My third novel Adelyn: An Epic Journey in the Epic Journeys TrilogyIS AVAILABLE on Amazon. (Above is a 65 second clip about the book.) It will take you on quite a journey! Though the third book of a trilogy, it is also a standalone novel.
One reader from Ohio wrote: 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.
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My first two books of the trilogy,To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey, and the sequel, What's Next~An Epic Journey can also be purchased through Amazon byclicking here. (Scroll to the correct title.) Your local bookstore can also order them for you. All these books are fine reads for the broad-minded and/or the non-traditional spiritual seeker. What a reading adventure you will have including many diverse ideas, a beautiful love story, adventure, and intrigue. (All three are also available in Kindle version.)
Click here to link to a YouTube radio interview about To the End of Time and Back. (Friend David Riggs produced it for me. To link to his book, click here.)
A number of individuals have sent wonderful reviews on the first two books. You can read some ofthem in the Forum Section below.
PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 24 states and 12 countries
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I am pleased to have you as a reader. If you enjoy the PJ, please encourage others to subscribe.
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The next Poetical Journal will be out on Sunday, April 29, 2018.
.........Keanae Congregational Church just off the Hana Road
Opening Comments from Bob
Adelyn: An Epic Journey is the third in the series and can also be read as a standalone book. Beyond Time and Back: An Epic Journeywas the first in the series followed by the second, What's Next ~An Epic Journey. Each tackles topics that impacts us all. Any of the three books are great gifts to the open, spiritual seeker and/or the broad-minded. All three of the novels are available on Amazon.
This Issue: This month's newsletter is the first in a two-part pictorial series on Maui. The first poem Too Long touches on a Maui experience while the second Prized Possession speaks to a fond memory. The Two Mile Lei relates to a noble but sadder topic.
BIG Contest: In honor of the start of my 17th year of publication, in the February issue I offered a contest which included a $50 or $25 cash prize. However, one of the rules was #3. There must be a minimum of 15 entries for any dollar amount to be awarded. Sadly, there was only one entry. Pat N. from Hillard, OH, who enjoys the photography. Pat, thank you for entering. Frankly, I was surprised that we didn't have more. Because Pat entered, I am sending her one of my books at no charge.
Lunch with Priscilla: I always enjoy chatting with subscribers when traveling. When Priscilla heard I was coming to Maui, she invited Jan and I to join her for lunch. We enjoyed a wonderful time of sharing. Priscilla is also an excellent tai chi practitioner which added to our experience. A BIG MAHALO to Priscilla!
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 comes out on April 29, 2018 where we will conclude our Maui visit.
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Ocean going catamaran anchored off of Lahaina, Lanai in the background..
Two Poems this Month
Too Long
Mesmerized, sitting on the veranda, I stare at the half moon.
How long has it been since I have taken the time to pause and savor its lunar beauty?
The palm leaves bisect the reflection while stars, unhindered by smog, glow brightly in the tropical sky.
The sun waits to peak above Haleakala, allowing me moments to revel in my solitary pleasure.
Comments: No comments needed though I believe sometimes we forget to take time to savor the beauty that is around us daily.
Prized Possession
A piece of ceramic, colors faded by years, sets on my bookcase.
A mock horseshoe encircles the horse’s head.
A worthless piece won at a carnie stand six decades ago.
Yet, it remains one of my prized possessions.
Won by my father during our family’s annual trip to the New Washington Street Fair, I being home sick.
It remains a symbol of my father’s love, having played a rigged game he never allowed us to play, to bring home a memory he thought I could never have.
Comment: Funny what we cherish in life! It is often something that comes from an act of love and has little monetary value but lasting memory. I was twelve when I couldn't go to this yearly event which I always enjoyed. My father, a man of the 1950s, seldom showed physical affection but demonstrated his love through actions such as described in this poem.
Our son Craig and family visited us for a week making for a perfect time.
Lahaina, Maui: This banyan tree developed from an 8 ft. transplant in this whaling village in 1871. It now covers over an acre. On Sundays, when the cruise ship is in, there is often an art fair below its limbs.
