A Poetical Journey

As is quickly obvious, this book is dedicated strictly to poetry. However, following many of the poems, there are comments that attempt to add clarity or explanation as to what inspired them. I am one of the few poets that uses a comment section. Since I began to formally publish my work in 2001, I have followed that tradition. If there are no comments, then the poem clearly speaks for itself. Traditionalists argue that is the way it should be. As anyone knows who has read my writings, I march to my own drummer. Hence, I choose to add comments. Many readers have written to say that they find them refreshing. Because my poetry is often my inner mind speaking through the written word, there are many references using the first person, again a break from modern, traditional poetry. Alas, so be it All of my previous eight books served one major purpose, to provide thoughtful comments on life. Likewise, this one too adheres to that principle. Many of the poems consist of small snippets of life captured in poetical words. They include kernels of wisdom garnered from experiences; descriptions and observations generated during travel adventures; and heart-warming interactions with loved ones and strangers. A few are philosophical. Yes, a few are just "Out there." The book is divided into chapters. The Introduction and Closing are self-explanatory. The other four chapters contain poetry that fit the category in which they are placed. You may sometimes wonder why a poem was in the spiritual chapter rather than the life one or vice versus. No problem, simply enjoy the poem and not worry about the category placement. The ones in the Hawaiian chapter are clearly a definite fit.The book's content originally appeared in my monthly e-zine, the Poetical Journal, which is in its eighteenth year of uninterrupted publication. The poems in this book originally appeared in Issue 114, February 29, 2011 through Issue 160, December 24, 2014. The poems in issues 1 - 113 appeared in my earlier books. The ones from issues published from 2015 on will appear in my next book.The book is organized so that it can be read non-sequentially, start in the middle or back if you desire. Jump all over the place. Most of the poems are one page or less and can be read rather quickly.As you read, you may be reminded of similar experiences. Most of all, I hope you discover moments of respite and calmness. Maybe even a smile or two