Max Wheat
I was privileged to be in Max’s Taproot classes @ Syosset Library for a few years. He was the best writing teacher I ever had. He never criticized, rather, he would say read this line over again. Do you need this word? What do you think?
I learned so much about writing poetry and writing in general. I loved listening to him read his poetry, as well He certainly had a gift and he loved sharing it with others who were open to it.
I loved the story he told us about the first Halloween he told the children who came to the door that they had to listen to his poem first. They were taken aback. He said the next year the same children were asking for the poems!
Max was one of a kind and he will be missed. His words will be with us for a long time.
He inspired my confidence in becoming an author and I will be forever grateful.

He was a newspaperman who became a poet in his later years. "Everyone has a story", was his favorite line. He was the first unofficial poet laureat of Nassau County.
Max passed away recently and he will be sorely missed.

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