Darryl

Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?The same police officers coerced an error-filled "confession" from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late— Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.For over 14 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgment.But there’s still hope for them, and you can help. Visit my storefront to learn moreMy first book of poetry called Stepping Out Of Line is now available through lulu.com, it is a collection of 50 poems I have written over the course of the last year or so. Press the direct link which is posted here and in my blog. http://www.lulu.com/content/545611 Shawn Aarons has been a loyal supporter of my writing for a long time now, she is also a very close friend of mine. Shawn is also a huge Bukowski fan and we both have a lot of similar musical tastes.( Neil Young at Massey Hall 2007 will be forever etched in both of our minds) Here is Shawn's review of 'Stepping Out of Line'...Stepping Out of Line is a must read. Darryl's writing draws you into a different worlds and engages all your senses. The material is raw and humorous. Every emotion gets triggered. It's real life stuff, sometimes gritty, sometimes sweet, sometimes sour. No fluffy stuff, never dull. Each poem tells a story to be savoured. I enjoyed it immensely. Nina Motylinski's (singer) review of Stepping Out of Line: Firstly, i loved the way it was so relatable and accessible, it was the mundane made literary, snapshots of life, but your words gave those mundane snapshots meaning, and i love how every now and agin there seems to be a higher force/divine intervention at work and you acknowledge that at times the perception between the two is blurred,you gave soul and feeling to those everyday fleeting moments, that normally pass us by. Very beat and bukowskiesque especially the laconic tone and nonchalance that pervades every page, it was gritty and i think it's great how you weren't afraid to touch on those things that people think but are too shy/embarrassed/unliberated enough to say "i'm tired of the same old shit in my life" and (living in the heartland of america), , your honesty was refreshing and really brought a raw quality to the dis-jointed, non linear, 'mini-saga's. The characterisation is clever in that you build up characters in shades and yet they still remain anonymous, so they could still be anyone.(the actress etc) I particularly liked 'an isle of sanctity' and totally felt the line "i..d rather be someone else, somewhere else, maybe if i became an alter ego of myself it might help" from disappearing act, i think alot of people will be agreeing with that poem. All in all i think it's very original and clearly personal, i think you should be very proud of your book and status as a contemporary poet!! Dave Jeffery's (poet/writer) of bookreview.com wrote this about Stepping Out of Line: From the author's inspiration of his literary idols, as captured in Poetry ("conspire in their genius and know them well, for they will smile down from the heavens like Gods") to the bitter observations of life about him in Stop Crying Mother ("I have my shoes back, Mother but they are loose and untied as I walk empty streets in search of home") Salach has a voice that is as sincere as it is powerful. There is nothing trite or contrived here, and the reader is often left with insights that linger. For example, the opening lines of Soft Food and Painkillers: "She was an actress in the making, always the dramatic one, feeling everything like a bullet between the eyes".Salach describes 'Stepping Out of Line' as his 'teething period'. One can only wait with fervent expectation for his teeth to emerge, sharp and glinting, and ready to take a bite out of an un-poetic world. Greg (The Ogre Poet) wrote this review of Stepping Out of Line: From the social conciousness of "Drink it Slow" to the soulful fun tale of "in the middle of my life", Stepping out of line has something for everyone. Darryl is a pleasure to read on a constant basis, always opening the readers mind, heart or both with his pennings! Stacy Foster(poet) wrote this review of Stepping Out of Line: The first time I read Darryl Salach I knew I wouldn't be able to put him down. When I discovered that his first book of poetry, "Stepping Out Of Line" was available I just had to get my hands on it. His poems tell stories, are bluntly down-to-earth, and leave you wanting more."My colors are different as are my ideas and ideals," Darryl shares in "why I write." Through a mixture of broken dreams, drinks, smokes, sex, drugs, and ladies, all sprinkled with heart and soul, he'll keep you captivated."I'm too shy and timid to read this shit out loud," Salach shares in "mailing it in."That's okay, we'll love to read it instead. Karley Bureau(inspired the poem "my hero")wrote this: it brought a tear to my eye especially when i read the poem you wrote for me..and then i saw the page you wrote on with HERO in brackets to remind me which one it was funny but how could i forget.. it was very sweet darryl thank you so much..you dont know how proud I am of you for writing your book...awesome i haven't been able to put it down. Svetlana (poet) wrote this review concerning Stepping Out of Line:When I first began reading Darryl’s blog, I was moved by the ‘rawness’ of his expression… how he wove seemingly ordinary experiences into fluid verse. It was genius really… not unlike Seinfeld turning ‘the stuff of life’ in to comedy… Darryl delivers a hard edge to ‘the stuff of life’ with his poetry. ‘Stepping Out of Line’ is an extension of that genius. Each piece turns an episode of circumstance into a beautiful crescendo of words. The works are sometimes tragic, sometimes raw and sexy, and sometimes wholly striking in their beauty. You feel like you are an audience to a series of intimate conversations that give a meaningful look into Darryl’s experiences, though some can be any of our experiences. It is hard to pick a favorite piece, though certain ones definitely resonate with a knowing familiarity. The book’s brilliance is in consuming it as a whole. It was truly a meaningful read for me. Karen is my wonderful friend from Hawaii. She is a beautiful mom of three boys and still finds time to write some great poetry. Karen wrote this review of Stepping Out of Line: I just spent the day "Stepping Out Of Line", ...with clear wit and an unconventional charm, Darryl Salach shares the good, the bad, and