From Japan! Mariko Kitakubo and Kathabela Wilson in a Tanka Dialogue on March 23

On Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. Village Poets will present a guest from Japan, Mariko Kitakubo, and a guest from Pasadena, Kathabela Wilson, in a poetic dialogue using an ancient Japanese poetry form, the tanka. Their presentation will be accompanied on Japanese flutes, by Rick Wilson, a math professor at Caltech in Pasadena - a collector and player of flutes of the world. He will accompany the poets on shakuhachi, a traditional end-blown flute of Japan.

As usual, the reading will include two sections of open mike and refreshments. A suggested donation of $3 will help defray the costs of future events.

 MARIKO KITAKUBO 

 Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Kitakubo lives in Mitaka-city, Tokyo and is an accomplished poet. She is a member of the Association of Contemporary Tanka Poets, Kokoro no Hana, The Japan Writers' Association, Japan PEN Club, Japan Tanka Poets Club, Tanka Society of America, and Tanka Online Project. She published 5 books of tanka including 2 bilingual ones: On This Same Star and Cicada Forest. She has also produced a CD of her tanka, entitled Messages. Mariko is an experienced performer who has presented her poetry on at least 100 occasions, 50 of them overseas. Tanka as a form pre-dates haiku, in fact haiku was born from it. It is emotional, musical, lyrical. and free. Mariko hopes by her presentations to encourage more poetry lovers worldwide to appreciate and practice tanka. tanka.kitakubo.com/english 

 KATHABELA WILSON 

 Kathabela is a California poet, artist, editor, the founder and leader of Poets on Site and Tanka Poets on Site, a FB group of over 400 poets who write on shared themes. She is also the Secretary of the Tanka Society of America. Kathabela is the author of hundreds of poems, published in many journals and books, including Maja Trochimczyk’s Chopin with Cherries anthology published by Sunland’s Moonrise Press in 2010. Kathabela is also the editor of over thirty Poets on Site anthologies inspired by art and gardens in California and featuring the work of hundreds of poets. She hosts local tanka meetings at her home salon and at Caltech in Pasadena. She is the secretary of the Tanka Society of America.

ABOUT THE DIALOGUE

About seven years ago Mariko Kitakubo visited the Pacific Asia Museum to present a program of her poetry in Japanese and English. Her musical, beautiful voice in Japanese greatly impressed the audience. and Kathabela Wilson was inspired to explore this lyrical, emotional form in more detail. Mariko and Kathabela have since collaborated, writing a dialogue sequence of tanka in answer to one another which we will present at the reading for Villlage Poets: “The dialogue was inspired especially by our meeting one another, and what it meant to us, and our experiences on Catalina Island, off the coast of Long Beach CA, an excursion taken at the end of the haiku and tanka conference.”

 two minds

one island

wet from shimmering bay

driftwood and stone

scattered relics

Kathabela Wilson

awakening

at emerald green beach

after

my long long drift

about in a shell

Mariko Kitakubo

Op-Art Painting by Julian Stanczak www.julianstanczak.com.

DOROTHY SKILES  - FAREWELL READING ON VIMEO

The February 23, 2014 reading by Dorothy Skiles was filmed by Joe Barrett and placed on Vimeo. In this reading she presented a series of poems inspired by or coupled with photographs by her husband Bill Skiles.  This travelogue took the listeners into the past and around the world, into reflections about the beauty of nature and the passing of time. There was a visit to snow-covered Berlin, and sunny English countryside. There were boats in Venice, Italy, and chaparral in our hills. The full moon, birds in flight, open sea, a Japanese plum tree in the spring, and the summer rains. A real delight!

Dorothy Skiles Video from Bolton Hall Museum

Poets after  Dorothy's reading. Front L to R: Mira Mataric, Maja Trochimczyk, 

Dorothy and Bill Skiles,Marlene Hitt, Kathabela and Rick Wilson.

 Back L to R: Taura Scott, Beth Baird, Judy Garrett, Beverly Collins, 

Sharon Hawley, Peter Larsen, Toti O'Brian, Bryan Story, Mari Werner, 

Janet Nippell, Becky Mate and Joe DeCenzo. 

