The Many Colors Of Poetry

The Many Colors of Poetry – Selected Poems 2003 - 2008

Copyright by Hsiang Tao Yeh October 2008 Edition (1.2) Published by www.lulu.com

I have self-published the following books at lulu.com: Five Willows Guy (2005) Follow Your Blessings (2005) Fragrant Orchids of Hidden Valley (2005) Bodhi Tree (2005) Bai Hua Ru Shi (with Nian Qing) (2005) Sunset Is Still Calling (2006) Mastering Software Project Management (2006) Let New Voices Sing (2007) Life Stories (2007) These books could be downloaded for free at http://people.lulu.com/users/index.php?fHomepage=101324

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Dedication This book is dedicated with love to my dear siblings Raymond, Lily, Lulu, and Randy, and in loving memory to my parents General Yeh Pei-Kao, and Mrs. Yeh Wang Hu-Zhan.

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Preface I had fun learning to write poems over the last five years. It would be fun to collect some of my poems together as a way to retrace my steps in this adventure. My earliest poems were simply a way to express a viewpoint (Chapter 1). The next step was to express a feeling, sentiment, or longing for an idealized world (Chapter 2). In Chapter 3, I collected some of my attempts to craft some nice coupled phrases (couplets) in Chinese, taking advantage of the language that the sound of each character is consisted of only a single syllable. I tried to write poems in mordern Chinese using couplets, as couplets are now out of fashion in modern Chinese poetry. I also try to explore the writing of parody and humor in Chinese poems, and collected some of those in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, I collected several poems in the format of a conversation or a dramatic scene. In this way, I can explore viewpoints, sentiments from different angles or extreme emotions in dramatic situations. I enjoyed very much my exploration of writing poetry over the last few years, and here, I want to acknowledge the many help I received to make this journey possible. First and foremost, I am very grateful to the generous inheritance from my mother, and to my siblings’ generous support to allow me to take the lion’s share of that inheritance. Without those support I certainly will not be able to pursue this hobby in my retirement as I lost a big part of my retirement saving during the Nasdaq bubble. With my siblings blessings of my mother’s final will, I am 3

able to continue to do the things I like and enjoy my retirement. I remind myself everyday how lucky I am and I am very grateful for this blessing. In addition, this hobby is also helped in the following ways. My interest in poetry was inspired by my mother in my youth. I started to write after retirement as a result of the encouragement by my brother Ray. My focus on writing poetry in modern Chinese was guided by the vision and encouragement by my good friend Dr. Lee Dah-nain. All my siblings have also given me a lot of encouragement and interest in this journey. I am very grateful for all the great support and help I have received along the way. The fact that I am living in the modern high-tech age is also another blessing. Because of this, I can self-publish little books like this one with very little effort or cost.

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Contents 1

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Poems To Express A Viewpoint 1.1 No Big Desire (2003) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 How Lucky To Be Born In This Age (2003) 1.3 Viagra Man* (2004) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 Lion in Winter (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 Spare Me Old Age (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 In Praise of Free Wealth Builders (2005) . . 1.7 “To Civilize” Lust? (2005) . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 Greed is Good? (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 Humans Are the Cancer of Mother Earth (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.10 A God That Allows Evil (2005) . . . . . . . 1.11 Life is Like a Picnic (2005) . . . . . . . . . . 1.12 A Cult With Some Real Magic (2006) . . . 1.13 Beauty As Compass (2006) . . . . . . . . . . 1.14 A Beautiful Lie (2007) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Poems To Express A Sentiment 2.1 Reminiscence (2005) . . . . . . . . . 2.2 Love’s Journey (2005) . . . . . . . . 2.3 Worry About My Beloved (2005) . 2.4 Converse With Spring Wind (2005) 2.5 Recommit (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 Estrangement (2005) . . . . . . . . . 2.7 Hi, Stranger (2005) . . . . . . . . . 2.8 A Few Scraps of Meat (2005) . . . 2.9 Bitter Journey (2005) . . . . . . . . 2.10 Un-fazed (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . .

