Leff Continues to Find Inspiration Right at Home

Collinsville author David K. Leff continues to find inspiration in his own backyard. 

Tinker’s Damn, Leff’s third volume of poetry, includes haikus about the Farmington River for each week of the year. The words are largely inspired by 30 years of near daily walks along it.

“I find the river to have an inspiring power,” Leff said.

Never one to follow convention in his writing, Leff begins with March.

“That’s when I think the river comes alive,” he said.

Also in the book is a poem in homage to the late Bill Wilson and the Fireplace, the bar he ran in Collinsville for many years. 

Tinker’s Damn, released by Homebound Publications, tackles many other varied topics.  

Connecticut Poet Laureate Dick Allen said the work can be viewed “as a satisfaction, a pleasure, a series of revealing river bends.”

The book can be found at the Canton Historical Museum or the Flea Circus in Collinsville, or Barnes in Noble in the Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton. 

It can also be ordered online here. 

A long-time Collinsville resident, Leff is a former Deputy Commissioner with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, a retired safety officer with the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department. He also serves on the Collinsville Historic District Commission.

Leff is also widely published and since his first book, The Last Undiscovered Place was published in 2004, he has become known for finding hidden treasures and or a new outlook on the sights people take for granted on a daily basis. 

Last June’s Hidden in Plain Sight, due out in paperback next May, further explored that theme with an emphasis on teaching others how to look at things with fresh eyes. 

On Nov. 14 he will share those techniques in a 7 p.m. talk at the Torrington Historical Society.

More specific Tinker's Damn appearances include: 

• Saturday, Nov. 9, 6 to 8:30 p.m., join me and several other fine poets and musicians in support of Loaves and Fishes food pantry & soup kitchen in New Milford.  It will be held at St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge, 11 Aspetuck Ave., New Milford
• Sunday, Nov. 10, 2 p.m., Essex Books, 104 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT:  Brief reading and book signing. For more information call (860) 767-1707

Learn and read more at http://davidkleff.typepad.com/