© Joanne Olivieri 2012 All Rights Reserved
nameless faces
Walking foreign steps
Walking foreign steps
to the rhythm of taiko
dancing Buddha.
Cantonese croonings
lotus flower soft
silk smooth
operatic chants.
Lanterns parade
a welcome smile
nameless faces
yet known.
Humid mist
Eastern breeze
incense fog
scents of life.
and the journey begins
Sea Cultures
Indigo gemstones
Coalesce into iridescent
Prisms of reflection
Creating cavernous worlds
Anchored below
Concrete technology.
An ancient kaleidoscope
Unspoiled, untouched
Naturally evolved
Anticipates
The modes of discovery
Beneath the surface.
Indigo gemstones
Coalesce into iridescent
Prisms of reflection
Creating cavernous worlds
Anchored below
Concrete technology.
An ancient kaleidoscope
Unspoiled, untouched
Naturally evolved
Anticipates
The modes of discovery
Beneath the surface.
A Place To Rest
Listen to the quiet
fog drenched leaves
sing in tune
a soft breeze.
Where solitude
disturbs nothing
and serenity
speaks echoes.
Chime in cadence
the bird's lullaby
carried by the wind
freedom blessed.
A sanctuary
warmed by the sun
kissed by the moon
forever gentle.
Listen to the quiet
fog drenched leaves
sing in tune
a soft breeze.
Where solitude
disturbs nothing
and serenity
speaks echoes.
Chime in cadence
the bird's lullaby
carried by the wind
freedom blessed.
A sanctuary
warmed by the sun
kissed by the moon
forever gentle.
Iditarod Dreams
For Sabrina
Gentle whispers
she hears
the call of the wild
as distant echoes
A snowflake quilt
warms her
and weaves quiet
daydreams
Paws rooted
within Mother earth
snowbound
her playground
Yellowstone geysers
to Malibu white sands
she travels
gently through life
Wisdom
her navigator
peace
her soul
Eyes
inspired
she hears
the call of the wild
as distant echoes
A snowflake quilt
warms her
and weaves quiet
daydreams
Paws rooted
within Mother earth
snowbound
her playground
Yellowstone geysers
to Malibu white sands
she travels
gently through life
Wisdom
her navigator
peace
her soul
Eyes
inspired
A Knowing
Snow Goddess
For Sabrina
For Sabrina
Her eyes reflect
the Sun’s kiss
as she walks
the Sun’s kiss
as she walks
upon water.
Her wisdom traced
on paw print sands
as she softly treads
on paw print sands
as she softly treads
along the shore.
She dreams
of snow-laden earth
while paws frolic
upon icy sea foam.
of snow-laden earth
while paws frolic
upon icy sea foam.
Sabrina, goddess of snow
spreads warmth
melts hearts
on Winter’s playground
on Winter’s playground
with love…
Entanglements
Tangled limbs
listless
sitting bare
naked
a desolate wilderness
vulnerable
quietly commingling
Stars exchange glances
Moonlight pales
And I think of you
A distant echo
Another realm
with me
nowhere to be found
Tian Tan Buddha
Serene majesty rests atop
Serene majesty rests atop
lotus flower throne.
His bronze elegance
adorns the Lantau sky.
Facing North
a mountain peak
on earthly ground
the temple of heaven.
Right hand raised
affliction begone!
Left hand rest
a gesture of giving.
Serene in stature
overseer of peace
worshipped by mortals
and immortals bearing fruit.
A massive stone symbol
human of spirit
energy of life
they offer praise.
Climbing step after step
warmed by his smile
captivated by his eyes
humbled by his presence.
A hypnotic fog
emanates around him
as visitors encircle
and offer prayers.
Hours entranced
with him, tranquility
occupies my spirit.
Avenue of the Stars
Hong Kong
By night
by day,
a glittering galaxy
of stars
align the promenade
in Hollywood fashion
Asian style.
A tribute,
standing proud
stone carved
is the Hong Kong film award.
A curvaceous monument,
she gallantly welcomes
tourists to the waterfront.
Her native son
posed
in martial arts form,
Bruce Lee
the star of the show.
Handprints outlined
in etched stars.
Colorful kiosks
hawking memorable
tidbits of cinematic
glory.
Statuette film directors
provide backdrops
for curious shutterbugs,
as visitors stroll
dazzled and beguiled.
