"The Definitive Collection : April 1995 - May 2004 : Volume One" was first published on 21 April 2010.  This date coincides with the 15th anniversary of Gary's first poem, "As strangers go friends."

Its size is approx. 14.8 cm (5 13/16") wide by 21.0 cm (8 5/16") long, (also known as A5), and 11 mm (7/16") thick.

This volume contains 48 poems spread over 198 pages. 

What appears below is second part of the introduction from the book (please note: the start of the introduction, which is common over most of the books, can be read by clicking on the "About this collection" link.

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Now for this volume, there are some exceptions to what is written above. The first exception is that four poems, already published, also appear in this book.

The decisions to include these poems were varied, although the main inspiration was in response to people searching, and returning, for these particular poems on the Internet.

The first of the four poems republished in this volume is “As strangers go friends.” It is included as it is, my first-ever poem, and is also frequently searched for, on the Internet.

Two other poems, regularly searched for on the Internet, are “Integrity” and “The Present.” The fourth poem to be included is “Our Relationships.” This poem is one of my favourites. I relate to it, I connect to it, and I am proud of it, even to this day.

The other exception to this volume is the placement of the poem “The Present.” Like my first book “A nod and a smile,” it is the last poem in this volume, and therefore, is not in the order in which it was written.

Well, that is enough from me. I hope that you find what follows of value, of interest, and worth pausing and pondering.

I now invite you to read Volume One of “The Definitive Collection.”

Gary Dodd
March 2010