Paul Barnes was 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). 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. 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 his 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. 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.