Dorothy Skiles - Farewell Reading of Poet Laureate, February 23, 2014

The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga are pleased to announce that Dorothy Skiles, long time resident and Sunland-Tujunga’s Poet Laureate 2012-2014 will be featuring at the upcoming Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga’s Monthly Poetry Reading Series, Sunday, February 23, 2014, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Ave., Tujunga, CA 91042.

Dorothy’s poetry reading will be accompanied by photos of her travels with her husband, Bill Skiles, amateur photographer and also a long time resident of Sunland-Tujunga. Dorothy is the President of the Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga.

Since May 2010, Village Poets have sponsored monthly poetry readings, inviting well established poets from Los Angeles, the foothills, and beyond. These events are a meeting place for the community and poets alike to gather and enjoy an afternoon of poetry. Routinely, there are two open reading segments welcoming new or seasoned poets who want to share their work.

 Over the last 17 years, Dorothy has been involved in the local poetry scene and her poems appeared in a variety of community publications. She is a long time member of the Sunland-Tujunga Chuparosa Writers, and has published several chapbooks including: The Sidewalk Gallery (1979), Ear to Earth (1996), Spine Flower Blues (1999) - a collaborative work by the Chuparosa Writers, and  Riddle in the Rain (2003) – collaborative work with Marlene Hitt. She also has poems in Meditation on Divine Names, edited by Maja Trochimczyk (Moonrise Press 2012), and From Benicia With Love, edited by Don Peery (Accent Digital Publishing, Redding CA 2013).

 In 2013, Dorothy served on the Bolton Hall Centennial Committee that planned numerous celebratory events commemorating the 100th year dedication of Bolton Hall. She currently serves on the Verdugo Hills YMCA Senior Advisory Board, as well as facilitating a monthly “Y” Poetry Group. She also enjoys sharing her poetry with seniors at Sunland Park Senior Citizen Center. Dorothy is an active member of the Lutheran Church in the Foothills, and has brought poetry to various church events, including facilitating an “Evening of Poetry” event in September 2013. Dorothy is also an active member of P.E.O (Philanthropic Educational Organization) which promotes educational opportunities for women.

Happy Fourth of July with Poet Laureate Dorothy Skiles

Three Poets Laureate rode in one car, a brown convertible decorated with flowers, flags, and sage-colored ribbons, to match the Poet Laureate sign and the posters with the name of our newest Poet Laureate No. 7, Dorothy Skiles.  Dressed patriotically from navy pants, to red shirt and white hat, with a shining sash and a red umbrella decorated with whimsical maxims, Dorothy sat on the back of the convertible, waved and occasionally recited her poem "Congratulations" written especially for this occasion.

The 4th Poet Laureate Joe DeCenzo drove in a top hat, evening coat, and blue jeans; the 6th Poet Laureate, Maja Trochimczyk, covered in stars, waved and called out with good wishes.  A teen helper, Ann, walked along and gave away postcards with Dorothy's inspiring poem.  The Poetry Mobile followed the Little Landers Historical Society, and other notables, in a very large parade. This year, it included, in addition to vintage cars, dirt bike riders, horse riders in a variety of outfits, the Oldest Rock of Sunland Tujunga, and more.

There were jazz bands and rock groups, Christian musicians and local notables - the chair of the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce, the Honorary Mayor of Sunland Tujunga, The two Grand Marshalls of the Parade, including Lloyd Hitt (with Marlene Hitt), dressed in Bolton Hall's Black and White outfits with colorful sashes.  Dorothy read her poem that was distributed on colorful postcards.

CELEBRATION

The Fourth of July's
Night skies are alight with stars
In celebration

Of our nation's birth!
Red, white, blues of many hues
Dance before our eyes.

Children frolic about,
Lovers snuggle on the lawn
All want to stay 'till dawn!

(c) 2012 by Dorothy Skiles

Our two feuding politicians were there as well, Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alarcon and his challenger in the election to the seat on the California Assembly, Raul Boccanegra. They will face off again in the next round. Let the best man win!!!

Patriotic music blared from loudspeakers, children sprayed each other with water, the fire trucks continued creating summer showers for those who wanted to brave the curtains of water. The dirt bikers and the unicycle rider showed their tricks, the marching band from Verdugo Hills High School marched, the cheerleaders and the color guard delighted the crowds with their routines. I'm sure there were more participants, but I could not see them all. 

