"G.O. showed her Barnaby, his workhorse, the nine cows, all named, and the chickens. He won her over." from the War Book
A note from Mi Chau
They asked me to write something for my readers. Strangely, after all I've written about my life, this does not come easily. I am shy in social situations, even though I can act very confident. I have an unconscious learned behavior of keeping my back to a wall, searching out exits and hiding places.
When I reached the Farm at age six, I discovered the peace of being with animals and walking near the brook or in the woods, The few friends I've made in my life and my family are as important as food and air for me. I often think of the death daring my Ma and other refugees took for freedom. I believe I would step onto that midnight escape boat to save someone I love. Or to spend my life with someone I love.
I have an overactive mind that won't be still, which is both a gift and a burden. I am very alert to potential dangers. Whatever I observe or experience, I want to understand on a physical or psychological level. Did Ma say something cruel? I want to know what in her life would make her say such a thing.
I am a compulsive writer. Even writing about Pirates, drowning, or my Great Loneliness helps to expunge the stress from my body and leave me renewed, at least for a time.
That is my wish for my readers who have experienced harm, anguish, or pain. Try writing about it. Observe it, tell its story, understand what you can, write, accept, let it go.
Mi Chau
Portrait of Mi Chau as an adult, jetsam of the ocean behind her.
Look! Before you read the book.
Why we hate and fear poetry: Because it's hard to understand?
Mi Chau explained each poem at the back of the book. In the ebook just click on the title, and it takes you to the explanation. To return to where you were reading, click the title of the explanation (same as poem title), and you're back to the story. Easy.
In the printed paperback, the Explanation page is shown for each poem. Put a bookmark in and turn to the explanation, then return to your bookmark. Easy.
Tip: Many of the poems are just stories or rants that wouldn't bother you if they were written in paragraph form, like this. They're the same words in shorter lines.
Only after you've read the book.
We wouldn't want you to see spoilers, so save this part for after you've read the book. Really. Wait. There's a section with questions for book clubs and discussion groups. Maybe more later.