Meet DEE RYGH-UTSPS Poet of the Year 2016

An Air Force couple introduced Duane Thomas Rygh to the world while stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts. He has no siblings and was raised in Marysville, California.  Later, while serving in the Air Force, "dee" earned his B.S. in Social Psychology at Park University, along with a minor in sarcasm and then went on to earn an M.S. in Psychology.  The literary classes he attended planted a love of poetry and classic literature.  After his 20-year career in the Air Force, he went into semi-retirement to focus on writing.  With his wife of 21 years, Janet, they now call Utah their home, along with their son Jalen.

His manuscript, My Bright Red Scream, won the 2016 UTSPS Book of the Year. The manuscript focuses on the physical and psychological aftermath of events from dee's four deployments to the Middle East.  Inspired by Beethoven's Ninth, he also explores Hope through the use of an alter ego named Tanner Love.  Despite the struggles put forth in the early portion of his manuscript, he manages to ground himself by the manuscript's end recounting personal experiences and also what he views as his next steps moving forward. This book is free to all UTSPS members and will be available in October 2016. Dee is a member of the Ben Lomond chapter of UTSPS.

Tanner Love and the Bard 

In the distant morning, 

a bird sings like a bard 

with joyful yearning. 

A duet, harmonious  

with the dawning Sun. 

A song just for Tanner, 

a reminder to 

be mindful of this moment, 

so I may embrace 

all the sun has touched 

with open arms. 

~dee