Avenue of the Stars -
an iconic symbol
of celebrity,
a testament
to Eastern pride.
Jubilee Street
orange, mango and pear
offered to Buddha
in a wooden alcove.
The street lined
as a red carpet event
with paper lanterns
green, pink, red, gold.
Hand woven baskets
home to fruits, flowers
bok choy and cabbage
strewn among street stalls.
Neighbors along the street,
raw silk, pots and pans,
souvenirs and toys
compete for attention
and the Hong Kong dollar.
Morning tai chi
slowly rises
warming
Victoria Harbour
erhu strings
windswept
saturate
dawn rituals
and we move
slowly
in unison
as one
unspoken vibrations
musical meditations
enlightened affirmations!
Sleep travel
My dreams
carry me away
to a land foreign
yet as familiar
as home
flying through
ancient temples
market streets
lush green
and mystical mountains.
I awaken
with tears of joy
and sorrow
for I am not there
until I return
my dreams
will embrace
the far off land
within my heart.
The Aviary
Hong Kong Park
Birds harmonize
Cantonese tales
weaving heirlooms
among lotus flowers.
Nicobar pigeon
rests upon bamboo planks
while orange leaf bird
poses for photos.
White crested hornbill
the virtuoso of dance
pirouettes across
rippling ponds.
And the chorus
through pond spice
and tree cotton
echo against bamboo clumps.
Tai chi garden
sits calm, serene
against a backdrop
of kapok and candlenut trees.
The air warm, humid
the sky grey, misty
as I revel within nature
amongst a bustling metropolis
of tree fern and
feathered chorus line.
K. C. and the Arts Center
We greet
We greet
with a reverent bow
and warm handshake.
Reverent – irreverent
artifacts decorate
desolate walls.
Haunting, amusing
eccentric mediums,
creative illusions
brought to life
upon canvas and paper.
Panoramic calligraphy
vertical poetry
spotlights stories
of rivers and ponds
as K.C. explains
in broken English,
my reply
a reverent bow
and broken Cantonese.
We relate, communicate
in poetic harmony
both poets and artists
from different lands
together as fate
would dictate
the creative connection.
Red Taxis in Hong Kong
dic si
They colonize
all 18,000
weaving in and out
of traffic, side streets,
slopes and corners.
Right sided
navigators
hunting their prey
as ants to honey.
Kitsch
schlock
bric a brac hawk
Be-bop
shop
chungking flop
mansion that is.
Burmese Python
Hong Kong Botanical Gardens
A camouflage predator
he melds into branches
sleek as an eel
cunning as a fox.
Fire hose thick
an ominous hug
around gnarled branches
the death grip.
Still as a moment
housed and caged
by a wooden pagoda
alone and feared.
I attempt a picture
interrupted silence
with a sharp turn
he glares at me.
My fear mirrored
in dark, black eyes
and I retreat
never to return.
Sunrise Sunset
Ah! The daily cycle
glorious splendour
an ever changing testament
to the ups and downs of life.
Ah! The daily cycle
glorious splendour
an ever changing testament
to the ups and downs of life.
Sunrise with it's morning rebirth
spiritual awakening to our senses
pink and lemon yellow hues
smiling upon the dawn.
A time of new beginnings
throwing caution to the wind
cotton candy clouds
shade the morning light.
Misty dewdrops
kiss the fresh grass
and grey pavement
cleansing souls.
spiritual awakening to our senses
pink and lemon yellow hues
smiling upon the dawn.
A time of new beginnings
throwing caution to the wind
cotton candy clouds
shade the morning light.
Misty dewdrops
kiss the fresh grass
and grey pavement
cleansing souls.
It's as if this warm subtle glow
envelops and guides
through a path
of blistering light.
The sun at it's peak
sweltering, the heat of high noon
sunrise, the beginning
a new day.
envelops and guides
through a path
of blistering light.
The sun at it's peak
sweltering, the heat of high noon
sunrise, the beginning
a new day.
Sunset, when at dusk
a quiet silence rests
over the fading sunset
shadowed by auburn hues.
Darkness awakens
like a whisper
with ease
embracing the horizon.
The moon takes it's place
among the stars on a higher domain
until dawn the quiet passes
with solace and solemn regard.
a quiet silence rests
over the fading sunset
shadowed by auburn hues.
