L I P

~Tony Brown In Musical Recital~

2008-05-22T11:47:00.001-07:00

Tony Brown, a poet who was unknown to me until following the 2008 Poet Laureate Of The Blogosphere and to my surprise not only he won but he got above three hundred votes. Then it was his voice reciting with tune of music, that had left know doubt whatsoever that such votes are well deserved. This interview will be insufficient without hearing Tony Brown voice recital. LIP has an honor to take with a journey of our 2008 Poet Laureate of the Blogosphere

95 North (Coming Home)

strain your eyes
hard enough
and you will learn what is perfect

dampen them with fatigue
and it will be easy to make
diamonds from the night's coal

the facets will glint through tears
and halos will form around
headlights

the world becomes more precious
as you become
more tired of it

the moments that will stand out in the dark
will stand out precisely because
you have come so far

and still have far to go

Did you expect that you will be getting such votes and nomination? And wining such title in the world of blogging, has it created more impact on your writing and had it opened new doors of opportunity?

First off, thank you for your kind words and attention!
It’s still a little unreal to me that I won this award. I confess that I put out the word to my various subscribers and friends to vote for me, but I didn’t expect such an overwhelming response. I treated the “campaign” for the title as a bit of joke, honestly, using various campaign slogans and statements as an extended satirical commentary on the current US election campaign. Now that I’ve won, of course, it seems that the joke was on me to some extent…

Seriously, I’ve already seen an uptick in the people visiting my blog (radioactiveart.livejournal.com) and commenting from as far away as Malta! So it’s been a really nice validation of the visibility such a contest and title can provide. And I’m honored to be in the company of such excellent poets who were nominated and the past winners.

Your were described as " Tony is a Worcester area poet who has been a vital part of the poetry scene both at home and nationally for over a dozen years. He’s a self-professed original punk, and his poem" has poetry always been running in your veins or you have discovered poetry at certain time of your life?
Oh, I am someone who’s always known he was a poet, from an early age. I still have notebooks faithfully documenting my poetry back to age 14, in 1974. It was and is the defining characteristic of my life. I don’t know who I’d be if I hadn’t discovered and been encouraged to pursue poetry at an early age. Fortunately, I don’t have to find out.

Far from poetry, who is Tony Brown, and how he pursues his life ?
Currently, I’m a self-employed human resources and training consultant – I stepped out on my own from a 25 year corporate career a few years ago to create a lifestyle that allowed me more time to pursue my art. I also make a fair amount of my living from poetry performances and freelance writing.

I’m a lifelong resident of the Worcester, MA area, a longtime member of the US performance poetry and slam scene, and a passionate but mediocre guitarist who knows enough to stick to poetry on stage.

the hands that creates music
Originally uploaded by luzylle.

Faro and I met just a couple of years ago. He worked for my girlfriend at one point and she thought I should check out his music online. I was immediately intrigued with the possibility of working with him. We’re very different – I’m 48 and he’s 20, but he’s an astonishing and inventive bass player and guitarist. I’d worked with musicians before and had never quite clicked with the whole music and poetry thing, but the two of us have developed a style and process for working together both in the studio and on stage that truly makes our work as Duende a collaboration in the largest sense of the word.

Oh, and the punk thing? I was and am a devotee of punk rock – not just the music, but the entire esthetic of the early days of that artistic sensibility. That “do it yourself” initiative continues to inform my work, even though you rarely see me at a punk show nowadays.

Bass
Originally uploaded by philputnam.

Faro is more of a jazz/funk/rock player, as well as a sensitive classical guitarist, so even though our music doesn’t sound much like punk, I like to think it’s still informed by that direct, in-your-face ethic.

Sometime talent can be such a blessing. How poetry and music showered your life.
I think of poetry as my religious practice – my way of taking with and to God and the world about my questions regarding existence. It’s the central place of my being. Music isn’t far behind in terms of importance. I see them both as forms of communication, ways to communicate things that are frequently well-nigh impossible to speak to any other way.

I don’t know what else to say about that.

If you had not had your poetry where do you see your self ?

Wow. No idea. I might have pursued being a musician more intensely, but honestly, it’s beyond my comprehension how to separate my identity from my poetry.

Which poem you feel through the years is your favorite or you would never forget.

Easy one. “DIY” (which stands for the punk motto “do it yourself” as a manifesto for taking the control of your life and art into your own hands) is pretty much a poem about my deepest desires for myself and the world. I have those three letters tattooed on my chest above my heart as a constant reminder of that.

Here’s the poem:

DIY

She burns sage at the root of her favorite tree
and calls herself priest while in town they call her slut and worse
because she dares to love who and what and when she wants.

On the nights of the full moon the men and the women of this town
come out and circle her stucco walls.
There is something in there they need.

And out there, in front of the white church, on the green lawn, right under the nose
of the fat pastor, she dances without bending a blade of grass.
God finds her agreeable.

Over there, in front of the frat house, two men kiss --
and the dangerous drunken boys inside see it
and decide to do nothing -- this time.

That's a start. Two have begun
to be comfortable making public
their own sacrament of the infinite.

And my grandmother sniffs,
" ' Elderly' is such a spindly word.
The legs of that word do not begin to support me."

She traded her electric typewriter for a laptop
two years ago and writes the definitive poetry of our age
between the innings of Cubs' games.

She will not stop smoking. Ever.
Swears that if she gets to heaven to find the clouds are posted,
she'll find another place to light up.

Friends, the arms of God are nearly endless --
but there you hang out at the end of one of them,
like a finger on a vast hand.

All that's asked of you is that you touch the earth
and transmit what you feel
back to the Heart.

So -- make a living.
Make a life. Make love. Make art.
Adorn this world with the work of your soul. But --

Do it yourself. No one
can do it
for you.

What inspires you to write and is all your poetry tide in music?

I write a fair amount of poetry that is not designed to be performed with music, although Faro can pretty much set music to anything. If anything is true about that, it’s that I think of poetry as an art of creating musical language in and of itself, so a lot of the time the solo voice is enough.

I guess the answer to that question, then, is that yes, everything is tied to music, even if it’s just the rhythm of ordinary speech or more “exalted” language, if I can use that word.

As for what inspires me – everything. Love, hate, the cat in the window, social injustice, internal dialogue, interpersonal connection, a good guitar’s perfect voice – anything!

How far would you like to go with your poetry?

Also an easy one. I’d like for at least one poem of mine to be remembered decades after I’m gone, even if no one recalls who wrote it.

How did you begin to write a column in poetry website? (Tell us more about it)

I write a column for the Gopoetry website (http://www.gotpoetry.com) called “Zero Point Zero” and have been writing it off and on for several years now. It used to be a weekly column but I’ve cut back significantly over the last two years because of time constraints.

John Powers, who runs the site, is an old friend of mine from the area, and we’ve both been involved in the poetry world for many years now. He originally asked me if I’d do a column with a pretty wide open mandate – talk about issues in poetry, especially in the world of performance poetry and the slam world.

The column is named after the lowest possible score you can get in a poetry slam. I used it as a metaphor for the starting point of every poem.

The topics range from explorations of my own philosophy and process for writing and performance and the politics of poetry and its place in the world, to discussions of forms of poetry and their particular characteristics, along with occasional rants about bad poetry – pretty much runs the gamut. A kind of snapshot of my thinking about the various aspects of the art form on any given day. Hard to categorize. I’m in the process of turning the existing columns into a book manuscript, which is hard – it ranges all over the map and figuring out a natural flow hasn’t been easy.

Really, it’s just an extension of all my work – a way of communicating to my fellow poets and lovers of poetry about what we do and who we are. It’s a labor of love, even when it seems to be a chore.

In fact, I guess that’s a pretty good summary of why I am a poet. A labor of love.

The journey of Tony Brown does not end in this interview, read his poetry but moreover hear him reciting with music on http://www.myspace.com/poetrybytonybrown . His poetry and thoughts are here to be sought after and you can find it on http://radioactiveart.livejournal.com/

(Photo of Tony Photo by David Huang, from Flickr.com photo of Bass by luzylle and th Guitar by philputnam)

Anna Piutti ~Poetry Without Borders ~

2008-01-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

Anna Piutti
~Poetry Without Borders ~

A poet has no borders. Will stand in any destination then with his or her poetic voice, it will be a starting point creating a new home. A poet is not necessarily a binding to poet herself or himself in his mother tongue, poetry reaches you in any language, for when poetry calls, it can call you in many languages not bound with your own language. Anna Piutti may be among a number of poetic faces whom their inspiration sparked through a foreign Language. Anna can be found in a blog titled Red As Wake

http://annapiuttipoetry.blogspot.com/

The flight to Italy carries me with anticipation, for LIP is a first journey but this trip had to be taken meeting Anna in her homeland. Italy can only be described through an eye of an Italian: "I find my country fascinating. I am literally surrounded by history, amazing architecture, and art. As times passes, I like to see how ultra modern buildings and Roman, or fifteenth century buildings co-exist. Some people are upset at the sight of advertising posters/boards on ancient buildings in historical cities such as Venice. Time won’t stop. It’s inevitable; it’s just history taking its course”." Anna draws for us an image of modern Italy.

She continues sketching a deep picture of where poetry stands in Italy "Poetry has always been a very important part of Italian literature. Many Italian poets are well-known and widely studied worldwide. Just think of Dante Alighieri and his Divine Comedy, or how the Petrarchan sonnet form was imported from Italy by the English Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey in the sixteenth century. Aside from that, Italy is still forging very talented poets who mostly write in Italian, but whose work can easily cross geographical borders thanks to the internet, and to international poetry magazines. Gradiva - International Journal of Italian Poetry, is one of them."

One of the hardest part when one finds a flower and to answer our inquisition, we often feel the need to find its true seeds, petals needs to be plucked one after another. My journey was short, time was not allowing me to pluck the petals. So I faced Anna with a question about where can she be found: "As a so-called commuter student, I can easily be found aboard trains and city buses in the early mornings and evenings. The remaining part of my day is usually spent taking classes, and/or studying in University halls. When I’m on a break I enjoy spending quiet time at home, and meeting up with the people I love." With ease explaining who is the person behind the poetry. My thoughts still lingered with other question for how poetry added the person she is "I can’t tell for sure whether writing has added to who I am, or whether it has simply been one of the many ways of expressing who I already am." She stated in firmness. So I conjured her with another question as to why she chose English as medium of her poetic voice "I’ve always found the English language deeply fascinating. Its vocabulary, sounds, and the word games which can easily spring from it have made it particularly suitable for the kind of poetry I write. I often think and dream in English, and the thoughts which lead me to start working on a poem come to me directly in English. I don’t have any first drafts in Italian. I haven’t written any poems in my native language yet, but I might in the future."

Gasp

How could one not crave
the kind of truth that makes
trust skip a beat
and fall
amidst wisteria storms
when the rageful season
swarms
and sneers, shamelessly
infesting the senses?

Copyright © 2006, Anna Piutti

Anna finds herself woven with her poetry, a bonding that can not be detached, its Oneness: "There is no detachment between my poetry and I. You will find me in my verses, regardless of what each single poem focuses on. I find inspiration in the world around me, in the way it resounds inside me. I am often inspired by vivid dreams I have. As a matter of fact, I worked with specific oneiric material in three of my poems (“Oneiric 1, 2, and 3”)", Anna explains…

Oneiric 1 (The Moon Lantern)

Its paper skin, so tense and fragile,
holds the sublime power of unnatural
paleness.

The cold light from its
miniature heart whispers ultrasound
lullabies.

Round, it hangs from a
shelf, in still loneliness.

A moon lantern in the dark:

nothing but a half-sleep snapshot
in vivid haziness, a subliminal
message from dormant
realities.

A smooth and ghastly sphere,
it reigns through inexpressive eyes.
It smiles a red crayon line, in
paralyzed reassurance.

At once,
it cradles me
in incense-flavored
eeriness.

It's inanimate flattery through
my permeable brain;
and it keeps me enslaved,
voiceless,
and void-bound.

It's a countdown to innocence
as time rewinds its tape;

and a purple wave envelops me...

And I don't mind.

Copyright © 2005 Anna Piutti

Anna's poetry trails smoothly in my journey and I welcome her words. The recital falls as gentle as drizzles when it begins to fall. No doubt poetic words delivers a calming effect for the one who writes and the one who receives and listens to the words with attention. "I began to write poetry when I was in my teens, in 1998. I was going through a lot of inner struggle. On a November afternoon, at my aunt’s house, I timidly typed a couple of lines at her computer. I felt relieved. That’s basically how it all started." She emphasis the effect of poetry.
.

When we least think of Poetry it knocks on our doors and at times when we call it to fill the inner void, it seems it had traveled out of our reach. Anna explains about poetry visits quite eloquently "I often suffer from the infamous “writer’s block”, which can last for months. It is quite frustrating. When new verses finally scream from within, and inebriate my every sense, it feels like an inner explosion. It is powerful, and relieving. It often happens when and where I least expect it. I once found myself scribbling words and fragments of verses on the back of a bus ticket I had in my pocket, being it the only piece of paper available to me at that very moment."

Anna admires the work of other poets, yet in the process of writing her own poems, it’s a relation of between her and poetry. Here she explains why: "I highly admire many poets, but to tell you the truth, I can’t think of a poem I wish I had written. What has been written is such an intimate part of each single author, that even though I can often empathize with verses I read, I could not possibly wish they belonged to me. Also, I deliberately avoid reading too much poetry (If I can, I’ll read none at all) while I’m writing, because I’d rather not imitate anyone."

Breakfast

High above the roofs,
the frost-lacquered
crane branch
holds a
plump, radiant
orange.

Hungry for warmth,
I grasp the vital
sphere and
slice it
into thick
wedges.

A paper towel on my lap, I
sink my teeth
into the morning’s glow:

calm,
juicy.

Sweetly sour.

