This issue continues our pictorial focus on Maui.

Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey

_____________________________________________________

Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

____________________________________________________

This book is a great read and will stretch your imagination! The sequel comes out in the spring.

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

My novel To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey is available via Amazon and Kindle. It will grab you from the start and carry you to places you have never been. The book contains many diverse ideas and is a great love story filled with adventure and intrigue. Questions? Email me. To read more click here. To go to Amazon, click here.

A number of individuals have sent some wonderful reviews. You can read some of them in Forum Section below. Be sure to read the NEW one!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This month there are no new geographical destinations to be added to my demographic list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VOLUME XV – Issue 2: Sunday, March 27, 2016 (175th Issue)

  • Welcome & Online Version
  • Opening Comments from Bob
  • Three Poems: Pausing, The Lahaina Banyan Tree, and In Worship
  • Please support my efforts for this publication by donating or purchasing merchandise.
  • Vignette this Month: The Life of Mary Court
  • Recommendations
  • Quotable Quotes
  • A Bit of Humor
  • PJ Forum
  • Reminder: If you are filtering...
  • PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 20 states and 10 countries
  • PJ Online
  • PJ Policies
  • Subscription information

     

    Welcome

    I am pleased to have you as a reader. If you enjoy the PJ, please encourage others to subscribe.

    If your country is not listed in the demographic section at the end, please let me know so I can update the list.

    The next Poetical Journal, the anniversary issue, will be out on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

    ............ Anthuriums at Kula Botanical Gardens

    Opening Comments from Bob

Beyond Time and Back: Epic Journey: My novel is available via Amazon. It contains stories of deep passion and love. Follow two lovers throughout time as they search for answers. A great love story unfolds through the pages. Trust me, you will never be bored. The sequel will be launched in April, What's Next?: An Epic Journey.

Continue Our Visit to Maui: Our pictorial visit to this enchanted island continues in this issue. The poems also have a Maui flavor.. The three poems are Pausing, The Lahaina Banyan Tree, and In Worship. I trust you will enjoy.

Subscriber Residence: PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end.

Next Month: The next issue will be out on April 24, 2016.

To follow me on Facebook, click on Poet Bob, and ask to befriend me.

Kula Botanical Gardens: A beautiful, serene place to visit.

.Three Poems this Month

Pausing

The Hawaiian hau tree
      frames the ponderer.
Silently, without movement,
      she sits,
      peering toward the endless waves.
Are her grandchildren
      thousand of miles away
      on her mind–
      though there is no smile?
Perhaps other weightier thoughts
      desire to transport her
      to a less peaceful place.
Or perhaps none of these,
      she’s only in the moment,
      celebrating simplicity.

Comment: Such moments are something we have all experienced at least sometime in our lives. The picture upper right captures the moment that inspired this poem.


The Lahaina Banyan Tree

The centenarian roots
      sway in the wind,
      seeking sustenance,
      aspiring to grow.
Under its shade
      a lone singer performs
      to listless passerbyes.
      while others sit on benches
      lost in thought
      as if the giant
      is whispering, “Be at peace.”
Passing tourists meander
      in the shade of the massive limbs
      peering at local artists' creations.
The old soul of a 100 roots
      smiles at those below
      seeking only the soil
      hoping to live another 100 years.

Comment: The largest banyan tree in the world stands in Lahaina central. It started as an 8 ft. transplant in this whaling village in 1871. These giants always inspire me to write. (You can read more regarding this tree in the caption under the the second large picture below.)

 


In Worship

The first time in months
      I’ve not attended traditional church.
Instead I sit
      gazing out toward the Pacific,
      mesmerized by the view,
      west Maui lies to the starboard.
The rollers play
      the Creator’s organ
      while the hymns
      are sung in the heart.
Others are attending
      this sacred place of worship,
      leaving momentary footprints
      to be washed away
      leaving no trace of their attendance
      in this holy tabernacle.

Comment: While I often enjoy traditional worship services, there are times such as described in this poem that also enwrap the soul.

Picture that inspired the poem Pausing.

 

Keanae Peninsula near the Hana Highway–note the girl watching in the tree–another lost in the moment

 

The historic Lahaina United Methodist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Paul D. Tangonan is a warm welcoming place to attend worship. Click here to enjoy a short musical clip taken during one of the services.

 

The location I worshipped on a Sunday morning–poem In Worship.

 

My books and products are purchasable online.

