I began writin’ ‘rhymes/poems’ just for fun when I served in the US Navy. Most of it was ‘sailor stuff’... or bawdy versions of other poems/songs. At the suggestion of my wife (Petey), I began to write more. Further... to assemble it in some manner with a Copyright and maybe get it published. This is a first. I gave a brief readin’ at the local church to much applause. That was the first time I’d read any of this outside of my immediate family.  Then I read some at the Arizona Poets Society 'gathering' in Prescott. More like the 'Good ol' boys in big hats clique'.  

We live in the Sonora Desert west of the Tucson Mountains where the first road sign I see (once off the dirt road we live on) is ‘Open Range’ with a milk cow graphic (udders ‘n all). Obviously approved by some gummint cubical drone unfamiliar with ‘cattle’. As this is my first attempt, I have no idea what sort of success or failure it might be. I’ll leave that up to the reader.

I s’pose there’s rules in poetry... I dunno what they are. “Rules? I don’ need no steenkin’ rules‘!” I just write this stuff as it comes. If I hadda be concerned with rules, it wouldn’t happen. “Tales of the Sonora” is a thumbnail history of the area that names some names that people might want’a look up ‘n read about without gettin’ too deep into it. It’s also a little litany of some personal observations gleaned from livin’ here. I love this place. It screams ‘Wild West’ from every angle. But, this desert (like the sea) is unforgiving of human error. Folks go wandering off into it and disappear here still. It is what it is.

This collection of poems ‘n stuff also ‘is what it is’. Politically Correct it ain’t.... cuz I ain’t. No apologies, just like this desert. I don’t even read other folks stuff... not yet. I’m sure I will at some point, but I don’t wanna be influenced by nuthin’ else. ‘Hope y’all enjoy it!

William E. Shaw  (Sonora Rebel)
Picture Rocks, Arizona
May 2008