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2.11 Talk to Myself (2008) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Poems To Craft Nice Couplets 3.1 Life (2007) . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 Lake Spring (2007) . . . . . 3.3 Spring Thought (2007) . . 3.4 Lake Light (2007) . . . . . 3.5 Viagra Man (2007) . . . . . 3.6 Recommit (2007) . . . . . . 3.7 Life Path (2007) . . . . . . 3.8 The If in Love (2007) . . . 3.9 Going Back Home 1 (2007) 3.10 Bleak Shore (2007) . . . . .

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Poems For Humor 4.1 Separation Longing, No More (2003) 4.2 An Ordinary Guy (2004) . . . . . . . 4.3 Tao’s Wife (2008) . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 Modern Seniors (2008) . . . . . . . . 4.5 Not Good Enough (2008) . . . . . . . 4.6 Hair Cut (2008) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.7 Dental Problems (2008) . . . . . . . . 4.8 Apply Makeup (2008) . . . . . . . . . 4.9 Inflation (2008) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.10 Shopping for Car (2008) . . . . . . .

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Poems In Drama 5.1 A Quarrel in the Family (2005) . . . . . . . 5.2 Is It Time Yet? (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3 A Young Husband Goes To War (2005) . . 5.4 Ten Traps (2005) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 Goodbye, My Concubine! (2008) . . . . . . 5.5.1 Scene One - Yu Ji Kills Herself For Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5.2 Scene Two - Chu King Kills Himself at River Wu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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59 59 61 62 65 70 70 71

Chapter 1 Poems To Express A Viewpoint 1.1

No Big Desire (2003)

dddd dddddd dddddd dddddd dddddd dddddd dddddd dddddd dddddd English version - ”No Big Desire” Life is like froth over tide, All gone in the blink of an eye. Riches and status won’t last forever; Red hot passion can’t keep its fever. Next life or soul are all bogus; Who from heaven ever brings back lotus? 7

Just life-long travel, no big desire, Every place I go, pretty scenes suffice.

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1.2

How Lucky To Be Born In This Age (2003)

dddd dddd1 dddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd English version You said, Hsiang Tao, is lucky fine, Other ages, not so swell, as our time. Physics, biology, are big break through. Democracy, human rights, are also great too! National Parks, so free, let me rest. Hunting treasures, no limit, on internet. Kings of ancient time I envy not. All they have, midnight, just candle lit!

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ddis a name I gave to myself

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1.3

Viagra Man* (2004)

* Reflection about a man’s despair over losing sex drive due to illness. Sex’s a big drive in life no one can deny. Species won’t survive if we don’t couple and multiply. But, much love can remain after sex is gone, Manhood still intact even if you no longer perform. We are a society of Viagra Man, A modern potion of fountain of youth. Cheating age you like to pretend, Sweet and twenty ever so young again. But, deep down we know in our aging heart, Life’s cycle and time’s wrinkle simply won’t depart. Chemicals and implants are just that, Something to mock that old foolish fart. Sunset’s a glorious golden view, If one can embrace light’s darkening hue. Relation is not divined by carnal pleasure, Life shared, tender caring, are true treasures. A version in Chinese is included in Chapter 3.

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1.4

Lion in Winter (2005)

A lion in winter, is a pitiful sight, His mane no longer shiny and bright. His roar used to shake others to flight, But now it’s weaker than a puny little mice. He used to stand proud and tall, Others cower and offer him all. Now he’s withered like a wrinkled ball; He begged for food and got only gall. A lion in winter is no fun to be; Old glory mocks him living so cheap. He should die young chasing some beast, Ferocious golden mane flies over cliff !

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1.5

Spare Me Old Age (2005) Spare me old age! Like a dog confined in cage, Lose mobility at that stage, Can’t walk without a crutch or a stick. Spare me old age! All my senses dull and vague, Can’t smell, hear well, or taste, Often bump into some gate. Spare me old age! My friends grey or passed away, No one to laugh with or play, Often sick and lying in waste. Spare me old age! Let me escape this misery fate. If I can be a little more brave, I’ll quit before it’s too late.

