They?ve Struck Again!

I remember when I was nineteen years old serving in the military. I was in the latrine washing my hands. As I was drying them, I noticed a creation left on the wall. This poet decided to leave his little mark on the world with the following lines of verse (needless to say, I had to clean it up):



They paint these walls

I cover with pen.

But the [bathroom] poet

Has struck again!



Being young, I have to admit it did make me laugh. And over 25 years later, it has stayed with me. Most bathroom graffiti is crude, filthy, and not even worth the time to read. And I wouldn?t read most of it if weren?t for the fact that I was in the bathroom and it was right in my face. But this guy?s mark was pretty good.

But now I am a much older?and a more experienced?man who looks at the world a lot differently that I did when I was nineteen. When I drive down neighborhoods and I see graffiti written on the wall, it really makes me angry. My paradigm has truly shifted.

I don?t really think the ?artists? or ?poets? thought of how their creation would negatively affect the neighborhood they have just destroyed. I don?t think they thought about how those scribblings could bring down the image of the people who live there. I don?t think they thought about how the value of someone?s most valuable?and precious?asset could be depreciated by their thoughtlessness. Come to think of it, they probably wouldn?t care if it were explained.

But as a homeowner or resident, you know what it feels like. You feel it every time you drive past graffiti in your neighborhood. But you know what? You don?t have to sit there and accept it. When you see one of those ?artists? or the ?masterpieces? they wish to share with the world, turn them in! Most cities or counties should have an entity that handles graffiti enforcement and removal. The city where I live will investigate and have it removed in a matter of days. They?ve even caught of few of them.

Yeah, being much older, things are truly different. I can?t run as fast, my waistline is wider, and I now need glasses. I see the world through the lenses of experience and maturity. I?ll bet the [bathroom] poet is wearing those same lenses!

Lawrence D. Elliott

Lawrence D. Elliott is a nationally published author and storyteller who has been published in many popular national publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, the New York Times #1 Bestselling book series.

Lawrence wrote his first creative words in the sixth grade when a teacher gave him a writing assignment. He even create a rudimentary book, filled with illustrations. "Actually," says Lawrence, "they were the most pathetic looking stick figures you´d ever see. But I was proud of my little book."

Heading into the seventh grade, Lawrence was among the earliest group of kids bused from his San Diego inner city neighborhood to a predominantly white school. The racial tensions were high. Often, there were fights before, after, and even during class. To make matters worse, he was identified as having a severe reading problem and was placed in a reading development class. Lawrence remember fighting back the tears of shame as he entered the separated bungalow classroom that first day. Then, Lawrence met Ms. Davila, the remedial reading teacher. She not only worked with him to improve his reading, but she learned Lawrence had a hidden gift. He loved to write. She helped Lawrence cultivate his new-found skill and gently guided him to discover how powerful it could be.

And in those tumultuous times, the fact that she was white had a lasting effect on his life. In her, was the example that there are good people everywhere, you just have to find them.

Throughout high school and beyond, Lawrence spent evenings scribbling his stories and attempting to get them published. The rejection notices mounted. But he was stubborn. However, eventually he was forced to realize that perhaps his talents would possibly be of used in other ways.

Through life, his path lead him through military service, the aerospace industry, even cleaning toilets when it was the best job he could get. Eventually, he landed in real estate where he had a 20-year career. But Lawrence continued to write, if only for his own enjoyment. He was also able to collect a host of characters along the way.

Then, in 2005 Lawrence had a near-death experience with a pulmonary embolism. It was then that he decided to brush off that dream he had as a kid. He decided to give publishing one more try.

In 2006, Lawrence had his first story accepted. In fact, he had four stories accepted! Fittingly, one of those earliest stories was about a teacher who, working with a black kid from the inner city with a reading problem, showed him that he had a hidden gift to share with the world. Since then, his stories have appeared in many popular books and periodicals.

Lawrence believes his life has been a wild ride, replete with twists and turns. There were good times, and bad times. Sometimes, very bad times. But he says he wouldn't trade it for all the gold in the world. "I'm excited," says Lawrence. "I'm also proud, grateful, and somewhat surprised that something seemingly unattainable has become a reality."

Lawrence feels his life has prepared him for this moment and he refuses to squander it.

Currently, he is editing two novels and hopes to have them submitted by mid-year. In addition to writing, Lawrence is also the sole caretaker for his wife Lisa. Their dog Lacie helps, too.


Recently Released:

"Unexpected Guests" published in A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas.

"Thank God for the Sandwiches" published in Letters to My Mother: Tributes to the Women Who Give Us Life--and Love.

"God, I'm Shvitzing!" published in Chicken Soup for the Soul in Menopause: Living and Laughing through Hot Flashes and Hormones.

"Well, I've Had A Plenty" published in My Dad Is My Hero: Tributes to the Men Who Gave Us Life, Love, and Driving Lessons.

"She Gently Opened Doors" published in Teacher Miracles: Inspirational True Stories from the Classroom.

"Learning to Share" published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrating People Who Make a Difference: The Headlines You'll Never Read.

"A Visit From Arthur" published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Arthritis.

To get autographed copies of his books, click here.

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