Your Thought Of The Day

My Thought of The Day




A Poem A Day

what
impact
could a poem make?
you may reply
‘who cares?
why ask?
for what?’

it may mean nothing to you
I only put my thought into words whenever it itches my mind
and like gusty wind
it blows my hat off
and makes me
laugh or
cry

unlike
an apple a day
a poem a day may be too much to be written
let alone to be digested
I
hope
at least
it would keep my insanity away
from any of you
my dear
readers

Thao Chuong
2015-01-16

Rational Insanity

I don't think
that in the dark abyss of depression
or even in the elevations of ecstasy

That I can truly realize
How very blessed I am!

Kathy K. McClellan
KeppenArt
1/16/2015

To Poets

where are you -poets?

are you hibernating in your den buried in deep snow
or sunbathing naked
on a sandy beach
somewhere
in Cuba?

I
hope
I would
meet you
running around
in the labyrinth of words - the lost world of poetry

Poe Ed
2015-01-16

I poeth

I am here today

sweating, wondering, 'Will I get to paint?"

things are not always as they appear, some say,

I took care of you because I'm a saint.

I wrote this while away at college at LSU Louisiana State University in 74

"I have sub-stained the reality of my own piece of mind,
to meliorate for no one else but thee,
simply by restraining the obsession,
that which was in me"

(c) 1974 by Michael Joseph Hoard

Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist, Photographer

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. Have a restful weekend.








Of Bird’s Mind

landing safely on a sundeck
after its first try
a short fly away
from his nest
in the tree
nearby
the baby bird looks very calm and quite relaxed

undoubtedly
he ain’t aware of the grave danger of being caught
and becoming a live toy
for the neighbour’s cat
to satisfy her bad habit
of being a torturing
addict

i’d
rather be
like a silly bird with an irrational but peaceful mind
than a human being with all thoughts of logical sanity
at every troublesome moment
throughout
my entire
life

Thao Chuong
2015-01-17

"All human beings act, feel and perform in accordance with what they image to be the truth about themselves and their environment." Dr. Maxwell Maltz "The New Psyco-Cybernetics"



Bill Tomsa

billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Thanks Bill.

Here's the second poem of the day from my thought of Lisa Kaiser’s work Night Falls Upon








When Night Falls Upon The mind


in
panic
she was quickly retreating to the opposite corner
as he slowly approached
and laughed
at each of
his step

pale light from the nearly-finished burning candle on the coffee table
was moving his terrifying shadow
on a blank wall
closer
to her

at the same time,
she heard intermittent hoots of a night owl
penetrating the deep darkness outside
vibrating through the thick thermal windows
and echoing into the well-insulated room

he emptied the wine
licked red liquid around his lips
then raised his hand up
and threw
the goblet
at her

hearing
piercing sound
of the wine glass
shattered on the marble floor
she had a terrible cramp in her head
and felt as if someone was driving a nail right into her central nerves
she desperately cried aloud for help
and profoundly
sweated

after
waking up
she smeared colours on canvas
and painted her worst
nightmare of
the dark

Thao Chuong
2015-01-17

Know the rules well so you can break them effectively. Dalai Lama XIV

MY THOUGHT EVERY DAY AS AN ARTIST.

I am deeply touched by such a beautiful and dark poem, Viet Tran. I love it! Thank you.

Thanks Lisa for your nice feedback
And thank you Marlene for sharing the quote and your thought as an artist.


This is my third attempt today - a provoking poem about the past slavery in USA as a result of the reflection from Michael Hoard’s work Wash Day Blues. Have a good night to all





Description: Copyright Warning Do Not Alter My Photographer Notes: While riding my bike in the Central Business District I glanced upwards and noticed this makeshipe clothes line on upper roof of a slave quarter. The building was in a section which still had apartments to the rear. Many of the older buildings were removed neglected and turned into parking lots, or modern high rises. Photo taken of makeshift clothes line atop a building located in the Downtown Business section of New Orleans, Louisiana USA - by Michael Hoard.




The Wash Day – Blues
(to Michael Hoard)


as
slaves
they could never complain against their masters
for being tortured because of their dirty look
they were badly beaten from inside out
while drowned in soapy water
‘till became
deadly
wet


after
the execution
they were hanged dried on a metal wire
up high in the bluish sky
fully exposed to
the general
public

on a dreary day
without sunshine
only gusty wind whistled and moaned
while their bodies were swinging back and forth
like a flock of hungry city seagulls
flapping their wings around
looking for
food

please don’t tell me it were just my hallucination
or
else
I would
argue with you:
“your belief in god ain’t any better than my imagination”


Thao Chuong
2015-01-17

My thought for life today is


GO PATRIOTS!

Sorry Viet.....but you did ask. :-)

Bill Tomsa

billtomsa.blogspot.com/

There is from several years ago. Rebecca

It Was Not A Good Morning

Some days don’t go very far;
Short-sheeted by an unforeseen turn,
They remain suspended
And the noisy silence echoes
Through the remaining hours.

Shoulders hunched against a future blow,
We gather the fragments of a torn existence
And work quietly to press them
Seamlessly together so
Tomorrow we can begin anew.

© Rebecca Cook 2009

Procrastination is what my life is all about
Putting off until it simply must be done
or maybe I will not get there
nor will I have to kick or shout
just slip quietly away all alone
Perhaps that's not really fair - but then - I won't really care.

Imprisoned as I am in this world

No problem Bill. I am happy to take whatever you give me for the day


Also thanks to Rebecca @ Bellesouth Studio and Roy. Have a nice day










His Distant Memories
(to Bill Tomsa)

it stopped snowing
the sun started shining outside
she turned his wheelchair around and pushed it toward a big window
she could see patches of winter light on his bonny face

she really wanted to talk with him about anything
at the moment - she was looking at snowflakes melted on frosty glass
she suddenly thought of the weather topic
“it’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it?”
she
didn’t
really recognize
whether she really put it into words and said it out loud to him
or her thought was still sleeping inside the head

as
he
kept
rocking
himself
back and forth
she bent forward
looked into his blank eyes
put both hands on his shoulders
and raised her voice to catch his attention
“Daddy! Please look at me and say something today.”


obviously
he heard her voice
and somewhat understood her request
he momentarily stopped his body movements
as if he were in search for a proper reply from his distant memories
yet, he could only mumble a couple of words utterly inaudible
then got back to his
daily rocking
rhythms

Thao Chuong
2015-01-18

Know the rules well so you can break them effectively. Dalai Lama XIV

MY THOUGHT EVERY DAY AS AN ARTIST.

Posted by Marlene Burns about 19 Hours Ago



Marlene! Your thought everyday about rules could be too dramatic for some artists. Here is my extremely subjective thought about the same issue.







Rules - The Drama Evolved

he always wonders
why does anyone wana waste money and many years in school
to learn something about the trade
that he can simply do it
by himself
alone

considering formal education as a burden on his mind for his creative process
he often talks in confidence
about his skills and talent
to do everything
in fine
art

yet
he ain’t
interested in drawing
so he needs neither pencil nor pen
don’t give him any bullshit question about colour pallet, paintbrush, and canvas.
'cause he hates the messy part of painting

a camera
or a computer
is really needed
but both would be better
for him to do all the tricks
in the art of photography
and the digital art

he
is so
proud
to claim himself
a contemporary artist
who breaks all rules in fine art
as he always creatively thinks out of the box

I think
he might have
a different approach
if he would ever ask himself this most fundamental question
“do I know anything about rules and which one should I effectively break to make my art unique and creative?”


Thao Chuong
2015-01-18

Wow, these poems are so interesting to read, Thank you, Viet Tran and Thao Chuong!

Thanks Lisa.

I‘ve tried to find any hidden message from other people’s thought or some hidden stories in their art. Have a good night.








An echo to Rebecca Cook’s poem It Was Not A Good Morning and her artwork above



I Said Get Outta Bed
(to Rebeca Cook)


it was
still rare
and I liked it well-done
so I turned back ’n forth and upside down
to barbecue myself
under a warm
blanket


“it’s late
move your butt out of bed, now!”
I heard her annoying shouts as usual
it seems she always makes
my good day bad
and my bad day
worse

looking at the wall clock
it was only 10:30 in the morning
I yawned in deep moans
and talked
to myself
not to
her:
“c’mon
gime a break
on a day like this
who wanna to wake up so early”

I
was
about
to pull the top sheet to cover my head
and got back to my sweet dream
my ears were exploded
by a deafening
thunder
“I
SAID
GET OUTTA BED
NOW ”

Thao Chuong
2015-01-18

"The professionals are losing their powers. It's been going on for quite some time." - Hayao Miyazaki (creator of the Oscar-winning animated film "Spirited Away").

*big fat hug* :D

Viet - hahaha! That is funny, and I like your poem about my picture, and your other poems for other people.

A great thread of contemplative thought and humor interwoven.

Rebecca

BIG

I am so big
I can spread out over the mountain.
Feel the animals and plants
become one with them and feel my paws on the earth.

I am so big
I can commune with the stars…
Swing on the moon…
Ride the energies in laughter.

I am so big
I can feel the joy in everything.
Dance to the rhythm of life
dance for the joy of movement
and uplifting of spirit.

I am so big
that my heart is an endless
source of compassion
and my love shines
brighter than the sun.

But sometimes I am so small
you could hold me
in the palm of your hand
and your breath
could break me.

ShannathShima (Dorothy Berry-Lound) 2010

Viet/Thao

His Distant Memories
(to Bill Tomsa)


That poem is, without a doubt, the most insightful interpretation of one of my paintings that I have ever seen. Thank you my friend.

Bill Tomsa

billtomsa.blogspot.com/

A life is teetering on
the brink of death
today.
Each breath is hard,
the eyes open
one does not,
the voice is dimmed
the whole right side
will not work.
This man's life has seen
94 years.
They have been full of both
joy and sadness.
Now the stroke of nature,
has stricken his life,
Has weakened his life,
Will take his life!

Gathering at his side,
family and friends,
share, touch, sing, cry, wait,
for a life to end.
Tears flow, words come,
yet none can speak,
Goodbye, old family friend,
Let your one eye
see the praises of life
And let yourself go.

— MJOA

Thanks to those special artists of the day:

-J L Meadows for the interesting quote
- Nicole Whittaker for your big fat hug
- Rebecca Cook for your nice comment
- Dorothy Berry-Lound for your provoking poem
- Bill Tomsa for your like of my interpretation of your work.
- And last but not least: - Mary Armstrong for sharing your interesting poem



Here is my thought generated by Roy Erickson’s following work and his poem posted on this thread one day ago.








The Future Is Tonight – Absolutely Not Tomorrow


he could hear the urging whistle
as if it was encouraging him
to speed
up

he
was
running
with both feet on his neck
yet he wasn’t fast enough
the door was quickly shut
just about a quarter of an inch from his runny nose

if his nose was about a half second faster on its run
he would be home in time for the dinner with her
he was so mad at himself
that he automatically spitted out from his dry throat
those most undiplomatic
words:
“oh no
not again
fuck me!”

now
he sits
on a bench
catching his own breaths
and waiting for the next train
he looks calms and very relaxed
as the coldness from the metal seat penetrates through his butts
and radiates inside his entire body
to cool down
his mind

he
has
tons of time
to think about possible outcomes of his last procrastination
he might eat a crappy meal with a cold wife
or he could enjoy fine wine,
good food and
exotic
sex

he must hold his breath long enough to know
how his future would be unfolded sometime by tonight
and absolutely not be
delayed any further
'til tomorrow


Thao Cbuong
2015-01-19

@ J I Meadows: I think your Tombstone is very thought-provoking. Yet, it was the message under your description about the self-destruction of a smoker that gave me some thought about the correlation between lives and cigarette. I am not in the position of defense of smoking. But for me, it was more a bad habit (that I used to enjoy) than an addiction (that I was attached to). As a chained smoker in the past, I smoked cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and pipe. I was able to quit smoking cold turkey over 25 years ago without any sweat.






