A Wandering Poet: The Journey so Far....

By Jia Maria

Walt Whitman once wrote:

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities filled with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more
faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renewed,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring – What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here – that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

This book is my verse. And hopefully Chapter 1 of it.
What is yours?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press AU
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781982294687

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 Jia Maria.

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-9467-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-9468-7 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date:   05/10/2022

This book is first and foremost,

dedicated to my grandpa (1929-2021)

who was always proud of me.

I hope you enjoy my poems in heaven, Grandpa.

I miss you lots and lots every day.

I would also like to dedicate it in loving

memory of Robin Williams (1951-2014)

who played Mr Keating in Dead Poets Society.

O Captain, My Captain,

you’re a light onto my path always.

"Carpe diem. Seize the day.

Make your lives extraordinary."

"We don’t read and write poetry because it’s

cute. We read and write poetry because we are

members of the human race and the human

race is filled with passion…"

"Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are

noble pursuits, necessary to sustain life;

but poetry, beauty, romance, love,

these are what we stay alive for."

- Mr Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989)

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 — The Early Years

Chapter 2 — Growing Up

Chapter 3 — The Darkness

Chapter 4 — Heart Matters

Chapter 5 — Around Australia

Chapter 6 — Viva Italia!

Chapter 7 — Living Abroad

Chapter 8 — Travels In China

Chapter 9 — Back Home

Chapter 10 — The Light Within

FOREWORD

I do believe that the meeting of two souls is the exact time the universe conspires to acknowledge what each one needs at a moment in time.

Personal experience has taught me, it’s not the length of time of a journey we may share with someone, but the quality.

I have found myself in so many of Jia Maria’s poems, so significant to many of my own experiences, memories and thoughts. It’s about a human connection, attached to a place in time, evoking feelings we have all held in our hearts at one time or another.

Jia’s depth is boundless, her kindness has no end, her creativity in the arts is outstanding.

She is a soul I am grateful to have the privilege and honour to know.

Gabriella Reale

PREFACE

I can’t believe I’m finally publishing my poetry. It’s been a lifetime in the making.

I remember when I wrote my first English poem called The Riverbank in Yr 6, I had just come to Australia not long before that and hardly understood anything. It was my first piece of creative writing in English and my teacher was really impressed. She read it out loud in the school assembly and gave me a homework award. Sadly, I lost both already.

Then in high school, I wrote more poems, ranging from No Longer (which I no longer have either) for an English assignment, to Rose (which I do and it’s in this book) which was published in one of our yearbooks. I even wrote one for the essay part in a Catholic Studies test and the teacher was truly amazed that I could do it under exam pressure.

Throughout university, I continued this hobby and shared my new works with a close friend and a crush. The latter showed me some of his own which made me fall deeper for him, as I find such talent in the opposite sex admirable, attractive and irresistible. It turned into a bit of a sad, unrequited love that lasts and impacts me deeply to this day.

As I joined the workforce, I often turned to poetry to express my innermost feelings and escape into my own world. There were times when I felt very miserable, and it was only through writing, could I feed my heart and soul by encouraging myself to look forward. Later, I went to teach English in China for seven years which was the best time of my life, so much so that I wrote about 400 poems to record my wonderful experience there.

So I’ve selected my most favorite ones for this semi-autobiographical book, divided into 10 chapters which are the different stages of my life. I’d like think that I’m a wandering poet, either physically or spiritually, and this is my journey so far, but the destination is still unknown. And this book is not the end of it, I will write poems for as long as I live.

Hitherto, thank you for taking the time and effort to read and understand my poems. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them, and I’m always happy to hear your feedback. Because in the end, what are we but lonely souls that wish to connect?

Jia Maria

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Thank you to Balboa Press – for your patient guidance and expertise.

I wouldn’t be able to make my long-time dream come true without you.

Thank you to my family – for bringing me into this world, raising me up,

nurturing me as always and motivating me to become a better person.

Thank you to my friends – for encouraging, supporting and believing in me

to overcome my doubts and publish my poetry for more people to read.

Thank you to my pet parrot Max – for brightening my day every day;

your ongoing, unconditional love fills my heart with warmth and gratitude.

Thank you to my teachers – for teaching me the skills to write at school

and inspiring me to be a teacher myself for seven years overseas.

Thank you to the great works out there – art, music, literature, films

(especially the movie Dead Poets Society) for stimulating me with ideas.

Thank you to all the jobs I’ve worked at – for allowing me to dream

and make my wishes come true whilst making a living substantially.

Thank you to my romances – for being an everlasting muse.

Thank you to the passers-by – for giving me stories to tell.

Last but not the least, thank you to myself – for having faith,

standing tall and never giving up on my dreams through it all.

CHAPTER 1

The Early Years

1TheEarlyYears.jpg

"I’m just a dreamer,

a bohemian at heart."

A Seashell Story

There was a little seashell,

washed upon the seashore.

It got scared and lonely,

because the waves had to go.

The little seashell looked around,

not knowing what to do.

She cried and sobbed all day long,

calling for her home.

The beach tried to calm her,

on a soft sand platform.

She sat and listened to the sea,

as it spoke to her slowly.

"One day, I’ll take you away,

please don’t be afraid.

This is a part of your journey;

you will like it here."

The little seashell nodded,

deciding to settle down.

She was no longer upset,

for the sand had dried her tears.

She watched sunrise and sunset,

enjoying time and space.

After so much traveling,

she was glad to get some rest.

She fell in love with the beach,

although she still missed the sea.

But she could not change her destiny,

as the waves were now ready.

The little seashell was heartbroken,

for this was her new home.

She begged the sea for freedom,

but this could not be bargained.

So she left her promise on the beach,

vowing to come back someday.

With her imprints on the sand,

the beach would never be lonely again.

Hence, if you ever pick up a seashell and listen,

you’ll hear the sound of the ocean.

But she’ll always carry grains of sand with her,

no matter her next destination.

Children

Each child has a dream,

no matter how common or unique.

Support those dreams like your own,

and you’ll be happier when they come true.

Each child has a talent,

no matter how ordinary or special.

Nurture those talents carefully,

and you’ll be prouder upon their achievement.

Each child has a voice,

no matter how big or small.

Let those voices speak up,

and you’ll be a better audience.

Each child has a personality,

no matter how quiet or loud.

Celebrate those characteristics,

and you’ll be a role model to them.

Each child has a future,

no matter how bright or dark.

Be there for them when you can,

and you’ll always remain their guardian.

Comedy & Tragedy

Comedy and Tragedy are companions,

standing by each other all the time.

Comedy says to Tragedy every day,

"I bring smiles to people’s faces."

Comedy and Tragedy are competitors,

rivalling for attention and wisdom.

Tragedy reminds Comedy continuously,

"Life doesn’t always go your way."

Comedy and Tragedy are siblings,

connected by flesh and blood.

Comedy pats Tragedy on the back,

"I will take away all your pain."

Comedy and Tragedy are enemies,

threatening to kill