Irmo resident, poet and first-time author Sharon Khardaji will be selling her book "Poise: Select Poems" on Friday, April 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at River Spring Elementary School's Fun Fest and donate all the proceeds to the school's PTO.

Khardaji started writing at age nine. " My ideas came from everywhere." She'd write her thoughts down and tuck them away in a folder. "It was a very private thing," she said. So private that her family didn't know about her writing (even though they inspired many of her poems) until two years ago when she decided to share her poetry in a book.

For Khardaji, publishing the book was not an easy decision. She wandered if the poems would have the same meaning for others as they did for her. "They are deeply personal," but at the age of 51 she wanted to do something to help others, "And that's what this book is about." Khardaji took two years to edit her poems, making sure each message "was written as beautifully as possible,

" She succeeded." 

 "My poems are touching a lot of lives and that's what is most fulfilling about this." Khardaji is receiving emails from readers who enjoy her poetry and in one instance was approached by a grieving widow who was so touched by the messages that she thanked her for writing the book.

Khardaji wanted to do more, concerned about the lack of funding provided to the schools, she approached Jackie Steinmeyer and Jean Stephens, PTO fundraisers for River Springs Elementary and offered her book to be used for a fundraiser for the school. "I'm not famous or rich, but I think its very good reading for the families and for the children, It’s my way of giving back, because my babies go there." Khardaji will also be doing a reading at Dutch Fork Elementary (where her grandchildren attend school on Friday, April 18.

What's next? Khardaji says she continues to write and sees another book in her future. To learn more about Khardaji's upcoming book signings and events (Including a television interview with Hannah Horne of the Midday Show on WIS-TV in May) visit her web site at www.poisecentral.com.