| Hi, thanks for
visiting me. I’m always eager to talk about poetry –
especially mine, lol – and bipolar disorder.
I heard somewhere that poets write because
they have something to say. While I think much of my poetry
is worth the read, I couldn’t come to grips with what
to present and how to present it.
After several false starts I finally
realized what I had to say right now. I had to bring voice
to the emotions bourn by all of us who suffer from various
brain disorders. I refer to them as brain disorders because
I can’t understand a distinction between physical
and mental health.
In order to discuss this topic it became
necessary for me to “come out” about my own
affective daemons. I suffer from Bipolar Disorder –
an illness as difficult for patients and care givers as
schizophrenia. There are two million people in the United
States with Bipolar Disorder, but when you add to that number
family members, health care professionals, social services
and law enforcement the number affected is quite large.
Carla Conley was kind enough to edit
my book. Her words sum up my goal:
"David Ruslander’s purpose
in writing Voices in My Head was to give emotion a language,
specifically emotion as magnified by an affective disorder.
Each poem stands on its own, but through reading the work
as a whole you may be able to see the cycle of bipolarity
in a unique way.
In this book, Dave attempts to reach
out to the “normal” world from a wild spin of
shadow and light; his alternate reality. By means of poetry,
he seeks to share the inchoate murmurs of an existence that
is inexpressible by any other medium. The book is, then,
a passport for a journey into otherness, a travel guide
and a dictionary. By the end of the book, you may find your
own face mirrored in its pages and you may find the voices
in Dave’s head have a word to say to you. That word
would be triumph."
After reading, Voices in My Head,
it is my hope that you will find something pure, profound,
and private in this book that you may keep as your very
own. Please share this book with friends and family; whether
for the wonderful artwork, the poetry, or for a better understanding
of affective disorders. There are so many more people than
you may be aware of who need to know they are not alone.
Reach out to them with a copy of my book in your hand.
Voices in My Head, is 80 pages of poetry and incredible
art. The artwork was donated by fellow artists, bipolar
patients, and friends – you will recognize many names.
I know you will find their art awe inspiring.
You may purchase, Voices in My Head,
directly from me at 30% off the retail price plus $3.00
shipping and handling. Order your copy today for $23.00.
Send checks, cash, or money orders to:
Dave Ruslander
PO Box 584
Quinton, VA 23141
daveruslander@direcway.com
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