John – Page 18 – Lemuria Books

Author: John (Page 18 of 19)

Ted Kooser

University of Nebraska Press: 2006

Last weekend, I flew to Boston to surprise my bookselling pal, Tim (an ex-Lemurian) for his 40th birthday. Tim founded Newtonville Books* and recently sold his fine bookstore to Mary. Mary is carrying on Tim’s tradition with a First Editions Club and weekly email newsletter (which is a great source for keeping up with New England bookselling.)

On my flight home Sunday, I read Kooser’s The Blizzard Voices, which was my Newtonville purchase. On January 2, 1888, the Great Plains were devastated by a life-changing blizzard for many. This special collection of poetic voices tied together blizzard poetic memories leaned into core narratives of concrete detail expressed through memory. These stark reminisces recorded in old age are lean and with sharp detail.

Tom Pohrt illustrates this beautiful little book of poems.

www.newtonbooks.com

Spring Essence by Ho Xuan Huong

By John

On April 9, 2008

In Poetry, Zen

Spring Essence

The Poetry of Ho Xuan Huong

(1175 – 1825)

Translated by John Balaban

Cooper Canyon Press: 2000

Ho (whose name means “Spring Essence”) was an 18th century Vietnamese concubine. Writing as a male, she followed this Confucian tradition. Many of her poems are double entendres: each has hidden within another poem, with sexual meaning revealing itself as a pun. No other poet dared this as sex, is a forbidden topic in this literary tradition. Her excellence as a poet allowed her to get away with irreverence. Her exquisite cleverness and skill in composing 2 poems at once, one hidden allowed her to capture audiences and survive.

A favorite:

“The Well Spring”

A narrow path descends through brush
To the bright water of your wondrous pool.

Under a footbridge’s pale twin planks
The pure spring shunts in shimmering rills.

Tufts of sedge surround its mouth.
A golden carp glides midstream.

Finding this well, so virginal and clear,
Who would put a catfish here?

This most enjoyable poem—absorbed slowly—yields pleasure-reaping moments and many smiles. Spring Essence concludes my simultaneous 3-female poet reading project.

Handwriting: Poems

By John

On March 27, 2008

In Poetry

HANDWRITING: POEMS

Michael Ondaatje

McClelland Stewart (1998)

Previously I have read all of Ondaatje’s novels, in addition to his memoir. I enjoyed most of his work, especially Coming Through Slaughter, The English Patient, and Divisadero. So, when my girlfriend gave me this First Canadian Edition of Handwriting, I felt it was appropriate to dive into his poems.

For the most part, I found this collection difficult to read and understand. To fully appreciate this master craftsman’s poetry, my reading skills left something to be desired. However, with that said, I got into these poems, exploring certain thoughts that spoke to me somewhat beyond the words written on the page . I found a few jewels in particular.

From the 1^st Poem:

“A libertine was one who made love before nightfall or without darkening the room.”

From “To Anuradhapura”:

“A dance of tall men

With the movement of prehistoric birds

In practice before they alight.”

From “Nine Sentiments”, the following two:

VIII. “Her fearless heart

Light as a barn owl

Against him all night”

X. “Love arrives and dies in all disguises”

As you can see, Handwriting touched me, but as an entire book of poems, my reading experience was incomplete. Perhaps in the future, if my skills as a reader of poetry improve, I will re-read these poems and achieve a fuller reading experience, not unlike the ones I have experienced through this talented writer’s novels.

What Makes You not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

By John

On March 27, 2008

In Zen

WHAT MAKES YOU NOT A BUDDHIST

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

Shambala (2007)

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse was born in Bhutan in 1961. He is the head of the Dzongsar monastery and college, through which he is responsible for 1600 monks living in six monasteries. Why then, one may ask, would he write a book about not being a Buddhist?

