Poet's Perspective

Charles Edward Peterson, Sr. was born on May 9, 1950 to Rosie Lee and Willie Edward Lee Moses Malachi Peterson in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Being the fourth child of seven children, he vividly recalls using his writing as a vehicle to escape into his own world. He wrote poems and short stories in his younger years to express his thoughts, goals, and dreams. And his Blue Trunk he made in his wood shop class, as a freshman in 1964, was the holding place for his creative work. After high school, he married his sweetheart and as a result of this union fathered three children. After seven years of marriage, Charles was left with three children to raise as a single parent. Anita Shari, Tanisha Charlotte, and Charles Edward, Jr. were his responsibility but with the help of family, friends, and the community he raised three healthy children. During the early morning hours, The Poet remembers getting up to write poetry at 2 or 3 am and placing them in his Blue Trunk. Over the years that Blue Trunk was filled with over one hundred poems and it was at this time he decided to publish his first book in 1993 The Poet Speaks—Chasing After A Dream. His first work was dedicated in memory of his beloved daughter, Tanisha Charlotte Peterson, who died after giving birth minutes after naming her son A’mmary in 1991. The Poet is a civil rights activist, community leader, and humanitarian. His community service includes reciting poetry at correctional facilities, Christian youth camps, and participation in marches for unity awareness and atonement. He is very active in his church as a deacon and male chorus member. He proudly holds the rank of black belt in martial arts and has many trophies displayed on his shelf from tournaments. Charles enjoys playing chess, Bid Whist, and serving God. And you may find him on the golf course in a city near you because he is an avid golfer. The Poet’s love of creative writing through his poetry is a reflection of his passion for the written word. Authors he admires the most are James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, The Last Poets, and all unknown poets with a message. Forty years later, The Poet and his Blue Trunk, have survived many disappointments, heartaches, and pains. But the poetry written during this forty-year span is a testament of faith, humbleness, and spiritual guidance. And The Poet has just begun to speak!!!! The Poet is but a voice crying in the wilderness trying to Open the eyes of the children of man before they are harvested by the minds of destruction.” (I’VE BEEN LIKE AGEING COAL, BUT SOON I’M GOING TO SHINE)Peterson, Charles Edward, Sr. is the author of 'Poet's Perspective' with ISBN 9780977254149 and ISBN 0977254143.