Darkness awakens
like a whisper
with ease
embracing the horizon.
The moon takes it's place
among the stars on a higher domain
until dawn the quiet passes
with solace and solemn regard.
The differences are subtle
they mimic each other
a mirrored replica
stating their differences.
Coming into their own
a quiet transformation
from light to dark
and visa versa.
An entry and exit
cycle of life
shades and hues portrayed
different, yet alike.
they mimic each other
a mirrored replica
stating their differences.
Coming into their own
a quiet transformation
from light to dark
and visa versa.
An entry and exit
cycle of life
shades and hues portrayed
different, yet alike.
The Yin and Yang of it all.
A Writer At Heart
For Jerry
Words
emotional expressions
inherent deep within spirit.
Passion are these words
undeniably expressed,
shared, proclaimed
in stanzaic precision.
emotional expressions
inherent deep within spirit.
Passion are these words
undeniably expressed,
shared, proclaimed
in stanzaic precision.
The writer
sensitive, intuitive
feelings arise, awaken
born from within
depths of the soul.
A soul unknown
if not for their words.
Ego revisited
firmly understood
and happily embraced.
The writer paints words
with a knowing
of authentic self
creatively expressed.
Memories, dreams
parade the mind
as streaming videos.
These visual scenarios
breathe life into the heart
and have no choice
but to be reborn.
sensitive, intuitive
feelings arise, awaken
born from within
depths of the soul.
A soul unknown
if not for their words.
Ego revisited
firmly understood
and happily embraced.
The writer paints words
with a knowing
of authentic self
creatively expressed.
Memories, dreams
parade the mind
as streaming videos.
These visual scenarios
breathe life into the heart
and have no choice
but to be reborn.
Reflections
a glimpse into the heart
where the writer resides
words a mirror to the soul.
A soul which lives
within the mind
without fear.
a glimpse into the heart
where the writer resides
words a mirror to the soul.
A soul which lives
within the mind
without fear.
The heart
pumps words
through the veins
never missing a beat.
And the writer writes
to a different beat
only he hears.
pumps words
through the veins
never missing a beat.
And the writer writes
to a different beat
only he hears.
Been Around The Block
In no particular fashion
In no particular fashion
my feet splintered
carrying pieces of
bare soul.
carrying pieces of
bare soul.
I've been above
below and beyond
searching for home
leading nowhere,
while the road less taken
breeds familiarity and
I stumble across
my past.
below and beyond
searching for home
leading nowhere,
while the road less taken
breeds familiarity and
I stumble across
my past.
Broken pebbles
line my soles
and the pain
only memory
remembers.
line my soles
and the pain
only memory
remembers.
Trudging through
the endless maze
of roadblocks
home eludes me.
the endless maze
of roadblocks
home eludes me.
To bare the drudgery
of past indiscretions
I must walk
blindly
above and across
the endless pitfalls
this journey provides.
of past indiscretions
I must walk
blindly
above and across
the endless pitfalls
this journey provides.
My path
only lighted
by the wisdom
born of ageless
trial and error and
the path paved
with lessons learned.
only lighted
by the wisdom
born of ageless
trial and error and
the path paved
with lessons learned.
Now, I walk
around the block
where my feet
are grounded
to the comforts
of home.
around the block
where my feet
are grounded
to the comforts
of home.
Writer's Block
She awaits
She awaits
the rise of the moon
when the call of the wild
imbues creative energies
waiting to be set free.
The notebook paper
stares back at her
naked, a desolate wilderness
desperately longing
to be clothed
in artistic garb.
Her pen
a broken instrument
with which she holds on for life
yet falls dead within her fingers
and the paper sits bare, alone
clinging to nothingness
devoid of essence.
With the slow demise
of her cerebral fashionista
the paper seems familiar
as it mirrors the blank corridors
of her mind.
Sanitized by it's emptiness
both mind and paper
incommunicado.
And the silence is deafening.
A quiet oasis begging
for the wind to breathe life
into this mindless desert,
yet the wind stifled
and her thoughts stand still
going nowhere.
Though enticing as it seems
this recycled slab of wood pulp
lies undistinguished
a bare bones form
without meaning,
just as her mind
sits unknown
in skeletal remains
without image.
And she writes.
