Poetry In Voice

A few nights ago I was randomly searching Google for teacher-related stuff, typing in the search engine  things like: "Awesome Teachers", "Inspirational Teachers", all in the good-nature that I was semi-preparing for my futuristic job at a high school somewhere teaching English and SOSE... that's the plan anyway, after this year's over, once the books are published, time for a teaching endeavour. And in all of my infinite distractions, I managed to come across this amazing initiative called, "Poetry In Voice", what it is, is basically the organisers of this event collect the winners of each school (I think it's around Canada) and they host a poetry recital competition. Must say, I was completely gobsmacked at the talent I saw. In the poetry recital, students were to choose a poem (could be written by anyone) and then they are to be judged on their recital skills. These students are just so inspirational. I usually fall back on my page when I recite poetry, but things like the tone of voice, expression, etc they posses is just amazing, just goes to show all the possibilities when one is performing. These students have inspired me to become even a more 'rounded' poet. Here's some clips about what I mean... be prepared to be WOW-ed!

This first one is by Sydney Gilchrist, she is reciting a poem called "Plenty" by Kevin Connolly. Love the straight-forwardness, conviction and humour she brings to life in her recital.

I'm usually not a fan of John Keat's poetry, as I find it often obscure and riddled with Old English language, "ye olde", "dath", "nay", yeah you get the point.. but Amelia Druskis, brought "La Belle Dame Sams Merci" to life with her hauntingly beautiful voice, notable also is the believability of what she is saying shines through- in other words, she owned this performance.

Awwww man, this next guy is awesome, WOW, such a suave, dusky and smooth voice Jonathan Welstead has. I know that he is the winner of "Poetry In Voice" 2012, and I can see why. This is Jonathan Welstead reciting Preludes by T.S. Eliot.

Estera Musiala has got conviction. She draws you in with such a commanding facial expression and the way she says the words. Estera Musiala reciting "Chicago" by Carl Sandburg. Remind you of another recent YouTube sensation...??? :D

Malvika Chowdry reciting Gitanji 35 by Rabindranath Tagore. Truly inspirational recital.

And the winner for the 2011 "Poetry In Voice" recital competition is Alexander Gagliano. Hear him recite this piece of poetry: "Journey Of The Magi" by T.S. Eliot. Silky stuff.

As a final note, I think it's important to mention what the host of this event said when posing the question: "Why Poetry?". He made a note simply that poetry is beautiful, that is why. Also, I need to say to all the students who competed in this, WOW amazing job everyone, I have to admit it is better than any slam poetry or poetry recital event I have ever been to in Brisbane or Australia for that matter. A+.

Wow, what a voice. GO Birdy.

"Skinny Love". Birdy's been playing piano since age 7, and writing since age 8. Wow, what a talent.

"Without A Word" by Birdy. THIS is pure talent, I am truly blessed to be in a generation that still has artists like this.

"People Help The People" by Birdy.

eye to eye with you a galaxy in the distance

gorge excursion

schoolchildren examine

their e c h o e s

Across The Stars

Arguably one of the greatest love songs of all time. I think a lot of songs in the mainstream can lack a depth of feeling that is so easily expressed in "Across The Stars", without using any words. For me, as soon as I listen to this song, I feel all gushy inside and am taken to a fantasy-land where I am filled with love in a far away place somewhere. I mean, really, here I am trying to use my words to capture the beauty that exists in this song, sure I'm a poet, but I really don't think words are appropriate here. I think Rumi has gotten close to what I'm trying to say here, when he says, "Only from the heart can you touch the sky". Just listen.

And here we have a piano version...

Well that was the last thing I needed. Just fell down the stairs.

Productivity

Having a fractured ankle has given me heaps of time to spend focusing on my writing. My manuscript for the first book is looking very positive. Just a reminder to readers of this blog that my first book will be released mid-next year in April, 2013. I have so many loving people in my life at the moment, who I owe such beautiful poetry and inspiration to. Special thanks go to namely my family, friends, church mates, teacher mates, The League Of Extraordinary Poets (http://leagueofextraordinarypoets.wordpress.com/), Graham Nunn (http://anotherlostshark.com/), you have made my life so much more enriched in more ways than you know! Some sample haiku from the manuscript:


star after star
one is never alone
at night


school graffiti
on the auditorium walls
incorrect spelling


midnight river swim...
all these stars
flowing through me


smiling
beside the family portrait--
crescent moon

(c) Vuong Pham

It's not always black and white...

SO yesterday was my birthday, was a very nice day mainly consisting of resting the fractured leg, there are still fragments of pain every now and then, but most of it is negated by amounts of sleep. Sleeping avoids the pain. For my birthday, I had a lovely dinner with the family, bamboo noodle soup with pork. For my present, I got this jewel of a book, which I spent part of the day reading. It's called "It's not always black and white", which sums up a lot of how I think in general. Here's the title and a sample page. 

