ORINDA — Despite being diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler and diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 11 years old, Peter Karplus has strived to express himself artistically through poetry.
“I would have to say, I started writing in high school, only as a hobby, as an amateur poet and lyricist in hopes of expressing my thoughts in unique ways, and also to be discovered as a songwriter,” said Karplus.
But a breakup with his former girlfriend of 22 years became the catalyst for an outpouring of poetry and books.
“She was the reason, for my own therapy of eliminating the depression she put me through,” said Karplus, 52, a Martinez resident. “I enrolled in a poetry writing class in the fall of 2001 in which my work was encouraged by the instructor to be published.”
Karplus said he’s struck by the use of metaphors, rhythm and meter in poetry, all of which “give words a dimension, a depth deeper than most realize.”
Poetry has become a form of therapy for him, he said.
“I like poetry because it is the easiest form of writing that conveys so much in the least amount of time and space,” he said. “I also have been known to ‘awe-shock’ strangers into a newfound respect of the disabled by showing my poetry books to them. They read a few and stunned by the immense amazement of intelligence showing through my works on the pages, so much so they have to look at the author photo and at me, and ask in disbelief, ‘You wrote this?’ “
Now, after years of writing poetry, Karplus is excited to share his most recent creative endeavor — the publication of “Silver Arrow, a Loyal Friend, Companion and Playmate, and other free verse works,” his first children’s book, originally written years ago for an English class assignment to choose a character from a short story. Karplus chose the character Red Wing, a teenage Apache girl from a William Kotzwinkle short story.
Silver Arrow is a story of an Apache Indian 13-year-old girl befriended by a Spirit Guide/Elder in the form of a wolf pup, and 12 children’s poems, covering subjects of dreams, imaginary realms and friendships. The book also includes two poems written for the 44th First Family, one about President Barack Obama’s first taking office as well as one about the First Lady, Michelle Obama written for her birthday. He will read from his new book at 1 p.m. April 17 at Orinda Books.
While Karplus has endured many physical hardships, he said his life also has been full of encouragement, love and understanding. The youngest of seven children and nephew of Martin Karplus — the 2013 winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry — said he’s grateful for being born into a family that supported him, encouraged him, loved him as a “normal” sibling and treated his physical limitations as challenges for him to learn from. He would not be where he is today had they not spent the time with him stretching the boundaries of his abilities, physically and psychologically.
“Peter developed his interest in writing words for songs in junior high and high school,” said his mother, Betty Karplus, who once taught at Campolindo High School and served as an Orinda School District board member. “Elvis Presley was his idol. The family did lots of singing and he got interested in jazz.”
As Karplus was growing up and the family dealt with the challenges of his condition, Betty and Karplus’ father Bob sought various means of communicating with their son.
“Communication and language has been important to Peter and to our family,” she said about Karplus, who attended Miramonte High School and Diablo Valley College. “He enjoys the puzzle of making the words work. I’m proud of him for managing to accomplish all that he’s done. He’s worked so hard.”
Karplus’ other works include “Dancing with Fear, Rejection, Doubt, and Hope,” a poetic autobiography published in 2003; “A Potpourri Of Poems,” published in 2005 under the pen name of “Poetic Pete” and inspired mostly by family and friends and thoughts on the 9/11-world change; and “Seeing The Trees Through The Forest: Words of Poetry,” his third book, published in 2007 (also under the “Poetic Pete” pen name), comprising both poetry and prose, including lyrics and some short stories of which Silver Arrow’s text was one.
A love of words isn’t Karplus’ only passion. He’s also known to have a soft spot for animals. Martinez resident and Safe Cat Foundation President Marla Rogozin said she first met Karplus in 2009.
“He would come up to the Petco (in Martinez) and hang out with us during adoptions,” Rogozin said. “In 2010, Peter adopted two black cats from me. I have always admired Peter, his ability to do what he wants despite his limitations is wonderful.”
Rogozin said she regards Karplus as not only a good friend but also a good human being.
“The latest book is for children and focuses on animals,” Rogozin said. “He is very creative and has a good heart.”