Description: Sometimes our addictions lead us to create our own destruction. This man is a smoker whose choices have turned him into a golem - a living tombstone, his sad fate carved in stone. The lily symbolizes the grief of his loved ones. The wall represents the barrier between the living and the dead. The white bird is his soul, departing.




Of Lives and Cigarettes
(To J I Meadows)


not
much
difference
between lives and cigarettes

whether you burn them or not
in the very end
both will turn
themselves
to ash

regardless
whatever you do
with your life or a cigarette
it don’t really matter much
'cause at each instant
you’re still breathing
in and out
you’re
constantly
carving your own gravestone


tell me in any language about your one thousand o one reasons
why must I not enjoy
whatever I love to
while I’m still
kicking
alive
?


Thao Chuong
2015-01-19

"You create your own reality." -- Seth Speaks



Chuck Staley Concept Art

Good morning to you Viet.

Here is the thought that "itches my mind" today. It comes from someone very far away in the past but his words are so very applicable to us today as, I think we all, in our own way look for a place to retreat to if even for a few minutes. ( For the politically correct out there please excuse the gender references as this was written 2,000 years ago.)

"Men seek retreats for themselves: houses in the country, sea-shores and mountains; and thou too are wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is within thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thy self. For nowhere, either with more quite or more freedom from trouble, does a man retire than into his own soul, particularly when he has within himself such thoughts that by looking into them he is immediately in perfect tranquillity; and I affirm that tranquillity is nothing else than the good ordering of the mind. Constantly then give to thyself this retreat, and renew thyself..."

Marcus Aurelius
Meditaions of Marcus Aurelius as translated by John Long (Mount Vernon, NY Peter Pauper Press)

Bill Tomsa
billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Follow your heart wherever it takes you, and be Happy. Life is brief and very fragile and only loaned to us for awhile. Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen. ~ Author Unknown

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step-Laozi

It's time for my nap
But, I'll be back

a reply to Po Ed's question... "where are you -poets? "


when last seen
this poet kneeling
over a box brimming
of used words
held them high
one by one
only to let them fall
into meaninglessness

Ed Meredith
20 January 2015

Thank you all

@ Chuck Staley: I’d like the quote.
@ Bill Tomsa: Wow, you shook my mind with those words from Marcus Aurelius. You’re the man. I appreciate you taking time and sharing your thought with us daily
@ Natalie Holland: Nice to see you here, my friend. Long time no talk.
@ Kevin Callahan: I’ll get back to you about this quote after I catch up my breath
@ RoyD Erickson: How about me talking with you during your nap and we both will be back together?
@ Ed Meredith: Great to see you, friend. Haa…I think Poe Ed is still in his own hibernation.

My thought today in response to Nicole Whittaker's *big fat hug* given to me one day ago. My heart was cracked and mind was numbed for awhile after her long-distant hug.







Your Rejected Journey
(To Nicole Whittaker only. Don't let anyone know about this special offer! OK?)

your journey is probably same as that of anybody else’s
amongst billions of struggling souls
on this crowded planet

it may go around
back and forth
up and down
left and right
in and out

unless
you travel
in god’s heaven
it ain’t much different
even for the living journey
of those aliens at some unknown places in deep space

it’s quite normal for everyone
what the heck makes you think
your zig-zag
journey is
rejected


if you would like to travel within my own world
I’ll give you a lifetime warranty
for one hundred percent
of satisfaction
or full cash
back

before
you decide
to take my special offer
during this limited promotional period
you can have a free trial at any time
with an unconditional return
no extra charge applied
no question
asked

go ahead
why
not?

Thao Chuong
2015-01-20

"The empiricism of poetry is quite unorthodox in its mobility."

- Richard Reeve
reevephotos.com

As with your touching avatar, my dear friend , we must know where our responsibility lies

I have been experiencing and recognizing this more the last few years...

"You are lead through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self."

~ Richard Bach

Viet, good to see you too my friend...

Thought Senryu

i had a thought once
it belonged to someone else
i gave it no thought

@ Richard Reeve: Thanks for your own interesting quote.

I myself think that poetry - like any other art form - is a tool for expression and also a creative way of communication. Words themselves in their own nature don’t carry any thought in them. Yet, they can be used as a vehicle to transport messages from the minds of those writers/poets/speakers to their readers/listeners. Words must be intentionally arranged in a certain pattern.

It is likely that words themselves present no meaning when they are together in a random format. I think under a linguistic perspective, poetry could be quite orthodox in its own essence.

@ Roger Swezey: I could see your happiness in the relationship. I think it is much better to have someone call us ‘GRANDdad than a dad. Because most of the responsibilities are now offloaded away from our shoulders. We take all the joy and now it is our kids’ turn to clean up their own “shit” (LOL).

@ Rahdne Zola: Welcome to this thread and thank you for sharing your thought

@ Ed Meredith: Here is the echo to your senryu, my friend


Senryu Your Words

all the words you wrote
I could not vomit them out
as I’ve lost my thought

Thao Chuong
2015-01-20

My interactive poem in response to Dorothy Berry-lound’s poem BIG posted one day ago and to her following artwork






Never Alone
(to Dorothy Berry-lound)


you follow me every day
from dawn to dusk
you hold me tight all night
from sunset to sunrise

you
never
let me down
regardless, I’m happy or sad
I feel good or bad
I succeed or fail
I gain or lose

you don’t care when I am with someone
you’re always by my side
to make sure
I’m alright

I may feel lonely
from time
to time

but
I am
never alone
with your dedicated love for me

who else would be more loyal than you’re
my own dear
shadow

Thao Chuong
2015-01-20

Viet, namaste, that is beautiful thank you so much. And you got right to the point of the piece. Dorothy

To quote Gail Collins:
I am
A gregarious hermit
Comfortable in my own company

@ Dorothy Berry-Lound: Thank you very much. Nice to get back your warm feedback. I like the red tome in your work. Those embedded lines create smooth movements and it makes the piece look lively.

@ Kevin Callahan: Thank you for the quote. Enjoy a cigar and a glass of wine tonight, my friend.



@ Chuck Staley: Here is my thought from Seth Speaks’ quote "You create your own reality." that you posted on day ago. I like your and also the “conceptual” titles of some of your works . My poem is surrealism as is your work Knight in the Cemetery









Knight in the Cemetery
(to Chuck Staley)


less
homes
for the homeless
no shelter to shelf himself
he’s been dragging his life on streets
like a confused driver keeps riding a car
around and around inside a roundabout
in downtown of a rundown town
and not know
how to get
out

whether the weather’s good or bad
he sleeps outdoor without any door for minimum security
and it ain’t nice as those beatniks having their picnic overnight on a beach

it has been frostily cold
during the last
two nights

tonight is much colder
he has to drink a whole bottle of Chinese cooking wine to warm himself up
all his favorite places have already been taken
he staggers around and finds a perfect spot
he takes an old campaign poster of the junior gorge bush
carefully puts it inside a dense bush
he lies his back down
ready for his loud
snores

it’s dark
and moonless
all of a sudden
he hears a grave voice
coming from a grave just a couple yards away
from the graveyard
nearby

”i’m
the knight of knights
get the hell out of my nite
or I cut your head off ”

it’s same damned nightmare
each time he’s intoxicated during his sleep

Thao Chuong
2015-01-21

Good evening Mary Armstrong

Please accept my apology for my mistake. I wasn’t aware that I accidentally missed your touchy poem posted one day ago, until I scrolled back to make a cross-check on my long thread.


Here is my echo to your work To The Wet City.







The Wet City
(To Mary Armstrong)

it
rains
all day
all night
whole week
entire month
and much longer

it pounds nonstop
on
metal
wood
plastic
asphalt
concrete
it sends heavy rock'n roll music in tedious rhythms

it pours down heavy loads
on everything in the city
buildings
streets
trees
and
on a colorful sea of umbrellas

water is everywhere
inside,
outside
in the sky
on the ground

heart gets wet, mind’s damp, soul’s soggy, and life becomes too mushy
in the city of no sun
during monsoon
season


Thao Chuong
2015-01-21

"Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what other people will think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home.

But the remarkable thing is. we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude." - Charles Swindoll

This is a quote that I have hanging in my studio, committed to memory and have actually carried copies of it in my wallet to leave around as a "gift" to anyone who might pick it up.
I do my best to choose a positive attitude at the beginning of each day, not always successfully,.

Bill Tomsa
http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Many thanks for sharing the quote of wisdom. You’ve make my day. Have a happy day, Bill


Sundry Thought About My Attitude

I often think it is my own talents
that take me to success
however I tend to blame my bad luck
not my lack of skills
whenever
I fail

this
attitude
serves me well
it has maintained the confidence to keep me going forward
also it gives me good excuses
to enjoy sound sleep
at night

such
an inflated ego
somehow would make me I sound arrogant
yet, if I couldn’t be myself with my own self
then who the hell
would I
be?

Thao Chuong
2015-01-22

Once again you get a big thought into a few well chosen words, Thank you Viet.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Many thanks Bill. Your nice words are much appreciated. Have a good night



@ Natalie Holland: Here is my thought – an echo of your artwork and the quote your posted two days ago


“Follow your heart wherever it takes you, and be Happy. Life is brief and very fragile and only loaned to us for awhile. Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.” ~ Author Unknown






Of My Heart
(To Natalie Holland)

my heart is so blind
it ain’t alright
for me to
listen
to
it

very often
it deceptively
leads me to a cul de sac

I’ve followed my heart many times in the past
and most of the time
I ended up
being
at
the wrong moment
the wrong place
with the wrong person
in an unknown space
already occupied
fully

either, I’d rather listen to my mind
at least, I could foresee
where I’m heading to
when I’ll get there
whom I will be with
or
I’d better follow my instinct
at best, I could enjoy the natural desire of an animal
with no regret when unexpectedly caught
on a cobweb of life
and love

Thao Chuong
2015-01-22

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Laozi



Posted by Kevin Callahan three days ago.


My Sundry Thought of Taoism
(To Kevin Callahan)

soft
as cloud
wandering to infinite horizon

flexible as water running from high mountains
flowing through rough terrains
down to creeks
and rivers
to the immense ocean

it’s Tao
the Way of living
in harmony with nature

Laozi once said: ” A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
I often ask myself
if I didn’t take any single step
to begin
with
would my voyage to life be still in existence

and if I let myself go with the natural flow of cloud and water
would it make any
difference
to my
fate?

Thao Chuong
2015-01-23

A billion sleigh bells ringing
a million miles away
the night song of the cicadas.

--------------------------------------------------------
Everything misplaced
enters a secret space
in another dimension
the one rarely mentioned
the place where things disappear
vanishing into thin air
and beg the question
where?

Billy East 2015

01/23/2015

Description: Walking along the edge of the surf at Ormond by the sea beach, I came on this little still life, a small piece of drift wood with a tiny crab shell perched on it. Ormond by the sea is just to the north of Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach in Florida.



