Alan Altany

 Dr. Alan Altany, originally from Sharon, Pennsylvania and now living in Florida, has B.A. and M.A. degrees in Catholic theology (St. John’s University, MN), and a Ph.D. in religious studies (University of Pittsburgh). Before his academic career as a college and university professor and director of professional faculty development, he worked as a high school and parish religious educator, factory and lawn maintenance worker, farm work, hotel clerk. He continues to teach in college (Comparative Religions) on a part-time basis and both wants and needs to write poetry. He has also written two novels dealing with the spiritual quest and Christian mysticism.

As a young man, Alan was a published poet and also created and edited a small magazine of poetry entitled “The Beggar’s Bowl.” Now in his older age, he hopes the present time of his life is the most creative, original, and fruitful, as poet, person, and follower of Christ. He hopes to write a series of books of poetry with A Beautiful Absurdity being the initial collection.

Alan’s writing is done with the always nearby companionship of his golden retriever, Zeke (meaning “God Strengthens”), whose life of love and play daily reminds Alan that love and bliss are our godly purpose and destiny.