• Three Poems: Thompson Road 2, Homeless Beach Chair, and Beach Artistry
• Vignette this Month: Writers' Realities
• Recommendations
Priscilla Dragon leading tai chi in Waimia
.Three Poems this Month
Thompson Road 2
A nameless line on the tourist map
A one-lane thoroughfare where locals stroll stepping aside allowing the occasional car to pass.
Waves and hellos with stops to chat are customary.
Walking close to the clouds that slip down Haleakala’s side, as one marvels at the beauty of creation.
The blue sea and resorts lie far below.
Pheasants dash for cover while egrets take to flight.
An occasional horse neighs.
So quiet! So peaceful!
All cares become miniscule.
Comment: As you may have guessed, I love this one-mile stretch of peace.
Homeless Beach Chair
Dilapidated, legs in the mossy grass, no longer worthy for the tourist to sit on its weather tattered webs.
Discarded, a piece of junk.
Broken and alone it sets on a small rise in a tropical paradise overlooking the vast Pacific.
Within minutes a homeless man sits on his precious piece of furniture, imagining it to be the plush recliner of youth.
The chair smiles, “At least someone wants me.”
Comment: Everything you read occurred except for reading both the man's and chair's minds ...:-)
Beach Artistry
Striations and bubbles mark the flattened sand.
Most go unnoticed as the walkers stroll feeling the summer-like water wash over the feet.
Many appear in their own world perhaps marveling at the view or spotting a whale in the distance.
What causes these artistic strokes that paint the sand with dark browns– such intricate lines.
Beneath the bubbles a sea crab enjoys the oxygen, praying that no one snuffs it out.
Much to see in this small world that exists for moments until the wave returns.
Comment: No comments needed.
A poetical video to accompany Thompson Road 2.(If you cannot view, click here for You Tube.)
This dilapidated chair along the beach became the inspiration for the poem on the left.
National Argentine kiteboarder champion doing her thing
A place for a picnic doesn't get much better
Craft show under the famous Banyan tree in Lahaina
Baldwin Beach, a favorite place
Iao Needle Valley, Maui: This location is one of the most beautiful on Maui but also the most tragic. In the final battle for capturing Maui, as part of the unification move by King Kamehameha I, over a thousand warriors died–the river below ran red and was dammed by bodies. The Needle, pictured here, served as a lookout for the attackers from the Big Island.,
Vignette this Month: Writers' Realities
I can't remember the number of times that when I tell someone I am a writer that they reply that they too want to write a book. Thankfully, most don't! Despite that fact, due to the ability to self-publish, more books are being written by individuals than ever before. In 2013, close to 305,000 were published in the U.S. alone. (China beat us with 440,000.) Thus, the odds are against someone even with an agent to generate a best seller. However, like the lottery ticket holder, all hope theirs is the one to hit the jackpot. A general rule among writers such as myself is that if you are able to sell over a 1,000 self-published books, you have greatly increased your odds of being picked up by a traditional publisher. Frankly, there is more respect by many readers for a book coming from such a publisher. But that trend is also changing for some well-known writers are preferring to use social media to promote and sell their books. Depending on the contract, big publishers offer a royalty of $ .80-$1.00 on a $10 book sale while using some of the new self-publish options, the writer can receive over triple that. Secondly, the traditional companies take two to three years finally to have the book saleable to the public while the self-publisher can have it available in a matter of a few weeks once the submission is completed. Despite all the negatives and the odds, many of us are driven to write, pouring out our souls, believing we have something of worth to say.
Will my new book To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey, which just came out this month, fare better than my previous ones? I have certainly invested years in its writing. While my other four books were feel good ones, this one is not. It takes a hard, realistic look at humankind and religion. The plot is intricate, spellbinding and should hold one's attention, even if the reader does not believe in the theology behind it. The delivery of the plot through free verse form is risky, but I have never shied away from that. Besides, the format makes for easy reading on some tough topics. The story line includes all that makes the modern novel sellable–love, sex, violence, evil, and good. Should the book somehow reach national attention, it will be controversial. If you are willing to take the risk, please go to Amazon and order. Your purchase would be greatly appreciated!
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.
Tropical Plantation, Maui: A free botanical gardens with great views.
Kihei, Maui: We had rain off and on for several days, very unusual for this part of Maui. However, the plus is shown above.
Recommendations
MAUI: I list numerous suggestions on my website. Thesethree have been recommended before but worth another mention.
Monsoon India in Kihei under the leadership of Hari Reddy continues to be a favorite Indian dining experience on Maui. The food is superb, excellent service (Cheryl does a fine job.), and the ocean view unbeatable. If you dine there, tell him that Bob sent you. A few miles down the road in Wailuku is a Fiji-Indian option at Jini's Curry located in the downtown food court. The food is very good and reasonably priced.
Gazebo Restaurant is a well-known stop for breakfast by experienced Maui visitors. The often thirty minute wait is worth it. Besides the view while waiting is gorgeous. It is located on the Lahaina side of the island.
The Kula Country Farms produce stand and its fresh strawberries are a must stop with visiting Upcountry. It is located on 6240 Kula Highway. A beautiful picnic area is across the road (See picture by poems.)
Thompson Rd., Upcountry, Maui: Another brief visit to this quiet, one lane road. We are looking up the side of Haleakala. The clouds daily encircle this extinct volcano. I hope you read the poem above.
Hiking the Kapalua Trail. One of the beautiful portions of the hike is the abundance of lava rock that you can walk on and explore. The island in the background is Lana'i.
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Ma'alaea, Maui: Winter is whale season where thousands of humpback whales migrate the 3,000+ miles from Alaska to mate and bear their offspring.
The small graveyard near the historic Keawala'i Congregational Church, Makena, Maui–a quiet place where I hope to have my ashes interred
Upcountry looking toward the west mountains
Young couple enjoying life
Of course in Hawaii you have to have at least one sunset picture