COMING JANUARY 2018 - Writing Lines: Collected Poetic Works by Antonio Cassone

Marking their 17^th published work, Writing Lines: Collected Poetic Works & Essays From A to Z 1992-2017, Antonio Cassone offers a look back at his body of work with musings about life, love and loss.  Presented alphabetically, as Cassone always likes for each piece to stand alone, this collection runs the gamut of emotion and displays a variety of insights from the writer’s authentic point of view.  It is a look at just an aspect of a career…thus far.  Front Cover Photo by C.A. McKenzie for McKenzie Bros. Photography.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANTONIO CASSONE is an accomplished, best-selling author with 17 books to his credit, including WRITING LINES: COLLECTED POETIC WORKS & ESSAYS (2018); TRIBUTE (2017); MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND (2017); RANDOM EVERYDAY INSPIRATIONS: THE THINGS AROUND US (photography) (2015); WHILE IN ATLANTA (photography) (2014); A CELEBRATED LOVE: THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY POEM… (2014); THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS (photography) (2013); HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS…(2013), OPENING THE NAKED WINDOW (2008), book two of their memoir series and THE NAKED WINDOW: EXPOSED/REVELATIONS (2009), books three and four of the memoir series were released as a combo, along with BLUE SKY: ...WRITINGS FOR STEVEN… (2010),  RAMBLINGS FROM THE RAGGED EDGE (2013),  DIVA/CASSONE: A COLLECTION OF POETRY – THE RECONSTRUCTION EDITION (2013), LOOKING THROUGH THE NAKED WINDOW: THE RESTORATION CHRONICLES (2013), which is a re-issue of the first installment of the memoir series with a tighter edit and a bit of new material and ELOQUENT VERSIFICATIONS: POEMS MY FATHER LEFT ME (2013), a collaboration with his late father, Robert “Rocky” Cassone. CASSONE has over 200 poems published on various poetry websites and has been honored for his works by The International Society of Poets, Famous Poets, The International Library of Poetry and The Iliad Press.

ANTONIO CASSONE, originally from Detroit, is also a photographer and entertainer with a career enriched with many diverse projects since 1988. In the 1990s and 2000s, CASSONE produced, performed, wrote and co-directed two major, award-winning plays at 1515 Broadway in Detroit's theatre district; produced/performed/directed several fashion/variety shows and several spoken-word recordings including "Diva/Cassone," his first poetry cd.

He currently resides in South Florida and has a variety of other projects in the works.

He also started the Cassone2007 channel on YouTube with the 'web reality series' GETTING READY (which features a behind the scenes look at Cassone’s female impersonation career and other facets of the multi-faceted artist’s life), which is now in its 22nd season.  You can also find select spoken word recording/slideshows of works from TEARS AND THUNDER, DIVA/CASSONE, THE ECSTASY and BLUE SKY to name a few.  The channel also has select slideshows of Photography by Cassone.

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BOOKS BY ANTONIO CASSONE

(through Create Space)++

Writing Lines: Collected Poetic Works & Essays (2018)

Tribute (2017)

Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind (2017)

Random Everyday Inspirations: The Things Around Us – Photography by Cassone, Volume III (2015)

While in Atlanta – Photography by Cassone, Volume 2 (2014)

A Celebrated Love: The Marriage Equality Poem and Other Poems for Love, Lust, Purpose & Pride (2014)

The Warmth of Christmas – Photography by Cassone, Volume 1 (2013)

How to Celebrate Christmas When the World Doesn’t Stop Spinning (2013)

Eloquent Versifications – Poems My Father Left Me (with Robert “Rocky” Cassone) (2013)

Looking through the Naked Window: The Restoration Chronicles (2013)

Diva/Cassone: A Collection of Poetry – The Reconstruction Edition (2013)

Ramblings from the Ragged Edge (2013)

Blue Sky: Writings for Steven and Other People I Have Loved for So Long (2010)

The Naked Window: Exposed/Revelations (2009)

Opening the Naked Window (2008)

(through Publish America)*

Looking through the Naked Window (2006)*

Diva/Cassone (2005)*

++ALL Create Space titles are available in both paperback and Kindle versions.