Yep, I just had to...

Broken Leg Jokes:

An old lady, who lived on the third floor of a boardinghouse, broke her
leg.

As the doctor put a cast on it, he warned her not to climb any stairs.

Several months later, the doctor took off the cast.

"Can I climb stairs now?" asked the little old lady.

"Yes," he replied.

"Thank goodness!" she said. "I'm sick and tired of shinnying up and down
that drainpipe!"

P.S. this has been me above (cast, and elevating the leg) the last week recovering. 

Teachers Dancing Behind Students

Ever heard of the new phenomenon that's going around YouTube and schools, particularly in the United States, "Teachers Dancing Behind Students"? Well, basically what happens is, we have a video clip where the student is being interviewed about something, whilst unaware that in the background is a teacher or teachers is/are dancing behind the students to pick fun at them! Some impeccable dance moves from some of the teachers featured in this clip here, including the 'sprinkler', and especially the one where they hold their legs and start swivelling it around (don't know the name of that dance move, but it's hilarious!). Kudos to the people who have started this new craze haha, I sooo want to do this one day!!! :-)

And...another hilarious one!

Also, another new craze, "Flash Mob". Here is a Teacher's Flash Mob. This is a good bit of fun! :-)

Amazing Grace

Jesus Culture-- You Won't Relent

I love this song, very uplifting. Trust in God. 

Skinny Love by Birdy

I love this outstanding, new talent. Such a pure and innocent voice. This is "Skinny Love" by Birdy.

Heaven-Inspired

This is for your glory.

"We each hold within us a scrap of stardust, a little glory that cannot be destroyed. Whatever dark engulfs us, nothing can put out its light."

--Pam Brown, B. 1928


"The World is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning"

--Ivy Baker Priest (1905-1975)


"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you."

--Maori Proverb


"Rest in patience. Above the storm the sky is clear and strewn with silent stars".

--Pam Brown, B. 1928

And finally a haiku that was heaven-inspired:


midnight river swim...
all these stars
running through me

(c) Vuong Pham, 2012

Soccer injury, most severe one yet:

Torn ligaments on my ankle...Ouch, ouch. (And no, that's not a haiku!!! haha :-))

Doctor's report: Fractured ankle, torn tendon in the ankle. Ouch! I'll be having the rest of the school term off work to recover. 6 weeks the doctor said it'll take to heal, your prayers for healing are much appreciated! :-)


4-5 days after the injury...                                                      

\

Huh, well in case you were curious as to how it happened, I was running fast dribbling the ball, and ended up tripping over my own ankle, twisted my ankle, and this resulted... not the most manly thing you can say to get brown-y points with the ladies, ha! But a good convo point I guess. My best wishes and prayers go to the players who are playing still, hope the season goes well, and injury-free! Vuong.

Year 4 Grand Avenue SS Haiku (Mrs. Lovett's class)

This class was a delight to teach. Such well-behaved students all-round. Straight on to the haiku-masterpieces without delay.

dry lizards
laid in a burrow
as night comes in

(by Lachlan)

* the word use in this haiku is impeccable, 'dry' lizards, love the use of 'laid' in a burrow, the hero liner of this haiku is the third line, 'as night comes in'. We are seeing something typically Australian here, a hot day, and lizards seeking shade and shelter until 'night comes in'-- a gem of a haiku!

I see the moon
shining
bright on the river

(by Meika)

* you cannot go past the beauty in this haiku. The moon in the river gives the water the illusion of milky-like appearance.

a butterfly
camouflaged on a flower
in midday

(by Meika)

* Bravo Meika, the use of the word 'camouflaged' here is excellent. The image/ haiku works well because first we are seeing the colourful image of a butterfly, because the flowers are also colourful, the butterfly and flowers compliment each other, and to add to the colourful-ness of the image, it's all under a midday sun. A butterfly is being hidden amongst the flowers....and WHAT a surprise it could be when you notice the "flower" start flying!!!

autumn days
leaves fall
on dry ground

(by Samantha)

* autumn days, we are seeing trees upon trees that are browning or reddening, while falling on the ground, works well, nothing to fault really!

clouds
suffocate
the sun

(by Samantha)

* NOW this is an A-H-A!! haiku. Love the use of 'suffocate'. Simple, yet so effective.

sweet taste
of blueberries
is like a fresh spring

(by Sarah)

* This is an amazing haiku, brought a smile to my face. It can be read two ways. First, we are tasting blueberries, and it taste like a fresh spring, as in a fresh water spring on a mountain or wherever. Second way to read into it is that we are tasting the blueberries, but only this time, they taste like 'spring', as in the season of spring! We always associate great natural growth in nature (flowers, trees, fields, mountains, etc) so we are in a sense tasting spring. Love it!

