Jennifer Bloomingkemper - Poetry and Pictures

Jan. 7, 2013

For Huelien

Like water from a vine leaf
you roll down gracefully and with great intent
you roll a mighty force with you
like a wave crashing over me
remembering the beach
of which a rebirth awakened the soul
and the girl smiles once again

 

Wulai pantoum

I am so heavy in your arms
Put me on your back with wooden chair
Call out to the grey sky with bohemian rage
For this is the spirit of the Atayal.

Put me on your back with wooden chair
Adore my mountain face, long and broad
For this is the spirit of the Atayal.
Reinvented vigor dance to mountain face Wulai

Adore my mountain face, long and broad
Sing of Batal's mercy and ornament the sacred tree
Reinvented vigor dance to mountain face Wulai
Spinning black cape and tattoo cheekbone

Sing of Batal's mercy and ornament the sacred tree
Merge with your ancestors through beheading of foe
Spinning black cape and tattoo cheekbone
Warrior drinking blood, vital water of this life

Merge with your ancestors through beheading of foe
From colored feather and cherry blossom hear the monkey call
Warrior drinking blood, vital water of this life
Beat the basket, weave the grain, call black bear for rain

From colored feather and cherry blossom hear the monkey call
Open your velvet curtain to reveal the waterfall's tears
Beat the basket, weave the grain, call black bear for rain
Sacred harvest; Millet wine quench my throats desire

Open your velvet curtain to reveal the waterfall's tears.
Weave the cloth with my love bearing stitch
Sacred harvest; Millet wine quench my throats desire
Marry me in the circle of kick dance, Gaga memory

Marry me in the circle of kick dance, Gaga memory
Call out to the grey sky with Bohemian rage
Weave the cloth with my love bearing stitch
I am so heavy in your arms.

 

Haikus for Taroko Gorge

Taste the land and mist
I see your hidden beauty
ILA FORMOSA

Nine turns of the bridge
Swallow's Grotto can baptize
The soul of any man

The heart of Asia
My spiritual playground
You answered my call

 

Anping Dreaming

Peace is set upon the dinner table
Left to be rationalized with salt and pepper
Tongues heave in movement and aim for order
Modern amenities give way to
Lush green dense born from air and rock.
Meet me down by the well and I will offer
You fruit and tea and you will take me to the river
Milk fish swim upstream through my childlike belly
I can feel you drawing near.
Ride in on a blue dragon that never blinks
See the people laughing and I don't know why
Coyote pupils brace my heart
Illuminate my heart, you have found a way to put me in my place
I'm ashamed I don't have a heart you can break
Can you see me through your Asian eyes
Narrow by Him that keep desire out.
Never say never as I listen to your flute
Violin melody is in the air as the breeze
Blows through your bearded trees
Old wharf you fought so hard to keep evil at bay
Anping and cannon carcass lining post colonial walls.

 

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Last updated or reviewed on 3/4/13