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1.6

In Praise of Free Wealth Builders (2005)

Wealth used to be in short supply; Many will fight but few can acquire. The rich are busy to make wealth multiply; Neither them nor others can enjoy or ask why. Now a new kind of wealth came as surprise; It’s free for all like air without a fight. The more we use, the more it will multiply. Everyone is richer as a day gone by. Richard Stallman freed software through Gnu. Tim Berners-Lee spanned world with the Web. Charles Vest put MIT courses over internet. Many more joined the free wealth builders set. Last I check over the world wide web, Millions of sites are open for free there. I salute all builders big or small, They make our lives truly wonderful. Knowledge should belong to all humankind. Let all have free access all the time!* * Some cities now offer free broadband wireless access to internet. Philadelphia may become a “wireless city” soon.

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1.7

“To Civilize” Lust? (2005)

In this new age that anything goes, Marriage is regarded as “to civilize” lust?! No wonder spouse abusers run amok, When lust riots like flash or flood. Life is finer and richer than that. There is beauty and there is art. Marriage as a license or trust, Cannot purify an ugly heart. Lust sublimed into loving art, Comes from our own inner harp. No harsh words ever be spoken, Only kind respect and tender touch. Relation should be warm and pretty. If you can’t do that, then depart. At least you will do no harm; Give me beauty or give me naught.

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1.8

Greed is Good? (2005)

Some proclaim that greed is good. Winners take all and getting rich is cool. Command respect is cold hard cash. Poor can drop dead and no one cares. Some think profit’s the only motive, To get people to work and move. If there’s no money to gain or win, All will sit idle, angry and in vain. But, it’s not true that we’re born unkind. The system made us go crazy sometime. Yes, we’ve passion, but, we also have good will. We like to live well, and we wish others well. So, many serve as volunteers, work very hard. Others share wealth, giving out a good big part. All can have some if we don’t hoard too much. Compassion starts by taming our greedy heart.

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1.9

Humans Are the Cancer of Mother Earth (2005)

Punch the ozone layer and make a big hole, Spray pesticide over meadow to let grass grow, Turn ocean into a dump, a sewer, smelly and cold, Humans are cancer of Mother Earth. We love growth. Politicians win votes by talking about growth. Merchants make money by pushing market growth. Capitalists like to sing the praise of growth. Just like cancers love growth and kill their hosts. Climate is warming and ice cap is melting. Humans are spreading, humans are spoiling. Just like slash and burn is no cultivating, Uncontrolled growth is Mother Earth raping! When will we learn to protect wildlife in Nature? When will we learn to conserve resources for future? When will we learn to limit growth and lift our curse? If we don’t learn soon, all be dead with Mother Earth!

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1.10

A God That Allows Evil (2005)

A physicist*, who turned priest, proclaimed, That science and religion are in sync. God made the world with condition just right, For life to evolve, and mankind to arise. According to this new kind of bible tale, God is loving and allows free will. So God must stand by while evil made blood spill, I think, such God make us all living in Hell. What kind of parents we call loving, Would allow their children go rampant killing? Allow them to die by playing with fire? Then hide behind free will with wicked smile? Try tell that in court “to love is to allow killing.” Try mention to judge, “to love is to permit drowning”, Try persuade the jury, “to love is not intervening”, When your child is about to die crying! A God that allows evil, A God that’s so impersonal, Is not a loving God at all. Let’s get rid of evil, God, and Hell! * See “God’s Action in the World” (1990) by John Polkinghorne at polkinghorne.org

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1.11

Life is Like a Picnic (2005)

ddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd A version in English Life is like a well stocked picnic: A few hours for us to feast, In nature’s beauty and great scenery, With sunshine and blue sky to be complete. But life is not under our control, Weather may soon turn gloomy and cold. We can adjust to the wind and rain, Or spoil our picnic with complaint. If we can follow life’s gear shifting, We’ll continue to enjoy our picnic scene; Find nature in storm and lightning, Quite spectacular and seldom seen. Life’s like picnic in uncertain weather. Follow your blessings hither and whither. 18

Flow with opportunities as life changes, You’ll always be happy and quite content.