Still Life On the Beach


after
drifted
on a long journey
of many days and nights
on high seas

washed ashore a piece of driftwood

lying lifeless
on sandy
beach


awaiting
another journey anew
either being taken back to the sea by high tide
or becoming an objet trouvé
in an exhibition
of a renowned
artist

isn't still life still alive both in real life and in fine art?

Thao Chuong
2015-01-23

Do we all go through life self-hypnotized or hypnotized by others?

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Good day, Bill

Thank you for providing the good exercise for my mind. I cannot answer for others. Most of the time, I'm self-hypnotized but mainly reflected by other people around me as a clear mirror for myself.


Here's my today's poem as a result from your post.



Of Self-Reflection

when
I’m mad
it’s hard for me
to recognize how hot my head is
it could be 100 degree Celsius
or much higher
more than
enough
to burn the whole world into ashes

I ain't crazy no longer
as soon as I become aware of my insanity
why the hell do I often feel offended
when someone tells me
about a bad moment
of my true
self

don’t I owe that person an appreciation
for pointing out my own foolishness
and for giving me
such a good
lesson

ins't it the worst part of my ego?

Thao Chuong
2015-01-24

Thank you Viet. Very nice poem with much truth...as usual. Have a restful night.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Thank you very much for the dialogue, Bill. Restful weekend to you.




@ "The empiricism of poetry is quite unorthodox in its mobility." Posted by Richard Reeve 4 days ago






Description: Some artwork is guaranteed to make you thirsty... It must have been fun putting together this collection though. I assume the collector was celebrating National Beer Can Appreciation Day 24 January. For it was on that date in 1935 when beer was first sold in cans. So celebrate with a day that provides people with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the very many different kinds of beer cans. Cheers. Richard Reeve



Of Man And Beer
(To Richard Reeve - Cheer to your health on the National Beer Can Appreciation Day of 24 January)

after
throwing
the empty can
on the messy floor
scattered by a couple of dozens of empty ones
he leaned forward and said to me

-“men without alcohol
are like flags
without
wind.

have you ever heard that well-known proverb before?”

I grudgingly replied
while holding my heavy head straight up
as it was about
to fall off
my neck

“nah!
forget it
open another one
bottom
up

cheer to your health!”

that night
I was too intoxicated to recall
how I did end up in a detention cell
of a local police
station

next time
when he invites me over for a drink
I would offer him a version of my own proverb

“men
without
driver’s licence
worse than cars
without
steering
wheel"

Thao Chuong
2015-01-24

It's How I Celebrate the National Beer Can Appreciation Day

between
the two of you
one loves full beer cans
the other wants empty ones

beer
itself is
as
is

not
when it's
fully packed inside a can
or totally drained out of a bottle

you celebrate the National Beer Can Appreciation Day
by holding your full cans intact or taking the empty ones
I simply let the beer drink me
'till it drives me hi
on its highway
of joys


Thao Chuong
2015-01-24

Chicken Rotisserie Observation

Birds without feathers
All savory contenders
Make no sound spinning on spits
Their flesh touches lips
Concealing teeth that rips meat from bone
Then their bones are thrown
To be resown
Into the carcass of earth
----------------------------------------------------
How high am I
who watches clouds drift by
each other they chase
as if in a race
of which there is no winning
it's just the Earth
forever spinning

Billy East 2015

Ah! the beautiful places I have explored!
I cannot return, but with my photos, I have remembrance, not sadness.

Viet,

My wife and I have the radio set to wake us every morning usually with music on the station it is set to. This morning the song I woke up to was saying "This is gonna' be the best day of my life...". I layed there with a smile on my face thinking to myself "What a great thought to wake up to. I should keep this thought in mind every day I wake up." So this will be my thought for today at least. This is gonna' be the best day of my life.....because, for today, it's the only day of my life.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

A job title does not matter. What matters is the quality of the effort in any job. This is your signature, no matter what, ... and this is how other people will remember you.

People might ask me what I do,
and to them I respond,
"What is it to you?"

W'HAT I do has little worth.
Instead, the worth is in the HOW I do it.
Collecting trash or writing symphonies is all the same
in Nature's vast eternal workings.
"Work", thus, is a selfish label
falsely posed by mortal minds
that fear the loss of a flicker of their one
small instant of awareness of a single life
within a greater life that never dies
but always is an always has been.

In the depths of winter, I dream of summer.

The Visitor

I had a visitor while watering the plants today
An emerald dart in the form of a hummingbird
No bigger than a moment and
Quicker than a brief thought

The avian jewel appeared seemingly from thin air
Hovering inches from my startled countenance
In what was either a greeting or abject curiosity
A long moment - then gone (into space and time?)

As I resumed my Aquarian task my gem rematerializes
Returning to the courtyard again and again
I gazed rapt as he pierces the delicate blooms
Drinking sweet nectar from each, one by one

What a gift for us both
Mother Nature’s elixir for him
A moment of magic for me

@ Billy East. Wow! I like both poems of yours as they brought a lot of thought to my mind. I have found a sense of humor in provoking messages from your poems.

@ Welcome Gregory Scott: Thanks for sharing your thought that reflects a common sense about our memoir of the past.

@ Bill Tomsa: It’s good to be around with people who have positive thinking as you do I could sense your energy (Chi) though your post.

@ Robert Kernodle: It’s quite an interesting poem. I do hope you would keep sharing your poetry here.

@ Kevin Callahan: We also have wet and cold weather here. I have the same dream as yours about the summer.


Thank you all for sharing your thought of the day.


Peaceful Nature

lying
my back flat
on green lawn

up high
in the azure sky
patches of cloud slowly glided
couple of birds hurriedly flew
the sun was coming down on the blue mountain
ready for its relaxing rest
after a long day
of hard
work

twas serene lullabies for my mind
I gradually fell into sleep

Thao Chuong
2015-01-25

Here is my echo to Billy East’s poem Chicken Rotisserie Observation


Of Wings

waiting
for my turn
at a KFC fast food outlet
in a long line of slow-moving vehicles
I smell a strong mixture of deep fries and raw gasoline from hazy smog over the drive thru lane

I can buy French fries everywhere
no need for me
coming to
Paris

if
I didn’t
wait here
nowhere else I could find wings without chickens
not even on
a poultry
farm

I am not fancy in my dream
of flying high up
to the sky

but it could be a nightmare
of not having wings
without feathers
for my drink
tonight

Thao Chuong
2015-01-25

Notions of True Love Evaporate

I go to places
filled with faces
most are talking
some are walking
many are having fun
a few want to run
there is genius and madness
laughter and sadness
here to learn, here for kicks
the serious and the foolish, all in the mix
side by side the down trodden and the lofty
all trying to relax, all drinking coffee
she stands alone
far from home
and makes me think
there is a link
a reason for her being here
instead of who knows where
I look at her and she looks at me
I hope a smile is what I'll see
she moves slowly and with grace
heading towards me, a steady pace
she smiles, time stands still
this is our moment, this is the thrill
a beauty, great to behold
her youth reminding me I'm old
she asks if I'm looking for a date
and all notions of true love evaporate

Billy East 2015

Greetings Viet Tran, I am truly touched and humbled by your interpretation of my "Wash Day Blues" Your poetic words are no doubt the inner beauty which lies within. I shall frame your poem of "Wash Day Blues" and mount it on the wall next to "Wash Day Blues". Thank you.

Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist, Photographer

Good Morning. Have a nice day


@ Billy East: Another poem that gave me some thought

@ Michael Hoard: You’re very welcome. It was your work that led to those words of mine. The title did attract my attention, the work itself made me think. In the poem I used your image of clothes hanged on the wire over an old living quarter for slaves as a metaphor to relate to miserable fates of the Black in the dark age of slavery in the US history.

I appreciate you putting my poem side by side of your work. Thanks.

Viet Tran
@ www.papercollage.ca

Smart Lappy

smart phone sitting on the café table
displayed like a shrine to worship
starry eyed gazing, stroking it like a beloved pet
The world is at her command on a star ship
illuminating, flashing, making beautiful sounds
music to the ears and soul
everything at the finger tips abounds
an image of a rat flashes on the screen
Lappy the little lap dog rolls
springs up on the table
aggressively bites down on its foe
was it the rat image
triggering this behavior
or long suppressed jealousy


Jim Taylor 1/26/2015

Welcome Jim Taylor. Thanks for sharing your poem




The following poem is an echo to Robert Kernodle’s poem posted 1 day ago



My Living Process

I’m
what I’m
regardless whatever they call me
I do what I love
not
what
other people expect me to

I live my life
the way that suits my style
whether others think it’s great or tiny
it don’t really matter so long as I am happy

I enjoy my creative process
it gives me the pleasure and ecstasy while I’m doing it
nevertheless how the outcome would be
I consider my work is a bonus
nice if the public like it
if not it’s fine
with me


I live my life as is and do what I love
my living journey is for me
not for anyone
else

no
point
to worry
if I would be remembered or forgotten after I leave this world

Thao Chuong
2015-01-26

a child asked me why do people have to die
I answered with a shrug, I don't know why
a man with a shovel asked why must we work
to eat I said and drove my pick into the dirt
a pretty woman asked me what is love
two feet on the ground and your mind in heaven above
my hungry dog looked at me with his power of suggestion
I fed my best friend well , without question

billy east

Thanks Billy East for sharing your poetry that always stirs my head up. Good night, my poet.


My poem in response to Billy East’s poem “Notions of True Love Evaporate”



Notion of Love Vaporized
(Not what you might think)

I
don’t
know nothing
about your favorite

I
myself
love licking breasts
as softness of the flesh
magically rolls around my lips
and also its tenderness numbs my tongue

but
most of all
when I slowly swallow
the juicy taste remains so deep and too long inside my throat
it makes me quite
addicted

never mind
whatever you may think about chicken breasts
but I must tell you about my taste
I hate chewy wings
unless for my
drink


Thao Chuong
2015-01-26

www.papercollage.ca

double entry (removed)

My echo to Bill Tomsa’s daily thought of wisdom: “This is gonna' be the best day of my life.....because, for today, it's the only day of my life.” Posted 2 days ago





Yesterday – Today - Tomorrow

I
can’t
be a ghost
living in the past
yesterday has gone
nothing can be done
to change what has already ended
no need to count how many days
I’ve lived so far

tomorrow is untouchable
it’s only an abstract notion
when it turns into reality
it becomes today

who knows
what future would be?
why should I worry how many more days I’ll have left for the rest of my life?
what point to be afraid of
when my last day
on earth
would
be?


today is
the only day
truly in existence in my living
as I am still breathing in and out
at this very instant present
not the past second
nor the next
moment


neither
yesterday
nor tomorrow
but today is the best day for me.


Thao Chuong
2015-01-27

As usual, my friend, a brilliant interpretation of my thoughts and feelings in a way only you can do. Thank you.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

It's sweet of you, Bill.

If I lived in the same town with you, I like to have a drink and nice chats with you in person. Nice day!

And I woul like the same with you. Take care.

Good night, Bill





Her Best Day


still
half-awake
and half-asleep
she curls herself under the warm comforter
like a worm enjoys its good time
inside a ripen
apple

through
well-insulated
and thick fabrics
she could smell strong aroma of hot coffee
coming into the bedroom from the kitchen on the main floor

“honey
coffee’s ready”
she hears his sweet voice as usual
but it’s too cosy
for her
to get
up


as a Zen master
in deep meditation
she is in absolute silence
knowing for sure he’d pick it
as a sign of her need
for his room
service

so
often
she loves drinking her morning coffee
at the same time she enjoys
his unshaved face
rubbing on
her bare
breasts

the eccentric combination of
sweet-‘n-bitter flavour in her throat
and tinkling sensation on her skin
wakes her mind up
and often drives
her desire high
for sex

it’s how
she takes the best from her day

Thao Chuong
2015-01-27

every myth contains truth, every path a lesson

I think that too many people on this site are overly obsessed with sales, views and imagined wrongs instead of art.

