Haikus: September 2007

HAIKUS: September 2007

By Peter Y. Chou
WisdomPortal.com

These haikus were written as exercises in mindfulness—
an attempt to catch the fleeting moment in my daily walks,
while reading, listening to music, and pondering about life.
(Underlined words are not for emphasis but to web links.)
This web page best viewed with Times font size 14.

Saturday, September 1, 2007, 10:21 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Strauss, Jr. (Listen)
"Emperor Waltz", Op. 437 (1889) (Notes)

Regal and pompous
march for Franz Josef's palace
rather than a waltz. Saturday, September 1, 2007, 1:00 pm
Galvez Street by Stanford Stadium passing
scalpers, parents with kids & crowded cars

The roar of the crowds—
Stanford plays UCLA
football as I walk by.

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 1:30 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay

Mother redwood gone—
fifteen of her offsprings soar
high up to the sky. Sunday, September 2, 2007, 1:45 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Gulch Trail Entrance PC04

Purisima Creek
Trail Entrance PC04—
to Pure Consciousness!

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 2:15 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Gulch Trail, Redwood burnt by fire

Fire has scorched your trunk
but inner strength lets you grow
upward to the sky. Sunday, September 2, 2007, 2:35 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Gulch Trail, Another burnt Redwood

Adversity stops
you not as "Scarface" Redwood
soars high to the Sun.

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 3:13 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Trail, Doreen & Meyer Luskin Grove

A small waterfall
hidden from the outward trail
like a treasured jewel. Sunday, September 2, 2007, 3:30 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Gulch Trail, Creek between redwoods

Between two redwoods
the flowing creek gurgles like
rapid white waters.

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 3:36 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Trail, Hornet bites my friend's head

Through the redwood grove
I go— May this sphere of light
shield me from all harm. Sunday, September 2, 2007, 3:50 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Grabtown Gulch Trail, Purisima Creek Bridge

Hanging ferns all decked
out like lush theatre curtains
of a Broadway show.

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 3:55 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Gurgling waterfall by Purisma Creek Bridge

Near the exposed roots
of redwoods, a waterfall
cascades by the bridge. Sunday, September 2, 2007, 4:15 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Redwood roots on Purisma Creek Trail

A rare look inside
the roots of a giant redwood
where the sap resides.

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 5:13 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
3 black truncated redwoods, Borden Hatch Trail

Three witches gather
surrounded by ten redwoods—
a scene from Macbeth! Sunday, September 2, 2007, 5:18 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
Redwood archway on Borden Hatch Trail

This fallen redwood
forms an arch with four branches
growing up like trees.

Sunday, September 2, 2007, 6:00 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
A torn Redwood on Borden Hatch Trail

Three layers exposed
in the bark of this Redwood—
Let me touch your heart. Sunday, September 2, 2007, 6:43 pm
Purisma Creek Redwoods Preserve
End of hike on Grabtown Gulch Trail

What grabs you in life?
Beauty, Truth, Wisdom— Three gifts
to Enlightenment!

Monday, September 3, 2007, 10:04 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Joseph Haydn
Cello Concerto #1 (1765) (Listen) (CD)

In fast moving train—
mountains rivers without end,
everything a blur. Monday, September 3, 2007, 11:22 am
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Listen) (CD)
Piano Concerto #24 in C minor, K.491 (1786)

24-hour day—
a cycle of completion,
the Earth spins around.

Monday, September 3, 2007, 1:36 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Parking Lot at Park entrance (Map)

In the lofty pine
crows cawing and around me
butterflies flutter. Monday, September 3, 2007, 1:48 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Circle of giant redwoods (Map)

A sonnet of trees—
fourteen redwoods in circle
where Kent married Nanette.

Monday, September 3, 2007, 2:05 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Richard's Road Trail (Map)

Bay trees bend forming
an archway with giant redwoods
like a cathedral. Monday, September 3, 2007, 2:15 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Crystal Spring Foot Bridge (Map)

One-sided bridge to
walk through over dry creek bed—
Plunk! a small pine cone!

