MEET THE AUTHOR
My Story
Henry Lansing Woodward
After serving during the Vietnam War era, Mr. Woodward became a Paramedic in Honolulu, Hawaii. Because of this profession, he was able to support himself and travel extensively, visiting or living in forty-six countries, all the while keeping a journal of the whole fifteen-year adventure. Many of his stories and poems are derived from those journals.
Mr. Woodward has written and published two books as well as several short stories. His first was his book titled, “Yard Sale Today,” a small book about how to run your Yard Sale. The second is called “The Chorus of Life & The Story Book of Poems,” a book of poetry. A third book is about one day in his life as a Paramedic and is currently in printing. and is titled “Lights and Sirens.” It will be released in about a month. For the future, Mr. Woodward has three completed manuscripts of poetry ready for publishing when the time is right.
Just One Masterpiece
If I could write just one,
A poem to last through time.
To take pen to paper and make,
A poetic reputation mine.
To realize poetry lovers,
Feel my poems are worth a read.
To know they seek them by my name,
For their poetry hunger to feed.
To find the words I need,
To tell a message bold.
To see my poems in poetic history,
For generations to behold.
To know they hold them in their hands,
Not wanting to put them down.
To feel some joy in realizing,
My poems are being found.
To walk among the Masters,
Those Eternals already known.
To be invited to sit beside them,
These are the things I seek,
Before I rest in peace.
These, and to write a poem for the ages,
Just One Masterpiece.
BOOKS BY HENRY LANSING WOODWARD
LIGHTS AND SIRENS
Step into the shoes of a paramedic and witness the raw, unvarnished truth behind the sirens. In this gripping memoir, the author takes you through Just One Day in My Life as a Paramedic—a day that was anything but routine. From the heart-pounding urgency of 911 calls to the quiet moments of reflection, this book reveals the intense and often overlooked realities of those who save lives under immense pressure.
With a candid look at the grueling work conditions, low pay, and emotional toll, this story goes beyond the flashing lights to explore the deep dedication that keeps paramedics going, even when the rewards seem far too little. The conclusion brings it all together, offering a poignant reflection on a career that was more than just a job—it was a way of life that leaves an indelible mark.
Whether you're in the medical field or just curious about what it takes to be on the front lines of emergency care, this book offers a compelling and unforgettable journey. Discover why being a paramedic is not just about saving lives—it’s about making peace with the memories that stay with you forever.
Get your copy today and see why this is a story you won’t forget.
POEMS BY HENRY LANSING WOODWARD
HONEYMOON IN PARADISE
Honeymoon in Paradise is a powerful reflection on beauty, tragedy, and the unseen weight carried by those who serve on the front lines of life and death.
Set against the breathtaking calm of Waikiki, the story begins in a place most would call heaven. Warm trade winds, endless blue skies, and a life newly beginning as a paramedic in paradise. But beneath the surface of this idyllic world lies a reality few are prepared for.
In a single, devastating moment, paradise fractures. What was meant to be a long-awaited honeymoon becomes an irreversible loss, and the illusion of safety is stripped away forever. Through raw, unfiltered observation, the narrative explores grief, shock, and the quiet aftermath that lingers long after sirens fade.
This is not just a story about tragedy. It is a story about humanity, memory, and the moments that mark us long after they pass.
One Day as a Paramedic” works because it doesn’t dramatize emergency medicine, it reveals it. Structuring the memoir around a single shift was a sharp decision. It creates urgency from 08:05 a.m. onward and allows readers to experience the relentless pace in real time.
What stands out most is the tension between clinical precision and emotional weight. Diagnosing and treating within seconds, confronting death statistics, navigating injustice in pay and testing systems, the book captures both the technical competence and the human cost of the profession. That duality gives it depth beyond a typical medical memoir.
The tone is another strength. The wit doesn’t dilute the trauma; it makes it survivable for both the Paramedics and readers. That balance is difficult to achieve, especially when the content includes suicide, homophobia, and graphic realities. Yet the storytelling remains gripping without feeling exploitive.
The book focuses on three outward reaches.
1. It is a "day-in-the-life" thriller.
2. It is a commentary on the daily pressures in emergency
medical services.
3. It is a tribute to teamwork under impossible circumstances.
The material supports all three, and the reader is captured as they intertwine to bring him along for all the gurney-side action.
The compact length and short chapters also make it highly accessible. It’s immersive, but not overwhelming in size. It is an incredible read. A true “page turner.”
If you like medical memoir and frontline storytelling, you will find yourself reading these stories more than once.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a sense for the “in your face,” excitement and adventures of everyday life.
Ashley Samuel
