A Creative Journey on PNN

"The White Tree"

Posted by poetroy Posted on: 12/21/07

"The White Tree"

My book, "The White Tree," was published in February, 2007. This was a great triumph for me, after so many years of more or less secret writing. Longstanding family illness kept interrupting me, so my writing never saw the light of day until just the last couple of years. The good part was that over the years I found out how much you can get done in hospital waiting rooms!

On the cover of my book is a white tree, inspired by one I saw, when I was 15 in downtown Chicago. It was so beautiful blooming there all by itself in the midst of tall gray buildings, I had to write a poem about it then, and have always kept it in my mind as a symbol of how beauty can thrive in the midst of ugliness.

Although I had never used pastels, I used them to do the white tree on the cover, and was pleased, and somewhat surprised, that somehow I managed to make it look very like the tree in my memory.

This is the poem I wrote at 15:

THE WHITE TREE

Deep in the city stands one white tree
Lifting its petals for all to see
And to the beauty of that white tree
Attunes the beauty of God in me
Leading me on so I can be
As brave and lovely as this white tree

(The term "lovely" referred to the inner self, not outward appearance.)

My book is available from Think About It Publishing, P.O. Box 4006, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. It sells for $9.95, plus $3.00 shipping, plus tax, if you live in California.

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The White Tree is full of heart-felt renderings that everyone can relate to. My personal favorites are SLEEPLESS and AUTUMN LOSS but then again I loved all of them. Please let me know as soon as you have published your book on Circus Travels. I plan to purchase and give your books as gifts later this year. You are truly gifted Troy and I appreciate the time and work you've gone to, to share your thoughts and experiences. Rhonda rhondar253@yahoo.com

By rhonda on March 05, 2008 19:31

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