Pictured, the ceramic piece discussed in the poem.
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 books, Adelyn: An Epic Journey (2017), What's Next? ~ An Epic Journey (2016), and Beyond Time and Back: An Epic Journey (2015), are currently available through Amazon.
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Whether a child or an adult, a visit to the Maui Ocean Center provides an enjoyable, educational experience.
Looking out from Lahaina, Maui, toward the Island of Lanai, once a huge pineapple plantation, now the home
to two mega-resorts. Most of the few roads on the island require a four-wheel vehicle.
Click here to enjoy a short video of The Drums of the Pacific Luau held at the Hyatt Regency in the Lahaina area.
Click here to enjoy this exciting group, 808ukejams.com, that meets every Thursday to Uke jam and enjoy song and hula–led by Jarret Delos Santos.
Click here to hear beautiful music that is enjoyed each Sunday at Keawalai Congregational United Church of Christ.
Vignette: The Two Mile Lei
The ti leaf lei was actually 2.1 miles in length.(You see a small section of it pictured below.) Students, teachers, and volunteers from across the Hawaiian Islands worked to tie and weave each leaf into this beautiful symbol of beauty and hope. What was the occasion–not a happy one? It was woven to send "aloha spirit" to the surviving students of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Once the lei was finished a contingent of Hawaiian students and adults flew it to Florida where it was reverently presented to the student body.
I was privileged to hear Anthony Pfuke, high school senior, one of the organizers of the event, and rising musical star, speak regarding the project and asking for volunteers to assist in the weaving process. He also played for the group the original song he wrote and later sang to the student body.
This was not the first of such leis to be created. Another was delivered to Las Vegas following that horrendous slaughter.
One has to be fully familiar with traditional Hawaiian culture to understand the significance of this outreach. "Aloha" means a gracious welcome but also goodbye. But it is hard to translate the complete meaning into words for it encompasses far more, feelings, welcome, love, compassion, and peace, to name a few. The leis themselves signifies the spirit of welcome and love woven into each twist and tie, in this case over 133,000 ties.
Let us pray that no more leis need to be made and sent to victims of senseless slaughter. Instead, let's enjoy ones of welcome to these enchanted islands..
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. It should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
Makena Beach, Maui: Of course if you are in Hawaii, you need to enjoy some beach time. This is one of
the last undeveloped beaches on the island.
Kahului, Maui: The west mountains, in their magnificence, are in clear view
Upcountry Maui looking down toward the Pacific below. The white colored white buckets partway down contain strawberry plants.
Recommendations:
Longhi's, located on Front Street in Lahaina, is a
wonderful place to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner
This upscale restaurant has been in business for over
four decades. Expect to take your time fine dining.
Grandma's Coffee House: Doug Court, who was visiting us
for a week on Maui, enjoying a light treat at this delightful place
in Kula, Upcountry, Maui. "Grandma began roasting and blending
Maui Organic coffee in 1918. It wasn't long before Grandma's house
became the place to go for a cup of coffee and to "talk story". It is
now four generations later and coffee is still in our family." Of course
Doug had coffee along with the treat. By the way, the pastries are
delectable!
Click hereto read many recommendations from the past!
Above: View of my tai chi beach area
Below: A gorgeous courtyard on Front Street in Lahaina, Maui.
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Quotable Quotes
"The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it's here is up to us. Journey wisely." - Alexandra Elle
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - The Dalai Lama
"I learned that every mortal will taste death. But only some will taste life." - Rumi
"Happiness, . . . not in another place but this place –not for another hour; but this hour." - Ajahn Brahm
Above: Traditional war canoes and modern catamarans near Lahaina.
Below: On a cloudy, rainy day Doug and Janice are pictured at the entrance to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park,
a small roadside park in Keokea (makai), Upcountry. Sun Yat-Sen is considered the father of modern China.
