This work - and the two books of the trilogy to follow - is how I write and understand poetry. It represents so many life experiences - success, pride, danger, addiction, love, competition, truth, failure, laughter, disappointment, fun, mystery, hope and the death of so many relatives, friends and Marine and journalism colleagues. Through it all, the Good Brother upstairs was always with me no matter how out of control or successful my life has been. This is my story.