Copyright © 2005 Anna Piutti

Unfolding Anna's pages of Poetry, what poetry stores for her, "I guess I’ll keep exploring life as it filters through me. However, I don’t have a specific place I wish to reach when it comes to writing. I never plan a poem in advance, nor do I write “on command”. If I were asked to write a poem as an assignment, I doubt the result would be satisfactory."

You have explored her different corners within her poetic walls, now take a visit to her blogspot Red As Wake

http://annapiuttipoetry.blogspot.com/

All Photos posted in this interview is the copyright of Anna Piutti..

Floots........Fluting image and words

2007-11-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

Floots
~Fluting image and words ~

I decided to take the opportunity to interview Floots, who I know through his blog , i-land-i-site ( http://i-land-i-site.blogspot.com/ ). Though I'm his regular visitor and fan, I had it in mind that it would be an easy to go through his poetry and photos and guide my journey through the interview and, therefore, I was surprised when I found there was no archive on his blogspot. However, that challenge did not stop me going forward with the interview for LIP.

Floots is based in United Kingdom, the land where you feel the country side flavor. No wonder his poetic inspiration does not only tie us on poetic words, our eyes also are fulfilled not only with poetic imagery where words paint explicit images in our mind; with Floots there is an added treat to words: photographs, a treat for our eyes and soul. Each poem of his connects words and image, the two arts woven together in an inseparable union.

Let us start our interview, just getting a bit far from image and poetry?

"Floots?" We know you under this pen name. What is the meaning behind it?

There is a Scottish expression - “Hoots mon” - often used in a jocular way to show surprise or disbelief and, when I was planning to move to Skye, many of my friends would say it to me. Then, because of my love of wind instruments, the term became “floots mon” and, finally, when searching for a nom de plume, Floots. It began as a foolish joke but seems to have stuck.

Who is Floots without poetry and photography?

I was a secondary school English Language and Literature teacher (pupils aged 11 – 18) for over twenty years but had to retire early when I developed a problem with my vocal chords. Though this was obviously bad news in many ways, it has meant that I can now lead a simple life in beautiful rural surroundings. I very occasionally do a little part-time work but generally I spend my time reading, playing music, writing, sawing firewood and, of course exploring.

Your inspiration seems to be intertwined with nature. Is this a reflection of where you live? Do you believe an artist is a reflection of his environment and surrounding?

Certainly landscape and wildlife play an important role in my life and my writing. I love them for themselves and so some of my writing is simply a matter of observation but, of course, the Natural world is also a rich source of inspiration and metaphor. I think that we all draw on our surroundings and, as I grow older, the cartography of my past seems increasingly rich in ideas. I think that retrospection is unavoidable on a personal level but, it is also a universal phenomenon, and I would hope that it engenders empathy rather than seeming self-centred.

Tell us more about your land (Isle of Skye)? DO you still live there?

Skye is a large island off the northwest coast of Scotland. It is approximately fifty miles long but has a total population of only ten to twelve thousand and almost a quarter of the people live in the one main town. Until 1995 the island could only be reached by ferry but then a bridge was built, enabling much easier access. There was a great deal of ill-feeling over the high toll charge but this has now been scrapped and free travel between the island and mainland Scotland is simple. It is a beautiful place with its mix of mountains, glens and lochs and a variety of wildlife.

not so much a poem
more
a walker’s guide to absent friends

at the end of the walk
settled back in the car
all i could hear was the silence

i’d not done it before
down across the open glen
and
up into the lower slopes of the mountains
all the while hugging the banks of the stream

pausing

periodically

to gaze at waterfalls
and
rock pools

(alas no naked nymphs)

at one point i had to cross a mini-torrent
on
semi-submerged stepping stones

it was like playing leapfrog with analogies

then up the slope

loose stones and sheep shit

(damn - musta got one of those analogies stuck to my boot)

i reached the point where my map said the return path cut left

too bad the landslide hadn’t read the pamphlet

when there’s nowhere to go
go on

so I did

into a vast gulch between the mountains

water glistening on the wrinkled rock-faces
courtesy of october sun

i sat awhile

became a part of it

then

turned for home
skipstumbling back down the slope
towards
a distant peanut butter sandwich

once
settled back in the car
all i could hear was the silence

for two hours
that stream had talked to me
made music from rocks and air
given itself to the day

had i stopped listening
or
taken it into my heart

that mountain stream flows on

and on

and on

but

like

the whisper of a lover

it’s

loudest

when it’s gone

……………………………………………………..

The word affair, it is often not linked with poetry. However, poetry is a passion that takes a large part of ones emotion? Would you agree with the term The Poetry Affair ?

Certainly I have had a long love affair with poetry. My mother read poetry to me from a very early age and I am sure that her love of metre, rhyme and narrative has stayed with me. Even as a very old lady, the slightest “cue” in a conversation would set her off, reciting some snippet from a favourite poem. I am eternally in her debt for this (and so much more) and sense that poetry will remain my constant lover and confidante.

When did you realize your passion for poetry? Did you nurture this passion within you?

As I said above, I have loved poetry since childhood. I began with the simple rhythms of nursery rhymes and moved on though the variety of poetry enjoyed by children. Nonsense verse and narrative verse were always particular favourites. I think that writing poetry followed naturally and, as my father used to write poems and illustrate them with sketches, albeit his style was different to that of my own adult writings, he was undoubtedly a valuable early example.

What does the word Poet means to you?

To me a poet is anyone who looks inside themselves, and at the world around them, and tries to share their discoveries through the medium of words. Words such as “style” and “quality” are largely subjective when dealing with the written word and should never be allowed to detract from a poet’s self-image. In John Barth’s novel The Sot Weed Factor, the hero describes himself as “poet and gentleman” and I would be happy to work towards that for myself.

Many of us enjoy poetry but have never had the courage to explore it. Can poetry be taught in ways which help the person to become a poet at some stage of his or her life?

Simply sharing words with others will always be the mainstay of poetic communication but I do believe that some of the basic “joy” of poetry can be taught. Certainly, as a teacher, I was always attempting to do this. Links between poetry and song are a great help and there is no question in my mind that the memorability of poems can be a great help for younger readers/writers. I think that a knowledge of the terminology of poetry can prove useful but, as in many artistic fields, I think that it is a case of learning the rules before breaking them. Writing-by-numbers - simply adding adjectives, figures of speech etc will never be a substitute for a writer’s real emotions.

Do you have favorite place which inspires you and helps you to write?

I have too many to count. The Isle of Skye provides enormous inspiration but I also have so many memories of particular beaches and stretches of moorland which have special meaning for me. I can remember one place in England which I could never drive past without thinking of an old friend. She had never been there but this place, the run-off from an old mill, a haven of shadows, willow and still water, always brought her to mind. Where I live now, the jagged silhouette of The Cuillin Hills (Skye’s mountain range) never fails to thrill me and set me thinking.

Which is your priority: photography or poetry? Or are they equally important?

Words are my first love. Their meaning, sound, variety and rhythm are at the heart of what I do, but I enjoy photography and it will often provide the starting point for a poem though, if we are being wholly accurate, I suppose that this could often be seen as an extension of my love of the Natural world which we have already discussed. I enjoy experimenting with forms such as haiga and taiga where the text is incorporated in the image but I also like to think that with much of my work the words could stand alone. Having said that, I think that when words and picture work well together that is a bonus.

Does a photograph always prove to be the starting point for a poem or is the pattern sometimes reversed?

There is no hard and fast rule. Sometimes a long walk will provide me with a series of photographs, some of which will be crying out for words. On other occasions I will write a poem and only later start to think of possible illustrations.

Where do you want to head with your talent? Do you believe every talent, whether photography or poetry, has a peak or is it limitless?

Really all I wish to do is continue writing. My publishing successes have been few and far between and as I grow older my ambition fades. I am human enough to admit that I would love to be “discovered” by some publishing genie but, in reality, I have little time for such thoughts and very rarely submit poems other than by invitation. I would rather be writing than waiting for rejection slips. This does not mean that I disapprove of such ambition in others - in fact I find it admirable in many cases - simply that I am happy in my laziness and with what I produce. I do not think that artistic talent has a peak in any real sense. There may be times when “best” works are produced but, once again, that is largely subjective. The last, tired musings of a dying man may not seem relevant to the angst-filled forward-looking youngster (and vice versa) but time will always prove that there is common ground. I am always looking forward to the poems which I have yet to write.

What inspires you to write? In the process of writing, do you find yourself?

Dependent on my mood, almost anything can inspire me. I have written on just about everything from death to marshmallows and would stand by the validity of them all. It is the poem which matters. Form and content should be a blend. It is not enough to choose a “serious” topic or adhere to some clearly defined form: there needs to be harmony. I’m not sure that I have found myself - but I intend to keep looking. 

Can you define the style of writing which you prefer to write in and which other poetic style you would like to explore further?

I would say that I prefer free verse and certainly, in my earlier days I tended to avoid rhyme. However, as already mentioned, I don’t think that there should be rules. I now find it irritating when people say that they “never” read/write one form or another. Life is too short and varied to make time for absolutes. I always found it sad, when asking students to write, that “does it have to rhyme” was the perennial question. “What do I want to say?” is the important point. Sometimes the rhythmic fluidity of a sonnet may be the perfect choice for expressing oneself but at other times a chunk of rambling free verse, written in colloquial language, will do the job best. The same can be said of all forms. For example, Narrative verse is not superior to haiku: the two forms have their functions and should both be lauded. I would never wish to tie myself to any one form and hope that I never tire of trying new ones, happily making and breaking rules as I go.

What have you gained from having a blog for your work? Do you also have another website where you present your work? Please mention the site where we can find you creativity?

I enjoy writing for the blog. It provides a gentle spur, if such an oxymoron makes sense, keeping me diligent, while giving me the knowledge that a few people will read my words. I also like the thought of those friendly virtual faces writing for me - letting me share their dreams.
I do not have another website. I do not keep an archive on the blog but, periodically, I will re-post poems; either because I particularly like them or because I am short of inspiration. Sometimes, when browsing my own records, I will find a poem which I have forgotten writing: another good reason for a re-post.

Each creativity or art takes the person who pursues it on a journey and at times it becomes a process of give and take. What has your creativity given back to you and would you recommend that we pursue our creativity?

Creativity is all. The joy of producing something is an end in itself, whether we have built a drystone wall or a poem. I get as much pleasure from letting the wind steal notes from my tin whistle as I sit on a hilltop as I do from writing and both activities are vital ways of expressing myself. Emotions and thoughts build up inside us and need to be explored through whatever medium suits us best. Whether we share it with a huge audience or a silent piece of paper, whether it is stylistically perfect or hesitant and stumbling does not matter. What matters is that we have an inner voice - and listen to it.

Landscapes

One can’t destroy the landscapes of the heart
For mem’ry’s canvas won’t allow a crack
To mar a lovetime’s aggregated art.
Staid sages say there is no going back,
And yet there is, for nothing that we’ve held
Or cared for for a time is ever left.
The path’s o’ergrown, the forest may be felled
But lives on in a heart that can’t be cleft.
Each beach I’ve walked on, field in which I’ve lain,
Exists for me as if I dreamt there still.
Those mountains, rivers, inlets form a chain
Which even death cannot destroy. My will
Leaves them to you, to all of us a part -
One can’t destroy the landscapes of the heart.

As we reach the shore, ending is always hard. You can dive more in to Floots words and images in his blog http://i-land-i-site.blogspot.com/

All poems and images are copyright of Floots ....

Mystic Rose "Petals of Her Poetry"

2007-10-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

She is a Mystic Rose, each petal is poetry that LIP could not resist but wanting to peel to find her depth yet not to discard the petals. So the only way is to sink within her soul and here just bits of her poetic petals:

How did you become a voice of mystic rose?

I chose the name based on a experience I had in my meditation when I was in my teens. I had just started on the spiritual path that I am now currently on .. since then the rose has been my favorite flower and fragrance. One evening I was meditating and I felt this profound closeness to my guru, and this fragrance of rose filled the air around me. Over the days it got deeper and whenever I would try to follow it with my attention it would recede, but when I gave up and just meditated, it would come back and one day it was so strong and I realised that it was coming from my heart..every time I would breathe out, it seemed to rise within me and fill my senses, there was a certain 'coolness' about it, like a slight breeze. Since then the rose has been my favorite flower and equated with spirituality. Also in Sufism, the divine is referred to as a Rose, symbolically.

Actually I must say that when I say mystic rose, I am not referring to myself though that has now become a pseudonym. I am referring to the divine.. and the blog was to be my expression of seeking it. SO is the address. - light of rose - meaning the divine. But unfortunately it turned around and i became mystic rose.. In retrospect I should have termed it Seeking the Rose perhaps!!

Why did you choose to write under pen name?

As I said, I chose the name with the clear intent being "this is what I seek".. but I did not use my name to sign my posts, perhaps because this 'i' is insignificant.. and also, it afforded me anonymity and I could write something personal in a way that I would not otherwise have done.

Your poetic voice has so much femininity, lavished with ample romance? How do you define your poetry? Your poetic style has it been influenced with certain poet and certain poetry style (can you tell us more about it)

Its difficult to define myself even to myself, and no I don't have any particular style that I know of. I use a lot of visual images in my writing, and try to catch the ephemeral, the magic in the ordinary. I've never studied poetry, prose is my preferred medium actually. Its only lately that I have come to read here and there. I like Rumi and Wordsworth. And lately blogger friends have been introducing me to a variety of poets. I so enjoy that! To read their favorite poems and see how much I like them myself. If anyone has influenced me it is probably Rumi and Khalil Gibran. I wish I could read Rumi in Persian.

I prefer poems by mystics, saints. And as for romance and femininity, I am a woman of course! and romance is a part of life to me. But it isn't a conscious effort on my part to be feminine or romantic in my writing.

Mystic Rose, where would like to go and reach with your poetic voice???

When i first started writing it was with a hunger to share what I felt within.