Not a Buddhist is enjoyable, thought provoking, and not difficult reading. Encased in one of the best dust jackets seen on books released last year, DJK uses Siddhartha’s life to explain certain aspects of practicing Buddhism. By following Siddhartha’s path, the reader explores the concepts of impermanence, pain and suffering, illusion, and release from delusion. Five packed chapters trace these ideas and enable us to incorporate techniques into our own awareness and understanding. Each individual chapter stands alone as an excellent section on reading, learning, and awareness.

Over 35 years ago, I recall reading Hesse’s Siddhartha, and being intoxicated with its magic, I devoured most of Hesse’s work. Having just finished Not a Buddhist this past week, I look back and reflect on those eye-opening times .

Through this wonderful short book, DJK explains Buddhism clearly and simply, as well as helping the reader grasp what is, in fact, not practicing Buddhism.

Extraordinary Circumstances by Cynthia Cooper

By John

On March 26, 2008

In Business/Economy

Extraordinary Circumstances: The Journey of a Corporate Whistleblower

by Cynthia Cooper (former Vice President of World Com)

(John Wiley, 2008)

The WorldCom fraud story shows how power and money can effect and change people, exposing weakness in character. How individual rationalization for behavior and judgment can lead good, common people to make erroneous decisions giving into job pressure and superior intimidation.

Cynthia’s story is told in her very fine book. Written in a readable, compelling “Woodward-style,” yet not falling into the trap of slanting facts to reinforce her own opinions as Woodward seems to do – she uses clearly presented facts to create a reader’s window into the time-line, personalities, hierarchical structure and the corporate collapse of WorldCom. Cynthia’s understanding of the whole breadth and depth of events is laid out so clearly that the reader is able to understand the events as the dominoes fall.

Cynthia’s honorable story is one of a woman in corporate America standing up for beliefs and ethics grounded in her youth. Good character choices and courage clearly shine. While tragedy is all about in Extraordinary Circumstances, this book is pleasurable and informative reading.

A common person we can all identify with and respect, Cynthia Cooper is clearly a corporate businesswoman who can wear the suit without letting the suit wear her.

Business and the Buddha: Doing Well by Doing Good by Lloyd Field

By John

On March 17, 2008

In Business/Economy, Zen

Business and the Buddha: Doing Well by Doing Good
by Lloyd Field
Foreword by the Dalia Lama
Wisdom Publications (2007)

As I have read business books over the years, I have read them with the goal of improving my work and the store.

I believe we work hoping to do well and be successful. We hope our good work is meaningful to those we engage in the workplace and those we help by our services rendered. Being in business solely for profit seems to shortchange us. True business worth is sharing human values and understanding realities about our contribution to others and our planet.

I find the continuous effort of imprinting the quality of my life’s labor a serious and rewarding project. Field’s book gives insight to help the reader address their life work choice with awareness. He presents helpful ideas of alternative concepts dealing from profit to ecology, from global economics to personal self value, from business ethics to creating a healthy workplace, etc.

This is not a difficult or dry business book, but one to be read with an open attitude giving the reader new ideas on how to increase work pleasure and reward.

The Best Buddhist Writing: 2007

By John

On March 13, 2008

In Zen

The Best Buddhist Writing:2007
Edited by Melvin McLeod
Shambala (2007)

If you enjoy learning about whats happening right now in Buddhist thought, lifestyle, religion and psychology, this series is for you. I’ve read 2004, 2005, 2006, finding many new authors to explore and books to read. Each volume is filled with ideas to think about and new people to read.

Melvin McLeod is a good editor and it is interesting to read these pieces in chronological order knowing they are arranged with reason and judgement, intent on leading the reader.

2007 is spectacular. One section that stands out to me includes the Dalai Lama, followed by Thich Nhat Hanh pieces, then followed by Matthiew Richard from his very fine book, Happiness.

I have really enjoyed this series, it is hard to explain the surprises you encounter in the variance of styles, thoughts and situations. ex. Alice Walker followed by Pema Chodron or Gary Snyder followed by Bell Hooks.

I’m thankful for Melvin McLeod’s cleaver, thoughtful and hopeful work. Try this series and I guarantee, if you are stuck looking for new books, you won’t be looking for long.

