The Stump
The horrendous noise
took my life away.
I remember
the strength
as I stood proudly ramrod tall.
My life giving leaves
soaked in the sun,
its warmth,
causing me to smile
proud of my strength.
I believed
I was invincible.
Alas, with passage of time,
as my arms withered,
I realized
such false beliefs
faded with the inevitable.
All that remains of me
is a memory
of my previous glory.
Already, I feel
the decay
as I fade into oblivion.
Comment: A bit dark, not upbeat, sorry. This was drafted while on a bike ride and the chain saw was cutting down a dead tree.
-----------------------------------
Reflection
Gazing into the quiet pond
my image stares back.
Can that be me
or a perceived illusion?
Right becomes left,
and left becomes right.
Though not a clear mirrored vision,
it must be me questioning.
Perhaps the water
distorts the shape.
A soft breeze
caresses my skin.
My reflection
remains, but ripples
alter perceptions of self.
Breezes become wind,
goose bumps rise
barely visible in the water.
Soon I disappear
wishing to reappear someday. |
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Ice skating rink, downtown Midway (Exception - not my front yard)
Neighbor's front in honor of Valentines
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Vignette this Month: Celebrating the Beginning of Year 20
Nineteen years have passed since I sent out my first Poetical Journal. This issue begins the twentieth year. At one time the newsletter had over 22,000 subscribers, one of the largest poetry newsletters in the country. In fact at that time, Bob Casey was number one in a Google search. However, when another Bob Casey became governor of Pennsylvania and later senator, my name was relegated to page 2 or 3...:-) Over the years due to costs and internet rule changes, my subscriber numbers drastically dropped. In fact, someone reported me as sp_m, and Yahoo blocked me. I lost 4,000+ subscribers in the blink of an eye. However, I still have one of the longest running poetry newsletters in the country. Another plus, ninety per cent of those who currently subscribed have been with me for over sixteen years.
Over the years, the format has changed. The original biweekly newsletters were two pages an issue with no pictures. If you were to print the PJ, issues run eight plus pages with pictures playing a major role.
I proudly can say that the newsletter has always come out on time despite open heart and major abdominal surgeries along with two near death experiences.
I have tried to create a newsletter that is upbeat based on the premise that much of our news today is negative and disheartening. However, as a poet, I would be failing my role if I didn't write about the bigger issues facing all of us in life. As an example, this issue contains two more serious poems.
Another principle I have held is to never spam or inundate subscribers with unsolicited emails.
One of the great joys is to receive subscriber emails and be able to personally respond to them. Some readers have become close internet friends whether family crises or upheaval in a country..
"Big Thanks to You" for your ongoing support.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ongoing Recommendation
Be safe; be healthy!
.........Please take a look at the gift page.
Quotable Quotes
"The present never ages. Each moment is like a snowflake, unique, unspoiled, unrepeatable, and can be appreciated in
its surprisingness." - Gail Sheehy
"Love life more than the meaning of it. -Fyodor Dostoyevsky
"I hear and behold God in all objects." - Walt Whitman
Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
A boy asks his father, "Dad, are bugs good to eat?"
"That's disgusting. Don't talk about things like that over dinner," the dad replies.
After dinner the father asks, "Now, son, what did you want to ask me?"
"Oh, nothing," the boy says. "There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone."
Compliments of Joke a Day
Tai Chi Corner
My ZOOM Tai Chi lessons continue. I have students from Utah, Ohio, Nevada,
and Colorado participating. Using Dr. Paul Lam's online courses along with
my personal instructions, we are having a great time.
PJ Forum
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
While I often cannot print everyone's, I personally respond to all. (When editing the comments for publication,
I often eliminate the paragraphing to save space.) .
---------------------------------------------
"Bob. thank you! and congrats to you as well! 20 years is quite an achievement! I have always thought of your "Poetical Journal"
newsletter as such a bright light for a weary world. Here's to many more shining years! - Sally sally@HarmonyMoonGifts.com;
www.HarmonyMoonGifts.com (Ed: Much appreciated! Sally has one of coolest stores. I have ordered a number of items from her.)
======================================================================================
Reader Demographics
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Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;
Countries - Albania, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, UK, US, and Venezuela.
........Changes to this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
______________________________________________
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
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to the Poetical Journal, please click here.
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