Outskirts Press, INC.

An insightful new collection of poems and essays that offer warm reflections on past relationships and brave perspectives on current social issues.

The carefully crafted poems of Vaughan’s “Reflections” section focus on those ephemeral moments of love that have lasted a lifetime as the treasured memories of the author and that will prompt a similar nostalgia and warmth in any of us who have loved and lost:

Once upon a time
you touched me, and,
just as a candle flickers
when first lit,
so it seemed that love flickered in me.
(From "A Fairy Tale")


We shared a lot together, and
for a moment,and
for what now seems a fleeting moment,
we shared love.
(From "Sharing")

The essays and poems of Vaughan’s “Perspectives” section, meanwhile, discuss openly and honestly the controversial racial, political and religious influences that are so often rationalized, minimized or denied in our society and which -- because they are expressed so candidly here -- may help all of us to become more introspective:

The closer you are to being white, the more acceptable you are. As a custom, not a legal mandate as in South Africa, American apartheid is more insidious.
(From "American Apartheid")

Some people wear symbols to show their faith.
Others wear none.
By wearing none, does one show a lack of faith,or
a lack of moral and ethical fiber?