"regional" poems
A pink kimono
yukata
Adorned with velvet flowers
Standing there in the Springtime mist of Japan,
Guarded by Sakura trees.
Skies are blue,
Singing a beautiful song,
Pink lips like adorable flowers on a spring day,
A most beautiful, kind and loving princess to ever
walk Japan.
Your beautiful face,
Your kindest soul,
Your adorable lips,
You smiled at me.
You have the prettiest voice,
that calms my soul.
You're the most beautiful and loving princess,
ever to walk Japan...
© 2014 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 1, 2014
Dec 1, 2014 at 11:07 PM UTC
porch talk, simmering in a Bud light sauce
everyone chair-rocking, even the boxer dog,
in his self-propelled 360 degree swiveling chair
eavesdropping and spy eyeballing the farm for
strangers and any creatures as of yet, unsmelled
get done with weather, the crops,
the neighbors,
the weird, and the truly neighborly,
grandkids escapades, hopes and desires, comparative literature and regional dialects and philosophical dialecticals tickling,
bs’ing and tall tale telling, breathing the windy geography of the air over the land that dictates the how we live,
open another Bud for the buds,
did I forget to mention
farm equipment?
skirt politics cause nobody wants any
nothing-to-be-done-damn-aggravation,
leaves nothing mo’ to ramble on about ‘cept the
absent women
no worries all above board no secrets uncouthed,
but the mood softens as the pale daylight wisps come rarer
as now
nearer to nine pm, obvious saved the best for last,
a very manly-way of ordering things,
big silent pauses in the converso conversation,
guy-sighs many,
as the last essay of the day is being jointly authored,
denotating the generalized listings of
how they drive us crazy,
listing the repetition of ever changing instructions,
which doesn't recognize bi-coastal mannerisms, non-differentiating
just humanism-isms
and the peculiarities of each (a list kept)
in a compare and contrast,
an end of the day summation,
and the boasting-outbesting,
of each of their
specialisms
which is sadly now forgotten and which haven’t been
brain-recorded so cannot be disclosed
other than it’s now ten
and all that’s left is
to sleep, perchance, to dream,
of private things
and bigger and better
John Deere tractors
Jun 9, 2018
Jun 9, 2018 at 2:13 PM UTC
The Emperor left his palace
with something shiny on his shoulder
it weighed as much as an apple
but was the size of a boulder
it was the greatest weapon
his workers could build
the town awaited its appearance
even though they had foot the bill
Amazing said the scholar as the emperor passed
so much power but such little weight
this right here can save a country
what you hold will educate
we will teach people
and they will listen
and if they won't
we will show them this weapon
splendid said the old lady as the emperor trotted by
I have been waiting all my life for this
we must end all wars
that is my dying wish
now we can do that
we can fight off the opposition
and make sure peace reigns
while our leaders stay in top position
I don't get it said the kid and the emperor stopped
what could you not understand about my gun?
the boy answered this world is full of idiots
and while you are surely not one
there are people out there
who would **** for that gun
let's not act like one large weapon
can change everybody under the sun
what's more likely is that it will only amplify
the issues that should be regional
we'll proclaim "Our gun is big!"
to justify that our choice is final
the bigger the gun
the more people it could ****
and the more people that can die
the more people that will
Aug 11, 2014
Aug 11, 2014 at 4:22 PM UTC
She's a powerful and strong princess,
With magical super powers.
She thinks of time's past,
She thinks of times yet to come.
She loves to travel through Europe,
But her dreams are of Japan,
And singing under Sakura trees in the springtime of Japan.
I notice the way she thinks about Japan always with a smile,
She likes to use words like 'Sakura flowers' and 'Yukata Kimono from Japan.'
She likes to hang out with Monica, Dad and Grandma,
But when left alone,
Her mind turns straight to Sakura flowers in
The springtime of Japan.
She hates mosquitos and cold,
But she just thinks back to springtime in Japan,
And she's happy once again...