the ugly moments of life. His warts-and-all honesty had me cringing, gasping. laughing, and loving my way through each and every page...making me a bona fide SUCKER for his words...and thats "The Truth"!!!!!a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank" Kim has been a long time supporter of my writing and was one of the first people to purchase a copy of 'Stepping Out of Line', here is Kim's review...One of the great things about Darryl's book is the fact that he says so many things that other people are not willing to speak out loud. I've read his poems several times - when I'm happy, sad, tired...and each time I draw a new perspective from his words. He has the ability to push the envelope just a little further than most of us would be comfortable divulging, and that's what makes it so worth reading. Someone else has the same thoughts, AND the guts, to actually give merit to those thoughts. He really makes you feel as though you are never alone.... Robert Chevelle is a talented musician/poet in his own right and has released 3 cd's of his music and poetry, the first being Lit World 1- Seven Worlds, Lit World 2- Poetry and Lit Soul 3- Libertine Dream. All can be purchased on Rob's myspace profile page. You can find him in my top friends. Here is Rob's review of Stepping Out of Line... I finally finished your book, Stepping Out Of Line.I have been real busy with work, music and I have been reading three books at once. I read yours a little each night before bed and a few times outside.You have a cool way of writing and taking certain experiences and putting down the event in a poetic way. I could relate to many and felt I was there with ya while reading.Some of my favorites are the first poem New Begginings and Mailing It In, Drink It Slow, When All Else Fails, The First Time, Strawberry Delight, In The Closet, I Should Have Listened To My Conscience, Empties (those little demons! lol), Always Talking About The Weather, My First Poety Reading and answers.I have placed your book proudly in my library with some of the greats and will recommend to those who wonder through it while visting.Keep writing and I look forward to your next volume.Sincerely,Robert Tracy is a Georgia peach, a southern belle and a wonderful friend. She is very talented in her own right, writing greeting cards for a living and a wonderful array of her own poetry. We are all waiting for your book my dear. Here is Tracy's review of 'Stepping Out of Line'..... Stepping Out Of Line...written by the brilliant mind of Darryl Salach... A unique blend of poetry...it has a mixture of raw reality...heartfelt emotions...life's lessons...love...passion...sex...lust...hate and rage. Thought provoking...tantalizingly seducing your thoughts with every line...Mr.Salach masters what it truly means to (step out) of line...putting himself and his readers out there for an electrifying...emotionally charged...mental ride through his remarkable eloquence. Lana is quite possibly the first person to buy a copy of my book. She has been a great friend who disappears from time to time but somehow reappears at exactly the right time. Here is Lana's review of 'Stepping Out of Line'...The title of the book sets the tone. This collection of poetry is not the norm. It is raw, intense, and real. With every poem you can visualize the life struggle going on within the writer. Every person has demons. It takes a large amount of courage to take those experiences and turn them into words. Then an even larger amount to share those words with the world. I felt a connection with the writer from the first poem to the last. This is a great collection for any lover of poetry. Teresa is from the windy city, Chicago. She is young, beautiful and talented and is currently working on a children's book that she hopes to have published in the very near future. She also writes great poetry. Here is her review of 'Stepping Out of Line'....Stepping Out Of Line is an excellent launching piece by Darryl Salach. His poems read like forgotten moments in time. They are collected bits of the realities we often over look and brush past in our photo oriented memories. Rather than capturing the picture, he exposes it's truth with brash wording and a sensetive outlook in our harsh yet fragile world. His view is something everyone can relate to, while so few of us can be as bold as to explore these grounds he's treaded into. The title is fitting, as that's exactly where it will take you. On a more personal note this stuff is raw hun! wow it blew me away! i mean i would be teary eyed one minute, and cracking up the next. i like books to be adventurous, and this was def one of those books i just got into! Ellen is my friend from Oregon who is a definite cat lover having 11 cats in total. She is also an avid motorcycle momma who rides with friends every chance she gets. Here is Ellen's review. "Stepping out of Line" is not you average collection of poetry. It is about real Life and real emotions. Darryl Salach writes with such heartfelt raw emotion that reaches out and grabs his readers, enabling them to relate their own experiences to his. Salach's work is honest, raw, sexy, in-your-face, tender, melancholy, and philosophical all rolled into one. "Stepping out of Line" is probably one of the most real collection of pieces I've ever read. Ma'ria is my number one friend on myspace and over the past few years we have been able to develop a strong friendship that will never end. Ma'ria is also a very talented female in her own right and is working on having her children's book published one day soon. Here is Ma'ria's review of my book 'Stepping Out of Line'....Years ago, I happened to come upon Darryl's myspace page and discovered his poetry. I was officially hooked! There was something that reached out and grabbed me and had me anticipating more! Poem after poem was posted and I read each and every one of them. His words are raw, graphic, crude, real, sweet, humourous, loving, intense and so on. When Darryl's poetry book arrived at my door, I instantly began to read it. Night after night, I still pick it up and find something new. Each poem envokes a different emotion. I get caught up in his thoughts, ideas, experiences and the stories he writes about others. Intense and true to life...Darryl never sugar coats reality. Darryl is a poet of our times. "Stepping Out of Line," is a must read!!!..This profile was edited with MySpace Profile Editor MySpace Profile Editor