Here are the gates. Beside them, an image from an older time, another purpose. Here is the gorgeous architecture. And beside it, tribute to the children brought here. Building and children face East, where the sun rises steadfast over blue mountains. Here is the message, the new mission. And here, the window of the room…
Tag: culture
Being Here, Now, Part Two
So, I was saying I met Ram Dass? That is to say, in the library of the good people who invited me to live in their house (and made it seem I was doing them a favour by house-sitting), among the books was this dark purple one, called ‘Be Here Now.’ I’d never seen anything…
Seokguram Temple (revisited)
watch the spell these mountains clarify our breath, that is the sea over there in this grotto, guardians of broken stone can’t stop tourists, nor the thief who pried loose the jewel once in Buddha’s brow at sunrise, they say you could stand just inside doors opened wide toward sea, and the first ray of…
Gala: Gliding as Prophecy
Young women glide in hanbok, with hand drums and dance. This is their country, and they sway, decorated in flowers. I remember horror and indignation from embassy staff, but i see it still, undeterred: In their endurance, in their 5000 years of absorbing invasion, immigration, subjugation and some alchemical fermentations fed by the earth i…
This Cracked Violin
Consider a heart as this cracked violin this instrument of various parts does it matter where it’s from? Not descended from noble European houses, it has not played in Marseilles no craftsman in Italian baroque leaned close and breathed genius into the grain. My fiddle is a metis fiddle but not Metis, not from Red River and…
That Old Alchemy
Happy World Poetry Day. For the occasion, a poem inspired by Confucius, and journeys in various communities. That Old Alchemy I know it well, that alchemy making virtue of necessity; less well do I know the point at which another change is due lest we mistake which ingredient is catalyst and key, pursue those things…
2003:Dance
it’s 2003 and i’m on board with the city arts council we are invited to send a delegation to korea and i know i must go spend the morning calm walking alone in seoul return in time for breakfast when we move on to wonju there, too, the dawn is where i belong in…
Voice and Heart, and Giants Among Us
“These poets who are so arrogant as to learn their own work by heart!” It was pointed at me, in the sort of insider-voice just loud enough to be overheard, but not so bold as to invite direct response. I didn’t need to respond anyhow, i’d said my piece. Out loud. Full voice. The way…
Prairiepomes 