© 2014 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 2, 2014
Dec 2, 2014 at 7:00 AM UTC
Earlier today, painting was the activity that we had planned
I have a support teacher who would always lend a hand
She had left the class to get the paint all mixed
While I stayed behind to get the toys and props all fixed
She came back and bore bowls of red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
Lunchtime I visited a store and neatly displayed on low shelves
Arranged so immaculately as if magically done by elves
Were cases upon cases stitched together with only zips
They almost instantly bent a smile to my lips
Their colours shone brilliant red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
Passed by a shop selling accessories and apparel
Merchandise dangled on wall hooks and some in a jumble
On the adjacent wall something caught my eye
Carried all the neat little tote bags one could ever buy
One peeking from a corner was red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
Walked by a building, so modern-looking and new
Down on one side almost obscured from view
Were these horizontal rows of dancing neon lights
Stopped for a minute just to soak in the sights
Then I realised that they flickered red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
Waited for the bus to get home at my usual bus stop
Whilst waiting, I shifted and from my bag something did drop
Bent over and picked my coin pouch that had fallen out
Looked up only to see another commuter lingering about
On his pack was a sticker which boasted red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
Bus was packed, found a seat in the back row
Sat myself down, I peered briefly out the window
Engine under me, I scanned around to those who were seated
Observed the floor beneath my shoes as it vibrated
My pair of Adidas, oh my, they're red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
Got home, put my bag down and sank into the sofa
Switched on the telly, on was the Food Network's "Barefoot Contessa"
Surfed through the channels, caught a real estate commercial
Promoting prime land in a country not anywhere regional
Splashed on the screen, a flag - red, white and blue
Made me think of...well, made me think of you.
End of the day, it is best that I hit the sack
Allow some rest for my poor aggravated back
But not till I complete the words you're currently reading
I'm thinking, dreaming and furiously typing
How do I end this? Hmm...red, white and blue?
I'm thinking and dreaming...and wishing I'm with you.
Aug 8, 2014
Aug 8, 2014 at 9:08 PM UTC
The world's on fire, peace is extinct
Look how fragile peaceful minds can get
All hostile minds are having a ball right now.
It's like peace got embellished in chaos.
Where's peace at, what happened to her?
Regional, global local, peace is in short supply.
This is the renaissance of a new world order
Where partial peace coexists with total chaos
People only search Google for mostly facts
Not for solutions to some distorted peace
What is peace then, how can it be?
Just a routine rhetorical question
Coming from the disturbed mind in me
Listen, One-minute partial peace
Bang, another minute total chaos!
Nowadays, Instability everywhere is commonplace
As unscripted hate rhetoric freely echos,
From jihadic podiums to confused minds.
The conspicuous birthplace of premeditated evil.
The mind, soft spots of those totally confused
Call it the hotspots and playground for the devil.
I, the skeptic, to say the very least,
See this quiet storm as a distorted peace!
twitter @ivaclappers
Jan 15, 2018
Jan 15, 2018 at 12:44 PM UTC
Our town was to have a rail-line
Circa the mid eighteen nineties
This story has surprised my ears
A local amateur historian apprised me just recently
Documents to support this claim are archived in Sydney
Not far out of our town
On a well know property in the district
Two surveyor pegs are still in existence
Marking the route the rail-line was to track
Though the Forefather's rail-line was never bedded down
The powers that be government leaders of the day
Shelved these impressive plans
They never saw the light of day
Ribbons of steel not coming to fruition
Leading to our town
Other town went ahead rail-lines were established to them
Out town alas and alack missed out
Look where Tamworth and Armidale are to-day
Rail being in their favor
Our town was left to languish and to be dispirited
Going no-where no-where to go
Our Forefather's now lay in their graves
Not quite resting in peace
Their rail proposal for our town unrealized
Good ideas die along with good intentions
Hence their unsettled repose
Our town could have been a regional town
Industry and population dotting the landscape
Rail would have assured our place
The Forefather's rail proposal long since shelved
Consigned into the passing vapor of time
Aug 20, 2014
Aug 20, 2014 at 6:45 PM UTC
Alone at my desk all day
but for voices on the phone
and the persistent one-sided conversation
with myself, I miss that easy intimacy
we have when, as darkness falls and
afternoon welcomes evening,
you call and say 'I'm making tea'.
Being but a short cycle-ride away
I leave my work just as it is,
though not before measuring my progress
in thought and deed with one last look
and that delicious standing back from it all.
In the kitchen you are pouring tea.
As I pass through to remove my coat.
I rub your back, a gentle greeting
(a single up and down
with right hand fingers brought together).
Then, holding your dear body briefly to me,
we kiss.
Our conversation smiles
and I delight to watch your face
and hear the to and fro of your regional voice.
I delight in such accustomed intimacy
so many years of tea together
in late afternoons has forged.
As different as the yin and yang
there is a chemistry
that acts upon us both;
I think we pass the litmus test of love.
