Take the Road To Somewhere
a collection of original poems, essays, prose, and short stories
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
TAKE THE ROAD TO SOMEWHERE I walked beyond the meadow The canopy was beautiful. But lo, I see a battered sign-- A troubled look , I had just then, I took a step and then another Why take the road to "Nowhere" I’ll take the road to "Somewhere."
ONCE UPON A WORD Once upon a word, a firm foundation built. A war may start from words, this we see each day. The worlds were framed from words. Tis written in the Word. Never think a word won't count, it may mean so much,
Reflecting In a Brook One day I took a stroll I took a closer look The glimmer of the brook
thru golden stalks of grain.
I headed to a forest, green;
it came a gentle rain.
Wet trickles made their way.
A cooling breeze swept by my face.
I could have stayed all day.
Directions I suppose.
I wiped it clean to see the way.
It said that I should "go"!
when staring at the sign.
"Road to Nowhere" read the board.
Wonder filled my mind!
Surely I should turn around
and go the way I came!
But what may lie ahead for me
if for this road I aim?
toward the lonely road;
but then I had a thought inside
that stopped me there so cold!
when God has given all--
the perfect road to "Somewhere"
if on our knees we fall!
Every day I’ll trod;
and someday I’ll reach Heaven,
and see our Holy God!
Soothing all our hurts, eliminating guilt.
Let us now proceed, going forth with mirth
His word is all we need, we've had it since our birth.
But there is still a chance, that peace may come our way.
The sun will shine again, even if we grieve.
Because a word is spoken, but we must believe.
We're all connected, thus, to the living cord.
I see you, you see me, we're a part of order.
We matter much to all, sister and our brother.
When you help a neighbor, friend or someone such.
When you see Nature, and you hear a bird
Remember child, one true thing, t'was once upon a word.
beyond a grassy knoll--
to see what morning vision may be shown.
To my surprise and glee
beyond a willow tree--
a brook ran near a lonely, dusty road.
I felt a need to ponder.
My mind could only wonder
what life would deal to others and me, now.
The brook was clear and blue.
It seemed as if "it" knew
my feelings and my thoughts but only, how?
into the babbling brook.
I saw myself reflecting in its shine.
Time was standing still
and everything was real.
my senses feeling breezes--smells so fine!
made me want to look
into the mirror in the stream that day.
I did not want to leave;
air so fresh to breathe.
Nature wanted me to have my say.
Let birds begin to sing
and bear us up on wing
to heights above the mountains, where we look!
In summer, spring and fall
I always shall recall
that special day reflecting in a brook!
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About the Book
The book is a collection of poems, short stories, essays, songs and prose by Billy Randal Maynard of Harold, Kentucky. The wide variety of writings come from inspiring events in his life in the rolling hills of eastern Kentucky, and from (according to the author) direct inspiration from God. Sometimes the story would "swirl around" in the author’s mind for weeks or months before coming into print. At other times, a poem would be written the same evening as the inspiration. Billy began writing as a young teenager. While attending college at nearby Pikeville College, he wrote some of his first works. The book carries a lot of spirituality because Mr. Maynard was a minister for several years before a tumultuous divorce that created havoc in his family. He still remains a staunch Christian and sings often in his hometown church on occasion. Over the years, Billy has written many poems for departed loved ones. These can be appreciated by any and all who read them. The collection covers a span of more than thirty years. On several occasions, some of the poems and especially the short stories, Incident and Walkertown, and The Fight, have been recognized for their originality and actually won a writers contest in the early eighties. Some of the more noteworthy poems have been published by
There is tremendous variety in the book, and something for everyone. It begins with a poem about aborted babies, entitled, "I Could Have Been." It is heavenly inspired, but incorporates the feelings of the author, and his belief that poetry should have "rhyme and rhythm." There are some profound things coming out of his work, "that had to come from above." (according to the author); that is for the reader to decide!
About the Author
Billy Randal Maynard was born in
Mr. Maynard attended
Billy, as evidenced by his works, is a former minister in the Free Will Baptist faith. Mr. Maynard has always enjoyed writing poetry, songs and short stories throughout his life. There was a long spell of time that he did not write much of anything, but that changed after a shake-up in his life…a divorce. Billy was blessed by God to meet his present wife, Patty, as new inspiration poured upon him. Billy has enjoyed coaching little league sports, like basketball and football, since his son Hadley, is very sports-minded and athletic.
In the early eighties, Mr. Maynard won “writer of the year” for his winning short story, “INCIDENT AT WALKERTOWN”. The local newspaper did a big story on Billy and his writings up to that point, and Billy has been writing “off and on” since. Billy began writing when he was around 14 years of age. At that time he had a rock-n-roll band. He wrote a few songs and started to like writing. After his youthful marriage at age 17, he got saved and baptized. After that period of time, a new inspiration from God poured upon him. In college (
Billy feels the greatest poem he was inspired to ever write is and was “The Greatest Poem Ere Written”. He is always careful to give God the glory for his ability to express the beautiful poems and stories found within.