Poetic Shutterbug

I am extremely excited to announce that my new poetry book titled Quietude is available at:  https://www.createspace.com/6903990   Here is a brief synopsis: Experience a poetic journey through life and love from the city by the bay to the streets of Hong Kong and back. Quietude speaks to cultural diversity with a focus on peace and tranquility. The connection between music and nature provides a melodic read through this collection of poetry. You will gain insight into different cultures and traditions and explore each moment through the eyes of a poet who treads softly upon this earth with a serene heart and peaceful mind.    Quietude    quiet envelops the trees  leaves speak foreign tongues  ancient manuscript    Poetry is the song your spirit writes.

The colorful entrance to a temple at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island.  All of these shots were taken on my vacation there in 2008 A sign tucked away in a small forest area on Lantau Island between Tian Tan Buddha and Lantau peak.  To this day, I still don't know what it says. Avenue of the Stars - The Hong Kong version of Hollywood, CA and much more elaborate. I am participating in Signs

Photo taken in Kowloon, Hong Kong in 2008 Poem written by me in March 2005 New Year's Day In Kowloon With an air of baked yams and charcoal stir fried chestnuts the bustling side streets come alive this new day the rooster crows. Temple Street bargains it's way through tourists. Bamboo, china dolls, fu dog hawked with an Eastern flair good fortune and piety. The lion dances with a deafening roar chasing evil spirits from Kowloon Park. Families gather along Nathan Road, children adorned in their finest red and gold kimono spun silk and satin laced. They gather the feast dim sum, chow fan, Peking duck and wash away the old year with Chinese tea, sake, Tsingtao Yin Yang. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Photo of Star Ferry taken in Hong Kong 2008 For me, there is just nothing like taking the Star Ferry along Victoria Harbor from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and back.  I will hopefully be taking another journey there the end of this year.  It's time for a vacation and there is nowhere else I would rather be than Hong Kong. 1. Do you plan on taking a vacation this year? 2. If so, where will you go? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions Meme fun.

Victoria Harbor at Sunset in Hong Kong Lloyd Lake in San Francisco Ocean Beach in San Francisco Visit Outdoor Wednesday 

Sky Over Downtown Los Angeles Sky Over The Palace Of Fine Arts San Francisco Sky Over Lantau Peak In Hong Kong Visit Skywatch Friday for more beautiful photography.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skywatch contributions. Visit my new blog Collectibles Mercantile .

Aberdeen Fishing Village Hong Kong Island 2005 Stanley Bay Hong Kong Island 2008 Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong 2008 Fountain @ Hong Kong Botanical Gardens in 2008 Click Here for more Watery Wednesday fun.

The Golden Gate Bridge & SF Bay taken from China Beach Same as above view taken with zoom lens The Star Ferry on Victoria Harbor Hong Kong - taken in March 2008 Victoria Harbor Hong Kong at Sunset taken March 2008 Check out the other participants at Watery Wednesday

Taken at the Botanical Gardens and Used as The Cover for "nameless faces" Take a look inside https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1067084 You can order through Amazon.com by clicking the above widget Well, it has been quite a journey. My new poetry book release has just been published and is now available on Amazon.com. This is my first "full length" book of poetry and what makes it even more special is that it is self published. You never really know the meaning of self published until you go through the process. To be honest, in the very beginning I thought "there's no way I can do this." However it was not difficult at all and was for me a very exciting process. I learned so much about formatting, working with Microsoft word and PDF files that I feel like a pro :) Seriously though, I had a blast publishing this book and to see it on Amazon.com is really something special. I have to admit that there was one particular day when dealing with the...

Photo courtesy of www.yesasia.com/. ../info.html My friend Vincent who lives in Hong Kong, introduced me to this singer's video a couple of years ago. The song is a Chinese folk song called Beautiful Grassland Is My Home. I am a huge fan of Asian music and when I saw this video, heard Gong Yue's sweet and beautiful voice accompanied by the traditional Asian instruments, I just fell in love. I obviously do not understand the words however it doesn't matter. The music, voice and video tell the story. I wanted to share it with you and get your thoughts. Enjoy!

