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INTRODUCTION

I was born in 1948, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This was the beginning of my journey as a Military Brat that ultimately led me to Bermuda in 1961. I think it was love at first sight - and here I am, 40 years later, still in love with Bermuda. My family left Bermuda in 1964 and moved to Otis Air Force Base, in Massachusetts. Then, in 1965, my father retired from the Air Force and we moved to Tennessee. I went to college, married, and raised a family. Though I left Bermuda 40 years ago, I realize everything I've done, and everywhere I've been, has been influenced by it.

If you lived in Bermuda when I did, you understand what I mean or, if you are one of the many visitors that come to Bermuda and fall under the spell, you understand and return, again and again. And, if you live in Bermuda, you can appreciate what I can only intimate. Pink Sand Poems was written with Bermuda in my heart. Inspired by this love is my heart's song of friendship, identity, dreams, disappointment, loss, hope, beauty and magic. Pink Sand Poems is my tribute to Bermuda.

When thinking about publishing my poems, I could only "see" them in watercolors. I asked a friend and very talented artist, Cathy Stanz, if she would consider illustrating these poems. At first, Cathy was not sure she could paint these pictures since she had not been to Bermuda, but I just knew she was the one. We talked for many hours. I shared photographs from 40 years ago and from recent trips. Cathy asked me to put the poems on tape so she could listen to the words while she worked, and then she started to paint, adding her own imagination. She has captured the spirit of my words on canvas. I love what she has created. Below, are the two photographs she used while painting the book cover - one taken of me at Flatts Village, in 1963, and one taken at Flatts Village, in 2002. The cover painting truly represents me in Bermuda.

I now live in Memphis, Tennessee; drive an SUV with 'ILUVBDA' on my Shelby County car tags; read the Royal Gazette online several times a week; email friends who live in Bermuda and some who would like to live in Bermuda; have a large framed map of Bermuda in my dining room, as well as two other prints by Bermuda artists. I also have several Bermuda t-shirts that I wear regularly and a framed 1960's era "record album" cover by Bermuda musicians in my bathroom. I tell people about Bermuda at every opportunity and even have a brother who was born in Bermuda!! And, I could go on and on.

Since 2002, I have visited Bermuda for a week at Christmas and hope to continue this tradition. If you haven't visited Bermuda, I hope this website will encourage you to do so. And, if you have been to Bermuda, I hope you'll return soon.

Jane Barcroft