Corn Maize

Corn Maize

There are many people who wander,
lost in the turns and twists of
the cornfield looking for the
best ear of corn … the one that
tastes the best or the one with
the best seeds so they can
grow their own field of corn someday.
The field is thick, so thick that
a person can’t make their own
path without cutting down many
stalks in desperation and also
eliminating chances of finding
the prize they are seeking.
The sun gets hotter in the afternoon,
and the clouds in the west shows
sign there might be rain soon.
The showers will cool the sweat
of those people who are still
searching  for the right exit.
Others finish, holding the prize
ear of corn in their hands with
a smile on their faces knowing
they have won the game that day.
Photos by Mike Hall converted into brushed paintings are in the ArtBrushed Photo Gallery. Download art for free.

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September 2011 Newsletter

September 2011 Newsletter

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Newsletter for the World of Words by Elias Tobias

Around September 13 years ago, I began an experiment by starting The World of Words by Elias Tobias.  The technical and creative components have changed, but the original concept of making a place to put my work out for others to enjoy has continued and will continue.  However, I will stop regular weekly  posts after September 2011, a retirement of sorts.  Occasional posts will be made, and the personal blog in the Fan Club Link will continue on a regular basis.

The humble beginning of one of thousands of new poetry sites in 1998 has become more than I ever anticipated, and reaction from readers around the world has been impressive. This highly rated site has flirted as one of the top 200,000 sites in the U.S. and maintained a place in the top million sites in the world.  This achievement is going to be celebrated in the next few months before the regular posts end.

Also this month, the annual LSC unofficial fraternity reunion , usually scheduled for December, will be moved up to the end of September in Indianapolis.  Plans are being made so that the LSC members and their families to gather at the new J.W. Marriott for a weekend of fun and festivities.  By then most of the members will have had their last poems published on this web blog along with their photos and comments about the end of regular posts on the World of Words by Elias Tobias.

I can’t express enough of my appreciation to the readers over the years who have made this experiment of mine a success, and I hope it has become something for everyone to enjoy.  There should be plenty of material for reruns while I continue to write at my own pace. I thank you for your support.

Smoky Mountain Vacation

In June, Patty and I went to Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains for a week-long family reunion in one of those large cabins that had plenty of room and bathrooms for everyone, along with the game room which had arcade games, another TV and a pool table, two Jacuzzi’s and a hot tub, plus three decks and a great view.  Too bad they were all stacked like apartments on the steep hills.  Once inside, we had the pleasure of seeing almost all of her family  and a few friends at the same time.  We had a Christmas in July with stocking stuffers. I liked my Cowboy poetry book.  The location afforded opportunities for photographs of the cabin when others were gone, and the results are posted in the Saturday photos this month.
There are many posters which can be downloaded for free, and you can find them here.

Smoky Mountain Vacation 5

Pinnacle Overlook

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(Photos by Mike Hall)

Another feature of the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park is Pinnacle Outlook, where one discovered over a century ago, thousands climbed Pinnacle Rock for a fantastic view over the Tennessee Valley.  Today the trail to the rock is much safer with an extension built near the rock for modern visitors.

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Do you have a start of a poem, but the words just aren’t right? Go for help at the Poetry First Aid.

Smoky Mountain Love

Smoky Mountain Love

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(Photo by Mike Hall) An outlook along the road in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park reveals different layers of mountains.

Smoky Mountain Love
She loves the rolling hills and valleys
of Tennessee, and she also loves me.
She wants to go there to get married,
and continue to be part of her past.
If she goes there, she knows that
our time together will last forever.
Distance and time are relative,
just like her cousins, aunts and uncles,
and I want to be part of her life.
There will be a special day when
we say “I Do” and become one with
the sweet air of the Smoky Mountains.

Do you have a start of a poem, but the words just aren’t right? Go for help at the Poetry First Aid.

Zen and the Art of Sleep Maintenance

Zen and the Art of Sleep Maintenance

I’m a firm believer in Zen and the art of the bed.
On most mornings, I relish the warmth of the covers,
And a soft pillow against my head.
It is recommended I get at least 8 hours sleep, a day,
An article from my doctor’s office said.
If I get up to early, my body’s weak and my eye’s, red.
Breakfast seems so far away, but still I need fed.
The call of nature relates to urges left unsaid.
When it cold outside, it’s real difficult to get out of bed.
I think I have enough material to explain this further,
And I’m sure, like all top sellers, it will get read.

Write a poem instantly by filling in the blanks. Go to Instant Color Poem for a sample and get started.

The new and disappearing dew

The new and disappearing dew

She wanted a love poem
different than any I’ve
written before. The old
poems somehow didn’t
apply any more.
Sure, my love for her has
changed.  I have given her
my name.
She said she wanted a poem
that was as new as the
morning dew, but I reminded
her the sun rose each day
and the drops on the leaves
eventually went away. Then
she said this poem was okay.

Elias Tobias has a fan club web site, and you can get information by clicking here.

Changes

Changes

A troubled young man asked the
street sage, “Why do things
change so fast?”
After the old man raised the
brown-wrapped bottle to his lips,
the wino started to speak,
then paused.
After a moment, the man
philosophically answered,
“Cause the world goes
’round and ’round, an’ never stops.”

To read this poem in French, click here.
Like a friendly scavenger hunt? Learn more about this web blog with two Elias Tobias Trivia Quizzes.