About David
David is a poet, fiction writer, and lyricist who has authored five published works, and is currently completing his second novel. He has lived and written in Chicago, London, DC, the high hills of Jamaica and the Caribbean, sailing on the Great Lakes and Mediterranean coast, and boating on the French and English canals. He is writing now from his hometown of Pittsburgh.
His art concentrates on personal and collective identity, the eternal question of humanity's innately-known but always-mysterious genesis, the absolute unity of all people in all places and times, and the meaning of suffering. He draws into unity the diverse people and struggles he has encountered throughout the world. His work frequently examines the subtle events of life, to unlock within common things an everywhere-expressed newness and compassion and life. David believes in the communion of the spoken word; everything he writes is intended to be read aloud.
David earned his law degree with honors from the George Washington University and his mechanical engineering degree from The University of Notre Dame. He spent four years in public service, working for the U.S. federal appellate courts and the Pennsylvania criminal courts. He is also a volunteer theology teacher.
David's first two poetry collections were released together in January 2010. Sometimes Form Sometimes Vessel is an internal-looking examination of identity and its dualism. Call it Perpetual is an outward-looking search for the commonality among us that hearkens back to humanity's mysterious beginnings.
Elynia, David's powerful and innovative novel, was released in May 2011. In resonant lyric, Elynia examines the lives of four generations of characters connected in strange and intimate ways. It discovers that all are united and communicative, not only factually, but also by the sad, celebratory, and enduring need that permeates all lives under many disguises. Its kaleidoscopic characters persevere in hope despite a relentless storm of time that erodes their identities.
David's third and fourth poetry collections are forthcoming. The Unexpected Guest, the longest and most ambitious of his collections, examines the surprising and eternal honesty hidden among the noise of life, waiting for a keen eye. To support David's belief in advancing youth literacy, proceeds from every sale of this and his earlier poetry collections support literary-arts programs in schools. The Final Act of Creation is also forthcoming, a collection of spiritual poetry examing the death of Jesus. It gives a unique and lyric voice to the generative power and hope that gives meaning to suffering.
As a lyricist, David's poetry is featured in the newest CD by world-renowned bass-barritone and composer, Guenko Guechev. David is accepting engagements for lyrical composition and collaboration with a broad range of musicians.
Works in progress for David include his second novel (a mystery) and his fifth poetry collection.
