I am so excited to host a stop on Forrest’s tour! I love his poetry, and I hope you enjoy reading this sample of his work.

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“Chasing the Rainbow” Blog Tour
Day 2

About the Book: “Journey to the Rainbow’s End: A Drag Queen’s Odyssey”

A collection of poetry that describes the coming of age and coming out of a man who struggled with his self-worth and identity, in the hopes to show others who share similar struggles that they are not alone.

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Writer’s Q&A

What inspired you to write and become published?
Answer: Many people have heard me say “I like to represent the people who are in the land of misfit toys.” What do I mean by that you may ask? When I use the analogy of the “island of misfit toys” I am talking about people who do not fit inside the heteronormative, fully Caucasian, privileged society. Does that still exist you may ask? If you look at politics in the United States and our current government, you can see these examples fully. I represent the different, LGBT, people of color, the poor, etc. We are all human, however, there are many who are privileged who tend to focus on their own “special needs” and forgetting that they are supposed to represent all people.
“We the people” does not mean you pick and choose who get civil liberties, or cutbacks in taxes. It means all of us. I may live in a utopian mindset, but I believe we can get back to taking care of each other again. As far as why I pursued publishing? Was it to become a famous author that would be a NY Times best seller? No, I never imagined my work would elevate to such levels. Not that I would be opposed to it, however, my goal has always been to inspire others to find and use their voice, to make the world a better place, and to show others they are not alone. I have survived more than most people, so I have been told. I truly believe literary arts help bring people together and brings them into a world of common ground. When we start to see the similarities in each other’s eyes and hearts, we then can become united and complete the tasks that help the greater good.

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Excerpts from “Journey to the Rainbow’s End” by Forrest Robert Stepnowski

Human
I sit here in the silence, complacent, and meaningless.
Am I but a whisper of make believe, a soldier trapped in a world of turmoil and lies,
I am alone,
I walk through a shadow driven by what I believed to be my calling,
An inspirational relic lost in the memes of my successors,
I am lost,
I stare at the night sky wondering where I’ve been, trying not to dwell on the should’ves, could’ves, and would’ves,
Not knowing what exactly I’m doing wrong and why I walk in pensive dreams of those who may oppose me,
I am drowning,
I lay my head down trying to escape the nightmares of existence, of a world that still identifies me as the keeper of rainbows and glitter.
Forgetting I left my heels and tiaras at home in a closet that I thought I’ve long since escaped in distant memories,
a closet which many wish me to return,
The Journey continues,
I wake up and begin to laugh at the adversity being thwarted at my doorstep, for I have survived this demon before.
It attempts to taunt and hinder me, trying to break my will and sparkle,
I am my own utopia.
They say god doesn’t give you more than you can handle, I am broad shouldered after all,
Even the meek can fight the negative blood outpoured from those who say they are true friend,
I am humbled.
I am captured by rejuvenated thoughts and energy, and begin to rise and embrace new beginnings…
I fly like an eagle, soaring out of the darkness and into the light,
For this I say… I am human.

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About the Author:

Forrest Robert Stepnowski is an advocate, a writer, a social worker, and a performance artist in the Pacific Northwest. He has been writing poetic works and prose for most of his life. He realized how important is to share his work with others who have dealt with similar pathways of self-hate, self-deprecation, and self-loathing in the hopes they find they are not alone, as well as help them realize they are not deviants, nor are they against “human nature.” They are part of a collective of misfit toys on an island where being different is beautiful. We all have a voice, and the world should hear it. Forrest is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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Social Media Links:
Website/Blog: https://www.forresttakesajourney.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forrestrobertstepnowski
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frstepnowski
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forreststepnowski

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Journey to the Rainbow’s End: A Drag Queen’s Odyssey (Available on Kindle and Paperback)

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To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the author’s tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE.

Today, I am both honored and thrilled to host a stop on Forrest Stepnowski’s tour. Forrest is a fellow member of Rave Reviews Book Club and this is his 2nd collection of poetic works.
I have known Forrest for many years and have seen him grow as a man, as an entertainer and as a writer. I’m incredibly proud of who he is today, in all of those areas.