While I was shoveling out our driveway from the "Blizzard of 2015" today here in Topsham, ME, I got to thank the municipal plow truck driver for doing such a great job under such adverse conditions. He was grateful for the appreciation and said "We don't get that very often." It reminded me of how we take these workers for granted. My thought for the day...Thank someone today for what they do.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

i just finished this painting. i wonder if i should do 2 or 3 others with the mice to tell a story.

it is too cold to stay outside, i am missing that.

Need coffee now.

Good morning Thank you very much for sharing your today’s thought


@ John Haldane: “every path a lesson” is a sharp remark

@ David Lane: I share the same observation with you about marketing overused on FAA forum which very few buyers would read those threads. I also agree with you that threads with topics about art don’t attract much and are derailed so often.

@ Bill Tomsa: I could imagine how messy nature could bring to a city. We got snow storms here in the past. Our town was totally immobilized for a couple of days: houses buried under snow, collapsed roofs, roads impassable, etc. I hope you get out of this blizzard safe and sound,

@ Georg Hoffmann: I agree that a message or a story can be found from every artwork. Enjoy your coffee.






The following thought came from John Halden’s remark and his artwork above.



Of Man and Bird

a blue heron spreads its wings
and lets itself flow
to wherever
the wind
blows


man
with high pride of his wisdom
often doesn’t know
with path
he must
follow


Thao Chuong
2015-01-28

Thanks for the concern, Viet. Not to worry - the snow has stopped and today it is bright and sunny here in Maine. The calm AFTER the storm! Take care.

@ John H. photo of Heron...I earned my pilot's license in the early 1980's and got a lot of stick time in sailplanes and single engine Cessnas. John's photo reminded me that if I could come back to this earth again I would want to be a bird....preferably a soaring bird.


Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Good to know that snow has stopped. Enjoy to your best day- today, Bill



Of Man ‘n Nature

man always thinks
he’s totally in charge
everything’s under
his tight
control

but
when
nature
strikes back
it’s like a rubber band
swinging to the opposite direction
as far as it’s been pushed

then
man’s losing his grip
and falling into
his own
shits

Thao Chuong
2015-01028

Of Man ‘n Nature

Another way of saying the only thing we have complete control over is our own attitude?


Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

"Love is the greatest refreshment in life." ~ Pablo Picasso

Thank you, Juergen Roth


I Think Pablo Picasso was intoxicated when he said that.






Love

when
he said
"love is the greatest refreshment in life."
Pablo Picasso probably was intoxicated
after taking too many drinks
and thinking of the sexy lady
whom he had just
made love
in bed
with

love isn’t
about euphoric sex
it’s a merry-go-round
joyful to jump on
but hurtful
to fall
off

love is
blossoming in spring
soon turning into dead leaves
and falling off
in autumn

love is
always a two-way street
of sweet and bitter
of rosy and
blue



Thao Chuong
2015-01-29

"Another way of saying the only thing we have complete control over is our own attitude?" posted by Bill Tomsa.

It's a very inspiring comment. So do you enjoy hot coffee or cold snow, Bill? (LOL)






Only One Thing I Can Do to Change The World

I could happily sing or miserably swear in the wind
I could whine or smell the rain,
when it pours down
and makes me
soaked

I
could
go out
shoving snow
or stay inside complaining about the cold

it isn’t the environment
that keeps me calm
or drives me
mad

it
ain’t
other humans
who make me sad or happy

nothing I can do to control the weather
nor anything could be done
to change people
around
me

my attitude
is
only
one thing
I can hold inside my own hands
to make the day
good or
bad

Thao Chuong
2015-01-29

I enjoy hot coffee after I've been shoveling cold snow. :-))

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com.

Description: The three cups in this acrylic painting are used primarily for drinking coffee however, they work just as well as for tea, hot chocolate, etc. My inspiration for the title references the coffee aspect and as well as the three primary colors blue, yellow and red while the checkered table cloth hints at a cafe setting. By Bill Tomsa.



On a Snowy Day

downs ups
downs
ups
…in endless rounds
he pushed
he pulled
he thrust
he yanked
he moved
he turned
he twisted

on
a snowy day like this
it was such perfect timing for sex

he did it so hard
‘til
his back ached
his feet trembled
his hands numbed
as if he were making love ten times in a row

out of breath
about to drop dead
right on the spot
in chilly wind
no
fun
at all
he was shoveling snow

he wish if he were staying inside
holding a cup of hot coffee by the fire
or warming her up
in bed

Thao Chuong
2015-01-29


To your attention, Bill! I’ve tried your link @blogspot.com. But it took me to nowhere!

Posted by Billy East 3 Days Ago

a child asked me why do people have to die
I answered with a shrug, I don't know why
a man with a shovel asked why must we work
to eat I said and drove my pick into the dirt
a pretty woman asked me what is love
two feet on the ground and your mind in heaven above
my hungry dog looked at me with his power of suggestion
I fed my best friend well , without question

billy east


@ Billy East. You made me think hard about the child question “why do people have to die?” in your poem. Your poetry often provokes readers’ mind. I enjoy reading your poems.





Why People Have to Die

living
forever
the fanciest
dream of mortal man
since his life is way too short
one hundred years - the longest for a very few
and much sooner
for the majority

but
in such
a flash of
an eyeblink
he badly fucks himself up
killing other beings
for his greedy
benefits

he’s collecting much rubbish
dumping trash in his own home
and destroying
his living
habitat

if man
were immortal
he would soon drive his own world to extinction

tell any curious child
people have to die to leave a decent place
for the next generation
also for the survival
of other beings
on planet
earth


Thao Chuong
2015-01-30

Ba Thứ Lăng Nhăng ...


Một trà, một rượu, một đàn bà,
Ba thứ lăng nhăng nó quấy ta.
Chừa được thứ nào hay thứ ấy,
Có chăng chừa rượu với chừa trà !

Tác giả: Trần Tế Xương (*)

* Poet Trần Tế Xương was renowned by his humorous poetry in Vietnam


The Troublesome Three…

tea
liquor
woman
the troublesome three bother me

the more I give up
the better for me
if I must quit
I could only get rid of liquor and tea

(English version by Viet Tran)

Make Love or War

too
obsessive
with their own ism
they chase each other like cat and dog

she’s
been
accusing him
of being a sexist
he always thinks she’s a feminist

what if
these two happen to share the same bed
would they make
love or
war?

Poe Ed
2015-01-30

Cold and Hot

between
icy snow
and a sexy woman
I prefer to take the hot one

even though
I
know
for sure
catching a cold is the most
I might get from shoveling snow

but cooling her heat off
I could get
the worst
flu

Thao Chuong
2015-01-31

My thought for today - It's almost over - then there is tomorrow.

@ Bill - I prefer not to shovel snow at all - it's beautiful in pictures and on mountains - there's a reason I live in Florida.

Description: It was most strange to come up on this huge panel of graffiti on the old tobacco warehouse in Lake City, Florida. I knew the lady somewhat and her husband. She lived for her grandchildren. © Roy rd Erickson


In Loving Memory

it was a long time ago
in our memory
as if
it were
yesterday
on that gloomy day
when your heart ceased
the world suddenly stopped spinning
in absolute silence for a moment
we were frozen in shock
then busted into tears
and cried

you’ve left us for another world
yet we could sense your presence
somewhere around us
you’re still alive
inside our
hearts

grandma
we love you


Thao Chuong
2015-02-01

Viet my thought for today ---It's SUPERBOWL SUNDAY and we're sending positive thoughts to the Patriots! GO PATS!

@Roy-shoveling snow...

Yeah, that's also why we moved to lived in Arizona before moving to Maine....what were we thinking?! LOL

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the game, Bill.





Super Bowl

go ahead
enjoy nachos,
wings, ribs, dips and pizza
or whatever your favorite treat with Super Bowl

it’s too much for me
I must take
a small
bowl

the less food
the better
for my
body

I'd
better
take a walk with my dog
than glue my butts to a couch
and add more fat
to my tummy

Thao Chuong
2015-02-01

Description: "America's Game" depicts the game of baseball as about as All American a sport as you can find. Upon careful examination of this acrylic painting one realizes that the baseball, bat and glove are not of professional level but rather what would be used by sandlot players and one is transported back to the days when we all played the sport just for fun and moneyball, mega contracts and endorsements were not much thought of in connection with our game - America's Game.



America’s Game


fun
in sport
nowadays
in America may be just for little kids
in any neighborhood

to enjoy different games
on dead-end streets
on playgrounds
or an empty lot

they play sport
at their spare time
after school
on weekends
or on holidays
they shout and yell
they throw
they catch
they kick
they run
for fun

no
fun
at all
when America’s Games become commercialized
those sport celebrities on a distinguished sport league
get
pay
big bucks
by signing mega contracts
of millions of dollars


only
little kids can still enjoy America's Games


big
boys
in high school
sweat to their own death
for the America’s wildest dream
of playing any sport
without fun
at all

Thao Chuong
2015-02-02

Description: This footprint at the beach in the sand was so clear. Sometimes it is indented, sometimes it appears to be raised up. Photo taken at Ormond Beach, Florida © Roy rd Erickson




Footprints On Wet Sand


gusty
wind blew
his long hair up
it filled his lungs
with the familiar odour from the sea
smell of salt, dead fish, rotten seaweed.

at midday
sunlight was too bright
its reflection on high surfs blinded his eyes
he put his sunglasses on
and kept walking
slowly on the
beach

he
stomped
his bare feet
tried to implant footprints deep onto wet sand
as he enjoyed watching
tireless waves wiping
them off
as
quickly as
the infinite time has washed every human’s life away

Thao Chuong
2015-02-01

Viet my thoughts for the day;

Thank you for the 2 poems on America's Game and Superbowl (we had pizza).

The baseball poem really expanded beautifully on my original thoughts about the painting and the second one hit the nail on the head. Thanks,

For today my thoughts are also on the idea of "never give up" or as, I think it was Yogi Berra, who said "It ain't over til it's over."

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Good day, Bill.

Thank you for sharing your thought. My mind has been refreshed by your positive comment: “For today my thoughts are also on the idea of "never give up" or as, I think it was Yogi Berra, who said "It ain't over til it's over."





No One Else Can Help


never too late
to start

when
it’s done
no point to regret
endless possibilities for me to try it again
it never ends
unless
I quit

It’s up to me
to make my life better or worse
either I keep walking ahead
or I sit by the roadside
breathe dirt
and whine

Thao Chuong
2015-02-02

Viet No One Can Help

That poem and it's context is so very appropriate for those of us on a web site titled Fine Art America. Bravo my friend! Sleep well.


Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Hi Bill. Sleep tight, tonight.

BTW: It was the capital “F“ word in your comment that has led me to the following thought.