I would like to be able to reach my friends, other women, well anyone and everyone who would be open to being reached actually . I would like to be able to soothe people, draw them into the magic of those moments that I have experienced. I wish I could make people connect to that inner thing, the beauty that is within them that allows them to experience everything in that beauty.. That is why i use a lot of visual images, if a person will allow herself to be drawn into those images, I feel like my work is done. But most often I end up feeling inadequate with my words.

Your love for music is so apparent, do you find there is a line where music and poetry blend?

I think music is very profound, it is such a pure expression of our creativity. Music is fluid in structure, it flows like a river, widening and narrowing, transforming our moods and it leads us to a kind of awareness of our souls. Music IS poetry in pure sound, and at their highest both are born of the deepest wellsprings of human feelings, and that is why they have the ability to reach into us even hundreds of years later.

I listen to all kinds of music and choose from a variety depending on my mood, and generally use it to balance me.

In your own words, what makes a poet or a writer a serious writer or poet?

Anyone who writes, looks forward to writing every day, cant do without it, knows how much it means to them. Studies, not just reads, the masters. Writes, pours their heart and soul into it.

I understand you are based in India, how is the scene of poetry in India? (India had couple of Authors who are best sellers, does poetry have share in this?)

Poetry has always been a part of Indian culture, the ancient texts are poems thousands of lines long and they can be sung. In fact poetry in India is very rich, the language used is itself highly musical and rhythmic in sound. Poetry was made popular by bhakti movement.. the devotional spiritual movement.
Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize for his book of poems, Gitanjali. There are and were wonderful poets but probably not well known outside of India because their medium is not English.
some of the other well known poets are Vikram Seth, Jayanta Mahapatra, Eunice de Souza, there's quite a few actually.. and sad to say I haven't read them yet.

Which one of your poems that lingers with you and it’s a poem you would not forget?

Something I had written in my late teens. One of the very first ones I wrote shortly after I had that experience during my meditation. Just before I started on this path and met my guru, my life was going through a turmoil. I have never before published that poem on my blog. Here it is:

My life was like a parched land
Thirsting for your touch
I knew not what I had lost
But I knew despair
Waiting for the beauty,
the innocence and the joy of life
The cracks went deep
My heart was dry

And then-
And then you came
A shower of gentle rain
I eagerly quenched my thirst
and yearned for more
Sometimes a misty presence
cool and teasing
sometimes stormy
with thunder and lightning
Beautiful and awesome

From the parched land
This flower has risen
From the fresh smell of the earth
It's fragrance comes
My Mother,
you have touched this flower and
shaped its petals
your fingers have played on it
bless me-
that I may now lie at Your Feet

How does the seed of poetry begin for you, where do you get your inspiration???

Most, not all, of my poems are spiritual in nature, my quest, experiences, some of them are inspired by nature, some perhaps by everyday life experiences, from meeting other people. So, just from life, I guess.

~DAWN ~

Through those depths of vast emptiness
the earth whirling in star sprinkled sleep
the asleep consciousness in a land of illusions

Far off the first miracle streaking the edges of heaven
drawing lover's fingers through fields of black
the first pale light grazing the prostrate terrain

The deep blush of your cheeks stained the skies
the Sun rose, a brilliant red God on your vast forehead
The ambrosial breath in the kiss of your lips

A spiritual vision, illumining the dark corners of matter
sacred moments of ardent unveiling fill the soul
and kindle the mystic fire of idealism.

Early beginnings of a new day,
the awakening to the morning's glow
sun kissed world, of rosy hues
and dissipating mists of moonlight.

Have you ever published a book or are thinking to be published? DO you think being a published poet can be determine our success of being renowned poets?

Of course, I think only the best are published, so if ever I were to be published I think I would be ecstatic, but, no I am not looking for my poetry to be published.

Where can we find your writing and poetry?

On my blogs.. http://lightofrose.blogspot.com/

For those of us who would like to engross our soul in to writing, could you advice us to where to begin?

Find your style, start with the books that you most like to read..poetry or prose. study the masters. Read and write with all your heart and soul, explore, introspect, observe. Since i just started myself, I cannot really give more advice than that. :)

Mystic Rose, you left us speechless with your photo poetry. As I end here, your poetry sets out of my ears but I look forward to hear your words reciting within as like the sun when its set away from our eyes, we await for the sunlight again...

All photo poetry in here is the work of Mystic Rose ..for more you can visit her personal website http://lightofrose.blogspot.com/

~Paul in Salmon Song ~

2007-03-24T10:41:00.001-07:00

more fish
Originally uploaded by rocket ship.

Salmon Song

Singing, singing, throw a life into the sea
Like salmon flinging, ringing out the changes,
Strong charges of their swimming, leaping destinies
Running home to spawn and die. I too
Fling, sing, dive down, hurl forth again
Gladly in Thy name;
Unfurl my length, uncurl coiled strength without reserve
To move more sleekly, sing more sweetly,
Better serve; help stir the waters running through this earth
Help move, help birth, a world.

Swim strong, to God return, give all:
It is a cleaving song that calls,
And life that in the losing lives.

by Paul Martin

© 2007 Lynne Ann Martin

LIP brings out poetic writers whether their poetic writing is in form of poetry, haiku, prose. To LIP it’s that poetic serenity that furnish layers of poetry in whatever kind of form.

Swarming salmon
Originally uploaded by RSEanes.

Paul in his new website www.originalfaith.com but to me, I have known him in his blog titled by "Spiritual Dialogue". His blog was among the first blogs that I started reading. His blog puts a poetic touch in understanding the unity in a religious as he puts in his own word "I would like the focus to be at least as much on noticing what unites us as what divides us." as stated by Paul.

If you have been given a chance to introduce Paul, explaining to other who is Paul? What would you say about Paul? (In another way can you tell us more about you, the person beyond your writing)?

Nature 1, Man 0
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/daveward/.

Thank you, Nasra, for beginning with something central to my point of view. I’d like to pick up on that right away – the fact that my primary interest is in what unites people spiritually.

The word "God," which I use in the poem above, can itself be a source of disunity. People can mean different things by it. The primary association for many people is belief in the existence of a supernatural entity which, of course, atheists don’t believe in at all.

I view people as being spiritual by nature. My book Original Faith: Becoming Our Truer Nature focuses on experience instead of doctrine. I’m careful not to use words like God – or for that matter “spiritual” – without first grounding them in language that evokes experiences that we share as human beings, then defining and conceptualizing them strictly on that basis.

This approach is compatible with having religious beliefs – or not. And it’s this experience-based approach to spiritual life and development that at times gives my writing literary qualities. That’s the kind of writing that helps to evoke and refer readers to similar experiences they’ve had for themselves.

2929 Garden
Originally uploaded by T.SC.

As to the person beyond the writing, in a way that person doesn’t exist. I’ve written about what matters most in life as far as I can tell. As words have come to me over the years, I’ve tried my best to live by them in my life as a whole.

My work life consisted of a twenty three year career working with elementary school children, first as an English as a Second Language teacher and then as a school counselor. My private life was spent getting up very early to jog or meditate followed by writing for a few hours before heading out for work. On weekends I often had some time to spend among a small circle of friends and relatives.

Paul you have concentrated on religion studies and all what is related to it but from time to time, you seem to color the discussion with petals of your poetry. What does poetry means to you? Where you pick your inspiration? (is it nature mostly)

Happy single
Originally uploaded by soozika.

Poetry was a surprise following a surprise. My prose work on what would become the manuscript for Original Faith began as notes I took for my own use until I noticed they were falling into categories that might make for a book. Then, a few years into writing regularly, I came in from jogging one morning and “had” a poem! I’ve never written one on purpose. Nature has been the greatest source of inspiration. As long as I was already up so early I used to jog just after dawn – a beautiful time to be up.

Your blog have examined different aspects of religion? Where poetry and religion fall? Are they are any intertwined between the two?

My blog does look at different aspects of religious thought. A bit randomly! Most of my posts aren’t very much like the book, though I do plan to change this – I plan to post excerpts as it gets closer to the book becoming available. Many of my current posts come from a less impassioned, more analytical point of view. I just find that easier to do in the short format needed for blog posts. However, to break this up, I occasionally post essays and poems.

Spirituality and religion often find expression in poetry. In my own writing, poetry and prose both focus on this area. My poetry relates more to immediate experience. Original Faith adds meaning to immediate experience by going a little way toward conceptualizing it; offering some insights; considering relationships between, for example, love and faith. But I go only “a little way” with conceptualization because it’s easy to go too far. It’s easy to end up playing games with language and logic. So my thoughts about experience don’t stray far from experience itself.

If I say poetry is writing and writing is poetry? Do I agree with definition and what is your point of view of it?

Some prose does possess poetic qualities like sharp imagery or musical use of language. So when it comes to writing, I’d tend to see poetry, good fiction, and nonfiction that has a large element of creativity, as having a lot in common.

a living room hush 2
Originally uploaded by one is a very small crowd.

"Accidents and disease-onsets happen everyday – to the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. And old age that becomes advanced enough brings anyone pain, loss of mobility, physical fragility – the sorts of things that some of us are brought face-to-face with in earlier years." This is quoted by you as you have been tying voice up strength to someone who had gone through this road. We understand it has not been easy for you as facing rare illness and your battle to overcome all the hurdle is on going road for you? Would it be possible to open up to us and to tell us a bit of your illness? How you find the strength to go beyond obstacles. How do pluck a flame of hope in the mid of hardship?

The specifics of my condition are very unusual. Over a decade of extensive research and medical travel produced no diagnosis, not even at leading facilities like NIH and Johns Hopkins. My case is so unusual that it’s hard to give a brief description that people can quickly relate to or understand.

In a way it compares (but maybe not so favorably!) to advanced old age. Physically I’m very fragile because peripheral nerves, muscle, connective tissue, and bone are all pervasively affected. I’m extraordinarily limited in the physical positions I can assume and have been unable to leave the house by any means for well over two years. I’m in widespread, intractable pain.

None of this started until June of 1994, when I was thirty seven years old, which was long after I’d found my basic direction in life. While the adjustment from good health to progressive disability and pain took many years to come to terms with, it was never a challenge to the outlook that had developed during my physically healthy years.

How have I found the strength? It’s been a process. While my condition has diminished and actually ended my life in many aspects, in a way it’s still been one single process that in my case happened to begin with ease and joy, then proceed into struggle and pain. To try to briefly suggest/summarize:

We don’t own our lives. We’re called to fully own up to what we only borrow for a while. To begin owning up to this is to find ourselves more and more identified with far more than any self alone can ever be. Becoming enlightened, finding our Buddha nature, developing “Christ consciousness,” becoming more human or humane… I think these are all different terms for one thing. Different traditions have different terms and that’s very much OK once we begin to really learn what we are saying.

Life from death
Originally uploaded by pinto_2003.

We can experience this transformation of our identity through joy. Joy takes us out of ourselves, opening us up to a greater world. Terrible or terribly sustained adversity can also take us out of ourselves. Either we eventually allow it to part us from our unhappy reactions over things not going our way; or these reactions, on top of our misfortunes, can overwhelm us.

No one enters the world with a guarantee of health, happiness, success, or safety. Rather than say "Why me?" it is far more constructive and realistic to ask "Why not me?"

The Way and the Strife

It’s possible to go nowhere.

Or we can find a path and take a way.

If we are fortunate, it is a way of joy. Joy is movement. Joy takes us out of ourselves.

If we are less fortunate, it is a way of pain. Yet adversity that is great or sustained enough can also have potential to take us out of ourselves after the kicking and screaming are over.

But I think it is the same basic path either way - and for every one who takes it.

© 2005 by Paul Martin

There is saying in my part of the world "God does not take everything from you", do you believe facing the turmoil of illness there other tributes you have gained? Prehaps you have gained perspective in living?

The major change has been the uncovering of strength far beyond anything I could have imagined when I was healthy. My condition requires me to live without joys, comforts, and sources of inspiration that I once couldn’t have imagined doing without.

A Forest Place

The woods are lovely, dark and deep
A poet from my home state said
And sowed another thought to reap:
That woods are lovely, dark and deep
As women who men dream of in their sleep
And when they waken ever seek to find;
The kind with thoughtful, mild and pensive brows
A shady place of winsome, ever-beckoning ways
Like dappled forest paths that fade and wait
Recede among the farthest trees
Enchant with all that lies so deep…

With hair more fragrant
Subtle-sweet
Even than the sudden scent of pine;
And arms wind-soft
To clasp, encircle men as gently as the air, but visibly –
More beautiful bower of graceful curves than these brown trees.

…and eyes like starlight-gleams
That shine between the highest branches in the dark
And mark a wider sweep of things
An endless arc
From which a fathomless compassion springs.

A woman is a tender earth
A sheltered home, a dark embrace;
A woman is a holy ground
A woman is a forest place.

By Paul Martin
© 2005 Lynne Ann Martin

They say God test us as he puts in peek of hardship, where writing and poetry falls in this pit of falls?

I think it depends on the kind and degree of hardship and where the person happens to be with their life and in their writing when it occurs. Sometimes hardship is a catalyst for creativity but if it’s severe or prolonged enough it can thwart creativity.

“I consider myself profoundly as well as superficially Christian. In the sense that I am profoundly Christian, I am also profoundly Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and human.”

Paul Martin,

3/27/05 www.spiritualdiablog.blogspot.com

You choose to blog about a very sensitive matter about religion what the lessons that you have gained and experience from running such dialogue?

It may be that it’s so sensitive because we so often focus on our differences. I think we’d do well to emphasize the things we have in common – matters that we can experience and know first hand. What love is, what faith is, the chief obstacle in everyone’s path – these are a few of the things I discuss in Original Faith.

Equal Door Knob
Originally uploaded by Bisbohemian.

As to that “superficial/profound” contrast, I was referring to my perception that all of us participate in certain profound truths that our various traditions strive to articulate. I would say that my primary religious identification is that I am a person. My particular heritage, a relatively superficial matter, happens to be Christian. When I happen to make use of language or imagery from the Christian tradition, I use it for its power of great hearted inclusiveness, not for parochialism and exclusivity.

