 Universal Harmonies |
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| Under the Precious Umbrella by Roberto Valenza When I went to Katmandu in mid-October, I was struck by the bright heatand smell of cow dung; ten years later, on a bright autumn day in urban Portland, I still smell the cow dung and dust. Roberto Valenza lived in Katmandu for years, immersed in the city and its cultures, particularly as a student of Buddhism. Nepal was until recently the only officially Hindu nation in the world; yet, perched between India and Tibet, it mixes the two religions as seamlessly as it blends immigrants from those nations with people and attitudes that are uniquely Nepalese. Roberto is uniquely American, his voice New York,his attitude rock and roll hippie, in Nepal to escape and to discover.
Under the Precious Umbrella embodies this mix of cultures and intentions. Many of the poems concern Roberto's experiences—external and internal—at the Swayambunath monastery. At times he speaks like a teacher, giving us glimpses of the Buddhist world view, particularly as it relates to self-development.
In other poems he is experiencing the highs and lows of psychological exploration, ranging between samsara and nirvana. Always around him are the sights, sounds and smells of Katmandu (when the hashish was legal and cheap, the food and rents cheaper) and other parts of Nepal, as well as his own visions and speculations,
Perhaps this 200 page book is best viewed as a city in itself, something no two visitors will see the same way, each finding some places you want to visit often, and places you pass through hardly noticing. I most admire Roberto's bravery in his nakedness in this book, the beauty of his involvement with dharma, the slash of his critical eye (aimed both at the world at large and himself in particular), and his bacchanalian joy of the sex, sweat and drugs 70s Katmandu was awash in. Living the life and singing the songs. No city's homogenous, nor is this book. It's a memoir, it's a diary of religious experiences, a concert of beat-influenced social and self-commentary. My personal favorites are where the language is energized and roaring, like here in "The Young Tantras":
I wouldn't have minded a little guidance before entering this place,some evidence of planning: in other words, tighter editing. A few pieces are like what anyone might dash in a journal while living in an exotic location or going through personal changes. All cities have their own organization principles, at least in the history of their growth: I'm not sure if this book has one. Its more holistic form of organization puts extra stress on the need for leaving out softer poems that cover similar ground as stronger pieces. A glossary might also have been a good idea. Still, Under the
Precious Umbrella is a place that burbles with
harmonies universal and deeply personal—places
you've never been that become home,occasionally
overflowing with brilliant experience. Make your
own trails, jumping around the poem-scape, making
sure to take in all the wonderful artwork and
photography (much of it by Roberto himself).
Later, wander back to poems and spend a little
time in their neighborhoods. This
collection displays some of Roberto's personal
evolution, and give readers a variety of paths to
pursue for their own growth. dan raphael lives in Portland, Oregon and has at least thirteenbooks of his poetry under his belt. He performs throughout the Pacific Northwest. He is the proprietor of 26 Books (he published the workof 26 poets plus the fine anthology Playing With A Full Deck).For seventeen years, until 1993, he published NRG Magazine.
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