Jazz Climax
A tribute to Sony Holland
at the Empire Plush Room
The room hauntingly still
with mosaic tiles staring down
upon the audience.
Pink and red lights glare
like the eye of a storm
pouncing across the stage.
Lights dim and the music begins.
Ebony and ivory notes
meld with the pounding crescendo of drums.
Hot sax man plays it high and low
while the bass hovers
a musical fog.
And the introduction!
Thunderous applause
echoes while the star
rises to the occasion.
To the nines,
dressed Out Of This World
and the spotlight dull
in comparison to her beauty.
Her voice soft,
smooth velvet whispers
shower the room
in vocal elegance.
Lyrical reverberations
echo beyond the stage
and the room full
with sultry innocence
the sass and class monogamy.
Piano man sets the tone
tickling each key
to perfection.
At Last!
As the song goes…
Sensual bluesy rhythms
fuel the senses
with hot anticipation
while the audience swoons
in wild adulation
as rhythmic beats
rise and heighten
to a point of no return –
the jazz climax.
And she takes her bow.
.
Encore!
You Take Me Somewhere
Where trees shimmer
Where trees shimmer
In the morning mist
And my body shivers
Beneath your touch.
Where the sun rises
Slowly, sensually
Coveting the Eastern sky
With warm kisses.
Where dewdrops
Caress my skin
And take me where
I’ve never been.
Where the wind howls
A rock n roll ballad
And our bodies dance
A frenzied climax
Summer
orange sunset
beach bonfire
sunbathing
morning sun rises
desert summer
cumulus clouds
moonlight stroll
hot air balloons
summer night
midsummer’s dream
sunrise menuet
high tide -
a series of haiku/senryu
Summer rains
Summer rains
the urban pavement
a concrete ski slope
orange sunset
a tequila sunrise
at last call
beach bonfire
his alcohol breath
fuels the flames
sunbathing
she burns toast
for breakfast
morning sun rises
across eastern skies
an orange smoothie
desert summer
sans humidity
her hot flash lingers
cumulus clouds
pattern the sky
cotton candy
moonlight stroll
a spider
webs his way through darkness
hot air balloons
his speech goes in one ear
and out the other
summer night
crickets scatting jazz tunes
my ear wax gone
midsummer’s dream
fantasies
in high definition
sunrise menuet
he hits the snooze button
and sleeps in
high tide -
low tide
the aquatic dance
Dark Summer
My senses numb
as blistering rays
seep through my skin
cold as ice
stinging my heart.
In limbo I reside
where tears
are my comfort
releasing the pain
like brilliant stars
lighting the darkness.
My senses numb
as blistering rays
seep through my skin
cold as ice
stinging my heart.
In limbo I reside
where tears
are my comfort
releasing the pain
like brilliant stars
lighting the darkness.
Another In Your Arms
Yesterday
For The Critics
Through the labyrinth of the mind
Yesterday
when our eyes met
that playful grin
enveloped me
as always.
Another in your arms
as I knew
it would be
made me
want more of you.
Those few minutes
we shared
the flirtatious
escapade
made me realize
how happy I am
this is not love
but lust.
Through the labyrinth of the mind
poetic justice is found
on the road to truth
where confidence resides
and the tongue exudes
a wisdom unto itself
expressed freely, openly
without care of the banal criticism
offered by those who say,
yet, do not do!
Vertigo
The room spins
The room spins
as a slideshow
rollercoaster
out of control.
Balance
interrupts
body and mind
encircling visions.
I stand falling
to the left
to the right
unsure.
Eyes flicker
as pixels on
a computer screen
cross-eyed.
Unsteady
fear born
freefalling
without wings.
Drunk
without alcohol
a sobering
disease.
Sporadic
movements
gestures of
dizziness.
I lay softly
as snow on branches
still in the midst
of chaos.
Yet the room spins
a monotonous carousel
counterclockwise
undetermined.
Stop the motion
meandering madness
and let me see
a still life.
Shakespeare Garden
And the leaves speak
through silent branches
their voices carried
by winds of change.
And the leaves speak
through silent branches
their voices carried
by winds of change.
Mother Earth colors
Autumnal hues
warmly toasted
reflections of the sun.
Autumnal hues
warmly toasted
reflections of the sun.
November noon
debuts a play
where nature’s performance
unfolds seasons.
debuts a play
where nature’s performance
unfolds seasons.
