Night by William Blake | Songs of Innocence | Poetry Reading |Soothing | Mystical Poetry

Did you know that I self-published a book of poetry for self revenge? Yes, I had written a collection of poems since 1990 or 1991. I am amazed that I am so old. 

When I was going through the poems to consider for publishing, I noticed it became.... 

 A 20yr journey seeking love 

Pieces of life stitched thru poetry 

A girl who believed God did not notice her.

...A poetic journey of self-transformation. 

 I was first exposed to hard-core poetry with a book by William Blake in English Literature class. I could not understand what any of the poems meant but our teacher was so good she explained line by line! 

 Later, when I managed to get into university, I enrolled in a writing class to fulfil the dream of becoming a novelist. Alas, my professor made us write poetry instead! With my poor written and spoken English, it was a frightening experience to read aloud what I wrote in front of a class of all Americans. 

I thought I was wasting my tuition fees in this class. So, I swore to myself I have to make it worth my time someday. However, the professor gave me lots of As and that boosted my confidence that I could also have a knack for poetry.

After thinking for years, I finally gathered the courage to self publish, despite all the objections from my head. 

Here, I am trying to do something new -- to record spoken poetry and use my basic editing & artistic skills to make a meaningful video.

Enjoy "Night" by William Blake.

A Lone Star

The 1st poem that kicked it off ... 

A 20yr journey seeking love 
Pieces of life stitched thru poetry 
A girl who believed God did not notice her....

Unravel her inspiring story of transformation:

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1504347617?pf_rd_r=G6PVRBVJ38ATHSAQHTFZ&pf_rd_p=6fc81c8c-2a38-41c6-a68a-f78c79e7253f

Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/then-true-love-comes-irriesse-chia/1123259143?ean=9781504347617

Book Depository
https://www.bookdepository.com/Then-True-Love-Comes-Irriesse-Chia/9781504347617?ref=grid-view&qid=1607779748342&sr=1-1

Balboa Press
https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/727495-Then-True-Love-Comes

I wrote this poem more than 20 years ago. I can't really remember when.

As with all my writings and music, they are more of instant downloads rather than inspiration. In the case of writing, usually the words just pour out onto the paper or typed onto the computer in one sitting. After that, I would do minor edits to the words and sentences.

I don't claim to have a large vocabulary of words. English was not supposed to be my first language. So, I don't squeeze my minimalist mind for words that rhyme or google for synonyms that sound more intelligent than I could handle.

But what's more important to me is the meaning contained in that poem, and in any other writing forms I do. It's got to hit you in your head and launch an arrow deep into your heart and soul. And sometimes, you'd have to read between the lines or wait upon it for a spiritual revelation. Poems are like that. Snapshots.

Well, anyway, when I had the urge to compile some of my poems, long hidden in my own secret place, and most dating back 20 years or more -- to be published for the world, it took some time to feel what this book was gonna be about.

And when the concept and structure started to form like a screenplay, I found that all my poems naturally found their homes to fill up all the six chapters.

And naturally, the only poem I had written that could start off the book was, "A Lone Star," because it also became clear that it WAS the beginning of the story.

Pagans

This brings to mind
the label
the religious people
gave the ancient civilizations
who worshipped trees with traditions.
Pagans?

Well, perhaps, they were right after all.
Perhaps, they were the ones who knew
that God is not your judge in the sky,

but rather, God is the spirit and the creator
in every rock and tree and creature,
in every sprinkled drop of water,
in the coverings you wear on the outer,
in spring, summer, fall, winter
in the ships that sail over yonder
in the ships that fly over borders
with me and you, and is
me and you.

 © 2017 Irriesse Chia

A Lone Star -- Spoken Poetry

Sudden inspiration to read this poem "A Lone Star," which is the 1st poem in my very 1st book published, "Then True Love Comes."

So, using my basic home recording & editing skills, I set it to a piece of impromptu composition. Next, is to get inspired by visuals, so that I can turn it into a video clip! So, that's coming up soon...

Meanwhile, hope you can connect with this... :)

#PoweredByIndie

Then True Love Comes - Spoken Poetry

This is the poem I was talking about in my earlier blogs. It was actually first the lyrics I wrote for a song I composed. That song is in production, still waiting for a good guitarist before I record the vocals. 

Meanwhile, I tried my hand at speaking the poem at the cool "If Walls Could Talk" poetry open mic night (IWCT). I never thought poetry could be so cool. 

Frankly speaking, for years, I always imagined poetry events to be dull and boring, attended only by a much older, conservative crowd, who huddled around sipping tea. So, I remained a closet poet for 20 years, even after getting A's writing poetry as a journalism  & writing student at Western Michigan University. 

But after chancing upon IWCT on facebook, I decided to take a chance and attend its open mic night as I was in the midst of preparing to publish my book. I guess it was about time to check out a poetry event.

It was timely to be introduced to it as I was blown away by the buzzing atmosphere, the gaslight ambience of the Gaslight Cafe, the young and the beautiful piling in wall to wall, chilling on the floor till there was no space to move through. The entire setting was a gem, exactly the little artistic performance place only found in movies, with a fresh, young and youthful, almost-international, colourful, energetic, supportive audience hanging on to every word! I didn't know there was actually an audience in KL which loved poetry, and a young audience at that! 

Here are some pics that were taken during the past few events:

#poetry #thentruelovecomes #publishing #book #poet #poem #author #spokenword #performancepoetry 

Hanging Up My Sword - Spoken Poetry

Have discovered this utterly cool poetry lovin' & spoutin' group in KL, "If Walls Could Talk," in this amazingly dim joint of a place called Gaslight Cafe. It's like artistic heaven. Hahaha.

I challenged myself to do it. What? Yes, after 20 years as a closet poet, I'm finally comin' out, and not only that, I'm declaring to all who will hear (and say what?) that I am publishing A POETRY BOOK. 

So, this was my first attempt to share my writing in public, and also to speak it aloud ( with the minimum-est of performance). The paper is there in case I forget the words...

I found that I kinda enjoyed doing it, even though I wondered if my poetry was good enough for others to understand and like it. 

After all, I'm just giving up excuses NOT to publish THE book. So, judgements aside, the slogan now is "just do it."

#poetry #thentruelovecomes #book #publishing #poet #author #poem #hangingupmysword #performancepoetry #spokenword