A Bizarre Place


oh my...
my dear artists
poets or whatever you’re
never get into that sacred place
the forbidden land
of so-called
fine art

only
for
birds
flowers
and so on…
on throw pillows

where
nudity
couldn’t be displayed
no politics would be touched
no religion could be mentioned

it
was like
you went
to a church
and not allowed to pray inside
or you sat in a restaurant
but not permitted
to order
food

it
made
you feel stuck
as if you were prohibited
to deposit your own
solid waste into
a toilet bowl

in another words
it’s a serious place
where you wanna have fun
you must keep
your mouth
shut

except
a burning hell
tell me if there is such a bizarre place on earth nowadays?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-03

Popcorn

Popcorn crowding all around,
Hot air blows them round and round,
Yellow corn kernels poppity pop,
One after another, when will they stop?

Whirling, swirling the popcorn pops,
In a bowl they quickly drop,
Fluffy popcorn, grab a bunch,
Light and tasty, eat them crunch.

james hörner

Good Day and thank Nicole Whittaker. Popcorn is an identical reflection of what has been happening so far.




Of Monkey and Human


totally free roaming in the wild
monkeys do what
monkeys
like

fighting
wrestling
swinging and chasing through the trees

only
when
restrained
in the pens
“money see monkey do”

would smart humans be any better?
when
imprisoned in a cage
without freedom of expression
of thoughts in the mind
and love from
the heart

Thao Chuong
2015-02-03

Love of My Life

everything has been continuously washed away
by the waves of time
but my love
for you
never
ends
it
always
stays forever
at the bottom
of my heart
Thao Chuong
2015-02-03

I've been thinking....what if a fractal were our universe and each piece of the repeating pattern was another dimension?

What if they intersected?
What if everything behaved as a Fractal, repeating as time passes? would that be déjàvou?

Hi Viet! You are looking well. Good to see the words are flowing great for you.

I met a fifteen year old prostitute at breakfast this morning. She was sitting at the counter having breakfast. She told me a disturbing story about her life. I will use it in my next creation.

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~ Leo Tolstoy

"The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference". (™)

Good day and thanks to Fran Riley, Monsieur Danl, Natalie Holland, and Tony Murray. Have a restful day to all



Soap Opera


jam-packed
in a small place
struggling for being distinguished from the crowd
they’re been fighting teeth and nails
to the top spot
or at least
for bigger
space

they elbow
they knee
they kick
they hit
at each
other

to
make
more room
for their own bloom

don’t
guess
me wrong
I’m talking about kernels
in their plight of becoming popcorns
not
about
the soap opera of artists
on a crowded art site during their heated metamorphosis
transforming themselves
from an ugly worm
into a colourful
butterfly

Thao Chuong
2015-02-04

Good evening Fran. Long time no talk. You look very sharp with your new avatar. I didn’t understand much of your thought in the post. Maybe it could be “déjà vou” that led to my following poem





Description: The Long Way Home, walking the train tracks no longer used provides for solitude.






The Long Way Home


I saw you walking straight
while I were on the other side of the railroad tracks
we were heading toward the same direction

I
kept
pace with you
while trying to catch your attention
as soon as I saw you turning your face at me
I waved and smiled
you shrugged
but smiled
back

on
that day
it was my luck
I had crossed your path
otherwise our walk on the two parallel tracks could have lead us to
nowhere in the infinite horizon
the long way home
for both
of us

Thao Chuong
2015-02-04

I'm drinking...tea, my forth cup of the day and wondering what kind of treat I can feed my cats sitting by the fire. Life is very good.

The Long Way Home.
What a great image and poem.

Glad to have the night off from work. I've been listening to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel lately and have been thinking about doing a painting inspired by "The Boxer".

Posted by Monsieur Danl one Day Ago

“I met a fifteen year old prostitute at breakfast this morning. She was sitting at the counter having breakfast. She told me a disturbing story about her life. I will use it in my next creation.”






Title: Mindy's Night Of Death
Creator: Danl
Medium: Mixed
Series: Ladies Of Pigalle
Year 2012

-Script: Live Interview With Mindy
“I was in the ally giving some oral pleasure to a guy. Another
girl was a few feet away. She was on her knees with a big guy
standing in front of her. He was yelling something in Russian. The
girl started to stand up when he grabbed her by the hair,
Pulled her head back. Reached into his pocket. There was a
flash. A loud bang. He ran past me out of the ally. She laid
there. Blood everywhere. I will never forget that night. Or his face.
” - Mindy



I like this series of yours that led to my today's thought



Sex Trade Business


her innocence was stolen
her childhood was robbed

if she were lucky, her life must be different
she could still be in school
enjoying the good time of her teenage
holding a boy’s hands
in her romantic
dream of
love

instead of selling her own fresh meat
on side streets
or dark alleys
in Paris

you felt upset
listening to the disturbing story
from the fifteen-year-old prostitute
whom you met
that morning
at a street
café

yet
she isn’t alone
not the only child
in this bothersome world dominated by men
like her- over two millions of children
are sexually
exploited
every
year
in
the sex trade business
for nauseated desires of many sadistic men
urging for erotic sex
with little
kids


I believe those predators
must have their balls
fully chopped off
to the core

what do you think?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-05

Good Day! Thank you Lisa Kaiser, Jim Taylor, and Maria Masella for dropping and sharing your thoughts, especially to Jim for your nice words. Have a restful day you all

G'day Viet.
Thank you for.........."No One Else Can Help '

Ms. Anderson.......VIVA!!!!!

crime, horrible things.

there are people that can do worse things than what we can think of, because it would hurt us to even think of it.
And that is also why they can do them.

i am doing a one square meter painting about swizerland, since i just received the swiss nationality.
right now i can't look at it anymore, it is too big, red, dark and nightmarish.

- Good to see ya Viva. Here is my love. Help yourself. Take much as you want (lol0

-How are you doing these days., Sr. Sweezey.

- Georg Hoffmann; Thank you for dropping by and for sharing your thought

Posted by Natalie Holland -one Day Ago

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~ Leo Tolstoy




Description: I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. ~ Walt Disney


Your painting has revealed the Dark Side of Mine. Nice night, my friend






The Dark Side Of Mine


I’m very optimistic in my thoughts

confidently thinking
I’m always right
everyone else
is wrong

I
often point
my finger at others
even for my own mistakes

believing what I know is the truth
it is mistaken for anyone
not to agree with
my belief

you must be kidding criticizing me

it’s
you
and the world
that must be changed
not me

Thao Chuong
2015-02-05

"crime, horrible things.

there are people that can do worse things than what we can think of, because it would hurt us to even think of it.
And that is also why they can do them." Posted by Georg Hoffmann 16 Hours Ago










Of Man and Cat

when
weeding
and turning soil over
for new seedlings
she often finds stinky treasure
unexpectedly buried
under her vegetable bed

she had seen dead birds many times on her backyard before
but
this morning
she is really upset
when witnessing by her own eyes
her neighbor’s cat playing
with his live catch
on her patio

the poor songbird’s badly injured
having a broken wing
dragging itself on green lawn
trying to escape
but unable
to take
off

the predator’s playing his sadistic catch-and-release game
to enjoy his victim’s
desperate struggle
to its slow
death

even
though
she loves cats
she hates their evil nature
of killing for fun not for food
she forgets some human beings are the same
in their fun games
of sport hunting
and fishing


Thao Chuong
2015-02-06

"The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference". Posted by Tony Murray - two Days Ago









The Simple Way Of Life and Love
(To Vincent and Victor – my grandsons)


I have so much to learn
from your
simple
Way

of
living
at ease
and love without hate

you’re pure
you’re pristine
you’re innocent
like a piece of blank paper

you have a lot
to show
off

your bright eyes and sweet smile light up my day
you bring me back to the world of wonders in my childhood

you’ve taught me how to keep a sound mind
you make me laugh naturally
from my heart
again

I feel so lucky having you hoping around
tis’ the most joyful and
peaceful time
of my life


Thao Chuong
2015-02-06

“I'm drinking...tea, my forth cup of the day and wondering what kind of treat I can feed my cats sitting by the fire. Life is very good.” posted by Lisa Kaiser one Day Ago


@ Good morning Lisa: I was about to write poem related to your drinking tea by the fire, but I changed my mind after viewing your awesome work Poetry a couple of times. The abstract painting offers movements of harmony with unique colours and nice brushworks. Through this painting, I could even connected myself to your emotions at the time you painted it. It’s an inspiring abstract for a song lyric.



Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a restful weekend to you all






Poetry (Song Lyric)

what
inside
my mind and heart
I let it drift
I let it flow
I let it pour out
I let it run wild
I let go

of
myself

poetry is dead
ready to be buried
let me be free
free…free…free…

thought in my mind
emotion in my heart
I let it drip
I let it drop
I let it trickle
I let it dribble
I let go

of
everything

poetry is dead
ready to be buried
let everything be free
free…free…free…

cyclone in my mind
typhoon in my heart
I let it twirl
I let it whirl
I let it blow
I let it breeze
I let go

of
the world

poetry is dead
ready to be buried
let the world free
free…free…free…

rhymed
or unrhymed
words or without words
I puke
I vomit
I throw up
‘til
I drown myself
in a shallow puddle
of dead
poetry

poetry is dead
ready to be buried
let everyone be free
free…free…free…

Thao Chuong
2015-02-07

The Worst Foe

it’s my own
fear
anger
anxiety
distress
frustration
that pull me down

it’s my own
delight
happiness
excitement
that take me off guard

it’s I
who let my mood
control over
my life


I am such a fool
who often forgets
my worst foe is not anyone else
but me
myself

Thao Chuong
2015-02-08

Cold Market Day by Steven Bateson Native American Photography

The day is almost over and its toiling is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
John Hall

Welcome and thank Steven Bateson for posting your artwork and the poem. Have a good night.


Hi Jim Taylor


What's a great painting! Here is my poem coming from your painting Time To Go In. Have a good night Jim.







A Quiet Night In Town


silent
around
midnight
the noisy town was in deep sleep
she could hear clearly tedious rhythms
“tick tack tick tock” at each second
from the pendulum
swinging back
and forth

the cuckoo clock on the wall
kept pounding inside her head
with its torturing strikes
at every quarter

she tried to focus her mind
on the tune of his acoustic guitar
from the rooftop patio
of her penthouse

she could hear the sound of his fingers running, pressing and twisting the strings
and moaning response
from his Yamaha
playing
solo

he was singing songs of lost loves
broken hearts
and despair

she gradually fell asleep
by the lullabies
of his sweet
voice

Thao Chuong
2015-02-09

Thanks Viet as always!

Thought for the day?

"Can we all just get along"
Rodney King

I always choose the sword , never flounder.

Thank Jim Taylor and Billy East for sharing your thoughts. Have a god night.