Monday, September 3, 2007, 3:03 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Miramontes Trail to Phleger Estate (1232 acres)

Herman Phleger was
a lawyer and diplomat—
lived till 94. Monday, September 3, 2007, 3:13 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Miramontes Trail on Phleger Estate

Miramontes Trail
post with an Indian on horse
carrying a spear.

Monday, September 3, 2007, 4:00 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Signpost Junction at Phleger Estate: Skyline Blvd.,
Raymundo Trail, Mt. Redondo, Miramontes Trail.

At crossroad junction—
signposts to four directions.
Which path to follow? Monday, September 3, 2007, 4:45 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Resting at Phleger Estate bench with sun
shining on Miramontes Trail Indian signpost

Bay and Oak Tree arch
toward each other in friendship—
May love be like this!

Monday, September 3, 2007, 5:24 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Crystal Spring Trail (Map)

Shelf mushroom nestles
in trunk of double Bay Tree—
Where are the fairies? Monday, September 3, 2007, 5:55 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Bay Tree Trail (Map)

A fallen Bay Tree
whose roots resemble an arm
stretched to shake my hand.

Monday, September 3, 2007, 6:00 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
Bay Tree Trail (Map)

Seven Bay Trees bend down
the hillside with six branches
growing straight upward. Monday, September 3, 2007, 6:35 pm
Huddart County Park, Woodside
East Meadow Lawn (Map)

Six deer grazing in
the East Meadow Lawn— a treat
to conclude our hike.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 10:00 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Frederic Chopin, Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 (1835)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Waterfall cascades
down the mountain as I wake
to a crystal spring. Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 10:10 am
Home in Mountain View listening to music
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven (Listen)
Symphony #5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1814)

O wake up to your
true Cosmic Self and enjoy
the gifts of heaven!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 9:50 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and
George Sanders in "All About Eve" (1950)

Selfishness got her
to the top in this film but
in real life she lost. Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 11:50 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Bette Davis, and Paul Henreid in
"Now, Voyager" (1942), Music by Max Steiner

Whitman's Untold Want—
Now, voyager, sail thou forth
to seek and find the stars.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 1:28 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Rachmaninoff (Listen) (Notes)
Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 43 (1934)

Sparkling, flamboyant
music that dazzles like some
sword-fight flashing by. Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 1:54 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Strauss, Jr. (Listen)
Roses from the South Waltz, Op. 388 (1880) (CD)

Swaying and swinging
to Roses from the South Waltz
written by Johann Strauss.

Thursday, September 6, 2007, 11:28 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Helen Jane Long
Eclipse (Listen) (2006)

We're in ignorance
letting our ego eclipse
our true cosmic light. Thursday, September 6, 2007, 12:36 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Beethoven (Listen) (1801)
Piano Sonata #14 in C-sharp minor "Moonlight"

Beethoven's song to
the moonlight— O beautiful
orb in the night sky!

Thursday, September 6, 2007, 1:30 pm
Friend takes me grocery shopping at
Trader Joe's & Milk Pail, Mountain View

Broccoli, garlic,
alfafa sprouts, strawberries,
green pepper and eggs. Thursday, September 6, 2007, 6:30 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Classics Reading Room at my computer

My friend Rudy's here—
We're going to Stanford Theatre
to see some Westerns.

Thursday, September 6, 2007, 9:00 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
James Stewart & Shelley Winters
in "Winchester '73" (1950)

Winchester rifle's
the reward for best shooter
but the loser stoled it. Thursday, September 6, 2007, 10:30 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
James Stewart & Marlene Dietrich
in "Destry Rides Again" (1939)

Destry believes in
law and order but not guns.
Now he's forced to use it.

Friday, September 7, 2007, 12:15 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Gustav Holst (Listen)
The Planets, Op. 32: Mars (1916) (CD)

The music of war
as Planet Mars marches on
to rolling drumbeats. Friday, September 7, 2007, 12:50 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Karl Maria von Weber (Listen), "Invitation to the Dance", Op. 65 (1819) (Waltz)

Greta Garbo played
this music in Camille for
her lover to come.