Help Build

A human being, whatever special mix of gifts
He owns, wherever placed by circumstance
Can find a way that is the way of He who calls
And balanced so upon the narrow walk gains strength
Can strike the cleanest, hardest, telling blow yet never falls.

O he can strike
From stone draw light
Can flake a spark
That works in love.

Come, act;
Come act in love.
Come move, come strike
O wield the hammer that is yours to wield
This world is womb of God: serve, deliver him,
Help build his world
Help build a kingdom suited to a King,
Help make, increase, the godliness of things;
Through work of yours let music of his call resound
Down other centuries, through more millennia of sun-rounds
To rounder, sounder, sweeter worlds than this;
Help build a World
Help wield a brush across the deep
Help hammer, chisel features in a wall of stone
Hear in the dark how nature stirs and moans
Grows more humane
Throws off another cloud of sleep:
This world once moved becomes a gentler place
Wears more and more the imaged look
Of a compassionate Father’s face.

O praise with works the One who calling comes;
O work while there is time to act with love.

By Paul Martin
© Lynne Ann Martin 2005

One of your views, you covered mediation. Do meditations help in the process of our writing?

I found meditation a wonderful method for helping with the process of my life. Its impact on my writing was large, but mostly indirect. However, there was one particular aspect of the book that came about as a direct result of meditation: I would have had less to say about love, faith, and their interrelationship if I hadn’t meditated.

Do you feel writing has bring sense of strength and completion to who you are?

It was interesting to me to see how writing entered into the process of my life as a whole. Many insights occurred as a direct result of sitting down to write every morning. These insights in turn affected how I lived.

The circle of life
Originally uploaded by * HugoPan *.

Experience Metaphor

We often approach the issue of meaning in life by looking for a reason to live, when real meaning resides in the experience of our love, its purpose, and the self-transcendent identity to which it calls us. A meaning to life is not some series of patches we apply to holes in a fragile raft of reasons by which we can somehow hope to float over the sheer mystery of being here to live and die. Meaning in life is learning how to swim and how water feels against the skin. It is feeling what it’s like to go with the flow and what it’s like to struggle against strong currents, tiring. It is knowing water as our own element: from out of which we were born, into which we can live, and into which we are to die wonderingly. Though we may not fully know the meaning of life, we may fully live it.

Original Faith: Becoming Our Truer Nature – from the introduction
By Paul Martin
© Lynne Ann Martin 2007

Where would you like to go with you writing? How far you wish to go on debates on the studies religion?

Original Faith was truly a labor of love and the work of my lifetime. It’s what I have to say as well as I can say it. I hope it can get into the hands of enough readers to maybe do a little good. I have two additional complete manuscripts and a third half finished, but these are secondary matters for me.

Paul you have established a dedicated readers for your blog. In the world of technology, fast moving, do you feel new generation tend to loose ways or connection with religion?

I’d tend to see technology as spiritually and morally neutral, holding promise for doing good or harm depending on what uses we put it to.

Do you feel there is thirst for finding paths towards spirituality’?

Religion and spirituality seem to be getting more media attention in recent years. Much of it is certainly genuine; some of it has the feeling to me of a fad.

~I Know~

I know there wouldn’t be much left of me if you subtracted things I’ve learned from fields and trees, the way wind plays and branches sway, and how great darkness brightens what little light it holds until it sparkles.

Original Faith: Becoming Our Truer – from Chapter Seven, Nature’s Work of Transformation, by Paul Martin
© Lynne Ann Martin 2007

You are currently working on publishing a book. Can you tell us more about it? How long did it take you to compile for publication?

The theme of Original Faith is identity transformation and its implications for how we live in the world. Chapters include love, faith, a sense of life’s greater promise, ego as an obstacle to going the way of faithful love, spiritual practice, works of daily life (moral action), and work.

Early chapters invite readers to enter into an identity-shift away from ego and toward love. The book then points readers toward further transformations of identity that may develop as we proceed further in this direction.

All told the book took about twenty five years to complete. In 1994 it was nearly done; however, that was the year my medical condition started. I ended up having to set the manuscript aside for most of the next decade because of the illness and everything surrounding it: extensive medical research and travel while continuing to work full time; battling my HMO for benefits; endless treatment regimens over a period of several years that accelerated the pace of my decline because I’d been misdiagnosed; and similar matters.

What are the challenges that you faced in publishing the book?

The main challenge for anyone trying to get a book published in the US today is what’s known as the “marketing platform” – name recognition or some other strong indicator that your book is likely to sell well. Publishing, like many other endeavors (including health care), has come to focus on maximizing financial gain to the point where concerns for quality of the work are often overridden. Publishers are rarely willing to take a chance on an unknown author, especially in the case of nonfiction and regardless of the author’s qualifications to write in his or her area. While some great books still get widely published, a lot of good stuff gets filtered out. And lots of mediocre stuff from well-platformed persons who may not even be writers ends up on bookstore shelves.

Where we can set an order for your new book?

Information about the book is on www.originalfaith.com along with a contact form for anyone who’d like to be contacted once the book’s available several months from now. My site will be modified at that time and people will be able to order the book at Amazon.com or by going to my site which will link directly to the book’s Amazon page.

~Acknowledgments~

Today, a bright summer morning, I was lying on my living room floor enjoying looking up into the branches of a tall tree outside the window. Suddenly I had an insight relating to the book and put it on paper. Forty five minutes later, engrossed in writing, it struck me that it was probably my relationship with the tree that had made this insight possible. It wasn’t at all clear to me that I would have had it in the kitchen, bedroom, or at my writing table. In fact, I tend to doubt that I would have. Gazing up at the tree had somehow put me in a relaxed, gently searching frame of mind which had produced the result.

And later in the morning, this thought elaborated itself further to me while jogging and watching the hot disk of the sun glowing roundly from behind the mist: How often do we fail to notice all that is quietly there for us, supporting and allowing for the things we do? Had I ever acknowledged the sun? The sun that gave birth to all the heat and warmth we know and provided the clay of this earth from out of which the amazing complexities of our bodies and brains were created? I have done nothing by myself – ever.

By Paul Martin
© Lynne Ann Martin 2007

After book publishing – what is on your horizons for Paul?

After Original Faith, I have two more completed manuscripts and a third that’s half finished. To me, Original Faith feels as much like my real job as my twenty three year career with children did – plus now I really can’t do much of anything away from the computer keyboard. So for both positive and negative reasons it looks as though this may be as far as my horizons extend.

Since LIP is a blog, just want to know did blogging have opened up opportunities for you? If yes, in what ways can blogging be a door of opportunities?

I’m still trying to figure that one out! In my situation, my only means of reaching out to others is through use of the web. I can only hope that it will be effective.

LIP voice out to those who want to pursue writing of any form: Is follow you writing. What would your words be to us or advice for us?

Get a marketing platform. Otherwise getting your book read by more than family and friends will be tough. If I could still get around I’d have been willing to go back to school for my Ph.D. to try for teaching at the university level. Professors teach classes and give lectures; that’s a platform. Or I would have gotten creative and figured out a way to incorporate some form of regular public speaking into my existing career.

plant growing in sand
Originally uploaded by fiedel.

Paul, we here at LIP salute your willpower and thank you for allowing us to come up-close to you. Your life glimpses as a writer and as a person gives us inspiration to those who wish to taste the water of writing but beyond that it is how you turned around in the face of illness. As for me I look at it that illness can tremble our body down, can put our limbs into pain but it can not deter our spirit, for our spirit steers beyond the calamity. Once again Thank You.

Nasra, I’ve admired your work with charity and poetry for some time now – I was fortunate to have run across one of your blogs not long after I started blogging. Thank you for your invitation. You ask really good questions.

Reaching the end of this interview, Im sure you wonder what does the photos represent and why I have selected plants growing in rocks or in desert, to me in every plant you view in this article is how Paul spirit is ....The Spirit of hope grows even on Emptiness ....

(The photos belongs to different photographer from flickr.com, their names are mentioned below the photos, if you enjoyed the photo click the image and leave them a comment)

~ Haiku Treat ~

2007-02-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

Interviewed by Nasra Al Adawi

Proofread by Abs

warmth from the sun
held down against the ground
by the late night clouds
the moon and stars are seen
only with my eyes closed

J. Andrew Lockhart’s resolve for his poetic words comes through by using haiku. The Haiku is originally a poetry form which originated from Japan. Traditionally Haiku goes in to 5-7-5 syllables.

treeswhiper
Originally uploaded by jandrewlockhart.

I think if one gets into Haiku and uses an articulate sense of expressing the emotion through it, then this, to me, is the ultimate level of poetry, as it is not an easy way to express poetic thoughts just through three lines and able to pour emotion and images within the restriction of these lines. Andrew Lockhart had chosen the method of writing Haiku as his trump and here he shows us why he chose this hardest form of poetic writing.

What is Haiku to you? Some of us are not aware of Tanka or Haiga. Can you explain a bit about them?

Tanka, that were first called waka, began in Japan around the 9th century. They were written in five lines with 5-7-5-7-7 syllables. Their themes were personal and emotional, such as love, sadness or memories. Usually, the first three lines make a statement and the last two may go to another direction of the same theme.
In the 17th century, a new form of poetry grew from the tanka. This one, haiku, was made popular by the poet Basho (1644-94). Haiku are written in three lines in 5-7-5 syllables. Unlike tanka, haiku aren’t based on emotion, rather on a specific moment of time in nature. Haiga are haiku with a picture. Another form with the same structure is the senryu, which is usually humorous and isn’t necessarily based on nature.

How did you come around in expressing your self in Haiku?

My knowledge of haiku was based only on elementary school exercises of counting syllables on three lines of 5-7-5. I found out, though, that to more keep the “feel” of Japanese poetry, the syllables weren’t strict at all. English, structured so differently than Japanese, can make a haiku too cumbersome when one has to add words and rearrange lines to fit a 5-7-5 rule. The modern method, though, looks for the least amount of syllables rather than a specific amount of syllables. Tankas are treated the same way.

“

the classroom
at night
echoes with voices
of children
now grown

”

DSC02779_00
Originally uploaded by james_andrew_lockhart.

You are a music teacher and a poet. Of course to be a music teacher, you have to be musician yourself to be able to transfer the emotion of music to those you teach. Is there a linking point between the music that you teach and the poetry that you write? When you write the music tunes connect with your poetic instincts?

Poetry and music are both emotional, so I guess there is a connection. I rarely think of one while doing the other. There are exceptions, though, such as:

Chopin etude
at an art exhibition
as back ground-
cold fingers create
their own form of beauty

syncopation-
downspout rattling
in winter rain

Nature plays a big role in writing Haiku, where do you gain your inspiration in writing Haiku?

eveningwalk
Originally uploaded by jandrewlockhart.

I would say that more than 90 percent of my work is written while I’m sitting outside, regardless of the weather. Nature is in front of me when I’m writing, so you can’t ignore it.

Who is J. Andrew Lockhart beyond Haiku?

I’ve lived most of my life in Van Buren, Arkansas (U.S.), which is a fairly small town next to the Arkansas River. I’ve been in many cities in many countries, but I’ve always felt that I belong here.
I attended the University of Arkansas from 1984 to 1991, receiving a Bachelor in Arts (music) and a Juris Doctor. In 1996, after practicing law for five years, I had a hemorrhagic stroke. That was followed by four years of rehabilitation, re-learning how to talk, walk, read and write.

sadlywatching
Originally uploaded by jandrewlockhart.

In 2001, I began as a Spanish teacher at an elementary school. The next year I started as the music teacher, as well. I’m still doing that and can’t imagine doing anything else.
Family is also a very important thing to me. We have four children – James (11), Katie (5), Hannah (2) and John (4 months). Needless to say, our house is never quiet.

Summer
“
In August, Summer demands our attention.
When the evening comes, she refuses to leave.
Being a visitor, she once again wears out her welcome.
By September, we are delirious, thinking that she'll never leave,
But then, she slams the door on her way out.

In October I'll miss her.
”

Do you think Haiku can just be simple poetry? Can the emotion and images be portrayed through Haiku as similar to poetry?

I definitely think that emotion and images can be shown in haiku and tanka – especially in tanka. When a writer is passionate about his work, emotion pours out of it, whether it is a tanka or a legal brief.

“
breeze-
spirits rise for more air
as leaves join
”

Do you find poets are facing many challenges with openness towards use of internet

The internet is a wonderful world of freedom for poetry. You can say what you want, whether it’s good or bad. In other words, your work is exposed to the entire world and you don’t have to go through waiting whether a submission is accepted. Also, you can spend hours reading poetry that you would never find in your library or a book store.

“
leaf hardened
from the sun-
wanting to go home
”

It seems recently you have also taken to photography ? Tell us more about this ?

DSC00441_00
Originally uploaded by jandrewlockhart.

* I don’t consider myself a “photographer,” but I have fallen in love with photography. The biggest reason for this is the digital camera. In the past, I never was interested in cameras, mainly due to the cost of developing them, not to mention the time I had to wait for them. I can now take a photo, put it on the computer and have it on the internet within minutes – for free. You can’t beat that!
My photo blog was started due to the amount of extra photos that I had when I was making some for haiga. It’s nice to have a place to put them.

Where can we find your poetry? Book and website...

My main blog is Past Tense ( http://jamesalockhart.blogspot.com/ ). My photos are seen on Present Tense ( http://vanburendailyphoto.blogspot.com/ ). On Past Tense, there is a list of the other places where my work has been published.

It’s been mentioned that your published work is renowned? How did it all begin? Is there any criteria that we can use in writing Haiku. Of those of us who would like to ultimately publish our work what is your word of advice that can help us in that process? Please give us some tips that others can follow to be able to gain acceptance from poetry organizations?

The best way to learn how to write a haiku or a tanka is to read what others have written. It’s important to be familiar with the history of the forms and to spend some time reading works from the past. It’s just as important, I think, to read works by contemporary poets. All of this is easily found on the internet.

summermoveson
Originally uploaded by jandrewlockhart.

