Clara Hsu – Page 2

New Year

At the stroke of midnight

We are the Magi

we cross over into a vast space

arriving with gifts

with objects unformed

for that which we do not

and names unknown.

understand.

Only desire is made stronger

Desire

by the presence of a star

leads us

the same star

and ignorant Love.

that has been guiding us

We are the unknowing

since all the forgotten years.

monarchs of nothing

It is bright in the new night

arriving in the morning

ever enchanting.

of the New.

We have far to go

We have far to go,

and much to do.

Magic drives us.

Clara Hsu/Jack Foley

Image taken from: thechristianclipart.com

Poem “New Year” first published in Tower Journal, Volume 4, no. 2

As the last tone on the singing bowl fades away, we know we’re ready. Bill looks at me with a smile on his face and I smile back. Next Wednesday (July 27) will be the premier at the Sacred Grounds. Our new set of poetry, Two Tongues of Gaia, includes the usual instruments of Bill’s shakuhachi and my drum. But we have added some vocals and the Native American style flute.

Whether we rehearse at my house or Bill’s studio, the ritual always begin with a cup of tea. Conversation ensues on the state of the world, friends and community, with Bill warming up his shakuhachi in between. We like to run the set through, pausing in between to discuss the issues that come up—the rhythms on the drum, the tempo in the recitation, the balance between voice and instrument, etc. Sometimes things work out smoothly. Other times we struggle through, tolerating each other’s point of view, but ultimately a decision is made.

We sit back, feeling good about what we’ve done, and drink some more tea. The gestation part has been rewarding. We look forward to bringing the child into the world.

Photo by Richard Beban

Poetria Inception

With the moon eclipsing, the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcano in Chile erupting, and the earth still tremulous under Japan’s soil, three women sat in the warmth of a kitchen in San Francisco divining a new beginning. Jeanne Lupton, Kellyann Conway and I met each other at the fateful Sacred Grounds Cafe. I love Jeanne’s revealing tankas and Kellyann’s intuitive verse and they in turn like my penetrating style. Coming together to co-create seems natural and timely.

In Patti Smith’s memoir “Just Kids”, she talked about an unrealized vision of Jimi Hendrix, of musicians from all disciplines and cultures playing in a circle until there is harmony. Poetria will realize this vision with words.