This is Paul Richmond's 7th book of poems, stories. "The ship is sinking, The captain's life boat left long ago, The water lapping at our ankles Is rising, Many have made their way to the bar, I have decided to give swimming lessons In the hopes to make a few dollars""I'm laughed, I teared, I felt the rage, all wrapped up in perfectly executed phrases that only Paul could construct. A treasure to read then read again. Hold up the mirror, look through the windows, pay attention then bang down that closed door...with bells on." Louis Paul Richmond won the Miller Audio Prize in the humor category for "Life Stories." "Your piece blends the observational humor of stand-up comedy, the quick tempos and wandering melodies of jazz, and the clever linguistic turns of spoken word poetry. That is so deeply human, pointing out the joys and absurdities of living in our current moment." - Ann Elise Hatjakes Contest Editor, the Missouri Review