Do you love me? Do I love you?
You - the friend I turn to first;
You - a companion true in this life of shadows.
Once we would stand together at a mirror,
stand with smiling pleasure
and see the 'fit', a very noticeable joy;
the two of us a corporate one.
You in my arms: I in yours;
A mutual hug caught in our reflection.
And the wonder that this should be as it is.
Oct 5, 2012
Oct 5, 2012 at 1:36 AM UTC
Taking pictures of the high mountain.
I see a spectacular site;
She's floating with the clouds,
Sunny, white, fleecy clouds.
Wearing a pink kimono with wings covered in Sakura flowers,
Doves flying around her head,
Snow capped mountain towering in the background
Peeking through Sakura trees.
Is she playing with me?
She's playing hide and seek in the mist.
When, I look at her playing,
She fills me with joy and makes me feel like a child,
She makes me smile.
Alas, she hides among the clouds once again.
I look and look but do not see. I am concerned.
I miss our hide and seek game.
Where did you go?
We haven't finished our game.
Suddenly! I feel safe and warm all over me, Like a warm blanket covering me on a cold day, A tickle on my cheek.
And
Then, hearing a calming voice whispering in my ear saying, “Love, take my hand come with me. Let's go dancing high amongst the clouds this day.”
“You will never be alone again...”
Copyright © Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 2, 2014
Dec 2, 2014 at 6:11 PM UTC
Kemarin aku mengajakmu melihat senja.
Katanya kamu suka warnanya merah jambu bercampur oranye seperti jeruk mandarin kesukaan ibu.
Kamu selalu ceriwis membahas senja ini dan itu.
“Jangan lupa kopi dan puisi! Kita harus merayakan isi bumi.”
Celotehmu.
“Kamu mau kan melihat senja bersamaku?”
Kemarin aku mengajakmu melihat senja.
Telah kupersiapkan sekian lama.
Aku rakit sendiri senjaku dengan kopi manis dan puisi cinta yang kau sebut - sebut itu.
Aku merangkai pelan-pelan sambil menghayal bola mata emas yang berbentuk kenari kesukaanku dan lengkung pelangi bibirmu.
Cukup lama buatnya,
tapi senjaku sangat cantik.
Dan sedikit rapuh.
Aku harap kamu senang.
Kemarin aku mengajakmu melihat senja.
Tapi kau pergi ke laut dan menjelajahi waktu.
Terhanyut malam.
Aku tidak ada di sana.
Kamu menolak senjaku.
Katamu ada senja yang lebih bagus.
—
Senja, senja, senja.
Muak dengan puisi senja.
Aku bukan anak indie regional, aku pendengar Ed Sheeran, top 50 ,Danilla Riyadi dan Sapardi !
Aku ya begini begini begini!
May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019 at 3:13 PM UTC
Memories of my past continue to haunt me,
In my dreams every night.
Our spirits swore their faith for all ages.
Open gates let into our lives;
Loyalty,
Goodwill,
To Rule Solemnly,
Exalted Ceremonies,
Showing the Correct thing,
Wisdom.
Bright Light and,
Justice for all.
We only need to find the courage to
Walk through just one,
To make our dreams
Come true.
Copyright © Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 2, 2014
Dec 2, 2014 at 8:14 PM UTC
THE VERY THING IT WAS REQUIRED TO BE SHOWN
( for J.L )
"I like birds
more than books."
a young Edward
Thomas thinks
scribbling it
in bad Latin
on the fly leaf of
an algebra book.
A chaffinch chuckles.
"Vink...vink...vink!" it urges
in a regional accent.
"Fringilla Coelebs!"
Edward addresses it.
"Sheld-appel...spink..blue cap!"
the bird disowns its names
content with being
itself and itself
only.
It looks as if it has
just stepped out of the 15th century
illuminated maunuscript
The Shelbourne Missal.
"A caterpillar skeletonising a leaf
mmm...breakfast mefinks!"
The year 1895
madly in love with its own
sunlight
never such sunlight
as this
the window holds the scene
as if it were
a living painting.
The bird behind the glass
poetry in just being.
The torture of
an algebra class
"Quod erat demonstrandum."
Feb 15, 2018
Feb 15, 2018 at 8:45 AM UTC
I had to put my feelings into soulful words.
I really feel our connection is tightening.
You are my eternal sunshine.
You are the miracle on the Han River!
