Awakening is a collection of poems about life as we know and live it. The author sees poetry as a tie that binds humanity in happiness, sorrow, work, recreation, and uncertain fate. It helps us attain a subtle awareness of solidarity with others in joy, sorrow, love, child rearing, earning a livelihood, pursuit of esteem, and protection from the harshness of the world. It is comforting to know that other human beings have experienced, dealt with, and overcome problems like those that confront us. Awakening also contains a section of humorous poems including "The Peanut Man" which is a poetic cartoon.