I look
at the stars
they come to me

(by Chau)

* Really, really like the expression 'they come to me', instead of the person seeking out the stars, the stars manage to find a way to the person. Amazing. This also makes us think... how did the stars come to the person? Was the person dreaming? Was the person in a country farm somewhere on the roof staring at the stars?? The good thing about this haiku is that it makes us think about the creative possibilities. Great work Chau.

fish swim
in a clear lake
as water flows

(by Holly)

* Great to see Holly giving it a go, when the rest of the class was quite anxious about sharing. Here we are seeing images that all compliment each other. We are seeing scaly fish swim in a clear lake, with the flow of the water, all of this under a sun, so there is the glint of the scales, the glint of the sun, and the glint of the water.

I feel wind
blowing on my face
water drips on leaves

(by Lynn)

* This haiku makes you think. For me, I saw it as the experience of rain, wind is blowing on the persons face, while the water or rain is dripping off the leaves. Well done Lynn.

slimy snake
slithers next to a tree
at dusk

(by Taylee)

* the technique here is quite exceptional. This could take a while to explain, but here goes. First, "slimy snake/ slithers" works well with the sounds, a snake is typically known for making an "sss" sound, so, slimy, snake, and slithers (as well as dusk) work well with the sound of the haiku. Next thing, it may also be talking about the tree of temptation in Adam and Eve, 'dusk' representing the giving in to the temptation, as a symbolism for letting go of the light. Very impressive. So proud.

when our boats sunk
we enjoyed
the fresh water

(by Michael)

* this is completely unexpected. It is reminiscent of Basho's famous haiku: "my house burnt down/ now I can better see/ the rising moon". Taking a negative situation, turning it into a positive. Great image too, a boat is being capsized, which is of course a horrific ordeal to go through, but the author is saying something like "at least the fresh water is here for us to enjoy or drink" :-)

the waterfall
holds the reflection
of a midday sun

(by Sarah)

* I wondered if Sarah had practiced haiku before, clearly has a talent for writing haiku. In this image there is a scattered amount of water being sprayed down from the waterfall, and from those many, many droplets, we are seeing the midday sun in each of them, so it's kinda like looking at thousands upon thousands of diamonds falling. Keep writing Sarah, you have made me proud.

spider's web
shines so clear
at the sun

(by Sarah)

* A spider's web is designed for catching insects for the spider to eat, but in this case, the spider has caught the sun, and the spider web is glowing. Such a vibrant image.

I see
a dragonfly's wing
under the sun

(by Byron)

* The dragonfly's wing is colourful, and we are all seeing this under a bright sun. The colours of the dragonfly are by themselves very colourful and impressive, but they become amplified under a sun.

summer beach
darkness floods
the ocean

(by Samantha)

* Whoa! Sinister, but brilliant.

when we went home
at night, moon reflects
the horse's eye

(by Michael)

* Again, this is unexpected. The moon (with all of its brightness and curves) work well together with the image of a horse's eye. I just love the feel to this haiku. Really enjoy how you use specific words to create such a dense atmosphere, Michael, your writing shines light into the soul. Great job.

Well, that's it for Grade 4 Grand Avenue State School, and can I just say, I am absolutely blown away at just the quality of haiku that was produced from you all today. Probably the most enriched I've felt after reading a sequence of haiku. Thank you all for the great work and inspiration. My apologies if I have missed any haiku that I said were going up, but aren't up here, I seem to have lost a page or so while leaving class. But a visit in future is no doubt on the priorities list. My best wishes, Mr. Pham.

Year 4A Woodlinks State School Haiku

Hey bloggers, your newest haiku update awaits you. Today brought me to the very obedient and hard-working class of 4A at Woodlinks State School. What I have observed through my day-to-day class hopping is that the quality of haiku/ poetry does not necessarily differ upon the age of the person. What I'm trying to say is, whether the person writing the haiku is in grade 4, or grade 7, or is 25 years of age, age is not necessarily a large factor in determining the quality of the haiku. The point of haiku is quite simply, to capture something in its beauty. The language of haiku is universal, unbound by age range. Some of the haiku generated by my students are just as good, if not, even better than any haiku that you may find in world-class haiku journals that are consisted entirely of adults. One other important point to make is that adults can fall easily into the trap of making a 'complex' or 'mature' type of haiku, but when say, a young student may attempt haiku, it often comes from the purity and essence of haiku, which is, as noted before, the art of capturing something in its beauty or simplicity. On to the outstanding haiku of 4A, and can I just say, well done, keep up the good work, you all are doing a great service for capturing nature in its rawest and most beautiful form. My best wishes, Mr. Pham.

