Leland William Howard, author of such books as Pirouettes Get No Applause in Goldengrove, The Grass Hut, and Portrait of Betsy, has now produced "A Door, A Bell" a lifetime collection of poetry he has written over the course of more than forty years, during which time, the poet worked in occupations as diverse as groundskeeper, secretary, dispatcher for a security office, journalist, and theatrical publicist and lived in climes equally as diverse as New York City, New Orleans, and Paris, France. Its Early Years are marked by lyrical poetry recalling the stylistic influences of the late Romantic poets of the 19th century. Its Middle Years is comprised of elegies to luminaries who have exerted a tremendous impact on the world of film and music, as well as poems, both conversational and lyrical addressing the emotional and psychological dynamics of interpersonal relationships in a period of isolation, alienation, and cynicism, particularly those poems written on and after the events of 9-11 in New York City. Recent Years has its share of tributes to luminaries but also explores the changing nature of Time itself in a world where past, present, and future are coming together. The collection also hosts poems which the poet wrote in collaboration with photographer Jodie Olson entitled Pilgrimage in 2002, and a cycle of poems about the many pets for which the poet and dear friends have cared over the years.
