The works in Pieces of Mind contain tributes to those who had or continue to have profound impact on my life. There are also many takes on the tumultuous world we now live, including politics, media, and general societal behaviors. As you read these poems, my hope is to provoke thought. I like to think of this book as full of healthy skepticism. Opinion is intertwined within the poetry, and I do not expect everyone to agree with what I offer. But if they get you to ask a question or two of yourself then I have made a connection somehow, someway. ¿For Russ Haddad, 55, also known as A.A. Winston, poetry became his way of coping with life's ups and downs. He has had a full range of life experiences, starting with the death of his father when he was 12 years old. When not writing poetry, he is the business development manager for the NC Craft Brewers Guild. His professional background ranges from marketing operations through a variety of positions in radio, journalism, tourism/economic development and a series of public service positions. Since COVID, he rediscovered his enjoyment of putting words to paper to express himself. He published his first book, Growth, in early 2023. Growing up in Massachusetts, he now lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife. They have one son who lives in Boston.