Born and raised in Richmond, VA, J. Matthew Helms is a husband, a father of two sons, and the project manager of a custom construction company. He has also been a writer of poetry for as long as he can recall. He believes in the stories that can be told, the imagery that can be conveyed, and how each one is inherently tailored to the mind's eye of the reader. While poetry has been a part of his self-expression for many years, it became a lifeline just over  ve years ago when he made the choice to become sober. His poetry o en re ects the wide range of emotions that come from battling addiction. Many others are inspired by his best friend and companion, his wife of nearly twenty years. When not writing, working, or spending time with his family, he can o en be found wandering Richmond with a camera in his hand. His photography has been featured in a number of local shows and galleries.