Saturday, September 8, 2007, 10:44 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel
Water Music Suite #1: Dances (Listen) (CD)

Waves are dancing to
Water Music— Why don't we
join in and dance too? Saturday, September 8, 2007, 10:58 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven (Listen)
Violin Sonata #5 in F, Op. 24 "Spring" (1801)

A "Spring" sonata
by Beethoven lifts me up
to heavenly heights.

Saturday, September 8, 2007, 11:30 am
Home in Mountain View
Phone call from friend

"Gotta have rhythm,"
she tells me, "you need to put
music in your poems." Saturday, September 8, 2007, 1:00 pm
Galvez Street by Stanford Stadium—
Looking at trees in Eucalyptus Grove.

Star and the Cross nuts
on the same tree branch. Why can't
we all live in peace?

Saturday, September 8, 2007, 6:50 pm
Home in Mountain View at kitchen window—
Looking at sun shining through trees
and closing my eyes in meditation.

Mandala of blue
dahlia and gemstone glowing
inside my mind's eye. Saturday, September 8, 2007, 7:00 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Leon Fleisher plays
Ludwig van Beethoven (Listen) (CD)
Bagatelle for Piano in A minor, "Für Elise" (1810)

Music for loved one—
soft and tender melodies
embrace you with joy.

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 10:32 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Jules Massenet (listen)
Thaïs: Meditation, (1894)

The Sphinx meditates
in silence of the desert
on the Pyramids. Sunday, September 9, 2007, 11:05 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Tchaikovsky (listen)
Symphony #5, Andante Cantabile (1888)

Music such as this—
conduits to serenity
and tranquillity.

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 1:28 pm
Rhus Ridge & Moody Road, Los Altos Hills
on drive to Hidden Villa for hiking

Two deer nibbling
in the grass— a treat to see
while going to hike. Sunday, September 9, 2007, 2:37 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Duveneck House by Bunny Creek

Wooden bridge to the
Duveneck House covered with
heart-shaped redbud leaves.

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 2:53 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Wooden bridge to Bunny Trail

Along Bunny Creek—
Here comes Peter Cottontail
hopping on the bunny trail! Sunday, September 9, 2007, 3:00 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Bunny Trail by Bunny Creek

Group of twelve Bay Trees—
I climb up to their center
and breathe in their strength.

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 3:38 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Hiking on Long Bunny Loop Trail

Madrone Tree curving
high up to the clear blue sky
drinking in the light. Sunday, September 9, 2007, 4:16 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Hiking on Long Bunny Loop Trail

Branch of Madrone Tree
with face of a sleeping deer
greet me as I pass.

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 6:00 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Chicken Coop in the Animal Farm

Chickens are running
all around me while I search
for the red wheelbarrow. Sunday, September 9, 2007, 6:10 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Animal Farm with ram and sheep

The ram stares at me—
I touch his spiral horns and
think Fibonacci!

Sunday, September 9, 2007, 8 pm-10 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Luciano Pavarotti (Article)
Pavarotti: The Legend at 70 (2005) (Obituary)

Best opera tenor—
he hits the high notes with voice
soaring to the stars! Monday, September 10, 2007, 10:39 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Felix Mendelssohn,
Hebrides Overture, Op. 26 (1830) (listen)

This tune reminds me
of Beethoven— inner rage
stirring up a storm!

