The two walk down the aisle,
......each with dreams of hope
......with a future untold.
Will contentment and joy be
......an ongoing companion
......or a fickle stranger?
The children, how many or none?
Their union, satisfying or left wanting?
Money, enough or not?
All questions left to be lived.
But today, there are dreams of hope.

Comments: Being February, there should be at least one love poem, at least somewhat of one. For most, marriage is entered into with the belief that it is "until death do us part." Regrettably, that is often not the case. Thus, as I watched a couple walk down the aisle, the above thoughts went through my mind. However, being an optimist and not wanting to put a damper on my feelings at that moment, I rejoiced in the "hope" that each brought to the ceremony.

The Last

Where are my friends?
I’m old and wrinkled,
......my vibrancy gone.
I still cling –
......dreading the final fall –
......returning to the soil
......that nourished me.
I am the last.
I am alone.

Comments: A simple poem written about a lone leaf that I spotted on one of my final fall rides along the bike trail. However, this poem speaks far beyond traditional nature imagery. So many elderly, who are wasting away, have these feelings day in and day out until their earthly journeys end. One of the greatest gifts we can give is to let them know that they are not alone.

Balloon Festival

An azure intense sky with white puffs
is accompanied by a gentle breeze,

The sun will soon set,
already casting its amber hues.

With a roar! The flames vent,
as the super heated air creates its magic.

Every color of the spectrum
blooms and ascends heavenward.

With their lift off,
so leave the burdens of the day.

Comments: Though it is mid winter in Ohio, it is summer Downunder. At least that is my excuse for printing this poem written last July after attending my first hot air balloon festival in Ashland, Ohio. (It is an annual event.) The combination of colors, excitement, and spectacular lift-offs created quite a festive atmosphere.

My Newest Book: Wisdom from the Journey

Wisdom from the Journey can be ordered through most book stores including Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com. It is a compilation of the "best" of the Poetical Journal including opening comments, poems, vignettes, guest vignettes, and recommendations. The book would make a great gift. Check out the following to read more and obtain ordering information. (If you order through my web site, you will save a bit, and if you so wish, I will sign the copy.). For information, please click here.

Copies of my first book, The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey are also still available. For information, please click here.

I just signed a contract with my publisher for my third book. For those who have read Wisdom from the Journey, you know that it is a compilation of poems, articles, recommendations, vignettes, and guest vignettes from the first two and one-half years of the Poetical Journal. My third book will include a few poems from those first years as well as content from years three and four. As I did with the last book, I will again accept guest vignettes for inclusion in this one. However, this time one new option will be offered. Guest poetry will be accepted. If you have an interest in offering a submission, please go to the below link for additional information. I look forward to reading your creative work.

Recommendations

1) Mindful Movement with Claudia Cummins (Yoga Audio CD): For the second month in a row, I am recommending this wonderful audio CD created by a fine yoga instructor. Claudia is nationally known in yoga circles and has written regularly for Yoga Journal, a premiere yoga publication. Even with only a basic understanding of yoga asanas (poses), this professionally recorded CD provides a relaxing but thorough workout. As indicated by the title, there is a meditative aspect to the instruction. The six tracks can be mixed and matched to provide a variety of yoga experiences depending on time and your wishes for the day. For example, you may only wish to do the seated poses that last 11 minutes. If you follow the complete instructional series, the sessions will take 75 minutes. You make the choices. The CD costs $15 (USD) plus $2 S/H within the U.S. Please contact Claudia for shipping rates outside the country. To learn more about this excellent yoga opportunity, go to

2) Submit a Vignette or Poem per the article above and complete the survey announced ....earlier.

3) Visit this link for beauty and an uplift – Submitted by Bruce from Westerville

4) As always, I encourage you to visit my web site at.http://www.poeticaljourneys.com.

The quote this month is a long one but what a model to live by.

When Sir William Muluck, former Chief Justice of Ontario, rose to speak on his 95th birthday, he mesmerized the audience with these words, "I am still at work, with my hand to the plow and my face to the future. The shadows of evening lengthen about me, but it is still morning in my heart. I have lived in two centuries, had varied fields of labor, and have warmed my hands before the fire of life. The testimony I share with you is this: The castle of my dreams is not yet behind me. It is before me still and daily I catch glimpses of its towers. The rich spoils of memory are mine...the precious things, books, flowers, pictures, nature, friends, and faith in God. But for me, the challenge of life is always farther on."

A Bit of Humor

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
Keep your words soft and sweet, in case you have to eat them.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others - do your best!!
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all live in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.