*no longer in print

Maggie and Ralph

Sharon and Rocky

The Conroys and The Cassones

The Fritschens The Dickensheets and The McFarlands

Passages through World War II

Travelling through World War II

AT THE END OF THE DAY - a new poem by Antonio Cassone

AT THE END OF THE DAY

For my brother, Michael J. Conroy

Sunrise: October 24, 1962

Sunset: August 19, 2017

Just past midnight, a few days after you had left us

Though after many years of your illness, it was sudden in the end

I sat and wrote this for you, after much prayer and deep reflection

In awe of the wonders of life’s jagged road, with its curves on a bend

I thought about our loss is really the beginning of your redemption

Thinking back on our last conversation, as hindsight reveals perfection

We said so many things that I now know needed to be said

I looked in the mirror of our brotherhood with the clearest reflection

I am so glad now that you took the time to reach out to me

For so long, I felt it a burden, even guilty for not reaching out to you enough

Time is not promised to us, and though memories last a lifetime

They can fade in weathered passages, especially when the going gets rough

I do remember, though we may not have been close as adults

Given age, life circumstance and all that it can throw in the way

We shared so much, straight from the heart especially when it came to

Baseball games, splitting a meal, going to the movies back in the day

And the music, let’s not forget about that – it was the common denominator

In our family line, we can all remember jamming on any given Saturday

In the living room, the four of us kids rocking it out

Music runs through our bloodline so rich and strong

I mostly remember occasions along the way

Christmas, Thanksgiving dinners, Easter, our birthdays

You going away to college, even that time you came to my show

The distance between us meant nothing, by picking up the phone with a simple hello

It is in these vignette’s from where I gain my strength now

I can find serenity in the knowledge that you are not suffering anymore,

This life’s struggles seemed mountainous for you

And the worries a constant test of your faith

I remember all the times you prayed for us, all the masses you requested be said

I value the times you kept me in line, when you felt I had done something wrong

And like any big brother, you guided me the best way you knew how and

In the end, you finally showed me appreciation and gave me the acceptance from you that I sought

Now, I hear your voice so plainly as you broadcast to my senses

I smell the fragrance of your spirit, I hear the music of your way,

I touch the air feeling your energy, I taste the sweetness of ice cream,

I see your greatness and love after all of it, at the end of the day

By Antonio Cassone © 2017 – All Rights Reserved

NOW AVAILABLE! Tribute - a New Poetry Book by Antonio Cassone

NOW AVAILABLE!  In their 16^th published work, Antonio Cassone brings you TRIBUTE, a collection of poems written for loved ones – some living, but mostly for those passed on.  In this journey comes a discovery of living life to the fullest, remembering the importance of showing (and telling) your loved ones they are loved and to give people their “roses while they are still here.”  It is insightful and displays the effectiveness of each individual one crosses paths with in life – whether you have known them for years, or merely through friends and social media.  All lives are connected somehow and these remembrances share a common thread of never forgetting those who touch your life.  The volume is capped with an Epilogue of Acknowledgements providing some insights into the poems in the collection.  The book will be available at Amazon in both Paperback and Kindle edition formats.

https://www.amazon.com/Tribute-Antonio-Cassone/dp/1974526747/

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ANTONIO CASSONE is an accomplished, best-selling author with 16 books to his credit, including TRIBUTE (2017); MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND (2017); RANDOM EVERYDAY INSPIRATIONS: THE THINGS AROUND US (photography) (2015); WHILE IN ATLANTA (photography) (2014); A CELEBRATED LOVE: THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY POEM… (2014); THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS (photography) (2013); HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS…(2013), OPENING THE NAKED WINDOW (2008), book two of their memoir series and THE NAKED WINDOW: EXPOSED/REVELATIONS (2009), books three and four of the memoir series were released as a combo, along with BLUE SKY: ...WRITINGS FOR STEVEN… (2010),  RAMBLINGS FROM THE RAGGED EDGE (2013),  DIVA/CASSONE: A COLLECTION OF POETRY – THE RECONSTRUCTION EDITION (2013), LOOKING THROUGH THE NAKED WINDOW: THE RESTORATION CHRONICLES (2013), which is a re-issue of the first installment of the memoir series with a tighter edit and a bit of new material and ELOQUENT VERSIFICATIONS: POEMS MY FATHER LEFT ME (2013), a collaboration with his late father, Robert “Rocky” Cassone. CASSONE has over 200 poems published on various poetry websites and has been honored for his works by The International Society of Poets, Famous Poets, The International Library of Poetry and The Iliad Press.

ANTONIO CASSONE, originally from Detroit, is also a photographer and entertainer with a career enriched with many diverse projects since 1988. In the 1990s and 2000s, CASSONE produced, performed, wrote and co-directed two major, award-winning plays at 1515 Broadway in Detroit's theatre district; produced/performed/directed several fashion/variety shows and several spoken-word recordings including "Diva/Cassone," his first poetry cd.

He currently resides in South Florida and has a variety of other projects in the works.