And the stage is set.
Bolivian Rhythms
I remember these tunes
I remember these tunes
so vividly in my mind
Bolivian rhythms
wafting across the square.
Haunting flutes
echo against
once forgotten senses.
The memories linger
sweet incantations
swirling pulses
throughout my veins.
Ethnic vibrations
chanting strings
tell of the stories
hidden in my soul.
blackbird v homeless
He teeters softly
balancing unconscious
upon fog dampened phone lines.
upon fog dampened phone lines.
Feathers his garment,
he awakens to windswept mist
and shattered street scenes below.
Emerging from his protective quarters
inside himself, he spreads his wings
and surveys concrete organisms
below his perch where the cumulus
provide a warm, safe haven.
He flutters haphazardly on broken
streets surrounded by industrial obesity
in search of discarded
morsels to satisfy his hunger.
Innocuous in his size he is not noticed and
therefore not seen, though rises above it all
naturally gifted
with wings of freedom.
His cries hidden
sleeping consciously
upon garbage strewn pavement.
Newspapers his blanket,
he awakens to deafening sirens
and the morning rush hour.
Emerging from the daily news
and fetal position he sits
watching oblivious passersby
invade the unseen territory
of which he calls home.
He begs pleading for change on broken
streets surrounded by guilt ridden elite
in search of discarded scraps to keep him alive.
Big as life he is not acknowledged and
therefore ignored though rises above it all
naturally gifted
with a heart full of hope.
Inspiration Path
Walking along
Walking along
ocean beach
mist bathes me
as salt tears
on feather pillows
mumble affirmations
quietly.
A distant foghorn
echoes resounding waves
as a dull bass
strums undertones
and awakens daydreams
skimming stones
softly.
Saltwater cotton
iridescent sea foam
clash against
high tide
forming footprints
on golden sands
gently.
Quietly I walk
softly I tread
joyously in solitude
Ethereal Beach Walk
He walks among saltwater sea tears
skimming forgotten footprints
eroding the shore.
Translucent silver jewels
reflect the sun
forming crystalline memories.
Child's play echoes off turquoise depths
and thunderous wavelengths
cleansing high tide.
He hears, sees and feels
clinging as a barnacle to shore
buried as a sand dollar
beyond footprints.
He walks among saltwater sea tears
skimming forgotten footprints
eroding the shore.
Translucent silver jewels
reflect the sun
forming crystalline memories.
Child's play echoes off turquoise depths
and thunderous wavelengths
cleansing high tide.
He hears, sees and feels
clinging as a barnacle to shore
buried as a sand dollar
beyond footprints.
Waffleicious!
Come drown
yourself in buttery
softness, licking
syrupy maple
from my core.
Come devour
my crunchy
essence, biting
my sweet crevices
yearning for more.
Come drown
yourself in buttery
softness, licking
syrupy maple
from my core.
Come devour
my crunchy
essence, biting
my sweet crevices
yearning for more.
It’s Not About The Almighty Dollar
Her coin purse empty
Her garb 50% off
Her smile worth a million
And a heart full of gold.
Tree Commune
a series of haiku
rooted in Mother Nature
a diverse species
hugging limbs
kissing blue skies
sharing the wind's breath
mingling leaves
born within earth
standing free
a natural commune
a series of haiku
rooted in Mother Nature
a diverse species
hugging limbs
kissing blue skies
sharing the wind's breath
mingling leaves
born within earth
standing free
a natural commune
Missing You
For Sone
Union square
a frenzied chaos, silent
without you
Union square
a frenzied chaos, silent
without you
sky ocean earth
sky, ocean and earth
meet beyond the horizon
daily reunion
sky, ocean and earth
meet beyond the horizon
daily reunion
cascade of sea tears
escape high tide and repose
above Summer’s realm
Poetry Born
I type
thoughts jumbled
dissected jargon
creating silhouettes.
Kaleidoscope waves
channel
half tones
to breeze
anonymous.
Words synchronized
parallel
form lifelines
giving birth.
I type
thoughts jumbled
dissected jargon
creating silhouettes.
Kaleidoscope waves
channel
half tones
to breeze
anonymous.
Words synchronized
parallel
form lifelines
giving birth.
Tainted Heart
Fiery venom
pervades darkened arteries
love, a dying flame
