David Ashley White How-Shepherd AKA as Elder Poppy Uncle Seeds Man Di Hi Shep was born in Crookwell, 26 miles (marathon distance) from the city of Goulburn, NSW Australia. – He used to run it as a baby... But that's another story.

David was born in a humpy (the ghettos) in Goulburn and was transferred to Crookwell base hospital, put in an incubator and swapped as a baby.

He stayed in Crookwell until 5 and a half years old and attended Crookwell kindergarten, winning the colouring book and colouring pencils prize for playing the triangle in the Kindy concert with the teacher playing Puff the Magic Dragon on her guitar.

Davids’s life has been as colourful as his beginnings, reaching the depths of despair through atrocities inflicted on him and with horrific things that he’s witnessed. Along with experiencing an horrific work accident that disfigured his right hand. All of this with no support, no councilling and managing his mental health on his own.

Despite all these, David has turned his life around and now it’s his time to shine.

There have been moments of joy, with David meeting the love of his life and his beautiful children and now grandchildren.

Despite his injury, David successfully creates art including painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, chalk board writing and most cathartic, writing poetry.

David’s written a lot, and all these writings have helped him to grow into the man he is today.

Oh! Spiritual Man! – Poetry by David Ashley White How-Shepherd AKA as Elder Poppy Uncle Seeds Man Di Hi Shep Book 1 of 4 is the first taste of the poems written and narrated by the author.

On turning his life around, David says “if we didn’t know pain, we wouldn’t know what pleasure is.” And further, although he only want’s justice for one and all, he holds no animosity.

Enjoy Oh Spiritual Man – Book 1 of 4 – Poetry David Ashley White How-Shepherd AKA as Elder Poppy Uncle Seeds Man Di Hi Shep

Simone Feiler

Voice