Reggie Marra

Whether disagreeing or agreeing across, within or beyond the political spectrum, we label, insult, generalize and characterize each other. These are, as you know, habitual, ineffective strategies. "Enough with the...Talking Points" offers a challenging, intentional approach that works for those who are willing to do the work in politics, business and personal relationships . Authentic, ongoing self-reflection, differentiating opinions and facts, honesty, courage and vulnerability are essential.In 15 concise chapters, the first 14 of which include straightforward, accessible, and often challenging practices, "Enough with the...Talking Points" implores us to recognize our common humanity, to reflect on our individual "cultural givens," and to remember the simple truth that every human being has his or her own version of these givens.Reggie Marra invites willing readers to learn to listen increasingly more deeply, to avoid sweeping generalizations, to consider who wins and who loses when we do or do not get our way, to become comfortable and curious amid "not knowing," and to move beyond the important step of walking in another's shoes, so that we can actually experience what it's like to see as others see and feel what they feel through their eyes, bodies and experiences.

Killing America: Our United States of Ignorance, Fear, Bigotry, Violence and Greed is Reggie Marra's fourth book of poems. Marra sees, writes and shares with the reader verbal snapshots of his country's late 20th- and early 21st-century culture of violence as it manifests at home and abroad. On September 4, 2018 a copy of the book was mailed to each member of Congress, the Supreme Court and the President.Reviews"Killing America chills me, even after 25 years as a police officer and 15 years in counter-terrorism. We don't see all sides of the violence we fight against, and these poems take no sides. Reggie Marra exposes the pain felt by fellow humans, the challenges we face when we take sides, and the compassion we need to see each other's pain."- Christopher Rogers, Father, Husband, Retired Peace Officer and Bomb Technician"In Killing America, Reggie Marra gives us deep, disturbing images of War - at home and abroad. What I take with me, especially, are these lines from 'You Stood Up' - 'your open heart / exposed the mask / of fear your mind / mistook for you, / so you stood up / and no one got hurt.'"- Waverly Nall, Father"Reggie Marra's poetry is both raw and sobering, highlighting how violence changes everything it 'touches' either by design or by default....Violence exists on a spectrum: inter-personal violence on one end and collective violence (military combat) on the other. Each of us is responsible for the violence we commit anywhere on that spectrum."Marra's work also illuminates how elected officials focus on gaining and retaining political power...If these elected officials don't understand the nature of violence and its cultural implications, then their decisions (or indecision) will generate increased levels of unintended violence during their costly learning curve. The spectrum of violence can't be eliminated; it can be minimized if understood. This book helps us do that."- Bob Killackey, Marine Infantry Officer, Combat Veteran, Husband, Parent, and now Public High School Teacher"In Killing America, 'The Sniper' most resonates most with me, as it captures aspects of myself as a military officer (retired) and a parent. Reggie touched my soul as a basketball coach in my adolescence and continues to do so in my adult years."- Edwin G. Nall Sr., LTC(R), Father"What is the underside of the American dream?.... W]hat if the enemy is not from without, but within? What if America's drive toward a unifying and international vision of democracy has become an ongoing war to glean supremacy over those without power on both U.S. and foreign soil? What if the victims of such a war were measured in data points-soldiers, civilians, students, teachers, men, women, children, the occasional politician-rather than empathy?"Reggie's agonizing and precise language describes the carnage resulting from America's efforts to destabilize dictatorships in Iraq or terrorists in Afghanistan, while shining an unbearable light on the victims of a million American bullets, of children dead, communities ravaged, and families of color pillaged... And what if the collective response from a fatigued nation was merely a shrug, the deaths of human beings simply collateral damage in a quest not for the accessibility of the American dream, but rather for the ongoing accumulation of power and money? Reggie's vision is...a reveille to an apathetic American public who must rouse and feel and be damned if they will allow it to continue...."- Joan Hurley, 2008 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Mother