Top 10, Song 1:

I climb
tree to tree
while the sun sets

(by Charlie)

*this was chosen because we get a sense of innocence and joy from the person climbing tree to tree, a sort of halcyon-time. And also, we are all seeing the activity of tree-hopping in all of its joy under a colourful (pink, purple, red, blue, etc) sun set. Lovely image and feel.

wind whistles
as trees shakes
under moonlight

(by Danae)

*you cannot go past the beauty of this piece. We are hearing and seeing the wind, trees rustling, all under the glowing image of the moon.

waves crash
as I stare
at the lonely starfish

(by Sarah)

*this was chosen straight away. We are hearing and seeing waves crash, but the second and third lines are what really packs a 'punch', such longing and loneliness captured whilst the writer is watching wave upon wave of sadness engulfed...But, there's also a sense of hope, through the image of the starfish, it symbolises hope.

trees sway
in the sunset
wind

(by Isaac)

* several ways this could be read. trees sway/ in the sunset wind or trees sway in the sunset/ wind. Very nice, makes us think.

clovers
grow
in the grass

(by Olivia)

*the effectiveness of this haiku is in its simplicity. We are seeing the image of a green clover, and adds more green to the grass. A lot of my students were struggling with the concept of keeping it simple, for example in a haiku, you don't need to say 'blue, wavy, windy ocean' you just need to say 'ocean', because we immediately associate 'blue', 'wavy', and 'windy' with the ocean anyway. This was excellently executed, well done Olivia.

clear waterfall
heavily falls into
a rainbow

(by Mia)

*love the expression 'falls into a rainbow'.

summer clouds
gentle pushes
over the river

(by Aiden)

*this haiku struck me straight away. Two interpretations I could take from this, first we could be seeing the image of summer clouds, and children on the river are pushing each other along gently, both the fragment and the phrase compliment each other well. Second interpretation, could be that we are seeing summer clouds, and they are just gently crossing the river. Well done Aiden.

rocks
fall
off the cliff

(by Nathan)

*again, this gets the simplicity vote. Good work.

I stare at trees
during a heavy
storm

(by Brooke B)

*the believability of this poem is valid for over the weekend there was a sudden storm of hail throughout Brisbane. But the feeling of the writer experiencing the wonders of nature are unbeatable, here we have a person just staring at the trees as it rains. Lovely, we get a snapshot of the writer's personality appreciating nature too which I think is just awesome!

clouds drifting
around
the waterfall

(by Josiah)

*the reader can get several takes from this, we could be seeing actual clouds around the waterfall, or it could be that we are seeing the 'mist' or 'cloud' formulated from the crashing waves on to the ground.

Top 9 Haiku - Second Song

the grass
waving
at the river

(by Aiden)

* loved the use of the word 'waving'.

sun
carefully crossing
the river

(by Blair)

* either the sun is crossing the river, or the person is. Makes you think. Fantastic haiku!

butterflies
shine through
the sky

(by Sarah)

*we're seeing lots of colour from the butterfly, and its all illuminated by the bright sky.

the sun is reflecting
off the ocean when
I stare

(Brooke B)

* a bit of a happy-staring at the waves this time!

tree branches
fall
on to the ground

(by Sam)

*how did the branches fall to the ground? What caused it in particular? Makes us think.

winter river
whistling
down stream

(by Gemma)

*either the river is whistling or the person walking by it is, or both! Great work.

smelling
a river
in the breeze

(by Tyler)

*I can smell it already. So fresh.

the rainbow crosses
the long
field

(by Maselusi)

*the use of 'rainbow' and 'long' work particularly well, they compliment each other.

I see
bee to bee fly
while sun sets

(by Blair)

* what intrigued me about this haiku is the expression 'bee to bee', reminiscent of a dot to dot activity that a child may do, or even in reference to the stars that will be visible very soon in the haiku...

Well done 4A! Some excellent haiku here, Mr. Pham

Grand Avenue State School Grade 5A Haiku

Week 6 of the school term down. And what a week it has been! Today I taught at the lovely, respectable school of Grand Avenue State School, Grade 5A. I particularly like this school, the students are generally so well-behaved and respectful. Respect! On with the haiku heavyweights of today:

cacti

growing tall

under a moon

(by Cooper)

trees sway

fresh air

giving life

(by Tema)

bells 

ring

at dawn's rise

(by Cooper)

butterflies

flutter

through the lush trees

(by Sarah)

a snake slithers

into a crack

in the rock

(by Caleb)

apples drop

at wind's 

breeze

(by Cooper)

birds fly

through

the bendy hills

(by Ayush)

summer night

owls screech

in between dreams

(by Aleksandar)

birds chirp

while

trees blush

(by Samantha)

stone bridge 

stands in silence

all day long

(by Kasey)

Wow grade 5A, the quality of haiku in this series is just fantastic!!! I am so pleased and impressed with all of your efforts. Keep up the good work! I can definitely see some potential future poets and authors, if you aren't already! :-) Blessings upon you! Mr. Pham.

