Hsin Ku

          Hsin Ku

Hsin Ku poem form;

Four words, four lines

Any topic, any image

Second, fourth near rhymes.

“Let Reason rule Rhyme,”

decreed the sage Master,

“so our audience be

(I hope) much vaster.”

A single look reveals:

Airplane left, bird right

climbing, crossing; silence passage

in the evening light.

Me, praise a pearl?

Or its owner, Ma’am?

Or its inner grit?

I praise the clam!

O love, we wonder;

Through you I’m wise;

How deeper we see

than only two eyes!

“May all war cease,”

the high lord sings;

But when there’s peace

Then who needs kings?

Science, myth and fancy;

Future joy and sorrow;

Dreamer, come entrance me

With life beyond tomorrow.

Why read science fantasy

mostly thud and blunder?

I seek marvels, mystery,

vision, sense of wonder.

“What is true reality?

Computer, say the word!”

It answered with finality,

“Your question is absurd.”