Rocky Rhymes Free Poetry: About the author (Z. Menard)

I was born in a suburb outside Chicago, IL, and moved to Longmont , CO in early childhood, where I (more or less) remained ever since. My mother, an ambitious woman who loves her children fiercely, was never one to back away from a fight for the sake of me or my siblings. My father, a less directed but more emotionally open man, provided solace in hard times as he himself struggled to find his footing in the world. 

This is a free and ad-free blog site to host poetry. There is no intention to monetize my writing in any way (so no ads, info mining, etc.). This is just a little heap of sad poetry with some lighter stuff mixed in.

Anxiety gripped me at a young age, and it has been my mountain to summit ever since. I made a career for myself as an engineer, but felt that a part of me was never fully satisfied.

I had the great fortune to meet and marry one of the most beautiful souls on Earth. She's opened me to a depth of compassion and connection I could never have imagined. 

She gave birth to our son Jason, at 26 weeks, on May 4th, 2022. His short life of 3 days was filled with struggle, and having to watch him leave this world was the hardest thing I've ever experienced. In his short time, however, he brought our family so much closer and touched more lives than some do in decades. My poetry started with a tribute to him, and I hope that it can help others whose hope may be shaken or who need a refuge in this small corner of the internet.