Monday, September 10, 2007, 10:55 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue (1924) (Listen) (CD)

Blue conjures sadness—
but this rhapsody is red
hot with neon lights! Monday, September 10, 2007, 11:08 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Frederic Chopin
Etude in E, Op. 10, #3 (1832) (Listen)

You must have nimble
fingers to play this piece
with virtuosity.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 11:17 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Tchaikovsky (Listen) (1893)
3rd movement, Symphony #6, Op. 74 "Pathétique"

Marching music moves
on as time speeds by past us
when we're not aware. Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 11:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Beethoven (Listen) (YouTube)
Piano Sonata #21 in C, Op. 53 (1804)

Waldstein sonata
also known as L'Aurora—
image of daybreak.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 9:30 pm
Stanford Theatre, Music by Alfred Newman,
Joan Crawford, Hope Lange, Suzy Parker
Diane Baker in "The Best of Everything" (1959)

Four New York working
girls ambitious for success
but not finding it. Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 11:15 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Burt Lancaster & Tony Curtis
in "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957)

Power hungry men—
neurotic energy on
New York City streets.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 11:26 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Beethoven (Listen) (CD)
Twelve Variations for Piano in A major
on a theme of Wranitzky, WoO 71 (1797)

Twelve Variations
on a Russian Dance Ballet
of the wild maiden. Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 12:08 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Gershwin (Listen) (CD)
Promenade "Walking the dog" (1937) from
Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers "Shall We Dance"

Shall We Dance music
Fred and Ginger on the ship
deck walking their dogs.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 8:45 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Buster Keaton, in "Steamboat Bill, Jr." (1928)

Cyclone ravaged town
but he's not hurt with building
collapsing onto him. Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 9:55 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Buster Keaton, in "The Navigator" (1924)

Stunt after stunt as
he fights swordfish at sea and
wards off cannibals.

Thursday, September 13, 2007, 11:22 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Frederic Chopin (Listen)
Piano Concerto #1 In E minor, Op. 11 (1830)

Piano music like
a waterfall of crystal
droplets in cascade. Thursday, September 13, 2007, 11:32 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Manuel de Falla
La Vida Breve (1905) (Listen)

Life is short. Art long—
Study and practice. Focus
on the Eternal!

Thursday, September 13, 2007, 12:00 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven (Listen)
Finale, Symphony #4 in B-Flat, Op. 60 (1806)

Brisk bustling rondo
with frenzy and fervor tunes
in Beethoven style. Thursday, September 13, 2007, 12:52 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Rimsky-Korsakov (Listen)
Tsar Saltan: The Three Wonders (1900)

Talking Bird, Singing Tree, and
Golden Water— three wonders
to be discovered.

Friday, September 14, 2007, 10:42 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Rimsky-Korsakov (arr. Kreisler)
Golden Cockerel: Hymn to the Sun (1907) (Listen)

Thanks to Father Sun—
O Giver of Life with warmth
to light up the worlds. Friday, September 14, 2007, 10:50 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Joseph Haydn (Listen) (CD)
Symphony #43 in Eb "Mercury" (1772)

Closest to the Sun—
Gold in your atomic heart—
Messenger of souls.

Friday, September 14, 2007, 8:45 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Boris Karloff, in "The Mummy" (1932)

An unearthed mummy
returns to life searching for
his ancient lost love. Friday, September 14, 2007, 10:05 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Boris Karloff, in "The Old Dark House" (1932)

Dark and stormy night
travellers are stranded in
old dark gloomy house.

Saturday, September 15, 2007, 12:05 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Richard Wagner (Listen)
Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries (1856) (CD)

Battle-cry music—
Riding up the mountain peak
the horses gallop. Saturday, September 15, 2007, 12:28 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: J. S. Bach (Listen) (CD)
Violin Concerto #2 in E, BWV 1042 (1723)

Violin strings flowing
like a vast river down to
the mighty ocean.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 9:52 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Mozart (Listen)
Symphony #40 in G minor, K. 550 (1788) (CD)

Wake up from sleep to
Mozart Symphony 40—
catch the transition! Sunday, September 16, 2007, 10:39 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Sir Edward Elgar
In Moonlight (1904) (Scores) (CD)

Under the moon's soft
splendor, the young Bach copied
music scores he loved.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 2:08 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Hostel Trail, Bay Tree root alcove

