Life of a Poet - Hank (Kaykuala)

Kids, traveling around the blogosphere, I'm sure you must have come across Hank, (Kaykuala), at Rainbow,  a faithful participant at Poets United and other sites. It's always so cool to find a gentleman poet to interview, amongst all us gals......so hop aboard as we wing along to beautiful Malayasia, to see what life is like through Kaykuala's eyes.

Poets United: Hank, I visited around your blogs a bit, and am wondering what part of the world you live in? Are you still  in Malaysia?

Hank, "in Gay Paree, a long time ago",

as he wrote on his blog yesterday!

Hank: Yes, I’m in Malaysia right now. I’ve travelled to a few places overseas but that was a long time ago.

Poets United: So, to begin – would you tell us a little about  your family, and life in your part of the world?

In traditional dress: Azhar, Shadah, Hank and Hafiz

Qhaty, Hafiz's spouse, lighting the candles

Hank: I’m currently residing in Petaling Jaya, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur (K.L.) I’ve been in K.L. all my life, where I studied, and was employed. My loving wife Shadah is with me. My three children are also around nearby, two with families of their own. I have 5 grandchildren. They frequently come to visit on the weekends.

We have just celebrated Hari Raya (literally a day of festivity), which corresponds to Christmas. It was celebrated last Saturday, Aug 18, 2012 for this year. There were Hari Raya cards (similar to Christmas cards) sent out about a month before the event to friends. This practice was conveniently ‘discontinued’ by many with the advent of text messaging or through blog postings. Typically there would be visits to friends, relatives and corporate clients. We are free to make ‘Raya’ visits for about a month. 

Elder grandsons Norman and Kimie

Poets United: How interesting, Hank. We wish you and your family many blessings at this special time. You have such a beautiful family!

Hank: Life in K.L. can be quite hectic. Malaysian drivers are known to be fast drivers. We would normally avoid the roads. Shopping and leisure would mostly be on weekdays to avoid the crowd. Shadah and I would frequently travel the weekends to Seremban, a town 75km south of K.L. It  has a slower pace to the hustle and bustle of K.L. It is good to unwind and relax there as a weekend retreat.  From Seremban we may even go a little further south to Port Dickson (PD) and Malacca on some occasions. There’s  a white sandy beach in PD where I would stroll holding hands with Shadah with the soft sea breeze sweeping by brushing our cheeks, wow!

Shadah at the shore

Poets United: Hank, that sounds pretty romantic. How lovely.

Hank: Malacca is steeped in history dating back to 1400 when it was founded. Later in 1511 the Portuguese came with their galleons, followed by the Dutch in 1641. There are a number of historical sites still existing, attesting to their presence.

With Serena and Tony, our old neighbors, 

back from London for a visit

Poets United: It sounds like a place steeped in history!   Is there a story from your childhood you would like to share?

Bill and Sarah - younger grandson and granddaughter

Naqip - youngest grandson -
beginning his long journey

Hank: I grew up in K.L. A normal childhood if there was one, nothing spectacular in the early years. However, I was privileged to have studied in a prestigious school, and there are stories to tell. I was in the Royal Military College (RMC) for my secondary education (equivalent to an American High School).

The RMC comprised two separate entities, the Boys Wing and the Cadet Wing. The Boy’s Wing was (and still is) a full-fledged residential school like any others  in the country. The difference was that we were garbed in jungle green uniforms in class and were given to military training on Saturdays. We had the full works of parades, kit inspections, jungle bashing, weapons training, annual camps, activities others our age could only imagine. We even received monthly allowances at a given rate, according to our age. 

We were encouraged to put to practical use what we learnt  through organized activities at our Annual  Camps. We organized expeditions and activities during term breaks. The Boys Wing is one of the feeder schools to the Cadet Wing, which is styled akin to what you have at West Point or Sandhurst – training for young officers. I have posted  on Birdhouse of what my student days were:  In the Nick of Time (2),  Port Dickson Revisited, and Annual Camp.

Poets United: What an interesting background you have, Hank.  I see you have been blogging since 2008. Have you always written, or did it come to you slowly over time?

