still treats my legacy like roadkill keeps me from fully wrapping my arms around it. I am finding those who are the least delighted with me as a writer find this my most "accessible" book.

101 GREAT LOVE POEMS - Nothing against the poems. Good works, mostly Pg to PG-13 in content, but I like the metaphysical muscle in some of my other books better. A great gift book for graduates and newlyweds.

FROM OUT OF THE CITY - Pulled from the market to be absorbed into FAUQ, good work, but irrelevent now.

PANTHEON - Being pulled in about two weeks to make room for the fully realized P'cycles (besides the muse/artist who did the cover for this tried pissing all over me a few years ago, and that soured me on what was once going to be my legacy book)

There you have it, I made my choices.

You want me to rate my real-life children now. Hell no. I love them all so much that everyday I don't have them in some manner in my life is painful to me. I am so very proud of all of them and would step in front of a bus in slow motion for any of them. Come to think of it, metaphorically, I already have.