Five fallen Bay Trees
sending forth fresh saplings from
their roots in the earth Sunday, September 16, 2007, 2:55 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Overview on top of Hostel Trail

Hawk circles above
the panoramic view of
Stanford to Moffett Field.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 3:45 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Elephant Mountain on Hostel Trail

Sixteen Buckeye fruits
hanging like a chandelier
on the mountain top. Sunday, September 16, 2007, 4:00 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Hostel Trail past Grapevine Trail

Shape of Elephant
Mountain comes into view while
climbing up the trails.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 4:25 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Hostel Trail on top of Ewing Hill

How green my valley—
where Nature still reigns without
man-made artifacts. Sunday, September 16, 2007, 4:44 pm
Down the valley looking east from
Black Mountain Trail, Rancho San Antonio

Black Mountain sounds like
a giant lump of coal that hides
a diamond within.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 5:15 pm
Hidden Villa, Upper Adobe Creek Trail
West side of Ewing Hill

Long plumes of clouds
hover above Vista Point
on High Meadow Trail. Sunday, September 16, 2007, 5:28 pm
Hidden Villa, Upper Adobe Creek Trail
First madrone tree sighting on hike

In Spanish, Madrone
means strawberries— I hug
it with affection.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 6:18 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Sheep Corral in the Animal Farm

Flock of sheep munching
on lush green grass as I wait
for the ram to come. Sunday, September 16, 2007, 6:33 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Flaming clouds above the hills

Clouds rising like fire
over the hills— now is time
for spiritual rebirth.

Sunday, September 16, 2007, 6:55 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Dana Center at West Loop Trail

A blue wheelbarrow
glazed with rain by the roadside—
Where are the chickens? Sunday, September 16, 2007, 6:58 pm
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Fish clouds above the hills

Paul Klee's Golden Fish
not on the table but high
above in the sky!

Monday, September 17, 2007, 10:22 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: George Frederick Handel
Xerxes: Largo (1738) (Listen) (CD)

Xerxes prized treasure—
the tree in the courtyard, not
his palace riches. Monday, September 17, 2007, 10:31 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: J. S. Bach (Listen) (CD)
Cantata #140: Sleepers Awake (1731)

Sleepers wake up to
the eternal treasures all
around you every day!

Monday, September 17, 2007, 11:04 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Maurice Ravel
Bolero (1928) (Listen) (CD)

Trek through the desert—
camel caravan can't find
lost city of gold. Monday, September 17, 2007, 12:08 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Liszt (Listen) (CD)
La Campanella, "Little Bells" (1838)

Little bells tinkle
to drive away the witches
from autumn harvests.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 10:36 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending (1914) (Listen) (CD)

Blake's 28th lark
ascends to the topmost tree
singing like a star! Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 10:52 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Domenico Zipoli
Elevazione (1715) (listen) (CD)

Ascend by going
within to your crown chakra—
thousand petals of light.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 10:20 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Sir Arthur Sullivan (Listen)
The Pirates of Penzance: Overture (1879) (CD)

Sailing the high seas,
flying the Jolly Roger—
the Pirates of Penzance! Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 11:26 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Mozart (YouTube) (listen)
Piano Sonata #11, Turkish Rondo (1783)

Mozart music too
lively for dancing except
for the Sufi spin!

Thursday, September 20, 2007, 10:53 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Joseph Haydn (Listen)
Symphony #101 in D "Clock" (1794) (CD)

The clock goes tic-toc
as time marches on and on—
the Watcher stands still. Thursday, September 20, 2007, 11:04 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Fantasia on Greensleeves (1934) (Listen) (CD)

Autumn equinox
is near— half moon is waxing
for the fall harvest.

Friday, September 21, 2007, 10:39 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven (Listen)
Symphony #3 in E-Flat, Op. 55 "Eroica" (1804)

Riding Pegasus
to Beethoven's Eroica—
soaring to the Light! Friday, September 21, 2007, 11:20 am
Franz Danzi, Fantasy for Clarinet on a Theme
by Mozart, Op. 41 (1814) (Listen) (CD)

Beautiful music—
"La ci darem la mano"
from Don Giovanni.

