Stan Schmidt
Stan Schmidt was born in North Dakota. He has lived in Minneapolis the past fifteen years. He has a degree in Theology and has spent time overseas. His interests include NASCAR, heavy metal music, theological discussions and going to coffee shops. He’s a self-made and unlearned poet. He daily puts his life experiences into poetic form.
This is Stan Schmidt’s fifth book written in a one year time period. This book is an anthology because it contains the best poems out of his first four books. Gate to the Soul, The Weeping Poet, The Musing Poet, and The Solitary Poet. There are many new poems in the Wine Press as well. The poems within this book are heavy and personal, yet layered with mystery. This poetry paints vivid pictures of a person trying to deal with the disappointments of life. The author brings the reader on a fascinating journey through his dark night of the soul.
BLESSED RHYME
how long does one sustain piety
living in the dregs of society
character is tested with fire
yet of the burning I sure do tire
I cannot tell
if I am being made well
or becoming worse
giving way to the curse
because my soul’s been blistered
by this blasted cistern
and the only avenue
to get through
is pouring out my thoughts
hopefully connecting some dots
since putting into rhyme and verse
has very well saved me from the hearse
harnessing the pain
my poems have kept me sane
for fun flies when you’re doing time
but I cover my prison with rhyme
and if I would have spent this eternal night
without the ability to write
I’d be a fish in a waterless aquarium
the call being clarion
reserving my stay at the psycho ward
for reality would have severed the cord
but poetry came to the fore
giving me a little time more
surviving on probation time
thank you blessed rhyme
because if I would not have written
the snake would have bitten
poisoning beyond antidote
since life has cut my throat
but sitting in my chair
penning my despair
has been my only release
yet that without peace
but nonetheless
poetry’s caress
has soothed my soul
so this dark night did not take it’s toll