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Maurice Copeland, born July 14, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Married to Lenora Phenix Copeland, son Rodney D. Copeland, daughter
LaToya A. Copeland, (2) granddaughters Asia and Anisa.
I left high school early before graduating in 1964, and entered the US Army,
where I earned a GED Certificate, spent my service time in Fort Leonard
Wood, Mo., Fort Ben, Indiana, Fort Eustis, Va., and The MeKong Delta in
Vietnam, discharged in 1967.
Then I returned to Kansas City, where I presently reside.
I went to work for Bendix Corporation in 1968, where I acquired the trade of
General Machinist, and moved up through the trade to become a Journeyman
Tool and Die Maker.
In 1988, I was promoted to Tool and Die Supervisor, I retired in Feb., 2000.
I am a past Chairperson of the MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE of KANSAS
CITY LOCAL BRANCH OF THE NAA

I am a Poet, that has been published in more books than I can remember, Back in
the 70s & 80s I was associated with a group that was into publishing Books and
Newsletters, many of my poems were included in most issues. Those books and
newsletters were sent all over the country, I am not new to this.
In the 70s I owned an Art Gallery and Studio in Kansas City. In the 90s, I owned a
Rare Bookstore. The reason I'm giving you this background is to let you know, I
have worked hard to be able to deal with the issues I speak about in my writings. I
love what I do, I write with feeling and passion because I love my people.

I am all my people, from the lowest to the highest. I have in my life walked in many,â
€œtoo many, of the shoes of my people. In mind I have had the problems associated
with balancing the scales of life from the abyss of shame to the, pipe dreams of
clamorous illusionary grandeur.

                           I have given my heart to many
                         Some had hearts stymied by the
                                    shock of warfare
                                         love affair
                             hope that was not there
                             Some just didn't care

                               So I had to snatch it back
                                I could not let my heart
                                              die

I have over the years been recognized by the community as one with a talent, but I
do not glory in the fame...because it does not come as I want it from my people
(Black folk), it comes from the greater community(White folk).

COPELAND'S BIO INFORMATION