Originally, remission was my very first poetry book. It was self-published in 1998 as a thin, twenty-four page chapbook. It was (and still) is a general collection; it has no consistent theme which unites the overall work. One might effectively argue that the theme of the book is pain and/or the removal of pain. The title clearly suggests this, as does the inclusion of the dictionary definition of the word remission. Yet, a vital part of my attraction to the word remission is its inherent flexibility. The word carries a multitude of ideas. It's fair to say that the theme of this, particular collection is all over the place. It's simultaneously happy and angry, sad and joyful. It is esoteric/plain-spoken, bizarre/ordinary, sexual/restrained, exploratory/cautious and phobic/fearless. It's probably all of the adjectives usually reserved for the Adams Family. It is what it is. I dedicate this book to sincere lovers of poetry, everywhere. This collection is for you who, when reading a well-written poem, actually recognize it as being such. It's for you who understand how vastly different good work is from those endless piles of refuse that sadly get mistaken as poetry, every day. This book is for those of you who can pull several (equally interesting) interpretations out of even a short piece of poetry, whereas the average person sees not even one. remission is for the ones who get goosebumps from reading or hearing a good poem, who are moved to tears by one or become enraged at an injustice which a poem refers to. This is for you who get truly lost inside the art. These pieces are also for anyone who is in need of healing. Whether the nature of that healing is physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, it matters not. May it wash over you as a river of healing waters. It is, as well, for anyone who has the gifts of healing, whether for people, for animals, for systems or the planet or any of its ecosystems. May this in some fashion spark your gift and your drive to use it for the betterment of all. Whether you heal with tools or techniques, with medicines or herbs or perhaps you heal with humor. Whatever it is, please use your gift. This is book is for the living.