Reference Publications

Wasp Sailor turns author with book of poetry - Around the Fleet - John G. Healtherly II's Earth Whispers

All Hands, March, 2003 by Derrick M. Ingle

After a year and a half of pouring his thoughts on paper, 14-year Navy veteran Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class (SW/AW) John G. Heatherly II, hit the market with his debut book entitled Earth Whispers. The book of poems includes more than 100 pieces offering Heatherly's philosophical glimpse of life, love, death and earth. It also contains an underlying message on how looking past the odds helped him succeed.

"If someone would've told me I was going to be a published poet in high school, I would've never believed it," said Heatherly, a native of Brooklyn, Miss. "I also wouldn't have believed I was going to do 14 years in the Navy. I saw myself chopping pork wood the rest of my life. It just shows you can do whatever you want, if you just get up and do it. I used to just write for myself; now I'm an author."

Heatherly's early misperception of himself was partly credited to southern Mississippi's agricultural-driven economy and dropping out of high school.

"In school, I couldn't write anything," Heatherly said. "From eighth grade through high school, I was placed in remedial classes. I was always a slow learner. I have more of a mechanical mind. Because of it, I lost patience and dropped out. Yet now, writing poetry is second nature."

When he's not juggling metaphors and rhyme schemes, Heatherly works as one of the ship's leading aircraft mechanics aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1). While underway, he works long hours fixing and rebuilding pistons, shafts and hydraulic lines.

While deployed for half of 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Wasp carried various jets and helicopters. Heatherly labored long hours making sure both the ship's aircraft and his book were ready for take off.

"During my off time, I researched information on copyrights, Library of Congress and publishing," said the 34-year-old Sailor. "Publishing was the most difficult. Most publishers were reluctant to touch poetry. I was constantly rejected. Sales revenues shows poetry isn't in high demand. They were only interested in fiction.

"Finally, I hooked up with a publisher who let me illustrate and design my own cover. They're promoting it on the Internet. The next step is to get it on shelves."

Heatherly's family members were stunned when they discovered the country boy from Mississippi's back woods wrote poetry. "I couldn't believe what I was reading," exclaimed Heatherly's father, John Heatherly I. "I don't know where he gets his talent from. His mother and I found out about his poetry at his grandfather's funeral two years ago. They were extremely close, and so he wanted to write the eulogy. It was beautiful. From then on, we encouraged him to keep writing."

"The follow up to "Earth Whispers" is due out next summer," said Heatherly. "I have 30 poems completed so far. Also, I'm writing a novel on mountain men. I'm writing more now because writing frees me from the constraints and obligations of the world."

While it is true you can't take Heatherly from the woodlands, you can't just classify him as just some old lumber-chopping country boy. Despite his technical skills and education, he pulled off 14 successful years in the Navy and is well on his way to becoming Mississippi's own Walt Whitman.

For related news, visit USS Wasp's (LH D 1) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd1.>