Page 11 - Oasis in the Sky

Foreword

My first encounter with Michaud Lamrouex was as the editor of his first
novel, The Daystar: Child of Light. As I read this book, the first in a fantasy se-
ries he plans to publish, I was impressed with his writing skill and his ability to
tell a story. The more I read, the more convinced I became that Michaud had an
untapped gift of poetry—the rare ability to pull the reader into his writing to
feel what he feels.
In Michaud’s fantasy novel, the hero, Tahlan Rahre, is the Wizard Healer of
Legend who discovers that he must reach deep within his spirit to embrace the
shining orb of power given to him by the Creator. This journey into his inner-
most being equips Tahlan to fight the forces of evil that threaten the known
world and enables him to heal his fellowmen with an amazing supernatural
power.
As I became better acquainted with Michaud and his battle with bipolar ill-
ness, I realized that he was unconsciously telling his own story. It became my
mission to convince Michaud to reach deep inside his own inner being and em-
brace the gift of poetry that the Creator has placed within him. It is a well known
fact that poetry heals and refreshes the soul of both writer and reader.
Like the hero in his fantasy novel, Michaud daily fights the dark forces of
debilitating depression and anxiety caused by bipolar illness. But within his
spirit there is a shining orb of power—he tells us about it in his poem, “The
Power of Believing.” Through determination and faith in his Creator, Michaud
embraces that power and lives the way we are all supposed to live—one step at
a time, one day at a time.
I feel a deep satisfaction to see my dear friend’s first book of poems and sto-
ries published, and as you read his work, you will discover what I have known
all along—Michaud is a powerful poet with healing in his words. Even the
poems that seem drenched in despair will enlighten readers and give them a bet-
ter understanding and compassion for those who heroically battle mental ill-
ness. It takes courage to openly discuss such problems, but Michaud’s candid
and painful revelations of the anguish and torment of depression will go a long
way toward removing the stigma of bipolar illness. Even on those days when his
mind is tortured, it is a brilliant mind filled with ideas, imagery, and the ability
to communicate. And just when you are convinced that his world is totally dark
and dismal, he will surprise and delight you with his humor in poems like
“Skunk Boy” and “Foo-Foo Dust.”
In this collection of poems you will visit the Huachuca Mountains of South-
east Arizona where Michaud spent his childhood. You will climb with him to a
mountain oasis to view the wonders of nature from the top of the world. You will

ix
Oasis in the Sky
Oasis in the Sky