Especially for you I created this rhyme.
I would rather have you than a trillion billion won.
You are like a white tiger amidst ordinary cats.
You are cherry blossoms in the spring sun.
I am not sure you will like my poem.
But know. That I am completely overblown.
Seoul Korea, you mean so much to me.
I have been so far away.
In this lifetime, I am afraid I will never understand.
I never knew this could be.
“Loving a place, I have never been!”
I anxiously await our time ahead.
For now, I keep dreaming of you instead.
I hope we make it; I hope it will be fast.
Loneliness quickly really lies in the past!
This poem has come to an end.
See you soon, my dearest friend.
Hopefully before this life ends...
My Seoul, “The Miracle on the Han River!”
© 2013 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
-------------------------------
"The Universe is big. It's vast and complicated and ridiculous. And sometimes"very rarely impossible things just happen, and we call them miracles. And that's the theory. 900 years, never seen one yet. But this would do me." - Doctor Who Tv Series
Dec 4, 2014
Dec 4, 2014 at 7:24 PM UTC
*
Dear Vasundhara,
My earth is my own
Salt, Sweat and Sweet !
And She is my only
true and real love..
I should whisper
something more
About her:
Open your ears sharp and steady
Life has made us both for each other.
I don’t want you to go away,
Dear Vasundhara ,
my only love.
There is no one else for me.
If you were to go,
you would leave me
now for ever and ever
as worthless as falling leaves.
as fruitless as melting snows.
Dear Vasundhara,
May I ask you something?
And please do not reject.
I could give you so much love.
If only you will accept me
Take my hand, be my own life
Dear Vasundhara,
Before the Lord,
I will swear
To give you all what
I can offer from my life.
For ever Lovingly,
Yours……
WILLIAMSJI MAVELI
[email protected]
www.williamsji.com
_______________________________________________*_______________________________________
**
NOTE TO READERS:
In my own mother-tongue (Malayalam, Regional language of Kerala in India)
the word “Vasunthara” means " The Earth"
to which I am in love with.....
**
_______________________________________________________________________________________
..
Feb 24, 2013
Feb 24, 2013 at 1:50 AM UTC
Where dark and devastated loners,
Eat black painted noodles.
Sorry sad singles,
Lonely people!
Who dream of dark things, nightshade and purple;
Dressed in black,
Black nail polish,
Black accessories, black shoes.
Marking the time, but no looking back;
Drowning sorrows,
With little green bottles,
Never love a tear.
Kiss seldom, like a cold rainy holiday,
The small girl nowhere views the black dressed drunk in the mirror.
Missing love on this blackest of days...
© 2014 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 5, 2014
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:19 PM UTC
upon the Abington Station's
long shearing board
the feats of one shearer
cannot be ignored
a run of two hundred sheep
he can easily shear
his style with the cutting comb
is without peer
contractors in the district
know of his pace
he removes fleeces
with an elegant grace
the Lister wool press
compacts all the long day
whilst the gun shearer
works tirelessly away
Kelpie dogs tongue
keeping his race full
as Layto shears the fine clips
of merino wool
none are as effective
with comb in hand
in the regional area
of the New England
Layto shears the sheep
cleanly and effortlessly
whether the fleeces
be thick or slightly oily
his shearing abilities
are know of near and far
on the shearing shed board
he's always bettered par
when he hangs up
the cutting comb to retire
fellow shearers will of him
greatly admire
Jun 29, 2014
Jun 29, 2014 at 6:18 AM UTC
Get me down to the local band stand
traditional and modern grand
Cornets, Euphoniums and tuba's in tune
I love the sight I'm so immune
from the pits of Yorkshire and round the globe
Scores resounding from Adobe
The Conductor's baton keeps the beat
and if its wrong they stamp there feet
from amateur to championship
all you have is brass to lip
contests regional every year
and music reading not play by ear!
Nov 21, 2014
Nov 21, 2014 at 7:44 PM UTC
Most cherished, Princess Deokhye,
I need to confess something to you. Ever since I met you in my dreams, I can only think of your radiant, black eyes. You filled my heart with unexpected joy and my head with amazing dreams of us together. My love can only grow more and more each day.
I dream of us laughing and from time to time I would gently stroke your black hair while you keep smiling. In moments like these my life would simply be complete.
When I’m alone in the quiet, it always feels like I can hear your voice, whispering to me. Just like the blessed music of a Haegeum. I wanted to tell you this from a long time ago, you are as essential to me as is my warm coat on a winter's day.