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1.12

A Cult With Some Real Magic (2006)

There’s a cult with some real magic, Make rain when it’s too dry, Or push back the sea, something drastic, Or fly us like bird, high in the sky. There’s a cult with some real power, Allow us to see and to talk, With people in distant bower; Or show us how dead men used to walk! There’s a cult with some real foresight, Its prediction is very precise; Like positions of planet years far ahead, You can verify it’s really right. In spite of all that magic, power, and foresight, This cult has little following, I wonder why? It’s called Science, you guessed it right, It’s the only magic that tells you when it’s wrong!

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1.13

Beauty As Compass (2006)

ddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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1.14

A Beautiful Lie (2007)

ddddd ddddddddddddddddddddddddddd ddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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Chapter 2 Poems To Express A Sentiment 2.1

Reminiscence (2005)

Long gone were those wild years of youth, Full of excitement about the opposite sex. And getting to know you. Getting passionately and intimately falling in love with you. Also past were the magical years of seeing our kids grew, Full of wonders but also full of challenges. Getting to know them and help them to be good. Getting to find out we too, could meet the challenges. Let’s look forward to the peaceful years of old age together. We may not talk much, but have much to reminisce and remember. I know all the little quirks, habits, and freckles of yours. Now we judge each other no more, just totally accept, for remaining years. We have tumbled in life, 23

Together over many trials. Our prime have past, Our love will last. Don’t you dare to pretend, To be young all over again!

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2.2

Love’s Journey (2005)

At the spring time of life, as youth, we unfold, To entwine each other, tightly, into a new couple. In passionate kiss, wild embrace, and eager song, We embarked on love’s journey and sang along. Our love is incomplete without a babe in our midst, We learn to grow up by watching our own kids. Some days there’s no time for just you and me, But we lean on each other to take care little Joe and Lee. Now kids are grown and will follow the path they choose, And our passion spent in the bonfire of youth. But, a full life shared make you a companion perfect, To sail with me at love’s journey end into golden sunset.

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2.3

Worry About My Beloved (2005)

I am very old and seriously ill. My end is near, that I could feel. I have no fear to leave this world, Except some worry about my beloved. My own darling, she is my love. Fill me with joy all these happy years. But she’s no good in taking care Life’s business like insurance or tax. I tried to teach her some lessons, But she refused to learn or listen. As if by sheer will and disbelief, She could preserve me from decease. She’s so naive, forever trusting. Even a child could lead her on. Would she fall prey to false friends, Get into troubles she does not belong? Would she be conned after I am gone, Something foolish and outlandishly wrong, Lose all the hard earned money, I saved for her for so long?! Lying here I sweat to imagine, A fast talking crook coming along, Telling her a deal so darn good, Soon she’s in poor house begging for food. I wish I could lock her up, Shield her, protect her, from evil dust. Or take her with me as I move on, So I can stop worry and sing a song.

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But I alone will go, maybe by next full moon. Leave my darling, she’ll be all alone. It’s a real pity right after funeral, To shock her with bills pile up so soon. I lived a full life quite all right. I can say goodbye and don’t mind to die. I’m just worried about my beloved: What will happen after fate closed my eyes?

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2.4

Converse With Spring Wind (2005)

When I was small I like to play With the willows, and converse with spring wind. Bring me some news from far away places, Dustless and mysterious, I’ll grow up and visit. Then I grew up and got so very busy, Forgot spring wind and all those dustless places. Hassle and bustle, make a living like crazy. Everywhere I turn, only dirty town or dusty space. Now I am old, I again like to sit Under the willows and converse with spring wind. Bring back to me, my fond memories lost, And again some news from dustless places abroad.

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2.5

Recommit (2005)

It’s wonderful to see A couple embrace and recommit. Their solemn vows to repeat, Forever in love they’ll keep. Into each other’s eyes, tenderly they look, As if they think there’s something spook. All the troubles life has cooked, Made their love stronger by hook and by crook. They hold hands and lightly kiss, As if giving each other some promise: “With undying love and desire to please, Grow old with me in grace and peace.” It’s wonderful to see A couple embrace and recommit. They showed us to love is to keep Forever our vows and promise. A version in Chinese is included in Chapter 3.

