Dear Nagio Beck,

It is a great pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Poetry Showcase. I have been a member of this international writing community for over four years and I know that you will enjoy the artistry here too.

I am pleased that you enjoyed my poem, "Heavenly Bodies". This was inspired by a true story I read the other day about a scientist that loved the art of Vincent Van Gogh. This scientist decided to take an artist's approach to scientific theory and painted a picture of the stars, moons, and planets. He worked quickly on his art, as Van Gogh did. While painting, he was able to formulate a new scientific, mathematical calculation, about the universe we live in. I read that this story is being made into a film.

I believe that the arts change the way we think. I firmly believe that the arts could change the world/times we are living in, and that all schools (private and public) should offer them as core subjects.

I was an elementary and middle school teacher for over 15 years. The economy got bad in California and I lost my teaching job. I moved to Dallas, Texas a couple of years ago to find that education is suffering throughout our nation. I, unfortunately, am still paying off my student loan to become a mutliple-subject teacher. I finally got an entry job in retail this past Christmas, and a second job for a small dress boutique.

I love to write. Thank you for your kind comment. It seems the world is getting smaller and we are all growing closer through the arts.

I noted that you are a professional member of the military. Thank you for serving our country. I grew-up in a military family. My dad was in the Air Force for over 22 years and I was fortunate enough to live in Japan, the Philippines, Germany, and all over the United States.

God bless you,

Kathy Paysen

Dallas, Texas