There are many pleases on the internet where your poetry can be submitted. Whether it’s published, though, is up to the editors. When you spend some time reading works that have been published at a website, you get an idea of what they are looking for. I don’t write things just to be published, though. I look through works that I have done and see if there’s something that would have a better chance.

herbrownhair
Originally uploaded by jandrewlockhart.

It’s important, though, to not be discouraged if your work isn’t published. Even though the editor may not chose your work, that work is your voice and is just as important to you as anything that has been published. You can be influenced by other people’s work, but only you can understand your feelings and what you’re looking for.

“
writing alone
late at night—listening
to far away
traffic going west
and east
”

Poetry and ambitions, where do these two fall together?

I’m always trying to improve my writing, so that is a form of ambition. Also, I do have a dream of having a collection of my work published. I have actually put it together and have started to look for a publisher.

Does your poetic ambition have a horizon? Where do you want to go with your Haiku poetry?

Right now, I’m having so much fun that I can’t imagine not doing it. Time changes, though, so who knows what’s ahead.

“
moonlight
reflects from the roof
at midnight
”

*(All photos presented in here are the work of J. Andrew Lockhart’s, please click the photos to view some other collections of his)

~Poetry pouring in veins of my exitance~

2007-01-26T04:34:00.000-08:00

~Poetry pouring in veins of my exitance~
Nasra Al Adawi

I'm honored to come here and get this chance to tribute Poetry for what it brought into my life and hope to many others who I have met on the path of blogging and out of it would pour in to joining me in this tribute. It’s a total fulfillment for me which comes in, a fog of poetic thoughts that seems to leave the early morning to trail tranquilly into me and inhibit my soul.

So as I give my tribute and appreciation to Poetry and yes I do owe it to what it brought into my life. I sneaked to find what others saw into Poetry, and here what I found out:

"Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth."

Samuel Johnson

( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

"Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn."
Thomas Gray

( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

~Kneeling ~

I spoke into the wind
The wind answered
I saw
Constellations ancient
Renewed

I awoke
When the wind had gone
I touched
Stillness pounding
Like a storm

I spoke into the wind
And listened for spring

jason evans
http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/

Haiku:

~
When he reads my poem
Silence hums along
His voice
~

~
good morning
she writes poetry
to start her day
~

Poetry has affect on me in so many ways . Its in my blood. Its the rush of my emotions. and I am trying to figure how does it affects my life. how does it keep my spirit so alive? I don't know. every time i write a poem, i just smile. knowing this is who i am. miss princess poetryoholic butterfly cos i fly in the sky with poems inside my heart. i will write whatever I desire.

Kai Croft
http://kaispoetry.blogspot.com/

Why I love Poetry
This is both and easy or a difficult question to answer. I have always loved poetry as far as I can remember. Before I only read it but now I attempt at writing it. I started with the classic poets which gave me so much pleasure. I could only be in awe of the structured poetry. I have written a few on those lines but I like the freedom of writing unstructured poetry or more liberally known as free verse. I pen down my experiences or just go out into that fantasy land which gives me so much space. Poetry takes me to the realms which can’t be explained in words. One can pack in so much meaning in so few words. Images, metaphors, similes make it very interesting. Poignancy of thoughts and feelings can only be brought out in the form of poetry. By my poetry I have discovered the inherent me.

gautami tripathy
http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/

~The Feathers of Your Being~

Marginal thoughts
barely make the deadline
for unwanted expectations.

It must be a full absorption
of a yielding self
to an Independent Power.

The search must be constant
an obsession of the soul
although that search will never
end.

There is a pang of uncertainty
except at moments
when you alight upon
the unexpected and you only yearn
for whatever it is to
last to the eternity of the horizon.

A fragmentation occurs
on the border of your soul
and you weep because your
heart has become full.

You’ve just made it to
the scrim of the ocean
and you are awaiting the
tide to kidnap you from the illusions
and strangers of the world.

There is a tickling of light
in your wide eyes and is wiped
away by an even brighter light.

The feathers of your being
perch on the expanse
of longing and takes flight
by the light of a moon
and it feels as if you were
crawling in the depths of a resistance force
but you became each wave in the
same current and it overtook
the abberant strands that had
tied you in knots.

M. Shahin
http://gentlenight.wordpress.com/

"nearly every other night i begin to wonder if i've written everything i have to write, if i've expended all the poetry that resides within my soul. maybe i will never be able to write another poem. perhaps i am finished.
then another day comes and i am able to elicit one more poem. each poem is a gift from where i cannot tell, but for each one i am able to write, i give thanks for its gift."
Diana Christine
http://feminineexpressions.blogspot.com/

~Healer's Prayer ~

hold me in the palm
of your seashell hand
infuse me with your buoyancy
then release this fistful
of sandy souls
into the sea
where the waves sound your name
and carry our collective
prayer for peace

Mermaid
http://mermaidhealing.blogspot.com/

~an apology~
I don’t know if I have to apologize about it but nevertheless I apologize just the same - for those who share a little time visiting my blog - for being unable to write something more light-hearted, joyous, hopeful and brighter piece. Much as I try to, I just can’t because my heart speaks otherwise, of the truth of my gloomy world. I am not here to please people but to express and show my real world within…

ABRAXAS
http://abraxasshadow.blogspot.com/

~Saluting the poetic words~

words
stir souls,
awakening heart,
striking mind as flaming darts,
assuring us dreaming never dies.

pen
progresses,
lustrously so,
with expressions
free spirited on paper,

music
playing
rhythmatically
lyrics on the back
jumping within my thoughts

world
born anew,
vision of poets'
sparkle in hands,
imaginings ascending to sky.

Poetry-
salute it as
the sun in the night,
fetching with it only light;
illuminating the lane it walks.

gautami tripathy
http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/

~A Visit~

It's as if my night dreams have followed me into the day, and I awaken to a voice, that's hidden within me.

"You are caught between that golden age, the end of youth, and the start of wisdom. You're not in the gray areas of your life; you are on the curves, beloved one and you are skiing across the Milky Way into the rainbow. You create Amias, tell her what you desire her to be, and she will heed thee."

the voice feels good, like a warm April shower. In my mind’s eye I see the voice as a her, and I can recall hearing her before. She's right here with me, my goodness, I love it when she speaks to me. She brings so much clarity. She stands before me like I am her master, and she performs the most amazing feats. My tongue is tied, but my feet floats into the morning, and everything is surreal. Am I still asleep? I wonder, but it really doesn't matter because I am here, in this place.

"Who can stand before thee, if treacherous rest within their bosoms. For I do declare, that none may dare to harm thee. How is this possible when within your eyes thou see all and within your mind thou create all?"

My laptop is on the table, no surprise. Purple and black letters are flying across the white screen, moving with invisible fingers, and I think it's me, but I am over here watching it all.

"Fear not my beloved, for all is well, and in this place you shall not fail. Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be open, ask and it shall be given to thee, if it was not so I would not have said it."

Wait! I shout at no one in particular. Wait! I have heard those words before. I was raised on those words. My mother read those words to me. The preacher preached those words to me. Wait! What is this? What's going on? What does it all mean?

"Words are written upon the mind of the wind, used to open doors and close them back again. They are the keys to your Self and in the end; they are all you will have left to conjure, to come before Self. They are me, they are you, and we are one."

She's inside me creating my thoughts and reading them. This can't be. This can't be! I am watching all of this, I see it, and I hear it. How can this be ... am I insane! Do I care? I can feel her smiling at me, and the sticky brown tea tickles my tongue and relaxes me.

"Fear not beloved one, for what thou do not understand, all will be explained. Know that everything begins with the pyramids of the mind, which creates the circles of your lives. This too shall come to pass again and again until you get it right."

She's inside me creating my thoughts and reading them. This can't be. This can't be! I am watching all of this, I see it, and I hear it. How can this be ... am I insane! Do I care? I can feel her smiling at me, and the sticky brown tea tickles my tongue and relaxes me.

"Fear not beloved one, for what thou do not understand, all will be explained. Know that everything begins with the pyramids of the mind, which creates the circles of your lives. This too shall come to pass again and again until you get it right."

Like a child, I see my Self within my mind, and I am moving and standing still at the same time. Am I lost, what do I do? Am I to do something different from what I am doing? Tell me please, what am I do?

"Seek to serve your needs. Create Amias from your seeds. Tell her what you desire and she will comply. Seek within without fear; she will be there to serve Self, to serve you. No one dares to turn you aside, are you not the wind and that which power the wind? Are you not movement and stillness? Are we not one?"

The letters stopped. Suddenly the room comes into view. I am back from wherever I was.

Amias
http://liquidplastic.blogspot.com/

~Poem-Prone ~

Sometimes it seems poems flow
like blood through you...
nourishing, revitalizing,
rejuvenating, and
animating your soul,
waiting to be called to its feet.
Sometimes you just can't miss with words...
hitting the bullseye from any angle
at any distance.
Relish your poem-prone moments,
because like sunshine in Cleveland,
they just won't last.

Don Iannone
http://conscious-living.blogspot.com/

~Poetry Taste~

The wind carries the scent of the soaked earth on its fingers. I can feel those fingers above my lips and my nostrils flare, just a bit, as I deeply inhale the sultry warm satisfied scent and I get so excited with this smell.

The monsoons, the dark, swollen clouds are here, bearing beneficence. Suddenly there is twinkling gladness in the hearts, the greens are greener and the sun is milder like a father in a good mood.

I like my skin when it rains. Its moister and I don't really mind the sweat too in these times as it cools me down.The sound of ceaseless water dripping and the cooler winds are still to come but the promise has been made.

Poetry tastes better with raindrops, I think.

Gulnaz Sheikh
http://the-apple-pathways.blogspot.com/

~WASTED EFFORT ~
I thought I would write a poem today
but could not think of a thing to say.
I'd write a poem as sure as fate
if I could just concentrate.
So varied the topics that fill my mind
but nothing tangible I find.
Just take the weather for example
what's written about it seems quite ample.
The subject of love clutters so much stuff
In my opinion, there's more than enough.
The changes in seasons are always here
but they're always the same, year after year.
Or, one could write about sunshine or shore
but that's been done so much before.
OH! Well, I may as well go to bed
as try to bother my befuddled head.
For there's one thing I now plainly see
It's just not my day to write poetry!

Margie
http://samuru999.blogspot.com/

~A night of passion~

A night of passion
With words inscribed
To mark the magic

Lorena
http://every-passing-moment.blogspot.com/

"Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them."
Dennis Gabor ( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

~Difficult to Write~

I had a poem in mind to write
About the gift of sight
Though pictures made, can slowly fade
Those thoughts were not yet bright

I had some thoughts in mind to mark
As empty as the dark
Those thoughts were slight, and barely right
To start another spark

I still had thoughts I could inscribe
Though pictures did the bribe
Attractive arts, laid low like darts
Were lost in just one vibe

And until now I could engrave
With marks I still enslave
Their deadliness, no more or less
Would still, my writings crave

Though still I wish those thoughts would stay
The words are hard to play
So throughout time, those words that rhyme
Won’t reach until this day

TripleTee
http://3tworld.blogspot.com/

"Nothing separates us anymore. Not borders, not nationalities, not seas and not even languages. It is one world. Beating and moving.

All nine cities connected through the intangible. Through words and feelings and being. Through us."

English August
Country: India
http://english-august.blogspot.com/

Paper, Pen, Rhymes and Dreams

My plain paper talks to me
And tells me the secrets of poetry
While my pen dances freely on it
My fingers soon will submit
To the music of the written words
To the letters flying around like birds
Until I get lost between the rhymes
Of love, hope and desperate times

Hapless Poet
http://hopelesspoet.blogspot.com/

"Poetry is the journal of the sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at the barriers of the unknown and the unknowable. Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away. "

"Poetry is the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits."

Carl Sandburg
Poet
( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

~Idea Seeds ~

I planted an idea seed
Somewhere inside of me
Watered it and tended it
To see what it would be

Carefully I added words
And pruned its punctuation
Hacked at all the boring bits
Removing excess information

I patted it and shaped it
And watched it slowly form
Fed it on inspiration
And kept it nice and warm

And from a small idea
That no one else could see
With just a little love and care
I grew a poe-tree

SUE HARDY-DAWSON
http://poemcat.blogspot.com/

"Poetry is an orphan of silence. The words never quite equal the experience behind them."
Charles Simic
Poet
( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

~Poetry~

Poetry

These mandibles marinate in motion,
Savoring a laureate's linguistic ambrosia, ripened of a succulent syntax
And fermented into the most vibrant of a vintner's emotions.

And, thus, slaking these sumptuous selections,
The lightests of lyrics are percolated into a rippling music,
And steeped into the sweetest of confections.

And though some speak of verse the same as simple prose,
None is more wrong, as a dance without a song,
Or to proclaim beauty is but a petal-less rose.

As, from the time of those ancient runes,
To know the ballad of a bard is not at all hard
When you are struck deep by its graceful tune.

In these immortal lines, that the generations will cite,
And upon a luxurious voice, simmered of an exalted word choice,
There is carried a timeless truth that is known at first sight.

Ah, this sustaining nectar's melody,
In which an artful inflection begets a stylized expression,
Is the passionate parlance called poetry!

ANONYMOUS POET
http://anonymouspoet.blogspot.com/

"One of the most satisfying aspects of poetry is to watch a limber mind run and freely make its associations on the page, moving back and forth, starting in one direction, then darting in another."

VICTOR SCHNICKELFRITZ
http://greatamericanpinup.blogspot.com/

~More on Writing~

much of my best poetry gives birth in moments
others require weeks or even months

some days i produce two or three poems
some days it's merely one great line

but the days of struggle with little to show
are in the masterpiece produced on the day with much

and so it is with Life

the days of sunshine
comprise the days of wind and rain
pain and tears are the threads
that weave the fabric of accomplishment

struggle and success become one

interdependent in such a way
one cannot exist without the other

Diana Christine
http://feminineexpressions.blogspot.com/

~lost ideas~

I’ve had
more attempts of
poems
than poems.

