'Passion from the heart': Port Huron native reveals his life through poems

Ron Martin, a Port Huron native, began writing poetry as he worked his way through a divorce years ago, now those personal writings about life and love fill a pair books his current wife encouraged him to create.

Martin, 82, has two books published and a third ready to be distributed after the new year. His first poetry book, “Coming to Be” was published in early November and was inspired by his relationship with, and divorce from his first wife, whom he doesn't name in the book.

“It’s passion from the heart,” he said. “I’m quite a reserved person and to express myself in this way is not something I do in my normal life. Everything just kind of opened up.”

Martin lives with his current wife Tyoni in Davis, Illinois. They have been married for 25 years.

Martin started his poetry journey at 55 years old when he was in the midst of his divorce. He said he was writing out his thoughts and some came out as poems.

Years later, Martin said, Tyoni finally convinced him to publish the writing.

“I kept the poems in a binder for years and (Tyoni) said I should do something with them,” he said. “So, we got them published and now I have another book out.”

His second poetry book, “Golden Eyes: A Love Story” was published in November and includes poems he wrote during the first few weeks of his relationship with Tyoni in 1998.

“We met on a blind date,” Martin said. “I wrote a poem every day for the first 54 days we were together.”

Martin said he left a few poems unpublished because of how personal they were to him and Tyoni.

Martin’s upcoming book, “Worthy of Respect”, is based on his experiences as a businessman. He started his business ventures during his time in the Navy in the 1960s. His book details how to select leaders, identify people who can be respected in business and how to raise children as a father.

“Worthy of Respect” will be ready to publish in a few weeks. Martin is waiting on the back cover design to be approved and will then send it to be distributed.

Although he now lives in a different state, Martin still has Port Huron in his mind. He visited a few years ago to attend the Port Huron High School class of 1958 reunion. Additionally, Martin and his wife hope to visit his brother, Greg Martin, who still resides in Port Huron.

“We want to travel over either this summer of fall,” Martin said.

Martin said his writing journey started by pure happenstance. He said he hopes people will enjoy what they can find in his writings.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or 810-292-0122.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Ron Martin showcases life, love in poetry book, person writing