"Never Quit on Yourself"

About the Author

An inspired writer of poetry since the seventh grade, Ronald Marsh Smith takes time to read and support other poets. When asked who his favorite authors of poetry are, Mr. Smith will quickly reply, “The writings of Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou light a fire under my soul.”

His poem, poem named here, placed second in the 2021 Dorchester County Library-Judged Love Letters exhibition. In August 2020, Mr. Smith was selected and interviewed by a Summerville Journal Scene Art & Culture columnist. In 2019, Mr. Smith was contacted and interviewed by Mr. Colton Matthews, a University of Florida journalist student. In 1996, Mr. Smith was awarded The National Library of Poetry Editor's Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry.

A member of the Academy of American Poets Organization and the Carnes Crossroads Artist Cooperative Group of Summerville, South Carolina, Mr. Smith passionately believes dreams are never out of reach if the path is set to achieve them. When it may appear that his mind is wandering, you best believe thoughts and words are formulating instead into new creations of poetry for the soul of the reader.

Orphaned at the early age of two, Mr. Smith has overcome many trials in his life. When asked what inspires him to write, he says, “LIFE.” Mr. Smith has many mottos. However, one inspiring motto he holds for himself is simply, “Never quit on yourself!”

Ronald Marsh Smith is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a retired US Army, Master Sergeant serving over 21 years for this nation. He is a veteran of the Gulf War. Mr. Smith and his wife, Betty, have been married for almost 40 years. He is the loving father to three sons, Ronald Jr, Raymond Sr., and Ryan, and grandfather (or G-Pa as he is called by his eight high-energy grandchildren - seven boys and one girl.)

Mr. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee, June 2005. He is retired from Federal Government service, where he served for more than fifteen years. Mr. Smith is a motivational speaker and, when invited, works with students at Cross High School JROTC and English Department, Cross, SC.