Lotus Moon: The Poetry of Rengetsu

By John

On March 6, 2008

In Poetry, Zen

Lotus Moon: The Poetry of Rengetsu

Translated by John Stevens

White Pine Press (2005)

Japanese poet, Rengetsu (1791-1875), was the illegitimate offspring of a high-ranking Samurai and a young geisha. In her youth she was visited by severe tragedy (deaths of two husbands and three infant children). She became a Buddhist nun taking the name Lotus Moon. Her world attempted to limit her on the basis of gender, however, she realized art was her path. As moving meditation she began making pottery. She learned martial arts, literature and calligraphy. Keeping few possessions she likened herself to a “drifting cloud.” Incredibly prolific, she has given us one of the most generous, sustained offerings of deep spiritual practice in Buddhist history. She left her fine poetry as a legacy.

Lotus Moon offered me many favorites. Here are three examples:

“Mountain Falling Flowers”

We accept the graceful falling
of mountain cherry blossoms,
But it is much harder for us
To fall away from our own
Attachment to the world.

“Summer Moon”

The cool shadows
of the bright moon
In an open field
makes you forget
all daytime worries.

(Perhaps my favorite)
“Evening Cool by the Sea”

Cooling off in a boat
that sways as if drunk-
in the bay breeze
the moon on the waves
seems a bit tipsy too!

.
Reading Rengetsu for the first time was enjoyable, pleasant and reflective. However, I feel repeated reading in the future will broaden my perceived simplicity into something more complex. Lotus Moon is the second of my girl poet reading project.

After: Poems by Jane Hirshfield

By John

On March 4, 2008

In Poetry

After:Poems

Jane Hirshfield

Harper Perennial (2006)

Recently, I undertook the reading project of exploring three female poets at the same time. Jane Hirshfield was the first.

Kate, my friend and Harper sales rep. shared this writer with me, thinking that I would enjoy it, and I did, thanks.

Jane’s work is much praised and seems to have appeared in a who’s who of poetry publications. She has authored five previous poetry books. Even though, I’m untrained in understanding poetry; I just read what I like for pleasure and relaxation, and I enjoyed After, fully.

Many of the poems feature various subjects (sky, hope, envy, etc) expressing personal interpretations or understandings.

A few favorite lines,

From “What Is Usual Is Not What Always Is:”

The bitter young man tires;

The aged one sitting now in his body is tender,

His face carries no regret for his choices.

From “To Opinion:”

Ocean Ocean Ocean was the sound of sand

made on moonlit waves

breaking on it.

I felt no argument with any part of my life.

And perhaps my favorite, from “Against Certainty:”

When the cat waits in the path-hedge,

No cell of her body is not waiting

This is how she is able so completely to disappear

…

One shadow fully at ease inside another.

Danger on Peak by Gary Snyder

By John

On February 13, 2008

In Poetry

Danger on Peaks: Poems

Gary Snyder

Shoemaker-Howard (2004)

In a copy of The Best Buddhist Writing, I read a few poems from Danger on Peaks. Their quality motivated me to read the entire collection of poems, Gary Snyder’s first collection in twenty years.

Danger on Peaks begins with the Atomic Dawn of 1945 and as Nagasaki Snyder ascends Mt. St. Helens for the first time. In poetic grace, the eruption of Mt. St. Helens is linked in time with the Atomic Dawn.

Bleak as this may sound, this collection is beautiful and picturesque.

I could hear, from Glacier Ghosts:

“you can never hear enough

sound of wind in pines”

I could taste, from Winter Almond:

“eat black bread with smoked oysters”

Author: John (Page 18 of 19)

The Blizzard Voices: Poems by Ted Kooser

Spring Essence by Ho Xuan Huong

Handwriting: Poems

What Makes You not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

Extraordinary Circumstances by Cynthia Cooper

Business and the Buddha: Doing Well by Doing Good by Lloyd Field

The Best Buddhist Writing: 2007

Lotus Moon: The Poetry of Rengetsu

After: Poems by Jane Hirshfield

Danger on Peak by Gary Snyder

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