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2.6

Estrangement (2005)

Since when commence this cold winter frost? Turning my home into an igloo court! We used to smile in lover’s adore, Now we greet each other with icy ignore. Bitter cold has entered my love’s heart, Frozen on her face some anger that won’t depart. We used to chit chat like the newly wed, Now we hardly talk or even give a nod. Did I mis-spoke in a moment’s haste? Thunder strikes me for this miserable fate! A sour note’s chill lasts nine falls, I better put on a muzzle before I talk. Solemnly and silently we pass without saying hi, Like two ships blindly cross in a dark wintry night. Fervantly, I pray God to thaw my love’s heart, Bring back her smile and end this terrible spat.

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2.7

Hi, Stranger (2005)

Life is like a lonely transit, A short crossing between two cliffs; We look for some warm smiles, To brighten up this gloomy passage. I look back with nostalgia our younger days, Your were smart, lovely, and eager to play; At “Chances Are” from our very first date, You smiled and danced into my life right away. Alas, lifelong happiness is not meant for us, Our love was genuine but fizzled out fast. Many things, little and big, made us cry, not laugh. We endured by will power, to make this marriage last. Willingly, we forgo our own needs, and hope, To bring up the kids, more or less, whole. Duty bound is our virtue and bane, We fear our effort for the children are in vain. So each traveled on one’s lonely passage, No crying on a shoulder or send a loving message. Last ten years into strangers we moved apart, Just waiting for the children to grow up and soon depart. Hi, stranger, our romance was great while it last, We did right by the children and that always warms my heart. I will support you and the kids, always, as in my past, Now I wish you well, and I am at ease myself, at last. Some days, I am still yearning for our younger past, With longing and wistfulness, for a love that won’t last. Then I brace myself firmly for this lonely path, Some day, to drop off from the cliff, and depart. 31

2.8

A Few Scraps of Meat (2005)

Your love to me, is like a few scraps of meat! Left over on bone, do I really want to keep? I’m not that hungry. I don’t want to suck or lick, Like a panting dog, begging for crumbs to eat. Loving should be deeper, more generous. Living should be richer, more graceful. If all reduce to a matter of business, What crazy business are we greeting? Don’t read papers in our love making! Make me wonder what news you’re reading? If all my lust so bothersome and boring, Let me burn them into verses damning!

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2.9

Bitter Journey (2005)

A bitter journey, you have invited me, my dear, Over all those long, tedious, and difficult years; By a sense of duty, and also stubbornness we share, We struggled on, never expect joy, sunshine, or cheer; Looking back with regrets, we can now shed some tears, Yet who wants to exchange with other’s fate or despair?!

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2.10

Un-fazed (2005)

Life has many challenges all right, But my inner light is still burning bright; Life wants to rough me up, To see if I am tough; Bring on some troubles, Make them a quadruple; Take away big money, Mess up the marriage, Cut short a career, Make my child sick for years; Yes, I am a little ruffled, No, I have not crumbled; It’s still a very good life, I’m a little dazed but un-fazed; I’ll show life some adventures, In songs and poems flow with rapture.

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2.11

Talk to Myself (2008)

ddd ddddd, ddddd, ddddddd ddd, ddddd ddd, ddddd

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Chapter 3 Poems To Craft Nice Couplets 3.1

Life (2007)

dd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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3.2

Lake Spring (2007)

dd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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3.3

Spring Thought (2007)

dd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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3.4

Lake Light (2007)

dddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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3.5

Viagra Man (2007)

ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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3.6

Recommit (2007)

ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd dddddddd dddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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3.7

Life Path (2007)

ddd dd d d d “d dd ” ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd dddddddd ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd? ddddddd dddddddd ddddddd ddddddd! dd – d d d “d dd ” ddddddd ddd ddd ddddddddd dd ddddddddd dddddddd ddddddd dddddddddd ddd dddd dddddd ddddddddd ddddd ddd ddddddd dddddd 42

dddd dddd dddd dddddddddd

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3.8

The If in Love (2007)

ddddd dd d d d dd “d dd ” ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd dddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd dddd? ddd? ddddddd! ddddddd! ddddddd? ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd! ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd! dd – d d d “d dd ” dddddddd dddddd dd ddddd dddddd dd 44

dddddddd dd ddd dddddddd dd ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddd ddddddd dddd dddddd

