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.
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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.) .
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"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.)
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Reader Demographics
States - AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NC, ND, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, and WI
Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;
Countries - Albania, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, UK, U.S., and Venezuela.
........Changes to this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
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Book Reviews
General: JJG wrote: I've read Bob's "To the End of Time" trilogy twice, each time gaining deep and deeper insights into the human condition. The three small volumes hold their own as good stories but also provide a unique glimpse into a new religious paradigm. Would that it could come to be.
Specific Book: To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey
David from Utah: "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."
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Jim from Mt. Vernon: "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."
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Kimberly from Ohio: "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."
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An Ohio Reader: "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. . ."
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Specific Book: Adelyn: An Epic Journey:
Ohio Reader: "In his book, Adelyn: An Epic Journey, Bob navigates the reader through a challenging journey in the time space continuum while exposing both the weaknesses and strengths of humanity. As Adelyn is exposed to the infinite love of The Source, the reader is challenged to understand how personal beliefs and actions often have more to do with cultural rather than spiritual influences. In a time and world filled with political anger and personal indulgences reading Adelyn offers the open-minded promise. It would make a great book study."
Specific Book: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts
Doug from Ohio: ". . . I was not prepared for page 116 Should have been because of the extremely personal nature of the entire book. Please understand that the unusual length of time to finish your book (especially for a binge reader like me) was because it screamed to be read thoughtfully in increments. For me that was 10-15 pages every weekend, often in quiet . . .Thank you for "putting pen to paper" and sharing your soul. Those of us who have followed Poetical Journeys will recognize much of the content. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to share part of your journey really feel a part of it."
Charles from Park City: "Hi Bob….I just picked up your The Tao of Momentary Thoughts. It’s wonderful . . I love your book."
Ed from Seattle: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts: "I was smiling all the way through the reading . . .I think I will reread it again during the next week."
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PJ Online
To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.
The next issue will go out on Sunday, March 28, 2021.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
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