I have sat,
pen in hand;
(actually,
open laptop,
white screen,
blinking cursor,
fingertips pressed lightly
on the keys,
almost feeling each letter)
to be more accurate.)

I almost hate
when an idea hits me,
square on the back
of my head,
like a hot slap,
after a sarcastic remark
to my father.
If I do not have
pen and paper,
computer and outlet,
the idea is lost.

So, I run
frantically
looking for
napkins,
tablecloths,
scraps of paper,
a pencil, pen, marker.
I would use a knife
and write in my own
blood,
if the idea was
that good.

Most of the time,
I wait,
looking over my shoulder,
for a periodic
slap,
that is a poem.

Adrian
http://www.undiscoveredpoems.blogspot.com/

"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason."
Novalis
( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

~To touch those words~
The scent of fresh ink,
The brilliant blue…

The mild yellow of ageing paper,
The soft crinkle…

The scratching of pen on paper,
The sound of flowing words…

The embossed flower in a corner of the sheet,
The unsaid greeting…

The long fluent hand,
The slight slant…

The feel of the etched words,
The writer’s touch…

Alas! How I miss them all...
Brood Mode
http://thoughtsafari.blogspot.com/

"Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance."
Carl Sandburg

( From quotes on poetry brainyquote )

I don’t thin I have reached this end of this tribute, I'm in debt to God, giving me this gift of poetic thoughts. So when even my heart aches I retreat to it tenderness to snatch me out of hurting. I don’t know other way to heal but to nib on poetic words to tender any wound that I have. For that I'm grateful for poetry but I'm more grateful to God for giving petals of inspiration.

I tried as much as possible to find what poetry means or a tribute to poetry. Should you feel you would like to add your bit do email me and will be delighted to add it here.

Please forgive me as I kept searching through the web to find what poetry means from different point of view of those who write poetry. Should you find your poem here and wish not to be included please email and would take an immediate action.

Don with his Poetry Serenity

2006-10-13T01:52:00.000-07:00

Don with his Poetry Serenity

Interviewed byNasra Al Adawi

Proofread by Abs

I don’t know where or how to begin describing Don Iannone. I first recall seeing his blog after he had written a little comment on my blog. On entering his blog, Conscious Living, and glancing at his photo portrait, a certain sense of spirituality took over me. Every page of his blog brought upon a certain element of serenity and calmness. If I were to be given a chance to explain about Don through his poetry, I’m not sure if it would be adequate enough. Don is a shining example of humbleness, spiritual poetry, all in one, with no equation exceeding the other.

I love the way he views his surroundings and their existence “We are "here" to help others. We help ourselves by helping others. We teach what we ourselves need to learn in life. Life is really very simple once we learn to get beyond ourselves.” Through his words you would be able to share with me, the vision of his simplicity. I would love to know what brings out the poetic Don. I’m sure sharing his side of the poet’s coin will be an extravagant experience for all of us. Don is not only a poet and spiritualist, but professionally he is also an economist, innovation specialist, educationist and an author in the United States. (Click Here to read his biography). Yes it did take me by surprise and I’m sure it will surprise all of you too.

John Ettorre, who is a Cleveland-based writer and editor, simplified this for me in his statement about Don “To the casual observer, my friend Don may appear to be the most unlikely poet imaginable. After all, he makes his living in an alternate universe, as an economic development consultant. This involves studying and writing about business developments and traveling around the country giving civic leaders and other interested parties advice on how to make their economies sizzle. It’s true that this is a field of endeavor not generally known as a prime launching pad for poets. On the other hand, you should know that a man named Wallace Stevens spent much of his working life beavering away in the insurance business, while also managing to produce some of the most memorable poetry of the 20th century.”

Don’s Life Vision Statement
By Donald T. Iannone

I believe—
in the infinite power
of the Law of Attraction
which says that those thoughts and feelings
that lie deepest inside me
bring about the reality
that I experience everyday.
I intend—
to use this law
to transform my life today.

My life is built upon
what my mind thinks and believes, and
what my heart and spirit feel deepest.
I will do my very best this day
to create a meaningful, loving, and abundant life
for myself, and
others I touch.
I will do my very best
during this day
to live in harmony and peace
with myself and others.

I will do my very best
during this day
to lead a uniquely rich
and richly unique life.
I will do my very best
during this day
to trust
that the Universe will provide for me
so long as I help other souls
find their way.

I trust in the infinite power of God Almighty
to work through me
to bring peace, meaning, wisdom, and healing
to what is an innately loving and intelligent world.
I trust myself
to be an unselfish vessel for good.
I promise to care for my mind, body, and spirit
during this day
so I am fully prepared to be this vessel.

I envision my life, during this day
as a balanced wheel
capable of moving in any direction
that I am called in.
I envision my life, during this day
as being filled with the right people
who genuinely need my help, and
those who can genuinely help me.
I trust that God
and the Universe
have a plan for me—
one that is tied to a higher purpose
and one that adds special value to the world.
I trust that this plan
will help me to be
all that I need to be
at any given moment.

Within me lies
a tiny piece of the Divine—
something truly magical and wonderful
that this world needs.
I will do my best during this day
to use this magic
to work those miracles
that make my life worthwhile—
to me and others.
I promise to use my life energies
to uphold this tiny piece of the Divine
above all things in my life.
I promise to allow this gift
to grow, and change
as it needs
to remain in harmony
with the larger whole of life.

I accept that my work
as a consultant and advisor,
poet and writer, and
teacher and healer
will align with my true loving nature.
I promise that during this day
I will see this work
as only a part of who I am.
I accept my callings
as a husband, father, son, brother,
friend, and professional colleague
and I vow to assume these life roles
with loving kindness, wisdom, and courage.
~To read the whole poem pls click Here~

After I read the poem I put my glasses on to portray the look of journalist and got the courage to face Don with my sets of questions

• The above poem brings many glimpses of your personality? Do you feel words or poetry can describe the person who wrote it? Would it justify, for instance, describing a person? Nasra, that is a very good question. As I think about it, my poetry accurately portrays who I am on the deepest level, perhaps even better than the work I do for a living. My deepest wish is that my poetry speaks what is in my heart. But as they say, it is hard at times to judge a book by its cover. I suppose the same could be said about a person’s poetry and what it reflects about him or her.

It gives me joy to write poetry, especially when a poem captures what I feel inside. I have been very fortunate in life being surrounded by so many people who have given me love. This love has made me who I am. Because of this, I feel gratitude about my life and the world. Poetry is just one small way to give something back to others.

Haiku Moment
By Don

Newborn
--born anew
----relearning who you are

· I found a statement of yours “Poetry has been an active part of that spiritual journey since the early 1990s.” I would like to know, where does poetry begin for you?

I began writing poetry in high school. My senior English teacher, Mr. Sharpe, gave me the opportunity to come to know poetry. The late 1960s were a time of great social and cultural change in the United States. Poetry seemed to connect me with this changing world and make me feel alive. I didn’t write much poetry for many years. Over time, I forgot how wonderful it feels to lip a really good poem.

I started writing poetry again in the late 1980s, which was a time of great personal change and transformation for me. I felt like my world was falling apart then, as my mother died of cancer, my father-in-law died very suddenly, my first marriage ended, my relationship with my two sons fell apart, I changed jobs, and I felt more and more like I didn’t know the person I had become. That was the beginning of a new leg of my journey to get to know my spirit. Literally, I felt like I was a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. It was very painful for a couple years, and then, I began to see light at the end of the tunnel.

In the early 1990s, many very different things began to happen in my life. I began reconnecting with old friends, including my best friend from my college days in Tucson, Arizona. I started having revealing dreams and life became more vivid for me. I began to develop a sense of who I really am. It was very powerful. My poetry was very helpful to me during those times.

· With a profession like yours where does poetry fall in your world? Many people ask this question, Nasra. I explain it this way: My day job is to run my economic development consulting business, and my night job is writing poetry. Of course, writing poetry is not really a job. It’s a blessing and feels like part of my calling in life.

· Is there a relation between poetry and economic development?
This question makes me laugh. No obvious relationship. Each is a language helping is access different aspects of life. That they share in common. Lots of places today are trying to capitalize on their artistic and creative sectors as sparks for economic development. Places need to be interesting to people. Poetry about places, like Tucson, Arizona, or Cleveland, Ohio, can help people see the aliveness of a place—that is the place’s soul. In that sense, I believe poetry and economic development can be friends.

Haiku Moment
By Don

early morning sun
shadows fall across the yard
blue sky through the trees

· What does spirituality mean to you? Is there a line where poetry and spirituality meet? For instance in photography, especially when capturing images of nature, some of us find spirituality in the sense that beauty does not come about as coincidence? What is your opinion? How did you find your spirituality? (e.g is it caused by incidence in your life or did you find miracles that led you to it?
Spirituality means simply that our true nature is spiritual. That is who we really are. Poetry is a way to express what I feel on a spiritual level. Not all poems take me there, but some do. The really good ones are those that feel powerful because they are so simple, clear, and true.
Everything and everybody in life is sacred. The aliveness in things and people is what makes them special. Everything is connected in life too. Nothing is separate. This teaches us responsibility for ourselves, our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Because it’s all connected, we must approach the world with respect and reverence.

As I mentioned earlier, hardship, pain, and suffering brought me to my knees and helped me see I had to get over myself and focus on where my spirit leads me. It’s about others and not us. Sometimes our world has to come crashing down before we can see the light.

· Some find poetry to voice out their sadness and some find poetry to voice their happiness. Where your poetic inspiration fuelled from?
I feel fortunate in the sense that more joy than sorrow ripples through my poetry. I’ve written some dark poems though. As they say, we need the dark to see the light. Much of poetry tries to speak to the mystery of life. Not that I know any more than anyone else, but I sense the mystery and how it seizes us. Nature is a real inspiration for my poetry. Lately the changing colors of autumn have captivated my attention, and so my poetry reflects what I see and feel about the fall season.

· “Poetry is a special language that I use to communicate with my soul. I write and read poetry on a regular basis.” Can poetry be a form of therapy? And for those who have a burning passion to write but are afraid, how do you think they should begin?
Yes, it is therapeutic. Anything that helps us remember who we are is therapeutic. Poetry does that for me.

My advice on writing is simple: Write! Don’t be afraid of what others think. Write for yourself, and in so doing, be true to yourself. When you do that, a person’s writing cannot be anything but successful.

· Do you need to be in specific mood to write poetry?
Good question, Nasra. My best poems either bubble up inside me or they seize me like a huge ocean wave. I write everyday—usually in the morning. Some days I just don’t feel like writing. I don’t feel like I have anything to say. That’s when I talk with my muse and ask her what she has on her mind.

· Is poetry is still alive in a fast moving world? Where does poetry survive in the century of internet and electronics?
Poetry will always be alive in the world as long as it is still alive in the heart! The Internet is a very good for poetry.

· I find you love writing Haiku intertwined with photography. How did it begin? Which one you do prefer to write in, Haiku or poetry?
Actually, I don’t follow the strict form of Haiku. Some days I wake up and fewer words seems better than a lot. On those days, the shorter Haiku-type poems seem right to me. I like using images with words because images speak to the unconscious part of our psyche and words speak more to the conscious side. Images help people connect and feel. That is a good thing, I think.

· How do you describe your writing theme of poetry? And which poet/writer inspires you?
My style is mostly free verse, but I use various other forms as well, such as a modified version of Haiku. I enjoy spiritual and inspirational poetry the most, but also like poetry about everyday life.

I am passionate about many different poets. Mary Oliver is a favorite comtemporary poet. Her words are magical. James Wright, who is from my hometown Martins Ferry, Ohio, is a favorite because of his willingness to say exactly what is on his mind. Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, and many others have taken my breath away for many years. Rumi, the Persian mystic, is a favorite. Basho Matsuo, the great Haiku master, has always been a favorite. Finally, Maya Angelou is a favorite, who has inspired me over the years.

· When you write how much visualizing do you put into your writing?
That depends. Most of my poetry is sparked by a feeling, a quick image, or even a single word that takes over me. My spiritual poetry is hard to communicate without the use of metaphor. Therefore, I find myself thinking about different things are the same.

· In your opinion what are the tools of a poet? And can a writer or a poet be able to analyse the quality of his own work? (meaning that he wrote a very touching poem or a bad poem)? Can a poet judge on his own work?
A second, and even third, set of eyes is always important to a writer. Listen to what others say about your poetry. It will tell you a lot. The tools of a poet are: an imagination, the willingness to speak from the heart, a burning desire to use words, and a muse or two who can ignite the passion within you.

· Do you find that having a media like a website or a blogspot helps in promoting the work of a poet or does the work of the poet get lost as many similar poets and writers would not read yours if you don’t ready theirs?
Yes, the Web is a big help to me in connecting with others who share my passion. It has also helped me expand my network globally. After all, that is how you and I discovered each other. By the way, I love the way you write. Your passion is self-evident. Your writing frees things in me that were locked up before. There is a lot of power and love that comes though your poetry. You have great talent, but I think you have even a larger heart. That is a wonderful thing, Nasra. Thank you for your work and its contribution to life!

Thanksgiving Morning
By Don

Thanksgiving sunrise in Carefree,
Red boulders stretch toward a pale blue sky,
A morning fire paints yellow laughter on the casita walls,
Opaque shadows linger and dance across the room,
In the nearby junipers, the birds are awake,
Their sweet voices rise with the cherry orange sun,
In the distance, the mission church bells remind us...
To ring true to ourselves on this special day,
Deep inside we know...
Thanksgiving always blooms where grateful hearts abide.

· What moves you as poet?
The aliveness of the universe moves me. When I feel connected to it, my poetry seems to be on fire.