Hank: I began late. I started ‘birdhouse’ with the intention of ‘keeping a record’ and keeping track of the progress of projects that my partner and I started. It was just narratives, with some dramatics. I went through a learning process and blogging was something new with lots of experimenting and discoveries.

Whatever writings before were just little ones in student scrap-books. But we were lucky as the majority of teaching staff (at the RMC) in the early ‘60s comprised seconded expatriate officers from the British Armed Forces. They were from the Education Corps, some in uniforms with ranks of Captains and Majors, while some were ‘civvies’.  We had a fair share of English Literature from polished British gentlemen who made it a pleasure to learn. We had poems and poetry, Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, to be precise, and the works. They goaded us on, we  developed an  interest, but since it was just for studies’ sake, it didn’t go further with me.

Poets United: Who would you say has been the single biggest influence on your writing?

Hank: Yes, I can tell who have been instrumental in getting me appreciating poetry in the first place.  Earlier on during school days, an accomplished teacher in  English Literature, Mr PD Bond, was the one who led us most. We were raw on poetry and Shakespeare, but there he was, putting everything on the plate. Then,  a most versatile Mr Michael Loh taught us Art, Maths, English Literature and English.  A rare combination of expertise in one person, I would say. Both teachers had had a profound impact on my appreciation of poetry. In addition, a lot of pointers on Art came from Mr Michael Loh as well. It helped enhance my interests in sketching and painting.

However, two persons who came into my life recently were the ones who provided the direct impetus. It came when I needed it most. I had commented on Pak Cik’s  blog for some while then. Pak Cik took it upon himself to sponsor and provide for the under-privileged, the deprived poor and orphans, a continuing education in his private school. Invariably many of them given the opportunity did well and went on to further their studies. Pak Cik could see someone in need from miles away. 

I had commented on accomplished poet and author Madam Ninotaziz   whenever she made an appearance in Pak Cik’s blog, al-Manar.  Pak Cik saw my interest in Ninotaziz’s poetry and connected us. Ninot led me by the hand for quite some while, encouraging me on. Ninot introduced me to Tess’ Magpie and also mentioned other blogs that provided prompts. That’s how it all started. I’m practically new in the game, as you can see. I owe it all to Pak Cik and Ninot,  two kind blogger friends.

Poets United: What a wonderful story - it shows how small the world really is, and how this wonderful blogosphere connects us to the most amazing people, so generous with their support and encouragement. So, Hank, tell us: what do you love about poetry?

Hank: Poetry is a fascination. It challenges the mind to bring out more than what is obvious. It manifests itself in language that is beautiful, not restrictive, but open to varied  interpretations. The various forms of poetry open the horizons further, making poetry appreciation more meaningful.

Adura with Azhar in front of the Disney Castle, LA

Poets United: What keeps you writing it?

Hank: It is for want of something to do, and for the love of it. Age is equated to wisdom. The older you are, the wiser you seem. This, I believe, is true up to a point. You cannot have someone who is touching 90 years to be at the zenith of brilliance and becomes cleverer  still upon reaching 100. It doesn’t work that way. Mental capacity has to be nurtured to maintain sanity.

For that reason I cannot see myself trying to stay alert  doing crossword puzzles or doing memory exercises. Writing is a better option. Seriously, writing gives a sense of achievement and excitement . I couldn’t imagine I could write every other day. But that is exactly happening right now.  By year’s end I would chalk up a decent number of poems, I believe. While there is a tinge of regret for not starting earlier,  on hindsight I consider it lucky to have started at all.

Poets United: Absolutely, Hank! What makes a poem “good” for you, your own and others’?

Hank: I’m not schooled on the intricacies of writing poetry. Alliteration, meters and rhythm put a certain semblance of discipline into it. It’s good to be aware and conform where possible to enhance its value.  I would rather see poetry having a measure of mystery, humor and somewhat of a conclusion right at the very end; and, where possible, the dramatics of a punch-line where appropriate. I admire the talents of those who can write in a way that brings imagery to a higher level. I write in a simple and direct manner, and have yet to reach that level of sophistication!

Shadah and Hafiz

Poets United: Simple and direct works well, too, Hank! Is there a connection between music and poetry for you?

