|
|
If you are reading
this and have not
signed up for
your free
subscription
to the Poetical
Journal, please
click here.
|
|
|
|
Looking from Maui
coffee plantations
across bay to Lanai
|
|
|
|
|
Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey
|
|
|
Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life
Maui – Part 2 & Oahu
Congratulations to our $25 survey winner, Robert Hinshaw of Colorado
VOLUME IX – Issue 2: Sunday, March 28, 2010 (103rd Issue)
CONTENT
- Welcome & Online Version
- Opening Comments from Bob
- Three Poems: Predicament, At Kahanu Garden . . ., and A Respite at AKL
- My Latest Book -- An Oasis in a Cluttered World is available.
- Vignette: The Wave I Didn't Ride
- Guest Vignette: Forum Comments of the Month by Steffanie from Vancouver
- Recommendations
- Quotable Quotes
- A Bit of Humor
- Calendar Contest 2010
- Contest Winners
- PJ Forum
- Reminder: If you are filtering...
- PJ Demographics – All 50 states and 72 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 issue starts year nine of the Poetical Journal. It will be out on Sunday, April 25, 2010.
|
|
|
|
Sailboarder at Ho'okipa Point
|
|
|
|
Opening Comments from Bob
Last Month's Anniversary Issue: I had hoped to make the issue a very special one as it celebrated the completion of eight years. Alas, its accidental sending almost two weeks early without full proofing made it less than stellar. However, if you opened the web version, I believe that made up for it. I definitely will be watching more closely and with more sleep before clicking the wrong button again. I am repeating a poem in this issue that was there only in title, not content, A Respite at AKL.
Aloha from Hawaii: Even though I have returned after thirty-two days in Hawaii, you still might enjoy perusing my NEW blog. If nothing else, you will enjoy the pictures.
A BIG Thank You: Thanks to all who completed the survey. We will use your responses in helping plan the future direction for Journeys Publishing. A full report on the results will appear in next month's issue.
Again, congratulations to our $25 survey winner, Robert Hinshaw of Colorado.
Please do not be mislead by the site title, Journeys Publishing. Whether you are a writer or not, there will be opportunities for participation. Why not explore after you finish reading the PJ! Better yet, why not sign up for an account? It is free. Later you can decide whether you want to expand your options. Much more in the next newsletter.
Premium Subscribers: Two years ago, I implemented "a pay it forward" membership called "premium subscribers." The first year generated thirty-six members while last year only nine. I realize that almost all of you choose to give to charities and also choose not to have them noted on my site. However, I must say that the nine last year did a yeoman's job with a financial impact of $20,400 and 1020+ charitable hours. Thus, I will give the concept another year to see what happens. If you would like to be a premium subscriber, please click on this link, to read more. Our first member for 2010 is Haven from Marion who donated to the American Cancer Society. A special thank you to Haven!
|
|
Three Poems this Issue
|
|
Predicament
Hanging by a mere spider thread
The lone leaf
Dangles and twists in the breeze.
Where did you come from?
How did you get in this predicament?
The leaf no longer cares
As it sways back and forth
Reflecting the light of high noon.
Comments: While hiking a trail leading to a dense bamboo forest, I suddenly spot a leaf suspended in midair. Upon approaching closer, I saw a fine spider thread supporting it. The thread must have been twenty plus feet long and was attached to the branch high above. How the leaf arrived in this predicament, I do not know, but it inspired this poem. Just in case you missed it, the poem speaks to far greater meanings than just a recounting of an observable event.
____________________________
At Kahanu Garden – Hana, Maui
Palms wave in the brisk wind
....as the occasional coconut
....tumbles to the earth.
As the poet tries to write,
....the incessant wind
....flicks the journal pages.
He stares past the trees
....toward the crashing Pacific
....sensing no rhyme or meter.
He is mesmerized by his surroundings,
....this haunting
....ancient place –
....unable to write.
He is at peace.
Comments: One of the goals of this trip was to explore the lesser known activities of Maui. (I am writing a magazine article on the same topic.) This search led me to the garden described in the poem. It is also an ancient archeological site steeped in Hawaiian history. During the ninety plus minutes while there, I only saw four other people. In fact, when I was ready to leave, the gate was shut and bolted. Thankfully, upon closer examination the lock had not been closed. Otherwise, the night would have been long since the garden was a good distance from the next home.
____________________________
A Respite at Ali'i Kula
...............Lavender Garden
Imagine being bathed
....in the perfumes of lavender
....as the breeze carries
....the scents to your senses.
The Maui sun
....warms the neck
....despite the altitude’s crispness.