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About the Book:
BOUND; The Lost Romanticism and Eroticism of Gay Men. Allow yourself to give in to your deepest fantasies, desires, and sensual dreams, BOUND is a collection of poetic works exploring the world of eroticism, romanticism, and fantasies of gay men of all ages. Walk through the mind inspired by fantasies, the hopes for romance, the desire to be swept off ones’ feet, and the longing to be touched through this anthology filled with lost romance and passionate memories. Escape into a world that allows you to be one with your desires, feel the heightened sensations and passion through random rendezvous and engagements.

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Poetry Excerpt from Bound: The Lost Romanticism and Eroticism of Gay Men:
The Crystal Tide
I walked the coastline of a crystal tide
Listening to the waves crashing against the jetty of rocks and stones
The water reflects like gems shimmering against the night sky
Lonely and afraid of my own silence
Pondering why I am left alone, never been kissed, never been touched
I am older in my years and aging every day
I play with the soft graying hair that covers the top of my soul
Am I the lost image of romance and the invisible angel of love and music?
Then I see you
You are standing on the jetty as the waves crash around,
Shirtless and stoic
I continue to walk closer
I am stunned by the sound on your operatic voice
Ave Maria flows out of your soul with simplicity and ease
I am entranced by your bravery as you belt out each and every note while standing on the edge of the rocks
The waves caress your skin
Like glistening diamonds dancing all over the night sky
Your song, calls to me, embraces my heart from within
I find myself fixated on your voice and silhouette
Imagining how my touch would affect you
Would I make you tremble?
Would I make you quiver?
You turn your face my direction and I freeze
Did I startle you or make you uncomfortable?
Did I frighten you or cause you disdain?
Our eyes lock, and you smiled
I turn away and begin to walk down the beach once more
I felt my heartbeat dancing inside my chest
Hyperventilating, breathless
I run
Afraid
Unworthy
Your singing becomes louder
I pause in mid-step and you appear in front of me
I am frozen
You trap me in your embrace
I feel your breath against my neck
Your lips caress my skin and I feel… electricity
I am shaking
But excited
What strange power is this that you have over me?
We are now cheek to cheek as you continue to tighten your grip around my waist
You force me to stare into your eyes
We kiss
The electricity becomes lightening force and renders me paralyzed
We begin to fall onto the sand
We are entangled
We continue to kiss, and I find myself naked and unhinged
From never being kissed, to becoming a master of sin and lust
I am pinned to the beach and you begin to go down on me
I arch backwards, and you grasp my body against yours even tighter
You lie on top of me and take me to a world that I never imagined I would travel
You thrust into me and I sing an aria that made the angels cry
I see the stars and hear the fireworks
We lie in our celestial waltz
My breath is heavy and uncontrolled
I feel you getting deeper, deeper, deeper
I lose myself and give in to your complete control
I am a slave to your touch
You kiss every inch of my body and thrust harder and harder
You turn me around and render me helpless in your grasp
You pound into me without hesitation
Pulling my hair back
Using my hips as handles to lunge even harder
Strangers in the night entangled in an unintended meeting,
Not even knowing your name
I do not care
I feared my own virginity would encompass my lifetime
And you literally turned me into a sensual beast
We are lost in each other’s touch all night long
I did not know what a tantric connection was until now
At sunrise, we finally climaxed in a rage and surge of passion
We lie in each other’s arms and enjoyed the morning sun touch our skin, as you continue to kiss and caress me
We stare into each other’s eyes and laugh
You start singing to me
I am utterly lost in your eyes
As blue as the crystal tide.

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About the Author:

Forrest Robert Stepnowski is an advocate, a writer, a social worker, and a performance artist in the Pacific Northwest. He has been writing poetic works and prose for most of his life. He realized how important is to share his work with others who have dealt with similar pathways of self-hate, self-deprecation, and self-loathing in the hopes they find they are not alone, as well as help them realize they are not deviants, nor are they against “human nature.” They are part of a collective of misfit toys on an island where being different is beautiful. We all have a voice, and the world should hear it. Forrest is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.

Social Media Links:
Website/Blog: https://www.forresttakesajourney.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forrestrobertstepnowski
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frstepnowski
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forreststepnowski

Amazon Purchase Links:
Paperback

E-Book

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To follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the author’s tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site.  If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE.  

Thanks for supporting this author and his work.