My work currently appears in seven books. Four are offered for sale online. To order any of the four, click here. The newest Beyond Time and Back (2015) is currently available through Amazon.

  • A Respite in Time (2012) This 184 page book consists of vignettes, mostly one or two pages in length, which provide thoughtful comments on life. They have appeared in this newsletter over the years. The costs are $15 (PB) and $24 (HB) plus shipping. To order, click here.
  • Lit Bit (2011) is a small anthology that includes three of my poems and three of my photographs. The cover photo is also mine. The cost is $10 plus shipping. (No longer available.)
  • A Slice from the Apple with the Taste of Poetry (2010) is an anthology of poems written by members of the Apple Valley Poets, a very talented group that formed almost eleven years ago. This book contains a wide variety of poetical genres and will appeal to all lovers of poetry. The cost is $10 plus shipping. (No longer available.)
  • An Oasis in a Cluttered World (2006) is a book that allows you chapter by chapter to immerse yourself in a quiet refuge as you forget the chaos of the world. Through poems, vignettes, and recommendations it beckons you to let go, relax, and savor life’s many riches. The cost is $11 for paperback and $18 for hardcover. To order, click here.
  • Wisdom from the Journey (2004) As stated on the cover leaf, “My wish is that this reading journey will provide you with a bit of respite from everyday life, generate a few laughs, cause good feelings about yourself and humanity, encourage introspection, and at certain times twinge your conscience on critical issues and thoughts. Upon reading the last page, I hope you will smile and say, That felt good! The cost is $10 for paperback and $17 for hardcover. To order, click here.
  • The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey (2002) is my first book. You join me on my around the world trip that I took in 2001. The cost is $5.50 for soft cover. (I have sold out of the hardback version. It still can be ordered through Author House.) To order the soft cover., click here.
  • Enjoy the convenience of shopping online.

Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! To support, click here.

To view the product page of other unique gifts, please click here.

A panoramic picture of Baby Beach (far end of Baldwin Beach) on Maui

Lahaina, Maui: The largest banyan tree in the world. It started as an 8 ft. transplant in this whaling village in 1871. It now covers over an acre. The dangling fibers are actually roots seeking to reach the ground and establish another trunk base. (See second poem.) On Sundays, there is often an art fair below its limbs (Pictured).

Vignette this Month: The Life of Mary Court

All of us have had individuals who have impacted our lives in many ways, sometimes dynamically while others quietly and subtly. Mary Court who recently passed after a valiant fight with cancer is one whose impact was the latter. I have known Mary Deppen (maiden name) since high school. She later married her high school sweetheart Doug Court and recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. I always viewed their marriage as the ideal. Both Doug and Mary served as godparents to our son Craig.

Mary will not go down in the history books as a President Roosevelt or Eisenhower, but she will remain in the memories of hundreds who knew her as a wonderful human being. (According to one family member the funeral line reached close to a mile.) Though often soft-spoken she carried a big stick especially if she sensed injustice. We both grew up in Galion, Ohio, at the time a totally white community. In 1962 a young black girl entered the high school. I won't go into detail how shabbily she was treated, but she remained in the school for only a few weeks. Despite the peer pressure by some of the toughs, Mary reached out to her and unabashedly offered friendship. The two remained friends throughout the passing decades. (This young woman went on to be a renown psychologist and in her speeches frequently discussed the racism she experienced in my hometown–not a badge of honor for us.)

Later, while others thought of joining the Freedom Marches, Mary marched.

After Mary and Doug spent a short stint in Pennsylvania, they returned to Galion to raise their ever growing family and pursue their careers, Doug as an outstanding educator and Mary as a loving mother and children's librarian. The impact she had on the youth of the community cannot be measured other than the love and appreciation heard in the voices of those who attended her enthusiastic children hours as she conveyed the wisdom of countless authors, focusing on love and fairness for all humankind.

Mary lived a life of honor and gratitude. A worthy epitaph for any of us. She will be missed.


If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, I will print it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.

                  A glorious view looking toward the Pacific from along Hana Highway
                  View from the Kula Farm Stand where we purchased fresh strawberries weekly
Recommendations

Monsoon India in Kihei under the leadership of Hari Reddy continues to be a favorite Indian dining experience on Maui. The food is superb with excellent service (Cheryl does a wonderful job.). The ocean view is one of the best on the island. I have eaten there many times and recommend without hesitation.