We met up with the donkey, named Maggie, at the end. Luckily, she did not provide our music - we were playing American golden oldies - Sinatra and Cole Porter, with Ella Fitzgerald and more... Everything was all right, as it should be, at the Sunland-Tujunga Fourth of July 2012 Parade!!!!

See more pictures from the parade: Maja Trochimczyk's Fourth of July 2012 Album.

Photo Captions: 1) Joe DeCenzo, Dorothy Skiles and Maja Trochimczyk; 2) The Poets' Mobile in the Parade; 3) Dorothy Skiles; 4) Joe DeCenzo, Dorothy Skiles, Maja Trochimczyk and Raul Boccanegra; 5) Maja Trochimczyk, Councilmember Richard Alarcon with his daughter, and Dorothy Skiles; 6) Maja Trochimczyk with a Donkey named Maggie.

Happy New Year 2012!

The Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga wish everyone everywhere, especially all the poets and poetry lovers, a wonderful and creative New Year 2012. This is the year of "Black Water Dragon" according to the Chinese calendar. It is also the year that the end of the world is supposed to come, if you want to believe the prophecies.

For some, it will be the end, for others, a new beginning. In any case, enjoy the poetry from our group and we hope to see you at the Village Poets readings at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga (on Commerce Avenue, hard to miss!) The next reading is on January 22, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., featuring our very own, whimsical and surprising Justin Kibbe. More information will follow next week.


New Years Eve

One new minute - just cause
to go off to meet another, a minute
murmuring ‘happy new moment’,
yes, but too quickly for my ear.
All those moments flying by
since Time was declared. Time,
moments that fell into the labeled
rhythm of hours and ages.
We wish “happy” to the new year,
happy party, happy cheers!
Happy kisses, happy years!
happy new, happy hope...
Year light, year bright,
I wish the wish I wish this night.
I wish I may, I wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight.

© 2001 by Marlene Hitt (12/22/01)



New Year’s Eve 2012

Midnight -

All eyes watch the clock
as fireworks fill the skies,
and bells ring, crowds sing
“Auld Lang Syne.”
Some, eager to start anew,
others are wistful or blue,
yet each finds a space,
with a kiss or embrace to
welcome in the New Year!

© Copyright 2011 by D. Skiles (December 27, 2011)



A Joyous New Year

Did the sun look any different
When you rose to turn the page
Of the callous book of time
That tends to promise a new age?
Did the tolling of one midnight
Pardon any prior sin
That the spirit could attest to
When the dawn was ushered in?
Did the glass reflect an image
Not unlike the day before
Or refine the soul’s complexion
Not considering the core?
For the coming of the solstice
Alters nothing from within,
And with only introspection
Can new countenance begin.
While a dropping crystal ball
May prove an elegant display
Can it equal any moment --
Any hour of the day,
We both welcome and avail
Ourselves to summon love’s increase
That each morn will spring anew
So New Year’s growth will never cease.


Joe DeCenzo
Sunland-Tujunga




New Year 1997

A new year greets at the dawn of the day.
Midnight tolling has faded away.

A gate has opened, a door is closed.
Hope has cheered the nighttime woes.

Yet rain still falls on city streets,
I’ve breakfast dishes, wrinkled sheets,

and what is new? And what’s the fuss?
The party’s over. It was tedious!

No new years come, there are only nows
as moments come along to browse.

But. When a midnight kiss comes stealing by
I’ll shout the words. I will comply.

Each raindrop is new, not yet tried out.
Blessed each drop our garden has caught

Happy new year. Let’s promise anew
to try to resolve a thing or two.


© 1997 by Marlene Hitt




A Haiku for 2012



black water dragon

in a nimbus of danger

we laugh to freedom




© 2011 by Maja Trochimczyk





New Year

A new palette, blue-white,
fresh brushes with no tint

That long season,
that whole year
blanketed itself
over the backs of colors.
Those were the yesterdays,
even over days of grey.

A child’s red dress
stitched by great-grandmother
shimmered on her skin
beside the greens of Maui’s sea
and lavender hills of sunset,
mixed up to something odd.

Tubes of paint lie fresh
not yet opened

you were dressed in black
smart and slim
every day of the year,
and now I wonder
what your face would say
if I would give you
a sun-yellow sweater
edged in gold.

The new season has begun,
bright, clear and golden.
These are the days to remember.

Burnt umber is a fine beginning.
Over that a springtime tree.


© 1999 by Marlene Hitt (12-99)