Take the Road to Somewhere: 2nd Edition

By MBA Billy Randal Maynard

The 2nd Edition of this book is a compilation of writings over a fifty-year period. Billy wrote poetry and short stories since his days in high school. He took a break until he was inspired again in the early 1980s and 90s. Some of the poetry was a tribute to friends and relatives. Others were meant to be songs (which the author sings from time

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Savvy International
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781958876749

MBA Billy Randal Maynard

Billy is an Asst. Pastor at Owsley Free Will Baptist Church near Pikeville, Ky. Billy and his lovely wife Patty now live in Salyersville, Ky where Patty still works as a tax accountant and insurance agent. Billy retired from his insurance practice in 2016. Take the Road to Somewhere 2nd Ed. needed to be written because much has happened over the last twenty-plus years since the first one was written just after September 9, 11 2001. Billy finished the 1st edition just a few months after the attack on the Twin Towers (a poem was written about that in both 1st Ed. And the 2nd Ed. Billy believes God" speaks to him "and inspires him to write poetry, essays, and short stories. The Holy Spirit gives Billy ideas as he experiences visions, dreams, and inspiration from life in the ministry. Billy hopes you enjoy the new additions and photos added to the book. Several photos are included for your consideration.

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Copyright © 2023 by Billy Randal Maynard, MBA

All rights reserved.

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Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN-13

Paperback 978-1-958876-75-6

eBook 978-1-958876-74-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023902312

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This Book is dedicated to God first, then family including

My father William L Maynard, who passed while I was writing this book. Dad

Lived to be 91. Passed April 22, 2023 at Pikeville Medical Center. Rest in peace.

My late Mother, Lottie Keene Maynard, my deceased brother, Barry Maynard and my many Aunts, Uncles and cousins who left us too soon. Also, my wife Patty, and my five children, Jeff, Katina, Vanessa, Hadley and Lottie Maria.

I have been inspired by many brothers and sisters in my previous and present Church affiliations: Gulnare FWB Church, Boldman FWB Church, Charity FWB and Owsley FWB Church where I am currently Asst. Pastor.

Dedicated to God, family and country

Poems, essays, and short stories to move the heart to a higher plane

A lifetime of inspiration from above+

Let us begin the journey. . . . . . . . . . . . Now!

Didn’t HE

Didn’t he hold you a little longer the last time that you met?

Didn’t he squeeze your hand a bit harder as you tried to let go?

Didn’t he seem a little bit happier as you beside him set?

Didn’t he make sure you had happiness and all of the best?

Didn’t he love his church and family and preach the Word of God?

Didn’t he keep every promise to his workers and his kin?

Didn’t he love yellow flowers such as the Goldenrod?

Didn’t he love to see the ocean, the beach and again and again?

Didn’t he work a little harder to get his family much?

Didn’t he give to most who asked him and not expect it back?

Didn’t he sing the songs of Zion , Amazing Grace an such?

Didn’t he preach a little harder , Lord knows he had a knack.

Didn’t he leave us in the morning with wife and son nearby?

As well as his grandkids standing , weekping by his side?

Didn’t we see his eyes wide open and look up at the Light"

As he set off with the angels, Jesus arms so open wide.

Yes, didn’t he?

Written by Billy Randal Maynard,

son of William L Maynard

April 25, 2023

I COULD HAVE BEEN

I’m happy in this country. It is a land of bliss.

But I wonder what may could have been?

I wonder what I missed?

I could have been a teacher and teach the world to see,

that taking life before

is wrong as wrong can be!

I could have been a doctor—making people well.

I would not take a baby,

as you can probably tell!

I could have been a singer, and sing a lovely tune;

but here I sing so often,

but cannot sing for you!

I could have been a preacher, and spread the Word of God;

but mother would not let me.

It is so very odd.

I could have been so many things, if I just had been born.

So tell the Mommies out there—

don’t let their hearts be torn.

I thought my Mommy loved me. I really thought she cared.

So tell her —"I forgive her.

With Jesus, I’m not scared!"

Written by Billy Randal Maynard, MBA

Feb. 27th 2005 on behalf of aborted babies

SECTION ONE

The Early Years

OH. . . THE FEATHER IN THE FINGERS OF A POET

Oh, the feather. . . in the fingers of the poet;

Does magic in song, verse and rhyme.

Oh, the poet has his feelings and he shows it.

This "power can change hist’ry and time!

