Member Of The Month Is :
Congrats !!!
1. Where did you grow up? I spent the first seven years of my life in a small western town in Wyoming. My grandfather owned a ranch but it had only one main ranch house. So, he converted the chicken coup into another small house and that’s where my family and I lived. The next location was to be southern California which has been my home now for the next 53 years!
2.What is the first thing you remember that perked your interest in writing?
I honestly have no idea. lol I’ve been writing since I was a little kid about eight years old. I used to write little thoughts and things, usually spiritual. By ten I was trying my hand at love poems, hahaa. Don’t ask me about that because I have no idea why – that’s the answer. I didn’t pay attention to any of that at that age, but for some reason, I was very sentimental and wrote about love.
3. Did you go to college/university?
I went to a music conservatory and also spent a few years at UCLA. Ronald Reagan is the one who signed my degree (well, the machine did with his name). He was governor of California at the time – a long time ago, now.
4. If so, what was your major?
I majored in music and education with an English comp minor. I play classical clarinet and have been a recording artist for quite a few years. In the 80’s, I played for most major studios such as MGM, Warner Bros., Disney and others. Today, I write and record my own cds.
I also have played symphonies, ensembles, trios, quintets (the Pacific Woodwind Quintet). I’ve been fortunate to play under Zubin Mehta and well as his father Mehli. These are, obviously, wonderful conductors.
5. Outside of college, how have you educated yourself beyond secondary school? My perception is that education never ends. I’m a student: I’m a researcher. From law to insurance to martial arts, I have remained an active student as well as an active teacher. Teaching is one of the most profound ways to keep yourself in a place and spirit of learning.
6. What’s your favorite color?
Green! To me, the symbol of birth, life, health and abundance.
7. Food?
I’m very much into eating asian foods. I love a great pizza and there is nothing like a really great steak and a wonderful glass of cabernet.
8. Pastime?
My work is my pastime. I have three occupations: music, martial arts and photography. Along with those, I’m a published author and a student/writer of Eastern poetry forms. I’m fortunate to say that my careers are also my hobbies and I feel very blessed for that.
9. Music?
Though I’m a classical musician, I listen to many different styles of music including jazz and yes, country!
10. Poet ?
Basho and Shiki are a couple of my favorite poets. There are so many out there we could do an interview just on this subject alone. I read as many different poets as I have fingers and toes… and more.
11. TV show?
The Shield…. that’s the one. Is there anything else to watch? However, I don’t have television in a traditional sense. No antenna, no cable or any reception of media (in the home) is how I live. In some ways, I’m very simple. I love movies and couple of tv series’: so, I rent them and avoid the commercials and all that visual/mental interruption.
12. Movie ?
TOMBSTONE!!!
13. Book ?
I really don’t have a favorite book. Next to me, on my night stand, there are always no less than 25 books sitting there bidding my attention. They consist of eastern philosophy, poetry, chi kung and eastern healing arts.
1. Give me a brief rundown of your history on AP. In other words, how did you get here?
I was writing on another site when I was referred to Allpoetry. I immediately was fond of Allpoetry and signed up. I think I joined around 2002. I’m a former Site Supervisor as well as the co-founder (with Kevin) of the Allpoetry School of Poetry and Writing. I was the first Allpoetry Dean of Education…. all of this sounds important now that I read it but honestly, to me, it is more fun than important. I really enjoy Allpoetry: I enjoy the great times here as well as some of the more challenging times as Site Supervisor. It’s all good.
2. How long have you been a member of All Poetry?
About six years now. I wasn’t as active last year due to career obligations but I’m enjoying being here again now and writing, sharing and laughing with my Allpoetry friends.
About Your Poetry :
1. When did you first begin to write?
I was writing little things, the best I could, at 8 years old. No one really knew – my mom probably never new until later on in years. I lost my dad but my mom continues to read my poetry today. She’s a sentimental one.
2. What kind of poetry do you write the most? Dark, Sensual, Etc.
I write primarily asian form poetry. Subjects I explore are wide and many ranging from love to woodpeckers tapping the trees.
3. Who are your influences?
There are so many but primarily Chinese and Japanese poets. There are several fifties American poets as well. Basho was one of my primary influences in the beginning and is today. I still “see” new things every time I read his work. Shiki…. Issa….. so many great haiku/tanka/renga/haibun authors.
4. What feeds your desire to continue writing poetry ?
Everything. Everything that I am keeps me writing. I write all of the time. I have five books of which two I self published for quite a long time. I’m the President of a major kung fu association so I have a built in audience…. hahaa.
General :
1. Hobbies?
My careers are also my hobbies. I am who I am… I don’t “go to a career” or “work on a hobby”. I am both of those at all times 24/7 – completely absorbed in the “is” of things.
2. Pets?
I have three cats, a shepherd and a wife….. (hahaahaa… joking. If she reads this now, I’m dead meat!!!) I really enjoy having my little furry friends. They sure bring a lot to one’s life – at least mine and my wife’s.
4. What advice would you give to growing poets ?
I always advise the same few things: read a lot; write a lot. Don’t judge your writing as good or bad but rather, simply write… do it often. It’s always good to study different writing techniques and art forms as well. It helps improve technical issues and skills needed to write more effectively. The better trained one is in writing, the easier it is for that writer to appeal to an audience and be read: the better trained one is in writing, the more likely folks will understand what you are saying, feeling and implying. However, “skill” should never be the actual voice of an author; rather, in the end, no matter how it is written… it’s the message of the piece and author that counts…. nothing more and nothing less.
5. Anything else you can think of.
Life is both happy and sad at almost all times. If one’s focus is on the sad, how can that person ever have a chance of being happy. Find a spot happiness, even if just the tiniest bit, and focus on it. Let that be the seed for the larger picture. If life is 99 percent miserable there remains 1 percent that is great. I always try to think and respond to that 1 percent. Giving it attention works a little bit like watering a plant – helping it grow and mature. With patience and a little water, happiness can be more abundant in one’s life…. in anyone’s life.
One Of His Best Writes :
© haikumonk meet me my dearest
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© haikumonk
early morn'
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On The Side Note : Don, thank you so much for being such a wonderful member/teacher. I encourage everyone to check his class out, and also his other haikus, and poetry.
Adding your comment:
You done good Kari! 
Another grand choice, Kari. haikumonk has been a generous mentor to so many. His voice is distinct & profound. As for question #5...I have always believed that happiness & sadness are but fleeting moments in our lives. I strove for contentment & it has served me well for lo, these many years. Keep writing, Poets. The world needs to hear your voices blending in harmony. Congratulations, Don. 
