Susan Jean Montaperto

P*o*e*m*a Susan Jean Montaperto

Poema. It is an ancient Greek noun that means "workmanship." It is literally a creation or thing made. We equate workmanship with physical labor to produce a tangible item that may be seen and touched, for example, a well-made violin, a portrait, or even an antique car. The craftsmanship that was put into Stradivarius, Da Vinci, or Rolls-Royce is still self-evident today centuries after the various artisans completed their works. They are still valued today because of the high degree of workmanship used to create them.

Therefore, I thought it was entirely appropriate to call my written collection of poems Poema. They comprise over a quarter of a century of my using words to creatively express thoughts, musings, and memories; To catch a moment in time; to make use of words to express life's moments, joys, frustrations, and even moments of humor.

This is my workmanship in words, detailing my life as a wife, mother, daughter, and Evangelical Christian.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, King James Version).