   
Maui Brewing Company, Kihei, Maui: This new facility and tasting room recently opened in Kihei having moved much of its production from Lahaina. This state of the art brewery covers 45,000 ft.² and is energy independent, using solar energy. Fascinating tasting beers of course with a Hawaiian touch! The 45 minute tour is worth the time and includes a tasting at the conclusion.

Pizza Madness located in Kihei serves the best pizza on the island. The crust comes from a homemade recipe. Upon discovering this bar/restaurant we became a weekly visitor. We believe it to be the best pizza we have ever eaten. The side salad with the honey mustard dressing is also hard to beat. Accompany it with a Bikini Blonde beer from Maui Brewery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.

Looking toward the Pacific from the Garden of Eden
Another view at the Garden of Eden
Another garden view

–..Quotable Quotes

"There would seem to be nothing more obvious, more tangible and palpable than the present moment. And yet it eludes us completely. All the sadness of life lies in that fact." - Milan Kundera (Czech-born writer who went into exile in France in 1975)

"Stop measuring days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence." - Alan Watts (1915 – 1973: British-born American philosopher, writer, and speaker)

"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745: Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and cleric)

"Yet it is in our idleness, in our dreams, that the submerged truth sometimes comes to the top." - Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941: English writer and one of the foremost modernists of the twentieth century)

 

Waihou Spring Forest Reserve, Maui: A magnificent place for a hike in Upcountry

Baldwin Beach swell

A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

Fried Chicken:

Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken."

She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed. My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef.

Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office. I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class, my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken. She sent me back to the principal's office. He laughed, and told me not to do it again.

I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am. Today, my teacher asked me to tell her what famous person I admired most.

I told her, "Colonel Sanders."

Guess where I am now ...


Courtesy of A Joke A Day

Floral scenes from Kula Botanical Gardens
Maui Typical

808 Uke Jams meets every Thursday night for ukulele and hula. People from all over the world attend either participating or observing. Jarret Delos Santos, better known as Kumu Kealoha which in Hawaiian means “teacher or source” and Kealoha, which means “the love” or “the aloha,” provides free instructions and programs throughout the year. His overall goal is to foster the love of traditional Hawaiian culture. To view a You Tube clip, click here.

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, I personally respond to all.

"I so enjoyed this newsletter; it felt good to laugh at the turtle joke. I really enjoyed the poems and pictures. Have a blessed weekend." – Tharon from Ohio (Ed.: As always, thank you for your kind words. I always enjoy hearing from you.)
__________________________________________________

"I couldn't help but smile when I read the part about knowing me since I was a teenager... but I'm surprised to know there are two of us! Okay, back to reading now... I hope you're well!" – Julie from California (Ed.: Great to hear from you! Yes, you were one. I emailed her the pen name of the other one. Both have kept in contact with me over the years.)

__________________________________________________

"Loved the newest PJ. Your pictures are amazing. Thanks for making my day. Take care of yourself and each other." – Denise from Ohio (Ed.: Thanks so much for your gracious comments, Denise! I trust life is going well for you as well.)

__________________________________________________

"Great issue as usual! Love the pics from Hawaii - beautiful. It seems to be Spring here in Texas - loving it!" – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Thank you, Bobbie!You are always faithful contributor. I trust the heavy weather has missed since you emailed me. I know Texas has been hit hard.)

===============================================================================

To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey Review taken from Amazon

"The new novel, To the End of Time and Back is a skillful account of two lovers on an 'Epic Journey,' racing through time and history to learn life-changing truths. Their spectral mentor, Arundel, sends them through difficult travels, but their relationship endures and remains strong despite physical, and psychological stress. Powerful emotions such as fear, anger and happiness, combine with lust, pain and sexuality to help them learn. Written in verse form, the story is an epic poem, painted to portray the duality of mankind throughout dimensions of human history that is sometimes cruel and horrific. The reader will come to know and understand what is being described and will certainly enjoy the stimulating elegance of the story and the philosophy. A thoroughly enjoyable read that is certain to make you think." - David from Utah
______________________

Other Reviews (They have been edited for length. Thank so much to each of you.)

