Oak Park author a poet




LISA ADAMS/The Acorn  GET READY FOR SOME POETRY--Author Wayne Allen LeVine holds up his first book,

LISA ADAMS/The Acorn GET READY FOR SOME POETRY–Author Wayne Allen LeVine holds up his first book, “Forgiveness for Forgotten Dreams.” Barnes & Noble at The Promenade in the Westlake portion of Thousand Oaks will be welcoming LeVine at 7 p.m. Mon., Feb. 2 for a poetry reading and book signing.ÿ


By Michelle Knight
Acorn Staff Writer

It was a critical point in Wayne LeVine’s life as he sat on his bed eight years ago, staring at pictures of himself as a boy, tears streaming down his face as he lamented over childhood dreams that had gone unfulfilled.


The moment deeply moved him and has become the basis for his first book, "Forgiveness for Forgotten Dreams," a collection of poems he wrote from that moment on.


Why did he choose poetry? "It’s allowed me to connect with people in ways that I’ve never been able to do any other way," he says. "I know there’s a stigma about poetry and I have fun with it."


The Oak Park resident feels that some people may shy away from reading poetry, judging the entire genre by obscure poems they may have been forced to read in school.


"I don’t like the poetry that’s encoded," he says. "It’s written . . . deliberately so that people won’t understand it."


His poetry needs no explanation, he says. He weaves threads of commonality throughout so that they’re understandable and people can identify and relate to them.


A Chicago native, LeVine studied psychology at Northeastern Illinois University. He worked in the vitamin and nutrition field for many years and, with two partners, eventually started a line of nutritional supplements.


The partnership soured, but LeVine continued the company for a time, closing it last year. "I have no regrets whatsoever. You learn from everything, hopefully."


LeVine decided to fully dedicate himself to the craft of writing, which he had been dabbling in all along. Besides "Forgiveness," he had a poem published in a poetry journal a couple of years ago that received the Golden Pen Award for literature. And a short story he wrote, "The Last Attack," appears in the newly released book "Chicken Soup to Inspire the Body & Soul."


His family is supportive of his work. His wife of 25 years, Robie, and their two sons Justin, 15, and Ryan, 18, are often involved in LeVine’s work. For example, after Wayne and Robie watched an extraordinary sunset together, he was inspired to pen "Observations at Sunset," which appears in the book.


Nothing is outside the realm of material for poetry, LeVine says. In "Feathers over the Freeway," LeVine knew he had a poem on his hands when words flowed so freely after witnessing the unusual sight of bird and vehicle collide.


LeVine, who had often read his poems for the public at bookstores like Barnes & Noble in the Westlake Promenade, was asked so frequently by the audience for a book that he felt irresponsible for not having one. He was approached by a well-known East Coast firm that offered to publish the book, but LeVine bypassed them in favor of a local publisher. He’s glad he chose to work with Center Press of Thousand Oaks because it’s allowed him to have greater creative control over the book’s publication than would have been possible with a larger publisher, he says.


A local printer and artist were chosen as well. LeVine chose Thousand Oaks artist Dina Farris Appel when he happened upon her work at an art show in Westlake some time ago. He kept her in mind and asked her to paint the cover artwork because their styles are similar.


Plans are in the works for a second book of poetry, perhaps released this October, LeVine says. And then he wants to produce about a dozen books over the next two decades. LeVine’s in no hurry but wants to take his time and enjoy writing and promoting each one.


Have any dreams gone unfulfilled since that dark moment in LeVine’s life? "I’ve fulfilled many," he says.


And as for those he’s yet to realize, he pursues them in the spirit of fulfillment. "I don’t feel like I’m lacking in something," he says. "I feel that I’m very full, very privileged and grateful."


Wayne LeVine is scheduled to sign his book "Forgiveness for Forgotten Dreams" at Barnes & Noble in the Westlake Promenade in Westlake Village at 7 p.m. next Mon., Feb 2.


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