Rewritten Lives

By J. Elliot Howard

Rewritten Lives is a book of poetry that touches the cycle of life. As on lives life, letting go, learning lessons, rough times, standing again, rebuilding, loving, and completion are the facets that keep repeating. As the heart grows, the spirit gets stronger, and these poems are the notes of development. Book Trailer: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/802659021285704. Blog Talk Radio Interview: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/deliciousradio/20100620how-to-rewrite-your-life-with-j-elliot-howard Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rewritten/372263284211?ref=ts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 16, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450022712

J. Elliot Howard

Jerry Elliot Howard I was born in Findlay, Ohio. At the age of 16, my family moved to Sugar Land, TX. Shortly after moving, I began to write. No matter where I went, my writing followed. I wrote while attending University Of Houston, transferring and graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, graduate school at Bowling Green State University, marriage, fatherhood, and all points in between. Poetry is my snapshot in time because words mean more than pictures to me. They allow me to look, remember, and truly embrace each new experience. I love the city of Houston. Houston is where I met my wife, and where my son was born. Writing has enabled me to express myself thoroughly and creatively. Life is more than "happy love." At times, I have had to say good-bye. Sometimes, I have had to give chase. In other situations, I have had to sit still. Nevertheless, in all of the places I have lived, and moments I have experienced, all are worthwhile.

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by J. Elliot Howard.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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CONTENTS

Note from the Author

Days For Evadean

Do You Remember?

My Turn Now

Forever is Not Enough

She Still Dances

Smoky Hills

Lessons

Chapter 1: Saying Goodbye

Message to a Friend

I Looked at You as We Walked Away

Message to a Friend II: Now I Must Go

The Final Moment

Tides of the Wind

Chapter 2: Life Sessions

Genuine

A New Beginning

Stamina

No More Reminiscing

No More Reminiscing: Response

Again

When You Were Gone You Were Never Forgotten

Chapter 3: Seasons Of Darkness

Hate

Dark Rooms

Essential Lusts

Veils

When the Smoke Clears

Rich Man’s War

The Prince of Darkness

Chapter 4: Out of The Darkness

I Remember When I Used to Mean Something

Playing Isaac

A Forest in the Middle of Nowhere

Where Stands a Rock

I Live to Move and Have My Peace

Just a Little More the Right Way

Chapter 5 : Rebuilding Broken Hearts

I Love You

City of Choice

Home

Lonely Husband

Cry from Within

Looking for You

Declarative for Unity

Coming Home

My Rose

In this World

Rainbows and Gold

Holding Your Hand

A Conversation With the Watchman

The Way We Love Each Other

Chapter 7 : In Conclusion

The End in the Beginning

The New Age Yet to See

A Means to an End

Dedicated to:

my son, J. Elliot Howard Jr.

my parents, Jerry and Dona Howard

my sister, Carrie Howard

my grandmothers:

Marjorie Evadean Coker

Sarah Louise Howard

Note from the Author

Challenges, heartache, loss, and learning to let go are some of the classes we attend in life. As time moves forward we have the feelings and thoughts before a lesson, during a lesson, and after a lesson. Moreover, how we view, and are viewed also changes. Rewriting our lives is as constant as change in life. These poems are notes from class.

DAYS FOR EVADEAN

Do You Remember?

Do you remember

holding my hand

through church

and meeting the

pastor?

All the while

I was leaping and laughing

filled with laughter.

Do you remember

Us watching the cantatas

and the men in

the camel suit?

And every year praising

the birth of Jesus

as Christmas’ real

truth.

Do you remember

The countless times

you came to my house

and helped me make

my bed

only to be tempted

to take my head

off

because I messed

it up again?

I tell you the truth

you are more than

simply my Grandma,

you are my friend.

I remember you coming

to Houston

to watch me graduate.

Do you remember

our talk

in San Antonio

along the River Walk?

This is the truth without

end,

You are more than my

Grandma,

you are my friend.

Do you remember

always making time

for me

no matter the day or night?

You told me to climb,

you told me to fight

and rise and stand

no matter the occasion

and be the man

for my family

Even when the truth

hurts.

Again, you are more

than my Grandma,

in my life

to no end

you are my friend.

This