Serviceton South State School Grade 6H Haiku

Today, at Serviceton South State School I find myself teaching grade 6H, and again spreading the good word of haiku around state schools. These students are awesome, some of their haiku just as good, if not, even better than you would see in world class haiku journals. Here we go the usual rules, examples, and listening activities were implemented, and presto some amazing, AMAZING haiku have been created. I love these kids, so talented.

Here we go, the TOP TEN HAIKU (for song 1, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AMnOFmwMSs)

flowing waterfall
shimmers moonlight
and colours mystify eyes

(by Rhiannon)

moonlight
being shone
on all of the villages

(by Mitchell)

deep blue waves
wash away the remnants
of my sorrow

(by Katheryn)

forest walk
a werewolf's eyes glowing
through the moonlight

(by Mikaela)

hot sunset
shines through
swaying palm trees

(by Monique)

summer beach
hush rhythms
on the sand

(by Tai)

summer bird
chirping love
in its nest

(by Laura)

trees sway
from wind
giving birds a ride

(by Hana)

fresh trees
growing
side by side

(by Donna)

And then here are the TOP TEN HAIKU for song 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y80ofCkPbdE)

sunrise
animals
start to wake

(by Tayah)

forest walk
watching bear cubs play
as the sun rises

(by Mikaela)

lunar eclipse
birds
in darkness

(by Tai)

seaweed sways
like its
dancing

(by Rhiannon)

soldiers die
blood pours
while sun sets

(by Koopa)

autumn leaves
brush
my face

(by Cecilia)

trees grow
in the light
of a silvery moon

(by Keirrah)

sea roars
on
the sand

(by Taylah)


Amazing work 6H of Serviceton South State School!!! Some truly world-class, inspiration haiku you have amongst you all. I highly encourage you to keep writing, and walking in the path of light and nature, as opposed to the path of dark man-made distractions. My best wishes, Mr. Pham.

So recently I was asked to write my Bio for a poetry event happening on December 1st, 2012. Here goes:


Bio:

Vuong Pham is a schoolteacher of English and SOSE. He likes teaching his students poetry and haiku at any chance the principal is not looking. His poetry has received awards in the ‘Ipswich Poetry Feast Competition’ (2011, 2012); the ‘Inspired by Tagore International Writing Competition’ (2012); and the ‘Free XpresSion Haiku Competition’ (2012). Vuong’s first book is due to be released mid next year, and is also working on his haiku book, which will be published after his first book. Some of Vuong’s hobbies include playing outdoor and indoor soccer, nature walks, and practicing piano via YouTube video tutorials. He strongly identifies as a devout Christian and walks in the light. He blogs occasionally at http://versesoftheinnerself.blogspot.com. 

Haiku (Raw Poet, Roar!)

Haiku

empty field

the sound of church bells

from the hilltops

• 
  

driving to church
and in the rearview mirror—
darkness

• 
  

through churchyard mist

a stone angel

forming

• 
  

stained glass window
through the open arms of Jesus
a sunbeam

• 
  

multiplication lessons...
sunlight finds the green
in painted glass

• 
  

step by step

dawnlight stretches

across the hopscotch game

• 
  

phone talk...
birdsong lifts
between the branches

• 
  

end of the lesson...
chalk smudges
into a rainbow

• 
  

• 
  

stone angel
naked in the garden—
only a bird whistles

• 
  

spring breeze
along the forest path
laughter

• 
  

up the path
to read Goldilocks
under that old oak

• 
  

sleepwalking
between pine branches
in  ter  mit  tent moon

• 
  

shooting stars
in the laptop screen
I see myself

• 
  

hibiscus tea

at the bottom of the cup

a dragon

• 
  

smiling

beside the family portrait—

crescent moon

(c) Vuong Pham

maths exam
the classroom clock
clicks clicks clicks

Haiku All-Stars

Well, another day in the office [classroom] another exciting visit to 4/5 K of Redbank State School! I just love the ability and talent I see in these students with their creative thinking and writing. We did another brief haiku session in the morning, followed by some English lessons and Art. Here are some further Haiku All-Stars we made during the morning's haiku session.

noisy water
falls next to
the trees

• 
  

sand
singing
in the wind

• 
  

the sunset
blinding
me

• 
  

trees
covering
the temple

• 
  

splash
of rocks
in the stream

• 
  

A+ Mr. Pham.

dandelion ridge...
a soft breath carries away
my wish

Haiku courtesy of students in 4/5K @ Redbank State School

Today I was given the privilege of teaching the students of 4/5 K at Redbank State School. During this year, I have chosen to do Relief Teaching, and that entails going from class to class, school to school over the course of the week. I am enjoying this gig for now, it gives me more time to focus on my two books coming out in 2013. More often than not, I am called in to a class where the teacher has called in sick on the morning and has left no plan as to the day's activites. Not a worry! I always have my own stuff I like to teach i.e. poetry, HPE, anything English or SOSE related. What I taught 4/5K today was the poetry artform of haiku. I was so, so impressed with the quality of works, I am most compelled to blog about it. Before I share with you the "Haiku All-Stars", as we decided to call it, the lesson goes a bit something like this.