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3.9

Going Back Home 1 (2007)

ddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd dd- dddddddd” ddddddd” dd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd

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3.10

Bleak Shore (2007)

dddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd dddddddd Rewrite from - “I Shall Go Back Again To The Bleak Shore” by Edna St. Vincent Millay I shall go back again to the bleak shore And build a little shanty on the sand, In such a way that the extremest band Of brittle seaweed will escape my door But by a yard or two; and nevermore Shall I return to take you by the hand; I shall be gone to what I understand, And happier than I ever was before. The love that stood a moment in your eyes, The words that lay a moment on your tongue, Are one with all that in a moment dies, A little under-said and over-sung. But I shall find the sullen rocks and skies Unchanged from what they were when I was young.

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Chapter 4 Poems For Humor 4.1

Separation Longing, No More (2003)

dddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd

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4.2

An Ordinary Guy (2004)

dddd ddddddd dddddddd ddddddddd ddddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddddd ddddddd dddddd dddddd dddddddddd ddddddd dddddd dddddd ddddddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddddd dddddddddd dddddddd dddddddddd ddddddddd dddddddd

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4.3

Tao’s Wife (2008)

ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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4.4

Modern Seniors (2008)

dddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

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4.5

Not Good Enough (2008)

dddd ddd, dd; dd, ddd. ddd, dd; ddddd. ddd, dd; ddddd. ddd, dd; ddddd. ddd, dd; ddddd. ddd, dd; ddddd. dd d d d , ”d dd d d d , ddd d d , d dd d d !”

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4.6

Hair Cut (2008)

dddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddd ddddd dd: dd– ddd( ddd) dddddddd dddddddd dddddd dddddd

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4.7

Dental Problems (2008)

ddd dddd, ddddd dddd, ddddd ddddddd, dddddddd dddddd, ddd, ddddddd ddd d d dd d d , d d dd d d root canal ddd, ddd, ddddddd ddddddd, ddddddd ddd, dddddddd ddd, dddddddd ddddd, ddddd ddddd, ddddd ddd, ddddddd, ddddddd ddd, ddd, ddddddddd! dd: ddd– ddd ddddddddddd ddddddddddd ddddddddddddddddd ddddddddddddddddddd dddddddddddddddddddd dddddddddddddddd dddddddddddddddd ddddddddddddd dddddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddd dddddddddddddddddddd dddddddddddddddddd

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4.8

Apply Makeup (2008)

dd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd dd: dd– ddd ddddd ddddd ddddd ddddd

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4.9

Inflation (2008)

dddd ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddd ddd ddd ddd ddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddd ddd ddddddd ddddddd dd: dd– ddd ddd ddddddd 56

ddddddd ddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddd ddd ddd ddd ddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddd ddd ddddddd ddddddd

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4.10

Shopping for Car (2008)

ddd ddddddd ddddd ddddddd ddddd ddddddd ddddd ddddddd dddddd! dd– dddddd dddddddd dddddd dddddddd dddddd dddddddd dddddd dddddddd ddddddd

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Chapter 5 Poems In Drama 5.1

A Quarrel in the Family (2005)

dddd d: ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd! d: ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd! dddd: ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd Based on my poem below. Husband I am fed up to the teeth, 59

You won’t try to meet my needs; If you don’t love me a little more, I’ll walk away to tend my sore! Wife You are no saint, you big bore, You are no good lazy dog; Where’s your smile and your adore? When you courted me with flowery talk! Five Years Old Dear Mom and Dad, please, Stop your fight, make peace! What about me? I hurt, When such angry words I heard.

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5.2

Is It Time Yet? (2005)

Very Sick Person I suffered tremendous pain, My whole body cancer has gained; I’m now bleeding and blind, How can help me die be unkind? Attorney You are protected by the law, Others can’t kill you without fear or pause; I see you are a little down today, Tomorrow you’ll be glad not betrayed. Very Sick Person My life, my body, are all my own, Who but me can say, “it’s time, not too soon”; When there’s no more meaning left, I plead for peace and a dignified death.

