Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

M.R. Merris was born in Illinois and lived there until he was 13. He started writing in the eighth grade where his first attempt at poetry earned an F. Since he was used to seeing the grade he kept on going. A blackout drinker by age 15, he shipped out as a merchant seaman for two years and then enlisted in USN. He was hospitalized by USN in Bremerton WA for alcoholism in 1977. During the last stages of his alcoholism he lost the ability to write and this was a reason for finding the fortitude to get on his knees and ask for help. He came to the SF bay area in 1980 and found sobriety. Married late, he fathered two sons and divorced after 15 years. During the last stage of his marriage he found he couldn?t write. Once again he got on his knees and the writing returned. Six months after he left the marriage he was laid off from his job of 15 years. Unemployed for two years now he has published his first book: ?Fistful at Fifty,? He will be featured during the Open Mic on January 12.

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