Haiku

Is a:

• short, three-lined poem
• a snapshot of something in nature using words
• avoids rhymes
• does NOT have to be a 5-7-5 syllable count

(These are the general rules for haiku I got them to write down in their books. I explain dot point by dot point the rules... First, a haiku is a short poem, so the length of it would barely reach half-way in their exercise books, and also that it has three lines. Secondly, haiku is a snapshot of something in nature using words, similar to the concept of a camera taking a photo, except in the case of haiku we are using our words to describe that thing in nature. Thirdly, haiku avoids rhymes, reason being is that the poetic use of rhyme is a form of 'trickery', in the lyrics of pop-songs for example, rhymes are employed to add rhythm and catchy-ness, but when we're dealing with the artform of haiku, we want to just simply capture that moment in time for what it is. Lastly, and perhaps the most important point of all, is that haiku does NOT have to be a 5-7-5 syllable count! A common misconception in the general public and in schools as well, the reason why is that if we're so focused on the number of syllables in each line, the process of writing haiku becomes more of a math game, as opposed to a form of art or a beautiful image, that is after all, the focus.)

Then we move on to Examples of Haiku: 

tired of bamboo gazing
I look to the pond--
bamboo reflection

(by Vuong Pham)

roadside puddle
a street dog licks
the winter moon

(by Chen-ou Liu)

my house burnt down
now I can better see
the rising moon

(by Basho)

(for each haiku example I ask the students for two things 1. the image and 2. the narrative. The first haiku we see an image of a bamboo shrub, a pond and its reflection; the narrative is I am looking at the bamboo for a very long time, so I get tired of staring at it, because I am tired of staring at it for so long I wish to divert my attention to something else, so I look to the pond, but then all I see is the reflection of bamboo in it, I usually get a few laughs for those that do get it. The second haiku is by Chen-ou Liu, one of my favourite haiku of all time, images we are seeing are a road, a puddle, a streetdog, the moon; the narrative is we are taken to a street at night, a dog comes along licks the puddle, and because the puddle has a reflection of a moon in it, it appears that the dog is licking the moon, a beautiful image! I then go on to make the point about figurative language, and that we are not robots, but human beings that have such potential to think creatively, or 'outside the box' [classroom]. The last haiku is my all time favourite haiku by Basho, image: a house burnt down, a rising moon. There is so much going on in this haiku. Obviously the author's house burnt down, so all of his possessions, and particularly his roof, now that his roof is gone, he has a better view of the moon. But it doesn't stop there. It tells us so much about the author he has a positive mindset, values nature over material things.)

I then move on to Haiku Listening:

We listen to a song that has nature connotations in it. From the Gladiator soundtrack, "Earth". A very calming song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AMnOFmwMSs. And once we finish listening to the song we list down everything we experienced from the song in terms of the five categories of senses: Sight, Sound, Feel, Taste, Smell.

Based on everything we have listed in the diagram, we move on to Haiku Image. This is where the magic happens. Everything the students have listed in each category, they are to convert it in to the form of an image. And based on the image they have drawn, they are then going to circle and capture the image they have circles by writing a haiku about it. So that's the general gist of the lesson. Enough on the pedagogy of the lesson I am most excited and honoured to be sharing with you some haiku my students wrote today!

Haiku All-Stars from students of 4/5 K @ Redbank State School

the desert wind
whistled
in my ears

branches
falling off
the trees

trees swaying
in the breeze
that pick the leaves

water splashed
on the kid's
shining boots

autumn leaves
sway
in my hair

there is a blueberry pie
sitting
at the window

the sweet smell
of the flowers
tickle my nose

the waving grass
joins
the trees

the colours
of seashells
brighten my eyes

the moon
bathes
in the river

the trees curve
to form
a cave

the smell
of leaves
in the canteen

Bravo to you all students of Redbank State School, you all inspire me so much! Mr. Pham.

For my KBC peeps

Recently a friend from church posted on Facebook about the smell of rain. I have always loved the pleasant aromas accompanied by rain, there's something so therapeutic and calming about the whole experience. Recently at dusk, I turned off the electrical light bulbs in the shower room, (while having a shower) to focus in and enjoy the sounds and smells of rain (which I thought, enhanced my enjoyment of it, possibily by shutting out one sense of sight, to enhance the sound and smell). I always feel compelled to be writing poetry on rainy days, or being tucked up on the couch while reading a book, Jane Eyre I'm reading at the moment. In any case, here's a poem I wrote during 2011 dedicated to the smell of rain, or as some others may call it, "petrichor". It earnt me a prize in the Ipswich Poetry Feast Competition, 2011, where I received 15 hours mentorship with a renouned poet, and a certificate of "Highly Commended". Well, today there's some promising clouds outside, and can offer more possibilities of petrichor! Enjoy.  