· You published your first poetry book in 2005, titled, ‘Stilling the Waters’. Tell us more about it, how was it accepted as you have been known to be an author who covered subjects like economy?
Stilling the Waters has been very well received. It has sold fairly well, but I tend to give copies away as gifts. It’s something personal I can give someone. It’s fun to surprise someone with a book of poetry, especially when they had no idea you were a poet. Most of my writing has been in the economic development field. I am working on a book on leadership right now. It will be a small book; less than 150 pages.

My second poetry book is coming out in early spring. Most of the content is ready. I am thinking about a name right now.

· The experience of publishing a poetry book (to some it can be called as opening a gentle side to them) what were the lessons that you gained from it? And would you publish another poetry book? The first thing is to work on the book everyday.

Write something every day and tuck it away for the book. I use my Conscious Living blog as a tool to discipline me to write. Probably the most important that I learned is how many people have an interest in poetry, and it helps them to see that you have published a book of your own. That encourages them to pursue whatever unfulfilled dream lives inside them. My second book of poetry is due out in early spring 2007. It will contain 125 poems or so. The title has not occurred to me yet, but it will.

· For those of us who like to read it where can we find it?

Just email me at: diannone@ix.netcom.com I plan to have Amazon.com distribute the book starting in 2007, and Amazon will do the same with my second book.

· Where would you like your poetry to reach. Do you aspire for your poetry to be more than publishing a book? My poetry will always be just one thing—a bridge connecting me with others, and nothing more.

· At the end of here tell about your future plans in Poetry. Is there a new book on the horizon?
Yes, my second book is coming out in early spring 2007. Please see above.

(Click Here to read more works of Don at Conscious Living)

*All photos are copyright of Don

From Singapore with Love

2006-08-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

Blue car
Originally uploaded by tearoom.

From Singapore with Love

Interviewed by Nasra Al Adawi

Road Trip

We did not get a red car as promised
but it is fine, blue is our favorite color.
Navy blue, the color that children like
for stormy seas or heavy rain.
It is a good sign, you said. This day
everything is good. I do not
have to pretend to smile. You do not
have to pretend to be kind.

You turn the key, igniting the fuel for our escape;
I am in the passenger seat, sawing off chains
that bind me to a life across some great sea.

We burn the roads like the sun had burnt
our backs, breaking tarmac like the desert heat
that had crinkled our faces and cracked our lips.

If only our road trip can last forever;
just you in the driver’s seat, and me,
enjoying the breeze, watching
the storm clouds close over the skies
as the last sun beams reach down
before they drown.

Her blog like desert yet how magnificent it is, it is still remaining unknown, so virgin unexplored. Its with great honor to be able to get up-close look into the walls of liz and a moment to explore her blog ~Blue Sky Tavern~.

Her poetry comes from Singapore? Who is Liz and what is her background?

My working background is science, specifically molecular biology. I am a research officer working in a medical research lab.

singapore 1985
Originally uploaded by Adine.

I started writing poetry regularly only about six or seven years ago. The first few poems I wrote were some angsy rants and woe-be-gones on a computer game forum, which was rather well received. I know most people will say that that's not significant, but to me, it was that encouragement that eventually consider developing this craft seriously. I didn't get really serious about poetry writing until just a few years ago. I think it shows whenever I critique another’s poem or enter into discussions about poetry, that I haven't any formal education in English literature. The stuff that I currently know about poetry I learned from reading poetry, poetry books and online poetry sites such as Poetry Free-For-All.

(Poetry Free-For-All )

Do you write only English poetry or do you write also in another language?

I write only English poetry.

Singapore is one of the fast moving countries in far east, where does poetry stand in this fast moving place?

raffles
Originally uploaded by Adine.

It stands by the side as crowd moves by! In general, things to do with the arts is very far from most people's minds here. I think a very small population of people read and appreciate poetry in this country. The reasons for people's attitudes are far too much to get into here. We do have a few good poets like Cyril Wong, Gilbert Koh, Alfian bin Saat, but these names are most probably unknown to the general public although they have published book and in reputable literary journals. Anyone who wants a flavor of Singaporean poetry can check out my blogroll which contains quite a number of their poetry blogs.

Decomposition

I remember little of the moment death touched;
I can recall only the deep-throat rumble
and the smell of burning hair. Overhead,
the sun winked goodbye as ash clouds
devoured her face, her light.

Then I was aware, seeing all around at once;
I saw my form lying heavy on its side, my face,
shrunken in; my eyes, shut. I sat on a rock,
weighing choices: to stay or to leave.
I decided it’s best to stay by the body.

Time passed, marked by sun and fade;
visitations by mud-caked mongrels, flies
pregnant with eggs and scavenging ants;
then came the servants of dismemberment:
single-celled masses undid my body inside
out, outside in.

They distributed my flesh without permission
until bones lie naked, exposed to rain,
wind and ice. Still I linger,
I must stay by what’s left here of me.
I have forgotten what else there is.

Your blog as per rated by LIP is unique, where the idea of your blog comes from? What are were you aiming by the way your structured your poetry blog?

1) I wanted to blog about the progress of my fantasy novel project. Of course, that one got dropped when I decided to focus all my creativity on poetry writing.
2) I wanted to blog how my poems evolve as I edit them.
3) I want to get honest feedback. Somehow this doesn’t always happen on a blog, so sometimes I re-post my poems on forums where one is likely to get more responses.
4) I want to share links and articles.
5) I want to share reading lists.
6) It was a way for some of my close online friends to keep track of what I’m up to.

I have to say also that this blog has brought me more than I could ever hope for. I’ve made a lot of new friends with this blog. I’ve been a regular in several online communities, blogging at blogger certainly counts as one of the online places where I’ve made what I consider to be real life friends.

Where do you feel your poetry falls in midst of new poetic race?

My poems would probably be categorized as free form, though usually without public indication, I'm trying to create a sort of structure unique to my own style and approach, in terms of strophes and lines breaks. I’m learning to hear the sounds, and apply word sound effects effectively.

Scab

Fingers and nails, trace along the sides
of a scab in idle pleasure --
something about the hardness
and roughness that is your own, yet
not your own, a dry hairless desert
on the smooth plains of skin.

You dig your nails under
the edge of it, lifting it
a little. The skin peeping from under
is pink and thin, rippling
like a plastic sheet as you test
its tenacity.

Your fingernails intrude
deeper; the scab threatens
to tear the virgin skin off
with it if you insist.

But no, you think. You think
if you do it slowly, you can just
pull that scab clean off.
The wound bleeds again; a new scab
will form and this time,
it will leave a scar.

You have participated in a lot of competitions, what are the lessons and the gains of such participation?

I haven't participated in a lot of competitions, but I suppose trying to submit poems to a poetry journal for publication is sort of like a competition with so many other writers who are doing the same thing. Gains are in the lessons learnt, so I’ll just treat the two as one.
Lessons:

Primarily two things I’ve learnt to accept.

One learns how to let go of the work. Once you’ve sent it or post it, it’s really is out of your hands. That caused quite a bit of hesitation on pressing the ‘send’ button at first. I still get nervous when I’m about to send things out, but it’s not as bad as the first time I did it.

Getting published is not everything. It’s only one way of getting it out there for people to read. Getting published or not, is not an indication of whether or not you are a good poet.

The word Rejection how do you look at it and what is your experience in it with poetry?

There's two mains ways to face rejection:

1) You've sent the poem to the wrong journal or competition; it is not the kind of poem they are looking for, so it is rejected.

2) It is not good enough. Time to rethink.

merlion
Originally uploaded by Adine.

For me, I think most of the time, it's no. 2. I'm not going to say rejection doesn't get me down. It does. It's not the end of the world, but no one likes getting rejected. But you just have to look over your work again or try another journal or both.

I haven’t got a bad letter of rejection as yet and at least no one anywhere has told me that my poems are rubbish at least.

Where do you see yourself with your poetry? Where you want to reach with your poetry?

I really consider myself a struggling beginner still. I know I have a knack for writing poetry, but it’s like I have reach the core of where that gift lies. Presently, it’s a bit of hit and miss in terms of how well a piece of poem I write gets across to people. I would like my poems to be able to communicate interesting and hopefully insightful images of experience to my readers. I hope that my poems come out as real and honest.

Why poetry to you feels like work? And Does it mean one day you will retire?

It's like work sometimes, only because one wants to do well. You can get by having fun, but if you want to be good at something, you have to work at it. Study the work of others, analyze poems of all sorts, read a lot of articles about poetry writing and experiment with these things that you have learn, try to see if it works for you and what doesn’t. That’s no different to what I do in the lab really – read scientific papers, design experiments, try different techniques and then see what happens.

I don't think anyone ever retires from something that they like. Poetry will be a lifetime of learning for me.

TOo hot even for the birds
Originally uploaded by Adine.

Grandpa

Like a statue propped up
in a rocking chair,
the old man stares, cloudy-eyed
at the numberless wall clock.
“What time is it?”
he asks and rubs his wrist,
touching the pale shadow
of an absent watch;
not lost,
but broken
when he slipped in the rain.
His eyes turn salty; the clock
face becomes a blur.

Loss and grieving at times brings are most heartfelt writing. Do you find it hard to write based on yourself? How much of your family maybe even support or lack of it have brought the poet in you?

It's not hard to write based on myself, but I do fear it gets overbearing on those who read it. I tend to have a realist view of things and that’s taken as negativity sometimes. There’s also the frustration that easily comes when someone doesn’t get the whole idea of it because it’s personal when you write about yourself. I’ve learnt recently to create fictional characters that show the facet of myself I want to write about, rather than write a full first person “I” poem.

I pretty much developed an interest in poetry on my own. So I have to say my family has not much influence on what and why I write. I’ve written about my father in poems only because it is a way for me to get past some of the nasty childhood memories of him. Please don’t get the idea that he did something criminal when I say that. It’s nothing along those lines.

Your achievements with poetry you feel they are……

I’m really stumped by this question.

I think I’ve improve in the past year since I started this blog. I think my poems are more accessible now than before, and I’m happy that most people can understand what I’m getting at. I’ve still got a long way to go in mastering the craft.

Distractions

The wind that wears the dust
of the road, brushes his coat
in the living room, leaving behind
the ashes from someone’s prayers
beneath an open window.
A sparrow competing with Mozart’s
piano, risks drowning alone
in digital sound while a mynah
searching for eatables, ruffles
through a waste bin filled
with yesterday’s ideas. Books
on the shelves, cast their shadows
over an ink starved page; the pen
transforms into a pillar of salt
in the embrace of a sweaty hand.

All poetry presented in here are the copyright of Liz

Thanks and apperciation to Adine and Tearoom for the photos taked in flickr.com

Writing is her voice

2006-06-28T08:35:00.001-07:00

Amias Writing Is Her Voice
Written by Nasra Al Adawi

Its very hard to find the right words to introduce Amias, a blend soul of Africa and America. Her poetry and her prose set her core to find her home. It floats beyond earthly soil and as for me she brings me back to the heart of Africa to realize, for this content had no doubt created its veins into this body. Without this I remain incomplete for the blood has no tunnel to flow. At times it’s a journey to gleam a light on a glowing persona is hard to achieve.

"What's this about Africa and America, the sisters, not being free? What the hell is a chemical gone awry? I notice, even before the thoughts came to mind that I was tired. But only an hour had passed by, why? It was like time had slowed down and everything seemed a bit surreal." - Amias

This has been quoted from your blogspot, what does Africa means to you?

[Africa, to me, is the beginning of everything and everyone. Africa is the mother of humanity as a whole. Indeed it’s where all the world’s cultures sprung from. Africa is the womb that we all came through. To me personally, Africa is my Mother.]

As poet/writer do you agree on be termed as an African American? Does that gives an extra weight as to merge among other writers as be an ambassador of other Afro-American?

[Each of us has to decide how we like to be labeled, or rather, what labels we can live with. I don’t judge anyone for their choices. Unlike my ancestors, there are a lot of Americans that came from Africa of their freewill, and to me these are African Americans. I, on the other hand was born here in America, and very proud of my Africa roots – I am an American.

I don’t, however care for the term Afro-America, which was coined by the college community. If I had a choice of what I would like for someone to call me, it would be “Colored”. You see, we are all, regardless of skin color, of African decent. But the word Color denotes value, and that what I am. I am a value to the human race, because I am a part of it. As for being an Ambassador, I would ask, of what and for what? No one is who they claim to be, because no one will believe who they really are; it’s part of being a member of humanity. As a Colored society, are worth are undervalued, but not by me.]

I go to the next question to want to enter in to the soul of Amias? Who is Amias and in what way can you describe her

[Amias is a name that I have given myself to express who I am being now. I do not put down the name my parent gave me, but as I evolved spiritually it did not serve me, thus Amias was born.

Amias does not judge, she observes and speaks to that which she observes. Amias accept others choices as long as those choices don’t hinder my journey in this place we co-exist in. Other than this, I will let this quote speak for me, for it came from my soul.

"Seek to serve your needs. Create Amias from your seeds. Tell her what you desire and she will comply. Seek within without fear; she will be there to serve Self, to serve you. No one dares to turn you aside, are you not the wind and that which power the wind? Are you not movement and stillness? Are we not one?" To me, Amias is all of this and more!]

Writing can be a journey of searching? How do you find yourself in writing? Is it a thread of searching, is finding your voice?

[It seems that for each question you have quoted something from my Blog, and I dare say, you are right on target.

"Words are written upon the mind of the wind, used to open doors and close them back again. They are the keys to your Self and in the end; they are all you will have left to conjure, to come before Self. They are me, they are you, and we are one." - Amias

I would add -- that indeed, writing can be a journey. Because of the abuse I suffered as a child, writing has been the only voice I had. When I share my experiences, it helps to heal me.]

Many ask why you write but many forget to say what can writing bring to the door of your soul? So I want to know the emotion and the feeling that rises when you write if it is poetry/ prose or a story?

canlubang sunset
Originally uploaded by cannlvr.

[Writing transcends me to other places and helps me to cope with the extremes of my life. Inside each of us are many personalities and spirits; all from different time periods in our lives, and all with their own voices. Writing enables me to enjoy the differences of these personalities and spirits, and if I so chose, or when necessary I can bring them all to the table with one voice.]