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5.3

A Young Husband Goes To War (2005)

ddddddd d: ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd d: ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd! d: ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd! d: ddddddd ddddddd? ddddddd ddddddd 62

ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd Based on my poem below. Husband With a heavy and bleeding heart, I ask your permission to depart; May God preserve and protect me, I’ll come home with honor to keep. My devotion to you is complete, But a higher duty I need to meet; I may not return, I’m so afraid, Adieu, this may be our last embrace! Wife You can’t just leave us like this, You must not forsake your promise; Let the young and unattached fight, I need you here, I have my right! What’ll happen to us if you die? A fear so terrible I want to cry! How can I work and take care of kid? You pledged your love when you commit! Husband Enemies are invading and killing us, my dear, If we don’t fight back, no one will be spared! I hate war, but stop aggression I do care, If strong like me won’t lead, who would dare? Is it right to leave it to the poor to fight? 63

Is it right to let other mothers bear sacrifice? You know this war is for a righteous cause, Our country will look after you if I am lost. Wife Too many wars were too eagerly fought, Each side proclaims its righteous cause; Too many men want to gloat in glory, Never mind widows wallow in sorrow! Your mind is set, there’s no turning back, I pray God keep you safe and bring you back; I’ll teach our son to love peace in his taste, Grow up to help banish war and all its waste!

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5.4

Ten Traps (2005)

This poem is inspired by a book of Shi Zheng Yan, about twenty challenges in practicing Buddhism. The title of her book is “Men Have Twenty Challenges”. Prelude Once upon a time came a wise coach, Gathered around him, all kind of folks; In his or her own way, each was stuck, Can’t flow with life, like a stick in mud. Coach (To All) Whatever you want to pursue in life, Many traps can delay you awhile; Unless you’re vigilant about the tide, You will easily be swept aside. Rich & Famous I used to want to find the truth, Now I’m comfortable, just living loose; When I was poor I studied hard, Getting rich & famous, people say I’m smart. Coach (To Rich & Famous) Since rich & famous was not your goal, Beware, don’t let it rob your soul; Getting too comfortable in your living, You’re entombed like fly in honey dipping. Powerful & Glorious I want to fight evil with my might, Protect the weak from terror or blight; Basking in glory I revel with pride, People do my bidding without asking me why.

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Coach (To Powerful & Glorious) Adulation is like drug and power corrupts, People will comply if you have bad temper and might; Don’t let pride turn you into a tyrant, A force of evil you are supposed to fight. Procrastinator I am almost ready, but conditions are not yet quite right, I need to take care of this and that, at least for a while; What would others say, if I drop everything to really live my life? One thing leads to another, always keep me busy, but I did try. Coach (To Procrastinator) Many do regret, on their death beds, of life not lived, They all have good reasons, you do pity their plea; But burnt candle can’t re-lit, Sun isn’t taking any sleep, If there’s a will, you’ll find a way, your way, to live! Timid Who am I to start something new in life? If you know me, you would chuckle and smile; “Who, you?”, to claim a place in this modern age, A timid little mouse takes a bow on life’s stage. Coach (To Timid) Don’t forget life equalizes with birth and death, All great men were once babies, with diaper and rash; Their audacious deeds also started from tiny steps, They fell, were laughed at, but just got up and try next. Too Little There’s nothing worthwhile I can do, What I can do means very little too; I might as well just do nothing, Save all that useless thrashing. 66

Coach (To Too Little) Do you stop eating since you’ll go hungry again? Do you stop breathing, breath too shallow, you complain? If we can’t bother with good deeds too tiny to tell, Christ will be lonely in Heaven as we bring on Hell! Too Late It’s too late for me, I am too old and weak, My dream long broken, I’m way passed my peak; I’ll cheer the young and hopeful from the way side, To see them ruthlessly spent by life and cast aside. Coach (To Too Late) Your gloom and doom rings a knell, Like a living dead howling in Hell; Let the human spirit moves you to try on, Until you quit, who can say you were dead wrong? Dirt Poor I like to pursue Tao but my stomach is cramping, Others depend upon me to eke out a living; All I can think of is to survive and avoid begging, It’s a luxury beyond me to talk purpose of being. Coach (To Dirt Poor) I have great sympathy to you and human instinct, Few could go hungry, study Tao, and not become extinct; But keep the flame of hope burning in your heart, Someday you will live a simple life while pursuing your art. Ghastly Ill Surely for those disabled, confined, or ghastly ill, There is some pity from the healthy, free, and well? For someone who’re forced to focus on freedom and health, 67

