Work samples

  • final chp 1 1122cover should be a copy of the hymn
    This is chapter one of a 6 chapter book.

About david

David Eberhardt was born March 26, 1941. As a peace protester, he was incarcerated at Lewisburg Federal Prison in 1970 for 21 months for pouring blood on draft files with Father Philip Berrigan and two others to protest the Vietnam War. He is retired after 33 years of work in the criminal injustice system as a Director of Offender Aid and Restoration at the Baltimore City Jail. He has published three books of poetry: The Tree Calendar, Blue Running Lights, and Poems from the Website, Poetry in… more
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For All the Saints

For All the Saints a 120 page voyage into the heart of the 60's. After 21 months in federal prison at Lewisburg for pouring blood on draft files to protest the Vietnam War with Father Philip Berrigan in 1967, and a career aiding prisoners at the Baltimore City Jail, 4 a child of the 60's offers a poetic exploration of non- violence and a life spent in revolutionary movements….over 30 years in and out of prison. Wrting as self discovery.

What is it like to try and overthrow the state? The tumultuous 70's, 80's and 90's (not just the “far out” 60’s) are brought to life in this poetic treatment, entitled For All the Saints. The author describes 21 months in prison for pouring blood on draft files,and other similar actions (and participants – the “Saints”) are detailed.

Then, he follows up: how do divorce or depression affect a life spent in service to prisoners? If events don't kill you, do they drive you insane or make you stronger (or both) ? Becoming a person because of the movements set in motion by the 60's (civil rights, women’s liberation, green, lgbt, therapy) , is the main theme- but also, how effective were these non-violent movements? How do they form identity, how does memory affect it. How does one identify his/her talents for a career and a paying job? How does one support oneself and take radical action? The character of saintly Father Phil Berrigan is explored as well as other anti draft activists, now the subject of a 2013 documentary “Hit and Stay” Eberhardt, born in 1941, brings to life the amazing stories of his 33 year career at the Baltimore City Jail with all its intrigues and colorful characters. His titillating and tragic-comic love life is included. Eberhardt has published three books of poetry.
  • Father Philip Berrigan, 1967
    Father Philip Berrigan, 1967
    Pouring blood on Draft Files to protest the Vitenam War. Image in Public Domain
  • Inspirational Civil Rights Martyrs, Murdered in Mississippi
    Inspirational Civil Rights Martyrs, Murdered in Mississippi
    Image in Public Domain
  • David Eberhardt at a protest for Chelsea Manning,
    David Eberhardt at a protest for Chelsea Manning,
    At Ft. Meade, Manning in on Trial
  • Eberhardt and Wife, 1966
    Eberhardt and Wife, 1966
  • final chp 1 1122cover should be a copy of the hymn.pdf

Melange

In my poetry lately, I hear the approaching stillness and I admire it.
  • Melange
    This poetry dates from approximately 2010-2017. I hear the approaching stillness and I admire it. David Eberhardt has not been published very widely- a few inconsequential magazine appearances; he is more known for his peace movement activities and hoped to parlay that into some kind of literary prominence. A sunpapers reporter described him as “perhaps a minor historical figure”. His “Manifesto” details his disgust at the current poetry “scene”.
  • Manifesto 10
    Written and revised (many times) beginning 2014