Oh the lady with a bonnet, in a sonnet.

And the man with withered hands in song.

The lady on a throne. . . forever on it.

Forever. . . the man. . . stands alone.

Cause the feather. . . in the fingers of a poet.

Can make man, forever alive.

But with God all these men. . . don’t even know it.

That Jesus. . . HE only. . . can save.

Oh David, with his lyre..was a poet.

And Soloman wise verse wrote he.

That. . . man. . . he will reap bad if he sows it

Without Jesus he can’t even see.

But the feather in the finger of a poet

Wrote scripture that man might be free.

Yet man. . . as he stands. . . doesn’t show it.

And his mind is tossed in the sea.

And my friend, you’re a poet. Don’t you know it?

A child of the Poet in this Land.

And someday if you want to. . . and you show it.

In Heaven you’ll sit in God’s hand.

Written by Billy Randal Maynard,

Age 15. One of his first poems (song)’

TIMMY TURNER

Six years old today,

he went outside to play.

Dashing round the corner is little Timmy Turner.

Little face so black and shiny,

Little hands and bare feet tiny.

Eyes as big as a doughnut hole,

he laughs and grins from out his soul.

His mammy’s gone; his pappy’s drunk,

The older kids. . . they call him punk.

Timmy stays at Lucy’s Inn,

where men go out and men go in.

Here he learns to steal and fight

and hate the children who are white.

He does just what he sees them do,

these black men who shout, I’ll kill you!

But Timmy Turner went away.

A speeding car hit him today.

Safe inside the hands of God,

but what of Timmy’s that live on?

Written in High School in 1969

By: Billy R. Maynard age 17

SONNET OF A DEER LAY DYING

Who is this man that comes to me today?

Apparently to take my life away!

The metal in my neck. . . it torments me.

I was in the wood just to dance and play.

So, tell me Lord why such a thing should be?

To rest, my little fawn please, now lie down.

Thy life was used for beauty, and this deed.

This man has children starving in the cold;

Thus for their sake my gentle deer must bleed;

as my Son did so many years ago.

Written by Billy Randal Maynard

1971 (while at Pikeville College)

Revised slightly Oct. 2001

WHO RANG THE CHURCH BELLS?

A beggar man lives in the town. He’s dirty kind and good!

And by his side, he has his hound. They walk throughout the

Wood.

This beggar man. . . he has no name; from the wood he

journeyed.

No one knows just why he came. He’s been here since the

thirties.

About a half a year ago, a slave. . . she lost her baby.

Some men. . . they threw it in a hole; they thought they killed

it. . . maybe?.

Per chance I saw them happen by, for I was in the Wood.

They left the baby there close by; then I did all I could!

At twelve o’clock, or somewhat aft, I stood beside the church

I heard the bells ring in the night. The town ran to it’s perch.

I laughed at them and journeyed on. . . again into the Wood.

Me and my friend. . . we both had fun, doing all we could!

Who rang the bells atop the church. Who rang them in the

night?

They looked, but found nobody; they searched with all their

might.

They found a clue upon the stairs, a dog had left its tracks.

The ladies cried "Oh no. . . beware. . . a creature may attack!

The beggar man. . . I know him well, he sits with pen in hand.

Who for the baby rang the bells?

Either me, my dog, or the beggar man!

Can you figure out this tale of mine, I surely hope you do.

For I am somewhere waiting. . . it’s why I write to you!

Written by Billy Randal Maynard

Originally about 1974.

Revised slightly Sept. 9, 2001.

HAVE YOU MADE RESERVATIONS? (A SONG)

CHORUS

Have you made reservations for you soul’s preservation?

Do you have a room prepared up there?

If you don’t have reservations, you’d better make some preparations.

There’s a Glory Train now boarding to go there!

We are going on a long vacation. It will last eternity;

But you must have a reservation, so that Heaven you may see.

Jesus paid for all our tickets. His blood cleansed us all from sin. We are leaving in a minute, so hurry. . . enter in!

CHORUS

If you’ve made reservations, raise your hand so we can tell.

You have made preparations, so in Heaven you may dwell.

If you’ve not made reservations; there’s a clerk on duty now.

Just ask for the Lord’s Vacation, and humbly your head bow.

CHORUS

Written by Billy Randal Maynard

Approx. 1975

WHEN I SEE PAPA SMILE

I think of days gone by.

I ponder many things.

I look up at the sky;

and my