FROM THE PUBLISHERReggie Marra's third volume of poetry, And Now, Still, in its depiction of family, loss, grief and resilience, carries forward the precise, direct and unflinching style that informed his poems on the consequences of war in This Open Eye (2006). This new volume juxtaposes humor, gentleness and a sense of redemption with the poet's eye for graphic beauty. Marra's poems and occasional journal entries invite us to share an intimate, ongoing healing narrative that is at once his, and at a deeper level, a story that belongs to all of us.REVIEWS"Openhearted, rich in detail, and wildly irreverent, Reggie Marra's And Now, Still celebrates the sacred everyday connections among the living, the dying, and the dead. This intimate moment, son holding father - 'I learn how heavy/ your living dead weight can be/ face to face, chest to chest' - is one example of the brave, unflinching nature of Marra's work."And from the title poem these lines - 'I feel etched stone's/ temporary permanence, / time, laughter, conversation, / ...first and final truth/ lost shinanklefoot, / ...two key turns, a silent sister' - reminding us that all emerges from and gives way to silence, the mysterious center point, this moment. And so the poet mourns and sings. Lyric to narrative, journal entry to rant, his layered language, its poetic intelligence, invites deeper presence. A generous collection that defies being boxed, this book is a healing journey offered by a kind, resilient, skillful and eloquent guide."-Janet E. Aalfs, author of Bird of a Thousand Eyes, founder & director of Lotus Peace Arts, http: //www.vwma.org/"When the soul needs to be fed or held, only music and poetry are capable. I have no idea if Reggie Marra sings or plays anything - but oh, the poetry."-Ian Percy, author, Going Deep: Exploring Spirituality in Life and Leadership"Reggie Marra's poetry speaks to me deeply of hope and joy, beautifully woven into the context of grief and loss. As a holistic nurse, reading Reggie's poetry reminds me of the humanity in every person. Through his life I see my life and the lives of the many patients I have touched. Reggie has the ability to gather precious moments and offer them as a gift to the reader. I recommend slowly sipping and savoring each word that it may touch and magnify your life."-Joanna Burgess-Stocks, BSN, RN, CWOCN, Patient Advocate

If you've been waiting for a book on youth, interscholastic and intercollegiate sport that honors and addresses the need for cooperation among student-athletes, parents and coaches, and that embraces physiology, philosophy, and ongoing development-with a focus on what's best for the student-athlete, welcome home.The 2013 editions of The Quality of Effort and The Quality of Effort Workbook invite student-athletes, parents and coaches to observe and explore their unique and necessary roles in bringing about a healthy athletic experience. Reggie Marra writes through the soul of a poet-athlete-teacher-caregiver, and kid who got cut from the team he later went on to coach.He takes us by the hand and challenges us to inquire into our own values, behaviors, and relationships. If we're willing to take up the challenge, this inquiry helps us see ourselves and all those heroes and villains out there from increasingly comprehensive and balanced perspectives."Preaching" only what he practices, in The Quality of Effort, Reggie Marra authentically engages each of us to become increasingly more aware of our stories-the interpretations we choose, and how they affect, and even effect, what we do next as parents, coaches, student-athletes and human beings.Early Praise"As a former college athlete and longtime leader of high-performance military units, I recommend Reggie Marra's work with unbridled enthusiasm.... Following this comprehensive approach to training will not only produce better athletes, but also happier and healthier citizens as our youth grow and take their place in the world."-Fred Krawchuk, Retired U.S. Special Forces Colonel and RAND Consultant"....Reggie Marra offers a blueprint that encourages our children to become not only better athletes but better people. He delivers a powerful message filled with humanity and honest answers to questions that we sometimes think but may not want to ask."- Anthony Perrone, VP, Challenger Division, Cortland American Little League"The Quality of Effort has helped me reinterpret my career as a professional athlete-providing both relief and direction....Reggie Marra offers a map to tomorrow's competitive edge, a map that requires effort-not necessarily in doing more drills or pushups, but in taking responsibility for all aspects of your approach to life."- Ryan Leech, Professional Mountain Biker (Retired) and Professional Integral Coach(TM) - http: //ryanleech.com"....Sports can and does play an instrumental role in the healthy unfolding of a human life. If we take advantage of Reggie's frame of understanding-highlighting the role of effort, in relationship to talent and results, as an equally important consideration in our definition of success-we have a grand opportunity from which we can chart a significantly improved learning and developmental pathway for generations of student-athletes to come."- Cherie Beck, Cultural Technologist - http: //about.me/CherlynnGrace"The Quality of Effort is a profound embrace of Emerson's reminder that 'Life is a journey, not a destination'.... The book is an incredibly personal gift from Reggie to the reader, written through and with his bountiful, open heart."- Tom Rubens, Founder, The Accountability Factor - http: //theaccountabilityfactor.com"The Quality of Effort is an incredibly insightful guide for how to bring integrity and passion into sport as well as into life. Mr. Marra takes a truly integrated approach to the role of sport in life and along the way lays out what is necessary to get the most out of being an athlete-at any level. An added bonus here is that he is a brilliant and witty storyteller who clearly speaks from the heart."- Michael Sallustio, Parent, Nutritional Consultant and Personal Trainer - http: //annapolis-nutrition-fitness.com/