During his formative years he lived on Maui with his brother, a wealthy landowner who later helped fund
Sun Yat-Sen's efforts to overthrow the Qing Dynasty following his return to China.Yat-Sen served as the first
provisional president when the Republic of China was founded in 1912.
Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Organized Life & Marriages
Two old ladies meet for the first time since they left school. One asked the other, "You were always so organized in school, did you manage to live a well-planned life?"
"Oh yes," said her friend. "My first marriage was to a millionaire, my second to an actor, third to a preacher and I'm now married to an undertaker."
Her friend asked, "What do those marriages have to do with a well-planned life?"
"One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go!"
Above: Palm stand on the way to morning tai chi ...........................................................................Below: We close with a Maui sunset, 75 yards from our condo.
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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"As usual, I enjoyed reading your issue of the Poetical Journal. I really like the photo of the coffee bags hanging on the wall. The blue haze along the seawall is truly an amazing photo. . .The editor in my professional background would like to offer a suggestion. Under your section titled PJ Forum, you wrote the following: 'While I often cannot print every ones, I personally respond to all.' In this instance of usage, the correct wording is everyone's rather than every ones. So, now you know that I am paying attention." - Scott from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: Thank you so much for the correction! The possessive has been incorrect for months. Glad you spotted it. Once specific sections have appeared and originally proofed, or in this case un-proofed, they remain unchanged, often for months. By the way, Scott mentioned that his wife and he are operating a B & B in Mt. Gilead, OH. I am familiar with the area. If you happen to travel in that direction, you may want to checkout http://www.roseheartinn.com/.)
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"I do need you so Lord, Why?: Lord, I need you because you are the Great I AM of the Old Testament. You are the Creator, God the Father Who so loved the world that You gave Your Only Begotten Son. Why? So that we who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He came into the world in that while we were yet sinners, He came to save us. I need you so Lord because without You, I cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. With You, all things are possible. I need You because You have promised me eternal life if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, then I will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. I need You so Lord because while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. You sent Your Son to be the propitiation for my sins. I do need You so Lord so I will be reunited with my loved ones. Without you, I am nothing. So, come Lord Jesus, be thou my strength and my Redeemer. Why? Because I need You so, Lord! !" - Curtis from Georgia (Ed.: This was Curtis' response to my poem, A Moment of "Why?". I am always pleased when one of my poems generates a response. Thank you, Curtis, for sharing!)
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"Thank you for introducing us to another Hawaiian island. We'll have to try it." - Renate from Washington (Ed.: Yes, you and David would enjoy the Big Island. Each Hawaiian island has its own character. It is by far the largest.)
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"Can't believe you have the stamina to start year seventeen. Few people realize the time, effort and love you put into the Poetical Journal." - Doug from Galion, OH (Ed.: Thank you, Doug. The PJ has been a labor of love. Counting from conception, to writing to photography to proofing and publishing, each issue requires more than 24 hours of time. Again, thank you for noticing.)
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Seated in the oldest Hawaiian Church listening to a sermon even older
"Dear Bob, I loved another Hawaiian issue of PJ. The pictures remind us of our last pleasurable visit to that beautiful part of our country. As I added my own interpretation to the first two lines of your first poem, I smiled. Thanks for keeping up the good work, entering into year 17." - Jim from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: I always enjoy hearing from friend and fellow poet Jim. In a follow-up email, he interpreted the poem in a way that was in my mind while writing it during the sermon.)
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
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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
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"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
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"Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!" - Bobbie from Texas
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
Reader Demographics
States- AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NC, ND, NY, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, and WI;
Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;
Countries - Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, UK, U.S., and Venezuela.
........Changes in this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.
The next issue will go out on Sunday, April 29, 2018.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
PJPolicies 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.)
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, and volunteers from across the Hawaiian Islands worked to tie and weave each leaf into this beautiful symbol of beauty and hope. What was the occasion–not a happy one? It was woven to send "aloha spirit" to the surviving students of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Once the lei was finished a contingent of Hawaiian students and adults flew it to Florida where it was reverently presented to the student body. 
