For The People…and Other Lovers, Friends and Foes
Loretta M. Leto

THE BOOK

For The People…and Other Lovers, Friends and Foes is the first in a four part series of books Loretta will publish. While the books are a collection of her poetry, she has organized the poems so that each chapter of the book tells a story, and each book tells a story and all four books together tell a story. Most of the poems were written between 1975 - 1985 while she was growing up, attending high school and college.

Inspired by Florida's oceans, sunsets and hot steamy nights, she weaves these images into her poems which celebrate the innocence and dreams of youth. She also pays homage to other artists for the inspiration of their words to move her to write and includes quotes from music, movies, prose and poetry as "musings" throughout the books. Loretta is also working on a fiction novel based on her Italian ancestry, a multi-generational saga that will span the 20th century.

Poetry Sample

"This book is massive. It captures an era. I knew Loretta and her family while growing up in Florida. Her poetry couldn't be more real or honest. It did move me!" ~ Mike Shille

THE AUTHOR

Loretta M. Leto has been writing poetry for more than 30 years but just recently decided to publish her work. She is a native Floridian - born in Miami, grew up in Tampa, graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, lived in Brevard County after college, and earned her MBA from University of North Florida in Jacksonville where she now lives with her husband and son. She works as a Project Manager for "corporate America" but has always wanted to pursue her aspirations as a writer.

 

        Barrier Reef
I came to this bar
searching for your face
now that I have found it
I feel the tide
has finally washed me to shore
but why your silent stare

Do words fall apart
when you talk to me
or somehow
never come together

You can not depend
on your ocean eyes
to guide me
through the current of your thoughts
I drown in them
and break
faster than the waves
upon the shore
        ŁµŁ

 

Paperback $15.95