Friday, September 21, 2007, 9:10 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
James Stewart in "The Man from Laramie" (1955)

He finds the man who
sold rifles to Apaches
that killed his brother. Friday, September 21, 2007, 11:05 pm
Stanford Theatre, Gary Cooper and
Julie London in "Man of the West" (1958)

The saloon singer
in love with former outlaw
who has become good.

Saturday, September 22, 2007, 10:35 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Camille Saint-Saens (Listen)
Samson & Delilah: Bacchanale, Op. 47 (1877)

Beauty versus Brawn—
Delilah took Samson's strength
by cutting his hair. Saturday, September 22, 2007, 11:05 am
Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto #1 in B-flat minor,
Op. 23 (1875) (Listen) (CD)

Inspired by Kiev
blind beggar street musicians,
he composed this piece.

Saturday, September 22, 2007, 12:45 pm
Green Library, Stanford University, Reading
Marcel Duchamp's "The Creative Act" (1957)

The spectator adds
to the artist's work in
the creative act. Saturday, September 22, 2007, 1:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Recalling Leo Tolstoy's "What Is Art?" (1898)

Every artwork is
a relationship between
artist and viewer.

Saturday, September 22, 2007, 5:50 pm
Riding Bus #22 home to Mountain View
Reading Kant's "Dreams of a Visionary" (1766)
Essay concludes with Voltaire's "Candide"

"Let us look after
our happiness, go into
your garden, and work." Saturday, September 22, 2007, 6:00 pm
Walking by & admiring giant oak tree
at 550 Ortega Avenue, Mountain View
next to Avalon Towers on the Peninsula

O beautiful oak—
arms stretched in 8 directions
embracing the sky!

Sunday, September 23, 2007, 12:02 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Handel (Listen) (CD)
The Faithful Shepherd Suite (1712)

Shepherd in the field
tending a flock of sheep
and playing his flute. Sunday, September 23, 2007, 1:40 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Beethoven (Listen) (CD)
Symphony #6 in F, Op.68 "Pastoral" (1808)

Inspired by birdsongs
and running brooks, he composed
pastoral music.

Sunday, September 23, 2007, 5:52 pm
Baylands Nature Preserve, Mountain View
Shoreline at end of San Antonio Road

Curlews, mallard ducks,
sandpipers, seagulls, and terns—
all hunting for food.
Sunday, September 23, 2007, 6:00 pm
Baylands Nature Preserve, Mountain View
Reflective moment at Shoreline's marsh pond

Ten egrets in pond
looking like brides— Which virgins
are wise, which foolish?

Sunday, September 23, 2007, 6:23 pm
Baylands Nature Preserve, Mountain View
Taking photo at Shoreline's marsh pond

Eight white pelicans
flock together while a blue
heron spreads her wings.
Sunday, September 23, 2007, 6:52 pm
Baylands Nature Preserve, Mountain View
Alchemical moment at Shoreline pond

The Sun to my right—
The Moon to my left and I
centered in the Earth.

Sunday, September 23, 2007, 7:00 pm
Baylands Nature Preserve, Mountain View
Seven pelicans in a row and one in flight

Pelican in flight—
sweeping the air gracefully
leaving me breathless! Monday, September 24, 2007, 2:00 am
KSFO 560 AM, Coast-to-Coast.am
Rollye James interviews Jerry Katz on "Non-duality"

Non-duality
is connecting to something
bigger than yourself.

Monday, September 24, 2007, 4:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading obituary of Marcel Marceau

Through mime he moves your
mind touching joy and pathos
in the garden of life. Monday, September 24, 2007, 9:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading J. G. Herder on Immanuel Kant

Kant's mind is serene
and joyous. Rich ideas pour
from his lips like rain.

