Des Moines resident Dan J. Donlan recently published a book of poems and short stories.

Entitled Womb of the Same Mother, the entries were inspired by everyday life. Some were written in fun and some in tragedy.

As an author, Donlan tries not to be too serious and looks to his grown children and grandchildren for additional inspiration.

"Two children, a wife of forty-six years, and five grandchildren are my reasons for being," Donlan noted.

A resident of North Hill since 1977, Donlan graduated from Highline High School and Highline Community College.

His poetry has been published in Great Poems of the Western World, Best Poems and Poets from 2002-2005, and this year in the International Who's Who in Poetry.

Womb of the Same Mother is published by PublishAmerica.