Petrichor

A
lull

in the

first rain

after a dry

spell breathes

a suspense like

no other. Its silence

calms the exhaustion of

hysterical trees shrugging

off drought. Its scent lingers

between blackberry lanes that

bare their chests to the drizzle,

air-coffeed with earth. Its arrival

is crystal chrysalis awakening on

hot tin roofs like popcorn baking.

The remains are along staves of

fence wire, hanging dewdrops

of broken notes. They offer

peace, that is a trickling

sun, to the puddle's

heartbeat...

plop

(c) Vuong Pham

 

P.S. Another good place to enjoy rain is 'RainyMood.com', you won't regret it!

In principle then, an absurd measure would have to be taken to make me stop biting my nails... hmmm someone's suggested nail polish before, the level of absurdity is in proportion

empty field
the sound of church bells
from the hilltops

snake tracks

outside the teacher's staffroom

a shovel

happy hour

a chatter of rosellas

edge the bottlebrush

through churchyard mist

a stone angel

forming

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29

Publishers, Poems, Etc

Very exciting news! Recently I have been contacted by a respected U.K. publisher, asking if I had published any previous books, for the publisher has recognized my haiku in several different international/ online journals. A great compliment! To add to the compliment, I have been given a very optimistic opportunity by the U.K. publisher to work on a poetry book of my own as soon as my first book comes out! Exciting news, so I'll be expecting not only one book out, but two in the future :-) What I have noticed is the shift in my writing style, it has become a lot more positive and "God-breathed". Thanks Growth Group and KBC, and thanks to God for the inspiration. Here are some haiku for you to enjoy:

• 
  

balancing on the top
of a church belfry—
haloed sun

rooftop prayers
crossing the cumulus
Angel Flight

•  

abandoned goalpost—
an orb spider’s web
catches the full moon

Inspired By Tagore

"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door - or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."
Rabindranath Tagore


Rabindranath Tagore is such an inspiring poet. I love the positive outlook he has on life that shines through in his writing. Recently, as in, a few months ago, I won a prize for the International Writing Competition: "Inspired by Tagore", a good feeling to know that I can inspire others too :-)

Here is the poem that won a prize from the competition :-)


Refugee Prayer


When I think about peace
I always think about a calm place

white

awash with sounds

wind lifting dunes

like the curls of a fossil

somewhere

where the gun does not point at my father

and me

nor beats my mother

I remember the day Communist soldiers stole

her wedding ring

tossed it on the ground

where the red opal stirs memory

bleeding this changeling to madness

somewhere

where there is no machine gun rattle

as mother tucks me in bed

while she whispers a prayer

for an island across the sea

away from this rubble of a country

lying awake on the refugee boat

listening to the vast ocean

making conversation

peace

          peace
                    peace

Upon Meeting

In the stillness of all nights,
I find myself thinking of you
I cannot recite what it is exactly what this feels
but I notice it in every tiny detail,
the rain swept tree from my window
is just a harp, sending its notes into beauty
and beyond, I can go to work, in all its
tedious misgivings, stress, but this seems less
weighted for I think of you, I cannot tell you enough
what it is that stirs within me, the silent bud of
flowers is silent, but holds the light of many
mazes of beauty. Birds sing because it is just
what they do. I remember the times
of childhood, all the colours of a robins egg
hatching at the paint of any empty canvas.
And I am brought back to this recurring thought,
in the stillness of all nights, in the tedium of all days,
battered by work, fatigued by life, but when all I need
to do is think of you, with your kindness, as soft
as all daffodils, my heart, like a tidepool, swept
in the tempest of your oceanic arms. I do not know
what it is that you do for me, but it blinds like
the first chink of light, after a long passage of darkness
in the mines, my tap, tap, tap of a hammer, sawing
through to the daybreak, and I will
embrace the light of your eyes.

Time for an emotion

Tess is such an amazing writer. I can feel every ounce of her emotion as she writes a post on her blog. It's so real, and humbling to read. An ideology of thought has recently arisen in me, it's based on the theory of Christianity, and before you roll your eyes, it's a reasonable argument. Recently I have been attending Youth Groups and they have put forth the idea that 1. Humans are first born to this world for good. 2. As life goes on, we are no doubt going to encouter problematic issues, therefore we can become Damaged By Evil. 3. The Church then stands forth as a vantage point, or a reference of hope for those in need of restoration and revitalisation. 4. This precures a sense of being 'sent together' in a communal environment to heal. 5. We are then on the path together to 'set everything right'.

