Charles Rammelkamp shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Charles, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I get up around 6:00 AM, take pills and have a bit of fruit and some coffee, check my email and social media accounts. I do a little work — reading and writing, and then my wife and i do about 15-30 minutes of yoga and go for a walk. When we get back, we have lunch and take a nap. The afternoon is reserved for more “arts and crafts” – reading, writing, communicating with colleagues. I also run errands as needed. In the evening after dinner we might watch some television before bed. Occasional social interactions break up the routine, but this is the basis of the “normal” day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Charles Rammelkamp, long retired from government service. I am a poet. I write poems and book reviews, correspond with other poets. I am currently working with a publisher on a recently completed manuscript called THE TAO ACCORDING TO CALVIN COOLIDGE, poems about the life or Calvin Coolidge with some Taoist meditations. Coolidge was known as “Silent Cal,” and Taoism is all about the empty spaces, the silence.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I suppose I thought I was immortal, that I would never die. As one ages, the reality of the finitude of life becomes more and more palpable.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Before Donald Trump was elected, I took little interest in the governance of the country – until I saw it being shredded right before my eyes. I’ve become more of an activist. RESIST!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Poetry is valuable to the human race. More important than money.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hoe they say I was a kind man.
Image Credits
Mel Eden took the photo of me standing before a podium, giving a reading.