Photo of Tian Tan Buddha taken by me in Hong Kong 2008 The Buddha Speaks I am poor I have no place to weep my occupation s fixed fixedly I sit a thousand years come wearing the richest of smiles go subtly extending a hand as if having given something to humanity I don't know what I can give and don't hope to gain I just want to keep my tears keep them till my work is done deep green sandalwood turns to ash parched red stars are falling by Gu Cheng (1956 - 1993)

Photo taken by me in Hong Kong 2008 Red Lanterns Oh, how they kiss the winds With a cultural embrace. A harmonious balance Alights the promenade Feng Shui. An escape to tradition A journey of peace And silent affirmation. The cleansing of spirit and home, Red Lanterns Await the dawn Of the Lunar New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Photo taken of Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong - March 2008 orange sunset a tequila sunrise at last call Haiku and Senryu are highly creative and unique forms of poetic verse. There is the standard and most widely known 5/7/5 form and then there is the traditional Japanese form which is a bit difficult for me to explain so I will ask you to read the guide here over at Shadow Poetry. I am still practicing writing Haiku and Senryu in the hopes that someday I will master the verse :) Haiku and Senryu for me is like painting a picture on canvas using words. It's fun and extremely challenging. Try it, it will broaden your horizons. Enjoy!

Photo of Repulse Bay Lookout Point in Hong Kong taken in February 2005 perchance love whispers on the wind of Winter's breath melody at dawn

Wong Tai Sin Temple Tribute To A Taoist God Wong Tai Sin was a Taoist God who is widely respected and revered in Hong Kong for his healing powers. This was an incredible experience. I spent an entire day here in February of 2005 which just happened to be during the Lunar New Year. I went the day before Chinese New Year which just happened to be my birthday. I planned it that way. And, what a fantastic day it turned out to be. Although very busy with worshipers and tourists it was a very serene and peaceful setting. The temple itself is absolutely gorgeous with it's ornately designed and colorful structure. There were many people there worshiping at that time. They would burn incense at the main altar and then congregate in front of the temple where they would place newspaper on the ground with their offerings of food, usually fruit to Wong Tai Sin. It was fascinating to see and I have to say that because this was a plac...

This was an unexpected treat. While walking through Hong Kong Park I came across the arts center. I didn't know beforehand that it was even there. I walked up to the door and saw a guard there with no one else around so I thought it was closed. He then opened the door and motioned for me to go inside which I did. I'm so glad I went inside. There was a poet/artist, K.C. Chow who was exhibiting his artwork in the gallery. We were the only two there and though I speak only a couple of words in Chinese and he a little more in English we were able to carry on a conversation. His art pieces were so creative and he welcomed my taking photos of some of the pieces. He was such a kind and gentle soul and I so enjoyed meeting him. He gave me his book of essays which I didn't realize until I left was completely in Chinese. The only thing I could read was the ISBN number. I'll have to have it translated. K. C. and the Arts Center ...

Po Lin Monastery with it's temples and gardens is a must see if you are ever in Hong Kong. Po Lin, Tian Tan Buddha and the Wisdom Path are all in the same area and can be seen in a half day. It is located on Lantau Island. The monastery is also a calm and serene sight with it's large incense burner outside the temple where worshippers burn incense and offer prayer to Buddha. Inside the temple monastery is a sight to behold. I have pictures below so they speak for themselves. I always feel bad about taking pictures at temples and sights such as these because of the worshippers who are praying there but it is allowed and everyone does it so I could not pass up an opportunity of catching these gorgeous scenes. In this area of the monastery there is heavy incense burning so if you are allergic to scents of any kind, this may not be the sight for you. There are also many street...