Life journey fills poet’s work

Plato once said, “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.” If this is true, then one only needs to read Merle Martin’s poetry in order to know the man and his history.

As a youth, Martin, 72, loved Shakespearean sonnets and he dabbled in the craft, using his own experiences to fill the lines. Time passed, allowing for more experiences and more poems. Even when he curbed his need to write in order to join the military and then attend college, he filed away his memories to write about later.

In college, Martin did not study literature but technology. He received degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University and Texas A&M University. He joined the work force as a professor at the University of Alaska in Anchorage and at Sacramento State University and worked other jobs in the field of technology. He also wrote five textbooks and hundreds of articles in technical magazines. “I’m a jack of all trades,” he said.

In the mid-’70s, Martin began to get serious about his poetry, doing workshops and poetry readings. He now has hundreds of poems from 1980 to the present, poetic documentations of his life.

Three and a half years ago, Martin retired (for the most part) to Liberty Lake with his wife Dotty. About 18 months ago, Martin became ill and had several surgeries on his spine.

He and Dotty downsized and are now in Spokane Valley where there are no stairs and a sign on the front door reads: Ring bell then wait, slow person inside. Martin may walk slowly but his wit and way with words are quick; he writes at least three poems a week and is the editor of Remodel Spokane Magazine.

In January, Martin published a book of his poetry called “The Haunting: Poetic Images of Alaska.” The back cover describes Alaska as “… the Great Land, the final Frontier. Its grandeur and rigor are such that you do not change Alaska – it changes you.” This book of poetry captures the author’s 15 years living in the state. It speaks to the majesty of Alaska’s setting; the self-reliant, determined Alaskan people; and the soaring highs of the total Alaskan experience.”

Reading through the book, one easily gets an illustration of the author’s life, the ups and downs, and a view from his eyes. You know that he spent his youth in San Francisco, that someone he once loved died at 37, that Club 25 no longer stands, that magic and legends are alive in the hills and gullies of the land, and that sunsets and love are worthy of “hushed awe.”

Martin is putting together two more books of poetry, one filled with romantic inspiration called “Beauty Never Ages,” and another mixed with different themes called “Colors of the Soul.”

Collectively, Martin and his wife have nine children, 21 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, a rich history, and a life filled with poetic inspiration.