Monday, September 24, 2007, 10:00 pm
Green Library, Stanford University, Reading
Kant's "On the Beautiful and the Sublime" (1764)

Flowers and the day
are beautiful. Great oaks and
the night are sublime. Monday, September 24, 2007, 11:45 pm
Green Library, Stanford University
Reading Kant's "Dreams of a Visionary" (1766)

My soul purified
from prejudices. My mind
ready for the Truth.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 10:47 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johann Pachelbel (CD)
Canon in D (1680) (Listen) (YouTube)

My feet lifting to
this music, hands waving like
a silk-scarf dancer. Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 12:26 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johannes Brahms (Listen) (CD)
Finale, Symphony #1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1876)

Forty years in womb—
Beethoven's 9th gives birth to
Brahms' First Symphony!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 11:00 pm
Stanford Theatre, Kirk Douglas & Jean Simmons
in Stanley Kubrick's "Spartacus" (1960)

Duck and leap during
training camp so machines won't
clobber you to death. Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 11:40 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Beethoven (Listen) (CD)
Rondo in G, Op. 51 #2 (1798)

Nice waking up to
Beethoven's Rondo in G
to inspire my work.

Thursday, September 27, 2007, 2:08 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Joshua Bell plays
Antonin Dvorak (CD) (Listen) (YouTube)
Rusalka: Song to the Moon, Op. 114 (1900)

The Harvest Full Moon
shining resplendent in the sky—
My heart sings to you! Thursday, September 27, 2007, 2:22 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Yundi Li plays
Frederic Chopin, Andante Spianato, Op. 22 (1831)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Music flowing like
a waterfall cascading
down the mountainside.

Friday, September 28, 2007, 2:04 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Fantasia on Greensleeves (1934)
Lady Greensleeves, (Listen) (CD)

O Lady Greensleeves—
you've enraptured so many
loving broken hearts. Friday, September 28, 2007, 2:12 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Quartet #1 in G minor, K. 478 (1785)
(Listen) (CD)

The angel's wings spread
to embrace Dante, lifting
him to the mountaintop.

Friday, September 28, 2007, 8:00 pm
Stanford Theatre, Vincent Minnelli directs
Judy Garland in "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944)
as she sings "The Boy Next Door"

Judy's in full bloom—
he frames her in the window
like a portrait painter. Friday, September 28, 2007, 8:30 pm
Stanford Theatre, Vincent Minnelli directs
the dance sequence of "Skip to my Lou"
in "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944)

Brilliant choreographed
dancing in such a small space
of the living room.

Friday, September 28, 2007, 8:45 pm
Stanford Theatre, Palo Alto
Judy Garland (Esther) & Margaret O'Brien (Tootie)
in Vincent Minnelli's "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944)

Tootie and Esther
dancing the Cake Walk
under the Bamboo Tree. Friday, September 28, 2007, 11:30 pm
Stanford Theatre, Robert Newton & Celia Johnson
in Noel Coward's "This Happy Breed" (1944)
directed by David Lean

Between the World Wars,
this British family copes
with everyday life.

Saturday, September 29, 2007, 11:14 am
KDFC 102.1 FM: Johannes Brahms
Hungarian Dances #4, 5, 7 (1868-1880)
(Listen) (CD) (YouTube)

Waking up to Brahms'
Hungarian Dances will zap
up me for today! Saturday, September 29, 2007, 12:17 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Ludwig van Beethoven
Romance #2 in F, Op. 50 (1802)
(Listen) (CD)

Beethoven in love—
Romance music to touch your
heart strings and beyond.

Sunday, September 30, 2007, 12:25 pm
KDFC 102.1 FM: Franz Liszt (Listen) (CD)
Fantary on Hungarian Folk Tunes (1852)

Hungarian folk tunes
from his native land woven
into mists of clouds. Sunday, September 30, 2007, 3:14 pm
Friend takes me grocery shopping at
Rite-Aid, Milk Pail, and Safeway

Six Cup-of-Noodles,
cauliflower, onions, sprouts,
milk, yogurt, and shrimps.