Stepping Forward is an inspirational book of poems that explores nature and the world through Haiku. With over a hundred Haiku this book touches on love, loss, and living in the world around us. Smith, James E. was born March 30, 1949 in Arkabutla Mississippi. He is a graduate, with Honors, from Tate County High School in Coldwater, Mississippi. James is also a 1994 Graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College. His poetry can be found in more than twenty-five different poetry anthologies across America as well as two selections of his own (Reaching for the Horizons, published by Watermark Press, and Wisdom at the Foot of the Mountain, published by Author House). James is a retired factory worker and well established hobbyist; he is also a member of the ANA with over forty years of experience. James is also a member of the International Society of Poets, a Sunday school teacher, Bible puzzle maker, tax preparer, but most of all a child of God.