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Pacific Raven Press, LLC

Author Archives: pacificravenpress

Red Dreams, Volcano Visions

21 Saturday Dec 2019

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Poem from Kathryn Waddell Takara’s 2019 book
RED DREAMS, VOLCANO VISIONS
An exciting pocketbook of poetry

Takara’s firsthand observations and reflections of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption

PELE AND FISSURE 8
It’s a spectacular show, lava fireworks
ominous, eerie, fiery-painted skies.
There are variable, color-filled clouds
corals, magentas, rubies
irregular shades of gray and black.
Surprising impermanent weather
patterns appear
while molten rock gushes torrential
reveals the heartbeat of Fissure 8.
Kanaka maoli understand
the powerful process.
Let go of illusions of control.
Allow for the robust untamed cycle
of evolution.
Recognize the signs.
It’s still too smoky
to fathom the future
in an unpredictable present.
Copyright 2019 Pacific Raven Press, LLC

Zimbabwe Spin

15 Sunday Sep 2019

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Poem from Kathryn Waddell Takara’s 2015 book
ZIMBABWE SPIN: POLITICS & POETICS

MELTDOWN

Under the rule of a zealot
Opponents beaten and discouraged
Thwarted elections
Forgotten revolution
The meaning of democracy.

Wild animals near extinction
Illegal hunters
Heedless, greedy poachers
Elephants and rhinos at high risk
Rare tusks for ancient Chinese remedies
Jewelry, decorative art, piano keys
Endangered even on animal preserves
Where empty nests dot the abandoned trees in leafless intricacy
All Nature a sunset witness.

Ignorant collaborators
Hungry, envious of Western wealth
Commit unspeakable acts of cruelty to feed their families and greed.

Awesome independence corrupts
Distorted collective vision of progress
Ignores economic meltdown
As policy supports political intimidation
Social unrest dominated by bully tactics.

Discontent rumbles under the drought of inequality
Like magma inflates before an eruption.

Copyright 2015 Pacific Raven Press, LLC

 

This poem, originally published in Zimbabwe Spin: Politics and Poetics by Kathryn Waddell Takara, refers in part to the then-President of Zimbabwe, the late Robert Mugabe (Feb. 21, 1924 – Sept. 6, 2019).

Review of Zimbabwe Spin: Politics and Poetics:

“Poets forge and foster hope. Is present-day Zimbabwe worth a song? Well, Kathryn Takara forces us to believe so: ‘Creative melodies of possibility flash across the darkening horizon lit by evening fires.’ She predicts that the Great House will rise again from its current political mess. Listen to this great American poet, and you will realize Charles Baudelaire lives on. Takara’s dexterity in offering us Zimbabwe on a sweet and sour plate tells us that poetry is sister to photography.”

–George Gnapka, PhD, author and professor in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Copyright 2015 Pacific Raven Press, LLC

Brown

17 Saturday Aug 2019

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Brown.

I imagined it was such an ordinary color

the color of my skin.

 

Brown, the color of Mother Earth,

rivers rain-swelled,

a variety of tones, sharps and flats, like people:

Africans, Indians, Asians, Pacific Islanders.

Don’t mind.

 

Apple Brown Betty, pie crusts, brown gravy,

coffee, caramel, chocolates,

walnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews,

brown wrapping paper for Xmas packages.

Brown, the color of my skin. Don’t mind.

 

Kaleidoscope of kids brown-nose the teacher,

preppies scuff their brown penny loafers.

Brownstone elegance fights decay

creeping blight in New York City,

reminding of another time—resurrecting.

 

Browns of tapa cloth, batik, wood carvings

carved brown doors to places

and events memorable,

the brown doors, usually forgotten.

 

Brown owls, chipmunks, squirrels, dogs,

horses, elks, bears, giraffes,

gazelles, lions, and other creatures

around the globe. The color of me, brown.

Don’t mind.

 

Browns are as natural as breath,

as varied as grains of sand.

To think, I imagined it was such an ordinary color,

the color of my skin.

Holiday SALE!!!

03 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by pacificravenpress in Uncategorized

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PRP HOLIDAY SALE

Email kathryn.takara@gmail.com to order.

Late Spring

06 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by pacificravenpress in poetry

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By:  Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D.

East Coast in May
50th reunion at Tufts
Old friends and festivities
Intensity multiplies
Un huh
Mint greens, emerald leaves
Dogwood and pink buds
Crystal streams flow freely
Un huh
Robins and blue birds
Turkeys and gnats
Add to the sumptuous sounds
Un huh
Petunia and geraniums
Violets and yellows
Punctuate colorfully
Patches of now
Un huh
Camellias coming
Azaleas strumming colors
Wisteria wafting lazily
Anticipation of unknown global warming
Un huh, un huh
Lost reclamations
Confused assumptions
Shared fears and sentiments
Un huh
Essence in bloom
Patience in trying
Aching joints, weakening body
Still moments of splendid
Un huh, un huh

Visitor in the garden
Eyes face west then south
See stirs of wind in date tree
Fronds reflecting, fluffing the air
Psychedelic pinks and orange
Change quick as a breath
A passing posse of clouds
Catch the colors on the French doors
Fading to evening.