As a poet, or a human being I have no doubt encountered those problematic issues, they became a problem for quite some time before it has turned into a restorative development. So what I'm trying to say is, I'm trying my best to be less self-absorbed by looking inwards, when rather, I should be looking outwards and helping others (that would be called the phase of 'damaged by evil' phase 2). I'm currently being restored for better, and i'm working on it.

This is one long post. All in all, a massive shout out, and compliment to Tess's writing skills and her ability to stir emotions within myself (positive), and create a sense of comradeship is just priceless- that's what life's about- loving the people you love. Vuong out. Oh, here's a link to one of her posts:  http://scrumpaliciouslife.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/countdown.html

Now, time to write a raw poem.

The Continuous Ramblings Of Vuong Pham

Another blog post, another stream of consciousness. I just had a read of my good friend's poem "Life Is" by Glenn George, and found it very inspiring, it's sentiment that yes, there are evil things that will happen in life, but the important part of living and having a happy well-being is to look for alternate ways as opposed to "slitting your wrists" all the time, which can be a 'easy' downward loop in thinking, behaving, etc. Here's the poem: http://spellinggooroo.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/life-is.html. I have recently been attending new church services, experimenting with different religions, and this has to be the saving grace that I've been looking for. In the Hillsong service I went to recently the pastor said something about the motivational power of compliments. Some stand-out phrases he referenced which inspired him throughout his life were: "God's enjoy going to use you more", "You're doing better than you think you are". He told a story of how he was teased and ridiculed as a teenager for being a virgin. He now has a wife and kids, and held out for the right person, and was now a successful pastor travelling overseas to different churches to encourage and motivate people. I'm still waiting for the right person to come along :-) Hope is again on the horizon. Vuong out.

I have many plans for the future. At the moment I almost feel bound by chains with this job whereby I'm required to teach Science and Maths, the subjects that I would consider my 'demon' knowledge area. But, reality is, I really gotta stop complaining and just get on with it, sure, I'm no expert with those subject areas, but I'm required and am employed by the State Education system to provide quality teaching services to my students- it is, after all, they're education and knowledge development we're talking about here, so the seriousness of this issue is very serious. I'm finding myself at the library today, the day before I'm required to teach, planning for my science and maths classes, much more planning is required to extend knowledge onto my students. It took me a while to come to the realisation that I must be thoroughly prepared for those lessons as opposed to walking half-heartedly like when I would during Relief Teaching. My mother once said that education is the most important thing a person be able to have, for without it, we are not civil, cannot access better job in the longer run, and it just makes us better people in the end. I totally agree with that sentiment. Now, on to some more planning. Vuong out.

Hey bloggers,

Not too much news on this end, work occupies a lot of my time, plus i don't want to leave a huge deal on this blgo post at the moments, because I'm feeling a bit tired. Anyway, international, or should I say, 'pure-awesome' poet, Angela Rawlings is coming to Brisbane in the next coming months to run a few workshops. Hope to see you there! Come check out the site for more information: http://www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/ Vuong out

Just won a prize for the Inspired by Tagore poetry competition!!! That just made my night

What did the old Jedi poet say to the young jedi poet? Answer: "Metaphors be with you."

two paces fast--
you don't
love me

Backyard Musings

I decided to take a day off today, the relief teaching agency called and offered me a particularly difficult class (even by my well-developed behaviour management standards). I didn't sleep in, but instead stepped outside just where the backyard pool was near my room. I never have hung around that place before (recently moved to my sister's house). It's a beautiful place, particularly in the morning, the pool opened up for the dawning sun, the distant flat ridges offered a ceremony of singing birds here and there. But enough said, it was a beautiful snapshot in time. So peaceful and abundant with nature. Here's something I wrote this morning:

where
the stone angel fell--
white roses

News, this and that, it's all great.

Pleased to announce that my 5 haiku submitted into the 'Third Australian Haiku Anthology' got published along with 73 other respected Australian haikuists! I am in good company :-) Also, in other news, the foundations for my first book are looking very positive, after negotiations with a 'mystery editor', mystery because I cannot announce who it is that is willing to aid me for several privacy and legal reasons.. All I'm saying is my words are going to be in the form of a book soon :-) My wildest dreams are finally looking more and more reachable. But, enough on the topic of mystery editors and books, for fear that several metaphorical tracking drones are watching me every move as I write... Here it is, changing the topic very smoothly, the five haiku published:

$5 phone card--
the things I forgot
to say

winter ending...
steering my kite
towards the rainbow

especially in Brisbane
the fast cars call my name
Vuong! Vuong!

switching the TV off
cracked windows
spill moonlight

reading Poe
a crow fades
into dusk

first clear day
I open the door
to sunflowers blooming


(previously published in 'Positive Words')

Feature Poem..

Great poem.


Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.