"I finished your book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was much easier to follow by having the whole thing in front of me, and reading as much as I wanted at a time. I felt pretty weary after bouncing around in time for many hundreds of years, but I was relieved to know that at least part of the world survived 'Armageddon'. What a feat you have performed." - Jim
______________________

"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your latest book To the End of Time and Back. When I bought the book I had no idea what to expect. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I had fun reading it from A to Z and everything in between." - Art from Park City, UT
______________________

"Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!" - Bobbie from Texas
______________________

"Well, Bob! I am rather blown away by your book. Finished it yesterday, and it only took four days, which means I was intrigued and wanted to know how the book ends. I'm a slow, deep reader and since my profession is writing and editing, I edit continuously as I read. Can't help it! But this book was worth dropping everything for and reading to the end. I admit to cynicism about your claim that it would change me, and I don't know that it has just yet but it won't be leaving my heart and head for a long time, and change could happen. I'm impressed that the book actually lived up to your claims for it. . . . I'm intrigued by this book because it rings so true, and I am therefore tempted to believe you actually were given the gift of this dictation. But if not and this is fiction, you have written one hell of a book, masquerading amazingly as non-fiction ... which is indeed one of the goals of fiction." - Kimberly
______________________

"WOW! WOW! WOW! I read it in one sitting and found so many things you wrote about 'true' for what I know and feel about past lives I've lived. Actually, the chapter about the Holocaust was something I couldn't bear to read–too sad and painful. (I've always felt that way about that period of history.) . . . it was very well done, Bob. Just beautifully done. I'm looking for the movie. . . I'm sure others will feel connected to this book just as I did. AMAZING. Just AMAZING. I couldn't put it down. There was so much anticipation with each chapter it hooked me from the very beginning. . ." - An Ohio Reader
______________________

"I read your book a couple weeks ago. You are lucky we don't live close enough for me to call you to discuss it! It was interesting and easy to read. I liked the format. It reminded me of Many Masters, Many Lives by Brian L. Weiss (which was not that quick to read). Have you read that? . . . Anyway, kudos on the book -- on all your books. . ." - A Reader from Arizona
______________________

"Your newest release takes the reader to places deep within. It makes one ponder all things about life itself. Many authors have written about reincarnation, but yours goes deeper. Through an eternal relationship between two souls, you describe all the human emotions one can feel. The book takes you to historical times and places around the globe, making you feel as if you are part of the beautiful relationship of A~ and Z~. After reading, they will become a part of you." - A Reader


PJ Online

To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.

The next issue will go out on April 24, 2016.

Until next time - joy and peace,

Bob


PJ Policies

Guest Poetry: Often readers send me a poem stating they would like it included in the PJ. Many of the poems are well written. Although I enjoy reading them, at this time I do not include guest poetry as part of this newsletter. Instead, I suggest that they submit them for inclusion in the Guest Poet section of my web site. A number have chosen to do so. However, time limitations and quality govern the number that will be accepted. I currently am not accepting poetry from minors.
-----------------------------
Guest Vignettes: On occasion, I publish guest vignettes submitted by one of my readers. If a guest vignette is submitted and selected, the author understands that there is no remuneration provided; the vignette will be included in the e-mailed and web site versions; and will remain posted until I choose to remove it from the site. In all cases, the guest vignette remains the property of the guest author who has given permission for its usage as described in sentences one and two.
-----------------------------
Privacy: I take it very seriously. Your name will never be sold to a third party nor will we disclose at any time your subscription information.
----------------------------
Unsolicited Mailing: The PJ is never sent unless requested. If you believe you received the PJ unsolicited, please notify me. I will unsubscribe you.
------------------------------
Reproduction and Forwarding: While the material is copyrighted, you have permission to forward all or part of this newsletter. You may also quote from it. Out of common courtesy (We will forget all the legal jargon and requirements.), I would appreciate at least a mention or a footnote. -- Much appreciated!
------------------------------
Recommendations: All recommendations are personal ones offered for your information. I receive no remuneration of any kind from the sources or individuals being recommended – other than when I recommend purchasing my books. Actually, many are never aware of their listing. One may ask, "Why do you provide recommendations for specific establishments or locations, especially since many of your readers are worldwide and may never be able to use the information?" The key word is "may." When I travel, I plan much of the itinerary myself. This planning includes reading and listening to recommendations from professional and personal sources. My wish is that any suggestions provided will assist some readers as they make their plans. (Incidentally, I have already received feedback that readers use them.)


Subscription: To unsubscribe, click on your individualized unsubscribe e-mail at the end of this newsletter. (Not appropriate for this web page.)


Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049

bob@poeticaljourneys.com

If you are reading this and have not signed up for your free subscription
to the Poetical Journal, please click here.