Sitting on an Adirondack chair
....amidst acres of lavender,
....one peers out to the sea
....miles below
....as songbirds serenade.
Imagine being in paradise.
Comments: (Though this poem appeared in last month's web version, it missed the text version. Thus, it is appearing again. ) When I first visited Ali’i Chang’s Kula Lavender Farm (AKL) slightly over five years ago, I enjoyed the vistas, lack of crowds, and the new knowledge about lavender that I garnered by the visit. Since that time AKL has become a well-known tourist site for those looking for a nontraditional tourist activity. Today, the crowds have increased because the secret is out. The manicured grounds have more than doubled. The vistas remain as gorgeous as before. Ali'i has built a reputation as an innovative horticulturist that makes wise use of land and environment. The day I wrote the poem, I found a quiet place in one of the many picnic areas set up for privacy and simply savored the moments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The hanging leaf – note the thin spider strand
|
|
|
|
View from Kahanu Garden a few miles outside of Hana
|
|
|
|
Pi’ilanihale Heiau located in Kahanu Garden (note
the huge wall in the background); built around
1200 A.D.; est. took 128,000 man-days to build.
|
|
|
| Among the lavender at AKL |
|
|
| The view I saw when writing the poem from AKL |
|
|
|
|
My Books and Products are now purchasable online.
An Oasis in a Cluttered World, Wisdom from the Journey, and The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey can be purchased from me online. Also, there are other products on the page that offer unique gifts for that special someone or for yourself. Enjoy the convenience of shopping online.
If you wish to support the efforts of the Poetical Journal, there is also a donation option.
To view the product page, please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surfing Honolua Beach area, Maui
|
|
|
|
Hiking the ridge in Waianapanapa State Park just outside Hana
|
|
|
|
Looking back on the trail in Waianapanapa State Park
|
|
Vignette: The Wave I Didn't Ride
For four weeks I razzed my family and friends about the weather in Hawaii versus the terrible winter storms in Ohio. One Saturday, the tables turn when Hawaii experiences its first serious tsunami warning in decades. The broadcasters start their hints of impending danger by interrupting the Olympics, late on Friday. At 7 a.m. there is a pounding on the door to wake up and turn on the T.V. Since our condo is within a potential flood area, we are to evacuate and head to high country by 9 a.m. Though the initial indications are that the surge would not be large, we play it safe -- pack everything, load the car, and head upcountry.
We could easily drive less than a mile and be very safe. However, we choose to drive to Makawao, about 11 miles away, because there is more to do there. We arrive around 8:30 a.m., and the place is just beginning to hop. Knowing the importance of maintaining healthful energy, we stop and purchase malasades (fruit filled pastries) at Komoto’s Bakery. We joined a line of others who had the same hunger. A can of guava juice becomes the perfect chaser. We join other celebrants by wandering around and shopping. At 10:30, the urge for pizza hits. (I know a bit early, but I am in crisis.) In the process I discover a new favorite pizza place, Pizza Fresh. We carry our disappearing contraband with us to the parking lot to join the gawkers staring at the coastline below. The waves are to hit around 11:35 a.m. Luckily, the big one turns about to be a pipsqueak three-foot surge, which of course you cannot see. Basically, everything then turns into a party, typical Hawaiian attitude, "life is too short not to celebrate.”
An added adventure to this trip, especially since no one was hurt. I also own a t-shirt stating that I survived the 2010 Hawaiian Tsunami. (This humorous response should in no way be interpreted to demean the horrific earthquake that devastated Chile.)
|
|
|
|
|
Looking, staring, and waiting for the waves to hit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lined up a Komoto's - who knows how long until the next meal!
|
|
|
Guest Vignette: Forum Comment of the Month by Steffanie from Vancouver
Steffanie is a frequent contributor to the Forum section. I thought you might enjoy reading her longer comments. This was written while the Olympics were in progress.
___________________
". . . Spring is springing rapidly here in Vancouver. I drove past a street about 5 minutes from my home in the south side of Vancouver. The trees on the boulevard were in complete bloom already! My daffodils and crocuses have been blooming for two weeks, now, and they look quite funny underneath a tree that still has Christmas lights shining on it. We Vancouverites were asked to keep our lights up during the Olympics, so I obliged.
It is so strange to look up at the mountains (I can see Cypress Bowl) from a distance and look at green and not white slopes! Grouse ski hill is barely white at all -- from where I see it, 75%of the ski slope looks brown, which is normally what we Vancouverites see in July!
I'm waiting for the hummingbirds to arrive. They should be visiting my feeder any day now. All is well . . ."