Billy: You've made me think hard to find a place where you could use your sword to get along well with others (lol)



A Place Where We All Can Get Along

quiet
neat and clean
the best place in town
rows and rows of shelters
on both side of the main road
with well-manicured lawn
and colourful
flowers


the safest neighbourhood
without criminals
no break-ins
no police
on patrol
at night

it's
the most
peaceful community
no one wants to complain against others
no one cares to swear at hungry crows
nosily fighting in early morning
on weekends

the only place
where we – humans - can get along well
and we all rest in peace
for good

Thao Chuong
2015-02-10

On the road I met Louise
fun to be with, hard to please
she wanted rings, a house, home and children
she made a long list, I found bewildering
she wanted to see Paris and paint
she had our lives all planned out, and just couldn't wait
then there was acting, the stage and silver screen
that’s the thing about Louise; she sure can dream
she married another man who went along with all she planned
and ended up a housewife with three kids and a minivan
20 years goes by and she gives me a call
just to let me know she is divorced and the world is small
I pictured you in Paris on the Champs-Elysees ,with brushes and canvas painting away
She said she traded in her dreams for security
gave up on all those wild notions, including me
so what have you done she asked with your life and all?
nothing much, I answered, I've just been sitting here waiting for your call.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lets do lunch

a fondness for finding things
nails, coins, bottle caps or diamond rings
brings out the combers
mostly loners
waving the wand of their metal detection devices
in the hope they discover an object that entices
I was such a one
seeking lost treasures for profit and fun
beneath the trunk of a scraggy pine
I dug up a most unusual find
a woman’s purse
frightening at first
for this is just a hobby
I didn't want to find a body
digging deeper
I found no sleeper
no cache of human bone
so, I took my find and headed home
The purse contained a quarter, dime nickle and penny
forty one cents , not a lot of money
but this was a most curious find
as the date on these coins boggles my mind
I found the coins in the year 2014 AD
the date on each coin is 2035- a mystery to me
of all the possibilities I've tried to unravel
what these coins suggest to me is time travel
If a lady from the future is reading this , which is just a hunch.
I want her know I have her money and I’d love to take her lunch

Billy East 2015

Just return from three glorious weeks on my favorite dessert island in the Caribbean and my mind is still swimming...

A neighbor called out, “Welcome home”… i waved back and said, "i never leave home”…

Thao Chuong’s; "The Worst Foe”, gave me thought...


Teardrop Prisms

when i cry of dreams lost
all seems so shattered
in the prism of teardrops
but when i feel the wind
upon my skin
and the breath within
i stay outside the circles
i have drawn
and cope with the beginnings
to survive the ends

Ed Meredith
11 / 02 / 2015

Hey Viet this is exactly the place I have been looking for. They dont have those noisy leaf blowers do they though??!!

Good evening

@ Billy East: Thanks for sharing your poems. I enjoyed treading them.

@ Ed Meredith: Welcome home, my friend. Good to see you back. Thanks for the echo.

@ Jim Taylor: Haa..haa.. It seems that you are tired of leaf blowers. I may have a humorless poem about them later (lol)

Have a restful evening to all.

A Brew Please


the Irish pub
in downtown
on late Friday afternoon
was noisy and crowded
like a war zone
in Afghanistan

no
one
could
hear anything
but the ear-deafening music
so
loud
that people had to yell at other's ears
in conversations


he
preferred
not to stand
in the long line
at the service counter
so he sat in a corner and waited for waiters

he almost lost his patience
when
a waitress
was walking by
with a tray full of glasses
but didn`t
look at
him


he raised his hand and shouted
-hey! a brew please!
-pardon me! I can't hear ya
he stood up and yelled louder
-a brew for me
-sorry sir. i'll be back in a minute

very
disappointed
he dropped his butts on the chair
thinking of the easy "u-brew"
on the quiet deck
with his dog
at home


Thao Chuong
2015-02-11

YAY!!!!!!!

Viet, good take on the image. I can relate to that. I don't really frequent these places much these days but sure do enjoy a few with friends when it happens.
A Toast to you and all on this thread, and FAA people for that matter.

Yay!

Nice day to Nicole Whittaker and Jim Taylor






A Brew Please and Cheer to the Cloudy Day


nothing for you
a highball for her
a shot of tequila for him
a beer for me
bottom up
cheer

to everybody's health
to someone's hell
for a better
day

oh no!
I know you don't like alcohol
but please mind your own business
just forget and
leave us
alone
the party couldn't be canceled as you've asked

no
need
to talk further about it

I've
known
quite well
drinking alcohol is stupid
self-destructive
it's a disease
highly
contaminated

so
stay away
as far as you could
or you would catch the headache
from my hangover


Thao Chuong
2015-02-12

THE THOUGHT

i had a thought today
it something i wanted to say
and while i was writing
of something so exciting
THE THOUGHT!!!
it just slipped away


Ed Meredith
Today

Haa...Ed, I know where and what it is about Have a restful day, my friend.

An echo to THE THOUGHT




The Thought You've Lost

the thought
you've
lost
you cannot find at any lost-n-found unit

but
don't be too panic

I've
just found it
fully exposed
and revealed to the public
on a beach
in Florida

you can have it back now
it's too late
you could no longer keep it secrete

it`s
about
the exotic girl
you`ve met at your favorite dessert island in the Caribbean
and so on...

Thao Chuong
2015-02-12

Good day to you Viet. My thoughts today are of our days living in Arizona and thinking of jumping in the car and driving out there for a few weeks. Tired of the snow and cold.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com

Description:
"Desert Spring" is a plein air painting by Bill Tomsa, depicting a beautiful Southwestern spring day when the Sonoran Desert bursts forth with bright greens, yellows, reds purples and many other colors not usually associated with the desert. This particular scene is in Phoenix, Arizona just south of South Mountain in an area known as Ahwatukee Foothills Village. By Bill Tomsa



Good day Bill. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee after shoveling the snow. Have a restful evening,



Perception About the Weather


white
powder
from the nature
looks magically beautiful

only
on TV
for those
who live in tropical weather

but
NOT
for the guy
who has been buried in deep piles of snow
and sweating to his last breath
trying clear the driveway

having sex by the fire sounds very romantic
only
for younger folks

but for older guys
like him
sex
NO longer works
especially
during his
sound

s..
...l
.....e
..........e
.............p

tired
of shoveling snow
early in the morning
and lighting the fireplace
without exotic sex
late at
night

he's
dreaming of leaving the snow-buried city New York
for his former home
in Arizona

stop dreaming
and make your day better
so keep shoveling snow and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or coffee
and if possible
try a little bit
of hot
sex

why not?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-12

The Lost Love In Midnight Rain

she
wakes up
at midnight

all’s quiet

no
symphony
of nocturnal insects

only
melancholy melody
from whispering wind is weaving
with sharp sound of water needles against tempered glass

as if
tedious
rhythms
of lonesomeness
keep striking non stop

inside herself grows the craving for romance
warm touches
sweet kisses
love and
sex
in a seclude place

disappointedly,
she looks at him in bed
drooling like a baby
and snoring as a locomotive
in his sleep

she couldn’t believe
how much change in the man
whom she
used to
adore

she
sighs
and tries
to hold back her tears from rolling off
as the blue rain keeps falling down outside

she
weeps
in deep silence

Thao Chuong
2015-02-13

Early Morning Walk On Goose Trail

we
walk
side by side
not holding hands
without much romance
but we’re attached to each other
more than any lovers


it’s
around
9 degree Celsius
it’s too warm for an early morning on a winter day
the sun’s still sleeping somewhere inside the gloomy sky

at
six
o’clock
on Saturday

quiet on the Goose Trail
no one else
walking or
jogging

only my dog and I
leisurely stroll
slowly

Thao Chuong
2015-02-14

Description: My Heart's On Fire - Vivian Anderson fine art digital art , celebrating valentines, love, fire, passion. Art created from an original painting into fine art digital art.



On Valentine Day

she
didn’t know
who had sent bouquets of flowers
to her every weekday
for a couple of
months

until on a Friday afternoon
he showed up at her office after work
and invited her
to a dinner

it
was
how their love started
unlike Romeo and Juliette
their story had been going smoothly
with a happy ending
of a honeymoon

unfortunate
romance is like a flower
beautiful when blooming
but soon will fall off
in pollination
for a fruit
to come
out

love is cooling down
gradually
bit by
bit
in a marriage

it
is only
warmed up once a year
on Valentine Day
with the same old ritual
a bouquet of long stemmed red roses
dinner in a restaurant
and sex in
a hotel
room

she
wonders
whether love still remains
its genuine romance
in a marriage

Thao Chuong
2015-02-15

Today I have reworked this video-poem...

Thanks for posting the video, Xoanxo.

Your nice poem goes well with the music and your dreamy voice. I enjoy your poetry as well as the artistic way that you visually present them in videos. Have a great day, my friend.

Dreamin’ (song lyrics)

I’m dreamin’
of
chasing
you by the waves
on a sandy beach
when the sun is glazing at noon

I’m dreamin’
of
walking
with you
on a rural trail
under silver moonlight at night

I’m dreamin’
of
watching
your long hair
flying in cool air
when the wind blows

I’m dreamin’
of
sharing
with you
an umbrella
when heavy rain is pouring down

I’m dreamin’
of
holding
you tight in my arms
on a cold day
when it snows

I’m dreamin’
of
kissing you
on a park bench
under maple trees
when leaves flurry in autumn

I’m dreamin’
of
falling down
on my knees like a slave
worshiping his deity
during his lifetime

I’m dreamin’
of
dreams
huh…uh…uh…huh…

Thao Chuong
2015-02-15

my thought of the day...listen to this music..experience a prodigy ...and feel good...

http://www.pachamama.org/blog/video-aloha-ke-akua-medicine-for-the-people

Welcome Joseph J Stevens and thank you for sharing your thought of music and your post about the song; Enjoy a good night.







Mystical Music of Nature


coming
from the sea

the wind
blows on a sandy beach
fully covered
by snow

it
hurls
white powder
all over the skin-biting cold air

the
beach
always noisily crowded in summer
now completely
empty
as
no-man-land

he's listening to the whistling song
of nature
that
no
man
could ever sing the same mystical tune

Thao chuong
2015-02-16

Poetry

would it be possible for me
to throw those
nonsense verses
into a trash
can
?

words are
nothing
but
tiny cells
to imprison myself

let the waves of fury carry my anger away
to the vast seas
inside of
me

let the wind blow my sorrow
to infinite horizons
of my immense
mind

let the bon fires burn
my terror to ashes
in the jungles
of mine


let the sun light my passion
deep inside
the boundless
soul
without
ancestral sins

let moonlight shine my pathway
leading to fragrance
of sweet love
buried
deep
inside my heart

let my life keep going
on the smooth flow
of its own
rhythms

and let silence free myself
from being tangled
in the web of
my boloney
poetry

Thao Chuong
2016-02-15

Art Makes Life Beautiful.

Earthquakes! I just heard there was a 6.8 earthquake in Japan. On Valentine's Day we were in the epicenter of a 3.5 earthquake here on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. It's the first time I ever heard an earthquake (a big bang and grating sounds) as well as feeling the shaking. It was scary! So I was wondering, if I had time to grab a few things, what would I grab?

Thank you for using my work for your beautiful poetry...I love reading all of it.

Good evening and welcome Beauty For God, Peggy Collins, and Lisa Kaiser

@Beauty: I echoed one of your interesting work

@ Peggy: your comment made me think about the BIG ONE that could happen anytime to Vancouver Island. We've been preparing for it. But no one knows how well we could deal with it, until it comes

@ Lisa: Thanks for the feedback.

Have a restful night to all of you






Description: No matter how fractured our outer lives appear, our hearts will remain whole. It can feel broken, it can feel trampled and bleeding, but our hearts remain protected and we will survive and our hearts will go on. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6




Shattered Heart

he was acting
like
a naughty child
who deliberately threw
a pebble against a glass window
then ran away
as quick as
possible

she
could hear
clearly a sharp blow
at her fragile heart
then
followed
by shattering sound

still
in love
with him
she kneeled on a bench of a church pew
and prayed for
his quick return
to heal her
wound

would God help her turn
that rotten Satan
into an angel
to salvage
her lost
love?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-16

My thought of the day...thanks for asking.. MY thought is "Look Before You Leap" You never know who's life you are affecting with your words in type or otherwise.. Jean

Viet, I didn't realize that you live in Victoria. It's in the highest risk area for earthquakes. I just read that we have a 1 in 10 chance of the big one happening within the next 50 years here in B.C.