It’s too much to ask them about purpose or other fairy tale. Coach (To Ghastly Ill) I do wish you to heal, be free, and get well, I do understand you can’t see beyond next day or next pill; But let’s not forget even among your rank and file, Some great lives lived, fully engaged, amid agony and torture spell. Too Hard Sometimes it’s just too hard to keep on trying, When whole world resist you and shame you into crying; When all your effort, after long years, still come to naught, “What for? what for?”, you know your battle already fought and lost. Coach (To Too Hard) Rarely can one stand tall all alone, Against the tide of ridicule, smear, and mocking buffoons; Except to take comfort in the knowledge, Many great ideas won’t happen if abandoned too soon. Too Dangerous When it’s too dangerous to do what’s right, It’s prudent to lie low and avoid evil’s pry; A lifeless heroine will not stem the tide, When evil’s stampede runs dangerous and wild. Coach (To Too Dangerous) Senseless sacrifice is foolish and sad, But courage is truly something rare; Those ”prudent” collude with evil to allow its ugly tide, If we can’t do what’s right, our lives are just lies! 68

Coach (To All) Don’t forget your purpose in life, Don’t let traps delay you long or awhile; Be vigilant that all traps can bite, So you don’t live in vain and wonder why! Finale The words of wisdom have been spoken, Some may use them like magic token; Regain freedom after traps were broken, To flow in life which is now wide open.

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5.5

Goodbye, My Concubine! (2008)

dddd

5.5.1

Scene One - Yu Ji Kills Herself For Love

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dddd dddd dddd dddd!

dd d d d ”d dd !” dddd, dddd, dddd, dddd, dddd,

dddd dddd? dddd dddd dddd!

dddd, dd ddddd, ddddd, ddddd, ddddd, ddddd, ddddd,

dddd dddd dddd dddd dddd dddd

ddddd, dddd 1

dddd”dddd” dd

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ddddd, ddddd, ddddd. ddddd, ddddd,

dddd? dddd dddd dddd dddd!

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5.5.2

Scene Two - Chu King Kills Himself at River Wu

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ddddddd! ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd

dddd, dddd, dddd, dddd,

ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd ddddddd?

d d dd d d d ”d d! d ! d ! d d , d d d d d d d d d d , d d d d dd .” d d d dd , d d ”d dd d d, dd d d !” dddddd.

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About The Author I was born in China but grew up in Taiwan. I have a life long interest in science and studied physics with degrees from National Taiwan University (B.S.) and University of Illinois (Ph.D.) After graduation, I taught physics and did research at State University of New York at Buffalo for several years. Then I worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on fusion research till the late 1970. After that I joined AT&T Bell Laboratories and worked there for almost twenty years till retirement in 1999. At AT&T I worked on many projects with various roles over the years - software development, process quality, and project management. I wrote a book on “Software Process Quality” (McGraw-Hill) in 1993. After retirement, I still do a little training and consulting work on software project and process management. A recent picture of me is included here. I am married to Susan Ting and we have two beautiful daughters, Emily and Frances. I learned Chinese cooking as a new hobby and routinely cooked during weekdays before my wife’s recent retirement. I also like to hike and travel and Hawaii is my favorite place for vacation. I also like to visit US National Parks. I also like to read and keep up with latest development in science and technology. I am fascinated by the rapid ascendancy of science and technology over the last few hundred years and its great impact on human society. It’s such a great show I feel very lucky to be born during this age. I hope to get to understand 72

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what is consciousness in my life time. I enjoy listening to classical music and reading poetry. More recently, I learned to self-publish through services at lulu.com and published several books there. These books could be downloaded for free at http://people.lulu.com/users/index.php?fHomepage=101324

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