____________________________
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, printing 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Kahanu Garden (The view from which I wrote the above first poem.) |
|
Recommendations
- My Blog: Go to my NEW blog to read the many suggestions regarding the Hawaii trip.
- Take a look at the new online book and gift page.
|
|
 |
|
Looking to the seacoast way below
|
|
|
|
Garden of Eden just off of the Hana Highway (Worth the money and a side trip on the highway)
.
|
|
Looking into some of Maui's valleys on the Valley Isle
|
|
|
|
World famous Sunset Beach and the Pipeline surf, Oahu (The waves were too strong to swim that day.)
|
|
|
|
Byodo-In Temple, Oahu ( I never tire of trying to capture the ideal picture of this temple.)
|
|
|
|
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu
|
|
"When the sun shines, it shines without any discrimination; it shines on every point of the country, every nook and corner. We should be like that." – The Dalai Lama
"Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand." – Native American proverb
"Dig your well before you are thirsty." – Hindu proverb
"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." – Chinese proverb
"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." – Proverbs 9:9
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.
The Grocery Line
A woman was waiting in the checkout line at a shopping center. Her arms were laden with a mop and broom and other cleaning supplies. By her hard glances and deep sighs, it was obvious she was in a hurry and not a happy camper about the slowness of the line.
When the cashier called for a price check on a box of soap, the woman remarked indignantly, "Well, I'll be lucky to get out of here and home before Christmas!"
"Don't worry, ma'am," replied the clerk. "With a good tail wind and that brand new broom you have there, you'll be home in no time."
-------------------------
Again, thanks to the Alcove Restaurant.
Contest Winners from the Past
By clicking on this link you can see winners from earlier contests. Anyone who has won a poet print in the past and would like to be pictured on the Grand Winners Page, please send via email a jpg of you holding the print.
Pay It Forward for New 2010
Welcome to our premium subscriber section. Be the first to join in 2010 Haven from Marion who donated to the American Cancer Society. Link to the 2010 Page.
* Total Charitable Donations: TBA
* Total Charitable Volunteer Hours: 0
* Number of Premium Subscribers: 1
PJ Forum
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please email them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print all of the comments, I respond to everyone's.
"Gee Bob, it was great seeing the PJ's just in my inbox anyways! Just that little 'oops' note was still a welcome notice from you. . .I'm enjoying all your new ezine/blog endeavours, Bob! Looking forward to the new issue . . ." – Steffanie from Vancouver, BC (Ed.: I was embarrassed by the issue that went out. I trust many went to the web version which was correct. However, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Readers, please read additional comments by Steffanie in the vignette section. )
_____________________
"I just read your new blog---I didn't realize you would be in Maui for 30 days!!! How great! You guys sound like you're having a ball---hiking and chi-ing on the beaches and thick, soft grasses. . ." – Karen from Columbus, OH (Ed.: Glad you found my blog and thank you for the comments. At least I know a couple of people read it ...:-)
_____________________
"Congratulations on your anniversary! . . ." – Nancy from Carey, OH (Ed.: Nancy wrote additional personal comments that brought a smile to my face.)
_____________________
"Happy Anniversary" – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Thank you and to the others who sent congratulations. A BIG Mahalo!)
_____________________
"I read the PJ, and it is very nicely done. The pictures are great, and I'm sure everyone will enjoy seeing them. . Gosh Bob, I really wish you were here to enjoy all this muck (just kidding) I am soooooo envious, I can’t stand it. Please, please enjoy every second of it!!" – Haven from Marion, OH (Ed.: Mahalo, Haven. What a great year to miss February in Ohio. It had one of the worst winters in recent history, that is, unless you love bitter cold and snow.)
_____________________
"Thanks so much for sharing your poetry..pics..and your blog..Happy Valentines. . ." – Joyce (Ed.: Thank you very much! Joyce is a first time contributor to the Forum.)
_____________________
"Thanks for all of your efforts." – Ray from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: Thank you. Ray is a well-known poet in the Mt. Vernon area.)
Reader Demographics
Geographically, subscribers reside in all U.S. states. Subscribers also live in Albania, Argentina, Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, & Western Australia), Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, & Quebec), Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica - W.I., Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad - W.I., Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
PJ Online
To read or copy back issues of the PJ, go to.
The next issue will be out on Sunday, April 25, 2010.
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.) Or send a BLANK e-mail (Be sure not to write anything in the subject or body) to
leave-poetjournal@pro.netatlantic.com
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Fredericktown, OH 43019
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
|
|
|
|
If you are reading this and have not signed up for your free subscription
to the Poetical Journal, please click here. |
|
|
 |
| Click on the icon if you entered this site from another and wish to go to my home page. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