Bonjour Jean Gabriel Poivre. Thank you very much for sharing your thought. I`ll get back to you late this evening when I have time for further thought about it.

Good morning Peggy Collins. Thank you for the dialogue. We have often experienced minor tremors nearly every year. Once in a while we get some strong enough to knock pictures off walls, or create cracks in chimneys. Yet we`ve been lucky so far that the Big One hasn`t come yet. I look at your art portfolio, you have a lot of stunning works.



Have a restful day to all.






The Big Earthquake

only
God knows
when it would come
on its tough and rough arrival
the Big One could drive whole Vancouver Island
deep down to
the ocean
floor

I wonder
what I could I take with me
as I run to higher grounds for safe shelter
from the coming
tsunami

I'd love to take them all
my art
my cat
my dog
my better-half
and many other things

ah
honey
I am so sure
you're the first one
whom I never leave behind
in my entire life
until I
die


but
who
knows
at that time
I could be too terrified
and the survival instinct of an animal
could mechanically drives me blindly insane
to automatically flee
by myself alone
with both feet
on my
neck

oh
honey
now I know
what to do
when it comes
I must hold you tight
and let the tsunami take you and me
to the bottom
of rough
sea

so we would be happy
to be together
forever

Thao Chuong
2015-02-17

WARNING!

WARNING!

Nudity for only adults with open mind. Viewer`s discretion is advised









Fruits Of Passion

a hot day
on the beach
many hot girls walked by the waves
in two pieces
of a sexy
bikini

tiny
enough
to display
almost everything
of those mysterious lures
supposing to be
hidden

he watched them cat-walking nearly naked
his mind was fried by a fancy dream
of having a good time
in bed to
death

he was ready for being burnt
into ashes by
the hot
fire
from one of those volcanoes

but his worst fear of a terribly cramping headache
from the aftermath hangover
did turn his
mind
off

he closed his eyes
and tried
to take
a nap

Thao Chuong
2015-02-17

Thank you, Viet. Let's hope we never have to decide what we can take and what we have to leave behind.

Three Senryu Echos of Viet's;

WARNING!
WARNING!
Nudity for only adults with open mind. Viewer`s discretion is advised



blind are staring men
over-looking innocence
enigmatic nude


the lubricious eye
misses erotic beauty
in nude line and form


not exploitive sex
a psychological quest
eroticism

Ed Meredith

Thank you Peggy. Spring is coming to Sunshine Coast. Have a restful time.

@ Ed Meredith

Here is the echo to your echo. Sleep tight without any nightmare about her (lol)






Dancing With the Beast


she
always
complains
against men
for seeing female beauty
as a sex
toy

but
she often
reveals those most erotic parts of her sexy body
to attract hungry eyes of men
arouses their sexual desire
allures them
to her dirty
game

and
makes
herself ready
for further exploration

who
must be
blamed for
the murky perception of
her own
self


Thao Chuong
2015-02-18

Nantucket

There is a good deal of misery in poetry
all those references to death
ashes to ashes
Orpheus crashes
and least we forget mythology
anthropomorphism in simile
unrequited love is another big one
a plethora of gloom, not a lot of fun
Yes, there are joys, bliss and supernal elation
and a lighter side, like a smooth jazz radio station
Beneath it all , below the dead and the quick
grins, the lewd and lowly limerick:
If Romeo and Juliet went to Nantucket
they both would have lived, but -------------
===================================


It sure is cold outside

I can’t recall a cold this brutal, or relentless
my memories are frozen so comparisons are pointless
When the fire burns out I’ll stare at the ashes
content the wood gave all it could ,in sparkling collapses
I placed the last log , it’s warmth reached deep within
and just when I thought I could beat this cold, the roof caved in

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Billy East 2015

Thank you for sharing your poems, Billy.

Tonight is the New Year Eve.

TO YOU ALL:

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

ENJOY THE YEAR OF GOAT FULL OF GOOD HEALTH, INNER PEACE, JOY, AND HAPPINESS.

Thank you for reading or sharing your thought of the day on this thread. Cheer

Regards


Viet Tran
www.papercollage.ca

Description

Photograph of two sandhill cranes flying past misty mountains at dawn with a full moon in the pink and purple sky. The forest trees covering the mountains can be seen in the distance through the fog at sunrise. This is a composite of two photographs...the photo of the moon about to set at dawn was taken on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada, and the image of sandhill cranes in flight was taken in Ladner, British Columbia.




Full Moon At Dawn

early
morning
mist’s rising up
over distant mountains

two sandhill cranes relaxingly fly
side by side
toward
open
wetlands
for romantic time
during the mating season


the night is over

but
still
hangs
around
the full moon
in the roseate sky

the sleeping sun is about to wake up
and takes over for
a brand new
day

Thao chuong
2015-02-18

Happy New Year to you and yours, dear Viet....

The Luna New Year's Cheers

to
you, Viva
to your health
and most importantly
to the fact
that
we're
still kicking alive
at this very instant
moment

Viet Tran

Thank you, Viet ... much appreciate your warm wishes.........VIVA

My dear friend Viet and all my other FAA friends;
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới…

and Tiền vô như nước… LOL



4636

born in the year of the tiger
as the dragons and loins danced
among plum blossoms, kumquats
sunflowers
eggplant and
bamboo
bringing good fortune
with health
prosperity and luck
on my very first day
of the new year
evil was banished
and all were welcomed
in happiness and good cheer
on that very first day
of my new year

Ed Meredith
First day of the Year of the Goat

Good morning Viva and Ed.

Thank you ,my friend Ed. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới… and Tiền vô như nước… until to you dial 911 to rescue you out of your flooded house LOL





I Look For Any Hint of Spring
(on the First Day of Lunar New Year)


I
open
my bedroom window
and pop my head outside
to look for something joyful to cheer
on the first day of the Lunar New Year


a
flow
of cold air
strikes at my face
and quickly pours into the room

green lawn
in my backyard
camouflages itself
under a thin film
of white


patches
of fog’s slowly
rising in the wildlife habitat of the back field
blurring the nice view of distant hills

I
hear
high-pitched sounds
of two sparrows chirping
chasing each other
on fruit trees

I’m happy to see some pinkish buds
shooting out from branches
on the leafless plum trees
a clear hint
that
spring
is coming pretty soon
just around
the corner

Thao Chuong
2015-02-19

Sundry Thought
(on the First Day of Lunar New Year)


I
wish
I could have
sunshine on rainy days
blue sky over gloomy clouds
summer heat during freezing winter
spring blossom for falling leaves in autumn

I
hope
I would see sweet smiles
blooming
on your
lovely
face


I
dream of
your aromatic love taking over
my lonesome
heart


if
somehow
I could keep them all
my wish
my hope
my dream
completely alive with me

I would be able to enjoy
every happy moment
during my
entire
life

no
need
for me
to await 'til the day
any of these come true

Thao Chuong
2015-01-19

The Geisha


like
a butterfly’s
flapping its wings
into the bright
sunny
sky

her
colorful
kimono is swinging in the air
with her dancing
rhythms

the music steadily rests to its last note
as she’s slowly dropping
her robe on
the floor

the noisy
room becomes
completely silent
the air is frozen for a moment
as if those drinking men were deadly intoxicated
by the natural beauty
of her flawless
body

not
by hot
saké

Thao Chuong
2015-02-20

Viet, thanks for posting my Geisha with your sybaritic and humorously telling poem…

My Echoing Geisha:


The Geisha

she is the artist
and the art
a lotus blossom
in a floating world
singing and dancing
service
in conversation
and wit
she entertains desires
and the fantasy
of elegant slavery
while ever maintaining self-possesion
and never asking for more
behind the mask
of shadow and secret
the woman

Ed Meredith
2015-02-21

I am nothing ...yet everything . I am free ...yet enslaved . dis-ease...it is i mind issue... manifested into the body .

Good morning


@ Ed Meredith: I love it my friend,

@ Tom Druin: Welcome Tom. Thank very much you for dropping by and sharing your thought today. I enjoyed your Zen-like approach in which you raised the complex issue of yin-yang only in a couple of words. But I could feel the strong impact when I reads it.


Have a restful weekend.








Reflection
(Senryu)


it’s the eyes - the mind
or trees drowned in calm water
which one authentic?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-21

Description overlay...Infuse. Tom druin leland,illinois. photographer...These pictures of time:they fade in the light of there meaning sublime. "ralph waldo emerson "1803-1882 u.s. essayist,poet,philospher."the spinx "poems 1847



Conquering Delusion
(Senryu)

nothing could be held
inside a human’s bare hands
even his own fate

Thao Chuong
2015-02-21

Viet, how beautiful that you can write Poetry! For I still trying to remember how to spell.

Thank you for sharing your poem Viet, To-Tam

Thank you Chi To Tam for your kind words.

FYI: English isn’t my mother tongue. I often don’t know how to spell. Most of the time, I rely on Spell Checker in my computer for my writing. Without that chief editor of mine, I would write no poetry at all (lol). Have a good evening.





Description
Precious Sardonyx Zen Stones on Sand was photograph by To-Tam Gerwe with oil painting background.



Zen

found inside a tone
not in a Zen master’s mind
absolute stillness


Thao Chuong
2015-02-22

Description: After a trip back to Vietnam in 1990, I spent sleepless nights haunted by nightmares and flashbacks of what life would have been had I remained there after the American troops withdrew in 1975. The deep heartache and fear have compelled me to paint and have my sister To-Lan copy my painting for this hand embroidery as a memorial picture. This tragic war which took so many lives. I feel a debt to all the people who had sacrify their life so I can have a better life. The Vietnam War forever changed many lives. The Vietnam
veteran's wall holds over 58,000 names of the American heroes. Vietnam is the site of thousands of marked and unmarked graves. Every one of those patriots had a family and friends who still feel the loss. The US has the wall with all the names but in the Vietnamese cemeteries 75% of the graves have no names. Many are mass Graves.


@ Chi To Tam & Chi To Lan: Thank you Chi both for your painting and embroidery. Your work reminds me of my brothers who lost their lives for both sides in the nonsense war between North Vietnam (supported by Soviet Unions and Red China) and South Vietnam (supported by USA).

I wrote the following poem in 2008 about an American friend of mine who fought side by side with South Vietnamese troops against the quick expansion of the International Communism in the sixties and seventies.



An Unsung Hero
[In Memory of 58,159 U.S. soldiers who devoted their lives for freedom
against the Communist Block (Soviet Union; China, and North Vietnam) during Vietnam War.]

You were from the United States - other side of Pacific Ocean
the country of freedom
of modern cities and skyscrapers
of Statue de la Liberté holding the torch of flame.

You left behind your loved ones
the pregnant wife
‘n one year old child just learning how to talk
you gave up your peaceful life
full of convenience and comfort
came here to fight the bloody war against
those heartless evils
the cold-blooded North Vietnamese communists
and their masters in Beijing ‘n Moscow
full of feudal ideology
to paint the whole world
Red.

You held the symbol of freedom
stripes and stars on your flag
against the red hammer and sickle
icon of totalitarianism ‘n dictatorship.
You were under attacks
by tropical heat, mosquitoes, bugs, flies
‘n camouflaged guerrillas with hit-and-run tactic
communist terrorists cowardly trapped with TNT explosives
detonated themselves as live bombs
for suicide attacks at crowded markets, theatres, coffee shops,
nightclubs, trains, buses, ‘n school yards
killed their own people: children, civilians, and innocent victims
just to take your live away.

