When Ricky Clemons writes poetry, it seems, he just doesn’t stop.

The local resident has written more than 5,000 poems and self-published five books of his work. A handful of his poems also have been converted to songs.

“The Lord just inspired me to write inspiring poetry,” he said. “I want to make it to Heaven, and I want to help other people get there, too.”

Clemons’ books include “The Brush of Poetry,” “The Straight and Narrow Road,” “Ocean of My Soul,” “I am My Mountain to Climb” and “Listen to My Heart.”

Clemons has encountered a number of hardships in his life, and for a long time kept it bottled up. He soon realized that was not the best choice.

“For years and years I felt guilt and shame to talk to anyone,” he said. “That caused me to have other bad experiences in my life.”

After learning that lesson, Clemons wanted to help encourage others to seek help, as well.

“I just want to show people to seek help if they really need it,” he said. “It’s not good to keep all that anger and guilt and shame. People get sick from doing that.”

Many of his poems are about his faith and his family.

“Young people need good Christian role models, especially in the family,” he said. “I believe that family comes first.”

Through the years, Clemons’ poetry has changed from poems written in lines with rhyming schemes to a more prose-type writing style. He said the change was caused by dealing with real-life experiences.

“It was kind of a new experience for me to change my style of writing,” he said. “I write based on what’s coming from my heart.”

He often gets ideas for poetry while he’s driving or doing other things, he said.

“I can be on the road driving,” he said. “I don’t want to lose that thought, because it’s gone like that.”

Clemons also is working on a CD with a local vocalist to turn some of his poems into songs. He anticipates it will be ready in August.