My Beloved My Princess, please be sure I mean everything this love letter carries to you with all my heart. Once I saw your lovely eyes I knew there won’t be anything more precious to me in this whole world. I want to take you away from the past, away from any upset or misfortune, and we shall go together to the future Korea, where miracles happen every day.
You are the best my beloved princess.. You are my sunny day in spring. I'd sacrifice everything in the world to know that you will be right here beside me for the rest of our lives.
My heart skips a beat at the thought that soon I will bring you a white rose of Sharon to show you once more how dedicated I am to you, for all eternity.
May love guard you,
Poet Ron
Copyright © Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 3, 2014
Dec 3, 2014 at 5:24 PM UTC
Paint with skates,
Gliding fashion,
Crystalline dull mirror,
"CAUTION" The sign said, "Danger of Slipping."
Hearing the notes from a somber tune.,
Gift to the world, “Arirang."
Her spin cycle gyrating like a porcelain doll's dream.
As she drifts abroad to other shores,
They shiver oh, how they shiver.
Goosebumps she brings!
The Ice Queen!
© 2013 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 8, 2014
Dec 8, 2014 at 7:21 AM UTC
Hope!
In the far off land of Dae-han-min-guk, on a brand new day.
An angel's fingers dance and prance on the ivories.,
So confident the way she plays.
Like magic! Sending the gift of music to me flying though time and space.,
The music flowed out of the piano like birds singing good morning new day,
Amazingly!
Thousands of piano notes,
Filled with elegance and charm travel to my ears.,
This angel sent to me a gift of hope today.,
I have never heard or seen such a wondrous thing,
I must be traveling through a beautiful dream...
© 2014 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 5, 2014
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:13 PM UTC
Sa-rang had always loved Seoul. Her dreams with crowds, around the Han River day and night. It was a place where she felt delighted and safe.
She was a popular, courageous, soju drinker with charming dark eyes and beautiful pink lips. Her friends saw her as a lovely, quiet hero. Once, she even gave a cup of milk to a lost kitten. That's the sort of woman she was.
Sa-rang walked over to the window and reflected on the colorful lights of her surroundings. The moon shined like a spotlight searching for someone.
Then she saw something in the distance. Or rather someone. It was the figure of Ron. He was a daring king from a far off land with blond hair and vast shoulders looking at the water.
Sa-rang gulped. She was not prepared for Ron.
As Sa-rang stepped outside, and Ron came closer, she could see the substantial glint in his blue eyes.
Ron gazed with the affection of 10,000 kittens. He said, in quiet tones, "I love you, and I want love."
Sa-rang looked back, even more surprised and still looking at the enchanted book. "Ron, please stay until the day I die," she replied.
They looked at each other with pleasant smiles. Feelings of love, like two teens, dancing at a very friendly K-POP Concert, which had piano music playing in the background and two admirable young women dancing to the beat.
Sa-rang regarded Ron's blond hair and vast shoulders. "I feel the same way!" revealed Sa-rang with a delighted grin.
Ron looked nervous, his emotions blushing like a red rose he wished he had.
Then Ron came inside for a nice drink of soju.
(C) 2014 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 8, 2014
Dec 8, 2014 at 7:34 PM UTC
If I should Disappear,
Look far to the East.
You will see my spirit,
From a wondrous place.
A house full of glowing lights.
A place of delicious food.
The place where the young party!
All I see are green bottles of Soju.
Reality is a staircase leading nowhere.
Life, full of problems, is hard!
I work every day.
Korea is so far away!
My soul on fire and everlasting pain!
Korea someday!
Even if my ashes on a jet plane.
© 2013 Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 8, 2014
Dec 8, 2014 at 7:41 AM UTC
Angels of heaven sing and dance in this place!
Here, beautiful and bright sister sun herself,
Seen between roses and cherry blossoms,
Has a brother moon.
Sister and brother shine day and night.
Rivers, streams, Flow through hills and mountains,
What a calming place.
Blue eyed angels run through fields Of beautiful aster and daisies.
Green grass sweet apple trees.
Magpies fly so high in a bright blue sky, Like guardian Angels.
Here is a dream, a fairy-tail, maybe a fantasy.
Can this be real?
I'm in a happy place.
Copyright © Ronald J Chapman All Rights Reserved.
Dec 2, 2014
Dec 2, 2014 at 7:55 PM UTC