My American friend - the unsung hero
you were no longer here but still rested peacefully in my heart
I lost my country
became driftwood
in exile.

We lost the battle but won the war
Our fight had never been wasted
it led to the collapse of Soviet Union
and shattered forever
the fanatical desire of the communists' pipe dream
O Red globalization.

Now you could rest in peace
and smile
at last.

Thao Chuong

Medium:Tapestry - Textile - Hand Embroidery

Description: Bird of Paradise is a hand embroidery by my sister To-Lan is a copy of my painting.
Part of this proceed will be donate to Autism charities in VN and US. Thank you so much for looking.




Sundry Thought of Birds’ Paradise

unlimited sky is
the only
limit
for birds roaming in the wild

freedom of flying becomes a lost instinct
when wings clipped
or imprisoned
in a little
cage

what could a freeman enjoy
when voluntarily confines himself
on God’s Heaven
eternally?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-23

Just incredible work, Tapestry - Textile - Hand Embroidery To-Tam Gerwe! From concept through what must be quite labor intense. I can feel your joy creating the pieces.
With another great poem by Viet Tran!

Terrified of going to work tomorrow for reasons I cannot disclose due to privacy issues. Atleast my fear inspired some creativity within me:

@ Jim Taylor: Thank you very much for your kind feedback about To Tam's hand embroidery. I think that the creative process could be very time consuming and it would also require patience and detailed oriented skills.

@ Maria Masella: It is quite interesting to know that you turn your fear into art. Here is my poem - an echo to your painting with a simple solution of how to deal with your terror of going to work tomorrow (lol).



The Nurse's Guardian Angel


floated on a tiny piece of debris
and drifted on a rough sea

his
hope for
a rescue craft
has kept him going
for many
days


unlike that sailor
her
ship
isn’t sinking
she is still safe and sound
drinking and smoking on its deck

yet
her mind’s fully occupied by terrors from some reasons
that have yet been materialized

furthermore
who could know for sure
what
would
come tomorrow

she
needs
no guardian angel for her terror
but only some straight shots at a local pub
then back home
for a good
sleep

for sure
no fear left
as she’d be calling in sick tomorrow
for her drilling headache
from the hangover


Thao Chuong
2015-02-24

Oh,Viet....the riches displayed here! So wonderful fine art, given us at great pains, and your supportive poems, to enrich us all, and the lovely response of your readers in support! All very amazing! Congratulations and thanks to all contributors.

Good Day Viva

Thank you very your sweet thought of this thread.

Here is an echo to the luring title of your work (lol).

Restful time to you all.






Oh My Darling


you would never know
how much love
I have reserved
just for
you

buried
inside my heart
something impossible to define

it’s
as aromatic as
fragrant
smell
of tea roses in hot air on a summer day
or of jasmine blooms in cool breeze at night

oh my darling
you’re
softer than sponge
harder than a piece of rock
sweeter than honey slowly absorbed into the tip my tongue
and bitter as a sugar-coated pill stuck in my throat


I
touch
fine skin
on your smiling face
closed both eyes of mine
and take
a free
fall

deep
…..
…
…
..
..
.
down
into your mystical
world of
love


Thao Chuong
2015-02-24

Viet, I loved the poem. It really made me laugh. Thank you so much for the smile!

Viet, thank you for your beautiful verse in response to my Roses.....I reply with this quote, learned very early in my life, and treasured as a truism...
"there is a certain ecstacy in wanting what you cannot have".........

Edit...from the play "Old Acquaintance", and subsequent film for Bette Davis.

@ Maria Masella: You sound very relaxed. I would guess that either you did call in sick or your (yesterday's) terror didn't come true at work. Whatever happened it was over. So you could start another type of fear for tomorrow (lol). BTW: tomorrow is always a magic word to me

@ Viva Anderson: I think that the code you posted itself is quite ecstasy. It could be more frenzy through the wild process of my own interpretation.

Have a restful time to everyone

Source: http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=2358536


The following poem is an echo of mine to Patrick Anthony Pierson’s work Bonafish Final - 3D version of street painting


The Creator


like
a young guy
makes love with his newly wed
trying to create
his first
child

the artist turned to the left
he twisted to the right
he leaned back and forth
he propped up and down
in his best
effort
to
find most enjoyable position
for each of his dedicated move

he could feel sharp pain on
his neck
his back
his hands
his knees
and his entire body
as if he have just had sex for endless rounds

he had no problem
since he could show his wife
some paint
on
his hair
his shirt
his pants
even on his butts

he enjoyed the process of creating an illusion of reality
through his three-dimension art
on hard asphalt
of a city
street

unlike God
Who created only once
but keeps holding his work
by requiring humans
to worship Him
for good

the contemporary creator had no worry
to let his kids go free
unconditionally
so soon as
they could

since
he always feels
as if his art would stay
inside his heart
forever


Thao Chuong
2015-02-24

Two Entwined Lives

they used to sit side by side
on their sun deck
hand in hand
in silence
on sunny
days

what was going on?

no
sign
them
neither could be seen around
only two empty
chairs
left

are
they alive
or already dead?
still in love with each other in a burning hell
or divorced and living happily
in separation on
the same
heaven?

Thao Chuong
2015-02-25

A Gift

A Guardian Angel arrives,
so many gifts to bear.
Mortals do not see
the burden
upon her shoulders,
only the golden light
in her hallowed hands.

The Two of Us

His chair
is empty
without Her

A Lesson to Remember

Grandmothers know
the sacrifice
of War

Welcome Karen. thanks for sharing your poetry


My echo to your short verse



Two Chairs of the Single

without her
his life is quite simple
he could relax his back on one chair
and has other chair
for his empty
beer
cans

Thao Chuong
2015-02-25

This is such a beautiful thread.

Thank you Maria. I appreciate your nice words. Have a good night.

You have one of the most interesting artist's bios that I have read so far on faa site



About Maria Masella:


Maria Masella is a burn nurse by night, and an artist on her nights off. She uses art as an escape from the stresses of being a burn nurse. Her art is generally fueled by alcohol and music. Thus being dubbed 'Drunk Art'. Mrs. Masella's choice medium is acrylic paint. She has no formal experience in the art world, and just wishes for anyone and everyone to get lost in her drunk art. Cheers!

Thank you Karen.
Thank you Thao.
It is beyond what I ever could have imagined for my life to be like this, here, with two poets actually speaking about my artwork..........and both so perspicacious..and such beautiful words/thoughts/verse.
I am in poet's heaven, on earth.

Yes, Maria, this is a beautiful thread...............you are a beautiful girl........life is wonderful.

Thank you Viva

There's no poet's heaven - only poet's hell on earth (lol). Have a great day in Sidney -the real paradise on earth.

Ah, you've had a great sense of humour, Viva. The German Language made your "light marriage" sound as horrible as “die hell” (LOL)




Ehe ist die Hell
(Marriage Is The Light)


honey
with you
by my
side

I would have everything
a man needed
for his exotic
paradise

yet
my
single
trouble
could be doubled
also I might be burned in a hell
without having
a life of my
own

oh my…
oh my dear!

without you
by my
side

I could be totally relaxed
but my life without
your love is
not a life
at all

what the heck
would I be
here
for?

I
had
no choice
but to trade my freedom of a single
for you to be
by my side
forever

together
no
matter
in a heaven
or in a hell
of yours

Thao Chuong
2015-02-25

Viet Tran
You do not have my permission to use my art work- "A BEACON WILL SEND YOU HOME". Please remove the art work..

Good day Bill

Please accept my apology, Bill. I will send an email and ask the moderator to remove it. Because I am unable to do it after 24 hours since the time I posted it. Now it is our of my hand, only the moderator has the power to do it. So it is up to the moderator to decide if she/he as time to do it. Sorry again. Have a restful day.

Regards

Viet Tran

To Billy East. FYI: The following request has just been sent to the FAA moderator.


Dear Lady Isabella


I would like to officially request for your intervention as a moderator to remove Billy East's artwork titled "A Beacon Will Send You Home" that was posted 4 days ago on my following thread - as he has asked me to do so. I need your help, because only you - as a moderator have the authority to do it.

http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=2292414&targetid=2371491#2371491

Many thanks for your time.

Regards

Viet Tran

..

Dear Viet........just so you know, I herein quote words addressed to you,here, by Bill Tomsa, that I add here to be my thoughtsalso, thanks also.....for your generosity and insight and support........

"

""That poem is, without a doubt, the most insightful interpretation of one of my paintings that I have ever seen. Thank you my friend.

Bill Tomsa
billtomsa.blogspot.com/""


...

I cannot edit after 24 hours either without asking Sean to intervene and I am not going to do that when he is this busy

I removed the whole post therefore and am pasting the poem here so it is not lost.



Home Sweet Home

they were sent into deep space
to explore other solar systems
in search for planets
abundance of
water and
air

preparing
for
a long term
re-settlement for their race
when their land becomes over-populated
or no longer inhabitable

after
the lengthy journey
through endless galaxies
their mission was finally accomplished
they were heading
to planet
earth


when their craft approached its orbit and entered the atmosphere
at the smooth landing
they were so excited
and happily cheered
“finally
home sweet home”

yet they came back too late
the earth was totally destructed by pollution and nuclear wars
and became the waste land of death

no
living
beings left
everything was in rubbles

their hearts sunk
some cried aloud
others silently sobbed
and totally collapsed
on their
own
feet


Thao Chuong
2015-02-22

The image is on Google search as well. Ms. Shores. I don't care how busy - I want the image removed from Google as well. .
.

Thank you very much Lady Isabella., You help is much appreciated. Have a restful day

@ Billy East: The issue has been solved. Your related image has already been removed with the whole original post as Lady Isabella has clearly confirmed in her post above. Please let me know if you still have any further concern. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you again for raising your original; concern. Have a peaceful day.

I appreciate you feedback Vivia. Have a nice day.

Viet Tran. The issue is not solved as the artwork appears on Google search.
I want it removed.

Billy. I really don't know how to do it. I really hope if Lady Isabella could offer her help with this.

I did Google search, and have found this interesting video



http://youtu.be/8qqCwbqEc-o


Adds on: Just for the straight record


The above video is a substitute for Billy East's original image of the same title A BEACON WILL SEND YOU HOME. Billy East's related image in the original that was removed by Lady Isabelle at Billy East's request due to his concern that his image was shown by Google Search engine.


Home Sweet Home

they were sent into deep space
to explore other solar systems
in search for planets
abundance of
water and
air

preparing
for
a long term
re-settlement for their race
when their land becomes over-populated
or no longer inhabitable

after
the lengthy journey
through endless galaxies
their mission was finally accomplished
they were heading
to planet
earth


when their craft approached its orbit and entered the atmosphere
at the smooth landing
they were so excited
and happily cheered
“finally
home sweet home”

yet they came back too late
the earth was totally destructed by pollution and nuclear wars
and became the waste land of death

no
living
beings left
everything was in rubbles

their hearts sunk
some cried aloud
others silently sobbed
and totally collapsed
on their
own
feet


Thao Chuong
2015-02-22

Viet, Moderator Shores response;"I cannot edit after 24 hours either without asking Sean to intervene and I am not going to do that when he is this busy " .
Not satisfactory.
Now the image is lost.
I had to remove it.
I went to Google and found my art piece .

Hi Billy. I think that I somewhat I understood your frustration. However, I have done all what I could do in my best effort to have this issue settled in a reasonable manner.

I am really sorry for this incident. I also officially confirm that I am not able to do anything further.