Hsin Ku

      Hsin Ku

          Twenty-one years ago, in May of 1993, I participated in a poetry festival at Lincoln University, then in San Francisco. At this conference, Dr. Kenneth Fan called for poems of a new form: “Hsin Ku”, or “New Classic”. Its form and rules are summarized by these two hsinku I wrote:

New classic 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.”

I admit that I couldn’t resist some sardonicism there. I hope much vaster!

Here are some more:

A single look reveals:

Airplane left, bird right

Climbing, crossing; silent 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!

Dear love, what song

What best true rhyme

Will show for long

This love through time?

Science, myth and fantasy

Future joy and sorrow;

Dreamer, come enchant me

With life beyond tomorrow.

“What is true reality?

Computer, say the word!”

It answered with finality,

“Your question is absurd.”

Why read science fantasy

Mostly thud and blunder?

I seek marvels, mystery,

Vision, sense of wonder.

Mr. Fan wanted these poems in honor of an ancient Chinese king who prayed for world peace. Alas, I could not resist delivering the following snark:

“May all war cease,”

The high lord sings;

But when there’s peace

Then who needs kings?