Hank: Absolutely!  Lyrics are all about poetry. It’s so pleasant to the ears when lyrics that rhyme are sung. Light music to accompany poetry reading can be mesmerizing too!

Poets United: What is the purpose of each of your blogs ?

Hank: I started out with ‘birdhouse’ which is  prose based,  recording events current as well as in the past. I needed  a ‘vehicle’  to record events.  I have lots of colored slides and I needed to do a running commentary when these were shown. I have now posted some in a ‘nostalgia series,’ which my children and grandchildren can access at their own time. I need to reactivate this again as I’ve neglected ‘birdhouse’ for so long.

When I started writing poetry it was still in ‘birdhouse’. It was cumbersome when I had to refer back and forth whenever necessary. I created ‘Rainbow’ just for poetry so as to get better organized. 

Poets United: What other interests do you pursue when you aren’t writing?

Hank: I golf with friends on a social basis (I am playing to a reasonable18). I do the Par Course quite regularly for exercise, and I read.

Poets United: On your Birdhouse blog, I see you have traveled to a few places. What was the most memorable trip you ever took?

Hank: I brought the family to Disneyland. That was the most memorable. Adura  was then 9 years old and Hafiz was 4 years. It was not so much Disney for which I was in awe myself. But it was the twinkle in their eyes being in Disney that gave me the satisfaction. We stopped in Hawaii on the way back and we  were in Waikiki for  some time in the day!

Shadah and the kids at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando

Poets United: I love  your children's beautiful names. Hafiz is one of my favorite mystics.......and I so love that the twinkle in the childrens' eyes was your satisfaction. As is the way with parents, my friend.

Shadah at Lake Tahoe

Hank: I would like to go to New Zealand again. The scenery was  fantastic. Lake Taupo was just like a big painting on canvas. The rivers were gushing with clear water and rapids. With 5 million people then, the pace was leisurely (despite 50 million sheep for company!)

It would be fun to go to South America and  Africa. These are ‘uncharted’ territories to me!

Poets United: Oh, me, too. Those two places call my name.  Do you have a favorite poem  you would like to include here?

Hank at the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

Hank: Yes, not so much a favorite, but rather in remembrance of a paradise undisturbed. This was posted in my ‘birdhouse’ before.

Oct 18, 2010

There's a place tucked away in the mountains far north. It has to be seen to be appreciated. I was there for a week many years ago. The serenity of undisturbed nature was just overwhelming. It brought back fond memories to inspire this!

Kashmir

Much maligned,holiday blues
What am I in for?
Set me free, morning dews
Droplets, shining,pierced by the Sun…
Tell me more!

Rivulets of clear streams
Gushing down the mountain side
in the Kashmiri landscape
Say,am I dreaming?
No, say no more

Fly onwards to Gulmarg and Pahalgam
Bring me back the flowers, the blue sky,
the snow, gushing streams crystal clear
of lovely maidens, and rosy cheeks
of house-boats and Dal Lake
Kashmir, I remember thee once of yesteryear

Undisturbed, decidedly picturesque, untouched ,
yearnings beyond,
markedly wishing
for Srinagar again beckons!

Hank and Adura at the Eiffel Tower

Poets United: What incredibly lovely writing. May paradise remain untouched! Would you like to give a shout-out to  a few blogging friends whose work you admire?

Hank: Oh yes, definitely!  There are so many of caliber in the community. Among them are Brian, Pat, Claudia, Amy, Pam, Ninot, Mad Kane, Dave, Mary, JJ, Grace, Hedgewitch,  and many more that I connect with from time to time. It’s such a pleasure and a privilege being in their company. And not to forget you too, Sherry, my dear! 

Poets United: Why thank you, kind sir!!! Is there anything else you’d like to share with Poets United?

Hank: Nothing pressing! All are adequately covered, I would think. Thank you Sherry!

Poets United: As always, the pleasure is all mine, my friend.

Wasn't this an interesting visit, kids? And now it's time to fly back to wherever we belong. But isn't it true that the people behind the pens are some of the most interesting folks around? Come back to see who we talk to next. Who knows! It might be you!