Collected Poems of Paul K T Barnes

His imagery ranges from the striking yet familiar to the nuanced and unexpected. The boldness of his poetry belies his public reticence. Paul was clearly steeped in the literature and folklore of England and Western Europe.
Paul's poetry is clearly meant to be read aloud. Use the rhythms of normal speech; the meter will come out right. Where it gets bumpy, that's appropriate to the context.

Paul was clearly steeped in the literature and folklore of England and Western Europe. He was involved with a theatrical group called "The Gallery Players." A small ad in the New York Times, May 18, 1979, announced their production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Paul's relationship to his father, Kenton Kilmer, son of poets Joyce Kilmer and Aline Kilmer, became public in the year 2000 with the publication of his limerick in "Joyce Kilmer's Relatives Go Out On A Limb-Erik: Wry 'em and Writhe 'em" (published on demand by Rising Dove Fine Arts). Until that time, Paul preferred to keep his paternity private. A loving—if sometimes rocky—relationship grew between Paul and his Kilmer relatives.
Family rumors of Kenton Kilmer's biological fatherhood of Paul came out after the deaths of Kenton and his wife Frances. While clearing their house, Miriam found evidence of Kenton's early relationship to Paul: baby pictures, a lock of hair tied with a blue ribbon, an early letter and a very early poem by Paul. These items were stored in a drawer containing Kenton's treasures. There were also financial records showing Aline Kilmer's payment for Paul's mother Dora Barnes' confinement, Dad's subsidization of Paul's schooling at the Little Red Schoolhouse, and small yearly payments to Dora.
Nevertheless, it's clear that Paul basically grew up without a father. This fact may have contributed to his own inability to parent, which led to strained relationships with his own children—even estrangement.
It is my hope that this volume will contribute not only to the promotion of Paul K. T. Barnes' prodigious talent, but also to healing in his whole, widespread family.
Paraphrased from Paul's Obituary in The New York Times: Paul Kenneth Tracy Barnes was born on July 26, 1935, and died November 19, 2021, in New York City. A great lover of books and poetry, he was a longtime employee of the 8th Street Book Shop. Miriam's parents founded Green Hedges Elementary School in order to give their children a superior education with emphasis on the arts. Her ancestors include poets Joyce and Aline Kilmer and American Impressionist Frederick C Frieseke.
Miriam earned her BFA at UNC-G, and her Masters in Theology from De Sales School of Theology. Her fine arts business has been in operation since 1979. Rising Dove Fine Arts has published music CDs, along with books of poetry, humor, and photographic essays. Miriam Kilmer edited these publications.
In addition to her obsessive writing, Miriam specializes in artists' crayon, pencil, photography, and computer graphics. Whimsy, fantasy, and humor bordering on the bizarre inform her writing and illustration.
Restricted by the pandemic and by mobility problems, Miriam revels in glorious skyscapes from her east-facing windows, the indoor antics of her two rescue cat, and the unlimited world of imagination. One of the sunrise photographs she took from this balcony forms the basis of the book cover for "Collected Poems of Paul K.T. Barnes." Paul is Miriam's half-brother; she is most pleased to contribute to the promulgation of his excellent poetry.