He also started the Cassone2007 channel on YouTube with the 'web reality series' GETTING READY (which features a behind the scenes look at Cassone’s female impersonation career and other facets of the multi-faceted artist’s life), which is now in its 22nd season.  You can also find select spoken word recording/slideshows of works from TEARS AND THUNDER, DIVA/CASSONE, THE ECSTASY and BLUE SKY to name a few.  The channel also has select slideshows of Photography by Cassone.

TRIBUTE - a new book of poetry by Antonio Cassone

COMING SOON!  In their 16^th published work, Antonio Cassone brings you TRIBUTE, a collection of poems written for loved ones – some living, but mostly for those passed on.  In this journey comes a discovery of living life to the fullest, remembering the importance of showing (and telling) your loved ones they are loved and to give people their “roses while they are still here.”  It is insightful and displays the effectiveness of each individual one crosses paths with in life – whether you have known them for years, or merely through friends and social media.  All lives are connected somehow and these remembrances share a common thread of never forgetting those who touch your life.  The volume is capped with an Epilogue of Acknowledgements providing some insights into the poems in the collection.  The book will be available at Amazon in both Paperback and Kindle edition formats.

Coming Soon - Front Cover Preview for the book MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND

In their 15^th publication, MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND, Antonio Cassone shares old photographs his Great Uncle Ralph Fritschen had in his possession at the time of his death that were thought to have been lost forever.  They were found by Cassone’s niece and the story, told primarily in the restored, edited family photographs from Cassone’s maternal side.  It is a look at ancestry and the backdrop includes Fritschens’ travels as he served in World War II and middle American life before, during and after the war with captions and musings about family life by Cassone.

Coming Soon!  MEMORIES MY GREAT UNCLE LEFT BEHIND will be released soon in both Paperback and Kindle Edition platforms.

Fellow Countryman

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

In the Field

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Proud Soldier

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

My Great Uncle Ralph was a proud soldier. 

He live a full life of dedicated service and was all about

God, Country and Family.

On the Town

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

my great uncle Ralph was ready to step out for the evening...

Cool Man, Cool

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Look how cool my great uncle Ralph looks here.

Northern Gentleman

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Brothers In Arms

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

my Great Uncle is 3rd from the left... I thank him and his brothers in arms for their service!

Loaded

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Surreality

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

This photo is so cool that I couldn't stop looking at it.  Like what happened here?

Disheveled Facade

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Procession

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Horse and Buggy

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Ruins

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Mountainside Village

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Standing On the Edge of Discovery

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

I wonder what went through my uncle's mind as he journeyed in his travels as a soldier.

War Time Hillside

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

War Torn Street

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

In Loving Memory of Robert S. Cassone

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

the prayer card from when my dad passed away....

In Loving Memory of Father Stanley H. Burke

from Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

My Uncle made friends with a lot of priests.  He went to Mass daily up until the very end of his life.

In Loving Memory of Roy David McFarland

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Prayer card from one of my Great, Greats on my mom's side of the family.

In Loving Memory of Clement H. Kern

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Rev. Clement H. Kern was one of the most giving, talented soul's to walk this planet.  His life's work showed he was a true man of (and about) God. A great confidant, family friend ...and funny!

A truly bright spirit!

Prayer for Seminarians

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

My great Uncle Ralph, like most of my folks from days gone by, were prayerful people.  We were brought up Catholic and as we grew in to adulthood that foundation led us all to have powerful, prayerful and spiritual cores.  

Mother of Perpetual Help. Pray for Us and a prayer for Seminarians were part of his daily regimen.

In Loving Memory of Father Jim Barrett

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

Fr. Jim Barrett, 1910-1995

In Loving Memory of Antonio R. Manzo

From Memories My Great Uncle Left Behind

In Loving Memory of John H. Fritschen

My niece, Christina, found a bag of old family photos in her Grandpa Jim's (my mom's first husband and siblings dad) basement and sent them to me.  Among them were some prayer cards from relatives and family friends long since past.  All a part of our history.  John H. Fritschen was my Great Grandfather on my mother's side.  A gifted, hard-working family man.  May he continue to rest in paradise and his memory live long.

Family Portrait

Me, Mom & Dad, circa 1987

Life was much simpler and sweeter then.

Back When I Was Miranda,,,and a few bonus pics

A collection from back when my drag stage name was Miranda Davison (I just go by Cassone now when I do a show), plus a few bonus pics.  All are of me, unless otherwise noted.

 myself and Genevieve Jedro, a family friend and early supporter of my plays

 out of face at a recording studio

 me w/ Steven aka Skyy Shannon in the background

 myself and my son-in-show, Nkosi aka David Davidson