Spring should be gentle
Full of promise
Meanwhile
Thousands of Rohini Muslim boat refugees
Float for weeks off Indonesia
Lost homelands in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand
Dying for lack of water, food, docking,
friendly governments and welcome.

St. Patrick’s Day 2015

06 Saturday Feb 2016

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By:  Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D.

Pause
Notice the butterfly gone orange
Like Abidjan matches
See
Mother’s plumeria tree from Manoa
Grown from a hearty branch
Witness
Spring coming
In multiple colorful
Masterful madness and fanciful designs
Feel
Air thaws to green
Nature vaunts grace in growth
Experience joy in awareness
Marvel
Moments of pinks and yellows
Lavenders and oranges
Bold daring contrasts
Together serendipitous
Beauty in multiple melodies of birds
Look
Whales frolic off the coast
Splashing presence with new calves
Attention
A blue day changes
Wind shifts south
Vog from volcano drifts up the island chain
Reminding of toxic nearby
Wars, terror, nuclear threats
Corruption, elections, polarization
Troubles parallel to hope.

Summer

06 Saturday Feb 2016

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By:  Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D.

Spirit of sun
Generous, expansive
Hot hot hot
Water melon
Water sports
Water hole
Water hose
Watering plants

Summer’s lost thread
Faded dream tapestry
Veiled vision
Dreamy afternoons
Time to make a plan for autumn.

Poetry Jam! and Scholarly Exchange of Ideas

04 Thursday Sep 2014

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featuring…

admin-ajaxKathryn Waddell Takara Ph.D.
Visiting Author
Thursday June 19th, 2014

The English and History Departments and LIT Center welcome you to an end of year Poetry Jam and Dialog with visiting author Dr. Kathryn Waddell Takara.

Dr. Takara is renowned as a Poet and Author and is the recipient of the 2010 American Book Award, two Fulbright awards, and a board of Regents award for outstanding teachers. She has also received a lifetime achievement award for her research and contributions to the Hawai`i community, for her research and teaching of Black history. Please join us for the following events:


Period 1:  Poetry Jam with Dr. Kathryn Takara

A POETRY JAM with Dr. Takara, and Upper School Student Readings from Transitions, the ICSA School Anthology

  • Intro with Dr. Takara
  • All Upper School students are invited to read their poems
  • Open to all Upper School students, Grades 6 -12

Period 2:  Women and Literature — A Dialog

WOMEN AND LITERATURE:  A Scholarly Exchange of Ideas

  • Dr. Gnakpa dialogues with Dr. Takara
  • Readings from the writings of Dr. Gnakpa and Dr. Takara
  • Open to High School students, Grades 9 – 11

Note to Teachers:  Please RSVP to bring an entire class, for the whole or part of the period OR send students independently — no more than 3 students at one, with a signed pass.

 

Presented by the ICSA English and History Departments and the Library, Information, and Technology Center.

UPCOMING BOOK TOUR

19 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by pacificravenpress in Upcoming Events

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October 2014
Love’s Seasons West Coast Book Tour

(Exact dates subject to change)

Kathryn Takara, Love’s Seasons:  Generations Genetics Myths

10/8 – 10
San Diego

10/10 – 16
Los Angeles
Pasadena
Newport Beach

10/16 – 23
San Francisco:  Bay Area & Sacramento

10/24 – 26
Portland, Oregon

10/26 – 29
Seattle, Washington

10/30
Leave Seattle, Return Honolulu

“A Star Studded Evening of Jazz and Gospel”

15 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by pacificravenpress in Past Events

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THE HAWAI`I  STATE ART MUSEUM

presents

3rd Annual

First Friday

“A Star-Studded Evening of Jazz and Gospel”
brought to you by the

Hawai`i Friends of Civil Rights
Committee on the Advancement of African American Culture and the Arts

featuring…

Clay Nalaui  *  Al Harrington
Starr Kalahiki  *  Sherry Graham
Ginai  *  Chuck James Trio

and poetry by
Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D.

WHEN:  Friday, August 1, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE:  Hawai`i State Art Museum
250 South Hotel St.
2nd Floor Courtyard

Includes introductory remarks on the roots of jazz and gospel for students and others, and access to the art exhibitions and Sculpture Garden.

*FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!*

Public parking available at Ali`i Place (Alakea Street entrance) and Iolani Palace
For further information call:  586-9959

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