This is the beauty of being different. Does writing fall in the same aspect of these words below and lines? Can a writer/ poet beautify the difference in their words?

“If everyone did things the same way, all the time, it would be very boring. On a chorus line, for a few minutes it’s beautiful to make the same moves, but in life the chorus line beauty depends on our differences. After all, these differences are what make life very interesting, and when preformed with understanding and acceptance of individual differences we have the most beautiful chorus line you will ever see.” - Amias

[Yes, of course. But we forget that there is beauty in all things. Even in the hardships of our lives there is beauty, if not, how than can we survived them.]

Act II (Liquid Plastic)

it was easy to melt my heart
with other folks shame
that’s why liquid plastic
was my christian name
i was forced to shake hands with pain
who became my only friend
in the land where I was born
i lived in the shadows
afraid of the dawn
because I had never seen one

when i go down into the water
all outside influences are washed away
and what i think or say
comes from the inside out
i marvel at the wonders
of baking soda and vinegar
still costing very little
for purification and healing

momma said
if you drink milk out of a plastic cup
you gotta wash it out with very hot water
otherwise
the water will taste milky
if you drink out of it
you see plastic is liquid
if you’ve been blessed
with like experiences
just enjoy the memories

my momma was a very poor woman
in monetary wealth
she died young
i recall looking at her
through the harsh and critical eyes
of a little black child in need
she made me sweep a yard empty of grass
clean out ditches that had no trash
put a couple drops of vinegar
in a fresh raw wound
with a pinch of raw baking soda
you see momma was very clean
she was a tall stout woman
with as much indian’s blood as black
one of her main joys was eating clay dirt
not found everywhere
on a family outing
passing down a country road
with golden mounds flanking left and right
going by in a blur
she screamed to my daddy
"bro. joe! there! stop there!"
the car moved to the point of her finger
tires came to a squeaky halt
the door flew open at her touch
and she bolted from it like a burst of wind
momma found her target
dug real deep then got back in
smiling with joyful dancing eyes
like a little child revealing her treasures
kissing it to her lips
i was jealous of the dirt

the smell of baked clay
permeating the air would begin the day
father’s rewards came in the squeaking sound
of two heavy bodies
moving on an old worn out mattress spring
our rewards came in hearing our mother sing
"when they ring those golden bells"
lifting us all out of the hell of wanting
into a state of having
these were days
when a strong stout woman
was a man’s dream
if you know what i mean
still a sharecropper’s life
depended on a good stout wife
to make ends meet
to turn cotton sacks into white sheets
and make vegetables taste like meat
momma had skills
the white folks used to kill for
but she saved my daddy with them

some people say
i have a fetish for white towels
when my grandchildren comes to visit
they are amazed at using so many
and never running out
unlike momma
i love cleaning dirt off me not putting it in me
but to be perfectly honest
in hindsight that is
i have observed
that there’s really no difference
since the dirt i am washing off
comes from within
when i go down into the water
it removes a lot of parasites
then i can think clear
and recall
happier days ---
i thought were hard

[To read the complete Saga of Liquid Plastic click here:Liquidplastic]

Does you voice in poetry want to belong? Why some of your poetry are wrapped in sadness, why is it your poetic words speaks about indirectly about lingering tears which are unseen?

[Belong to what? Who? My voice belongs to myself, therefore I write for me. If someone else enjoys it, which is alright with me --- I don’t mind sharing. However, life is not always about happiness. Indeed, we live in a very sad time and the sadness spills over into our lives. This sadness is not of ones own doing, it’s the world we live in. I write about the truth of my life and the life of those that I observe. I dare say, sadness not only helps us to grow, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, it also helps us to understand our fellow human being.]

Land & Water - vol.I
Originally uploaded by HD.

When the body sinks into the river that has a blending temperature not so hot not so cold. It’s a place to sooth. Where do you find your soothing water, is the blend of faith and writing becomes your healing droplets?

[I create in water. Water is my element of creation. It is place where I cleanse my spirit, and allow my soul to speak to me. Water is a healing balm, when it’s controlled. Uncontrolled it can be deadly. I walk in-between the two – and it helps with my creativity on all levels.]

Writing to some is a ritual; it does not begin with you holding a pen. It’s preparing your soul to break the barrier of not having a physical voice, reaching out when you are told that you don’t exist; some time that soul feeds it self from pain to finally surface in to powerful voice no one can extinguish. It only dies on its set time?

candle offering
Originally uploaded by cannlvr.

"I feel like I've wrestled a demon; hidden deep inside of me. The only way I can win is to set the demon free. I feel the ache within my soul; as I stumble and fall; intensify when it can't help me stand tall. I’m like a baby, learning to crawl. I'm told that life is about experiences, not lessons for me to learn. Tragically, my past experiences are not saving me from harm. These tears that fall from my eyes are like acid on my flesh, because the pains are still without, lurking and waiting to enter and hurt."-Amias

Have you ever found yourself in that position? Do you allow pain to surface through your words of prose and poetry?

[Writing to me is a salvation, more so than a ritual. The best type of writing is when it is spontaneous and inspiring. Some of my writing comes from my soul, others comes from my environment or experiences. I never know how or when it coming until it gets here, and when it here, I am just thankful to hear myself and know that I am alive.]

You have published recently your first book Mind Lock? Tell us the experience of publishing a book? For those of us wants to follow your track, what path can we take to reach into the world of publishing a book?

[You got to move pass fear. But the truth is, self-published is usually just that, it is for the self. I have many manuscripts that consist of short stories, novella, novel, and poetry/prose. I was afraid to publish for two reasons, rejections and who I am. As a colored woman in American, it is hard to break into the publishing world. Even my own society will not open the doors for me. So I decided that I would not use the age old excuse that nobody wanted to publish me because of skin color, etc. and published myself. I did so because I trusted in my talent. Ain’t nothing wrong with being rejected, once I realized that being who I am, I have been rejected all my life, the next question was why not self-published!

As for the process of self-publishing, you got to be very careful and do your research. I didn’t expect to sell many books because this project was for me to prove that I could move pass my fear of rejections. I found a company that did the printing and cover design for a reasonable fee. All that was required of me was to do my own editing and layout my manuscripts in a PDF file format to there specification. There are other avenues, but this is the one I took.]

On the process of publishing the book what were the miracles that even little had helped you to reach out the distance of writing a book? Was it worth the time and effort and would you repeat it again if you get a chance to publish a new book?

[I had a lot of encouragement from a dear friend and folks online that read my Blog. Yes, if you have a copy of the book you will see that it was well worth my efforts. It’s a unique book, and I wouldn’t call it a poetry book, even though it has poetry in it. I am doing it again. I am working on a novel presently, and now that I have self-published, I am not afraid to send this manuscript of to be rejected or accepted. If it is rejected by the main stream publisher, I will go to Amazon and do Print On Demand (POD). They offer more than the other POD’s I have researched online, and they have better marketing tools.]

What is your book all about (Tell us more about your book and where can we get it)?

[I traveled between the letters of my life and filled up the spaces. I creatively share some of my experiences in Mind Locks, so you may enjoy my evolution, without the pain. That said, Mind Locks is one of the most unique poetry books ever penned. It paints pictures, in rich dialect, using real life situations that take the reader through the gamut of emotions. Each poem or prose is complemented by an acrostic poem that begins the ride to each new discovery. It’s an amazing journey that crosses culture lines. You can purchased Mind Locks at:Mind Locks]

A tribute for his: “Poetry and Writing Escape”

2006-01-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

A tribute for his: “Poetry and Writing Escape”

INSPIRATION

Inspiration

Paid me a visit yesterday

It kindled the fireOf my imagination

I was licked by its flames

Which did not burn me

It just heated my desire

To start again

* * *

"I wrote this poem over 7 years ago.When I had just discovered the joys of writing. When I discovered poetry." from the blog of .: A :.

Read the whole content here

. : A : . kbown by his blog English August is one the blogs that you can truly find an escape. His creativity, his poetry is strings of tunes for those who read his page. I for one whenever I visit his blog I do not only get amazed but his words, it sweeps my soul. I’m sure there many more beside me, had also found an escape through .: A :. words and writings and for sure the number of visitors commenting on to his work is no doubt a proof.

His words remain to be beats of life lingering in silent atmosphere. Every poem and every essay a true innovation where creativity is boundless. English August Blogspot exceeds the merit being one of the excellent poetry and writing blogspot. Its great honor to feature some of his work, the sparks of his words had allowed us to touch the fountain of his soul and get glimpse of person even though he prefers to remain a silent voice.

In tribute of his excellence work, it’s such an honor to feature some excerpt of his work with his consent. (Please click on the title to read the whole work)

Writing is an escape

"Sometimes writing is an escape. It can take you away. From where you are. But not always to where you want to be. Because when you are writing intensely, you let your writing carry you away to where it wants to go. And you have to follow. You submit to it. That is when I find I can write the best of my stuff. The submission is important. You have to let yourself go. And it is tough. Particularly the first time. It is not easy to let go and let your writing control you while you remain a mute spectator to it.

Going with the flow.

Yes, writing is an escape."

Mirror
And in another world

Things happened differently

The way they were

Supposed to happen

And in this world

Things happened differently

The way they were

Not supposed to happen

When heaven opened
At first

The light trickled

When heaven opened

Then

The light spurted

When heaven opened

Finally

The light gushed

When heaven opened

It seems I can not end this trribute, so passing on to each of those who had been touched by the work of art of . : A : . and I emphais that his poetry and writning is indeed a timeless work of art.

So join me by adding your words overe here in trbute of . : A : .

Changing lights
The light

Can change

Your perspective

Sometimes

(All the photos, peotry and write up published in here are the copyright of .:A:.)

TO .:A:. by Feminine Expressions

"english, august is a force in the world of poetry blogs, a leader displaying delicate creativity and tender depth. his audience is dedicated to his work.

i took great pride in the day early in my blog-writing that i discovered a: had given his site a link to my own at feminine expressions. (after five months i still consider myself new in the blog-writing world, though i write two in toward consciousness and feminine expressions.) my connection with his site brought me a deep sense of honor.

his use of a comma between english, august has givn me cause for study. is he an english fellow and august as well? (this, my favored explanation, as he truly does inspire awe and reverence.) is his last name english and his first name august? (as in smith, robert.) i have wondered if this be true, as he then refers to himself as a:.

there is always an edge of uncertainty in my interpretations of a:'s writing, causing me to go deeper, giving me various pathways of exploration (life is the same). his art is as rich as his craft.

english, august is more than a skilled artist but is also a significant support among the beautiful poets who read his words. he is faithful to attending their own beauty and leaving his footprints on their paths.

my congratulations to english, august for the accomplishments recognizing his efforts and for the wealth of spirit he creates in a virtual world.

Thought Droplets: Haiku Touches

2005-12-09T10:10:00.000-08:00

Thought Droplets

Haiku Touches

Photograpic poetry exhibtion

17-18 December 2005

Al Harthy Complex

Sultanate of Oman

Poetess Nasra Al Adawi and Omani Photographer Yarub Al Bakry have collaborated in organizing this charity exhibition in aid of Oman Charitable Organization.

‘Thought Droplets: Haiku touches’ is an exhibition where two artistic media – poetry and photography – mingle. The exhibition features Haiku poetry, which is a Japanese poetic form that’s been embraced by many languages around the world. Haiku carries powerful emotions within a space of a few short lines and instills an appreciation of nature.

The appreciation of nature has been translated visually through Yarub’s digital photography. Just as Yarub uses his lens to inject nature’s magic into his photographs, the Oman Charitable Organization has made it its mission to breathe optimism into the lives of those who have lost hope, providing sustenance to those afflicted with misery whether caused by natural or other disasters in the Sultanate of Oman and abroad.

This exhibition, while saluting the mission of Oman Charitable Organization, celebrates the healing touch of nature in all its beauty, with the additional appeal of spoken and silent poetry.

~Lorena in Every Passing Moment ~

2005-09-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

~Lorena in Every Passing Moment ~

Written byNasra Al Adawi

Not many of us would have noticed her as a poet yet I was taken by her intermingling of two forms of creative media; her simple words of poetry and her passion for photography. She plays melodies of words and completes the over-all theme with intensive touches of photography. The first time I visited Lorena’s blog Every Passing Moment, I thought it was all about collective thoughts about her life. I must say I was captured by her photo staring back to me whenever I opened her blog, the glint smile and her eyes made me eager to find out more about her and here is the space I would like to bring her to all of you.

Lorena Jurado was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is a poet at heart and a photographer with instincts. She allowed us to get a glimpse of who she is when I inquired who is Lorena? “I am someone who enjoys my solitude and yet constantly fight it so that I won't get too comfortable with it, so I'm also referred to as the "planner" amongst my friends. I see myself as an honest and open-minded person who loves to connect with people. I wish I weren't such a hopeless romantic because I think that contributed to me never haven experienced real love. I would always shy away from it. I still have never said those 3 words to anyone; they are among my most prized possessions. Love is an ongoing battle for me because it scares me yet I know I can't live without it. If you look up the profile of a Pisces you find Me”, she replied with pride.

It takes a special fondness to write as it does with photography. She affirms her passion for both; “Ever since I owned a camera at the age of 11, I made it a priority to photograph all the special people in my life. I like to capture emotion. It's an indescribable feeling but I'm always moved when I run across a moment where people are laughing together and connecting with each other. I'm drawn to their happiness and moved by it. That is what I'd like to capture in pictures. I love reading poetry. Poems give me a new way to look at life and they capture what I feel so amazingly. I love words for the inspiration they bring. They restore my hope.”

Every river has to have a spring where the water runs to be a river, upon this I wondered where the spring of Lorena comes from, where her creativity begins, “I love taking photographs and those that I include in my blog are from projects I have worked on while enrolled in a B&W photography class a couple years back. I graduated with a business degree but I needed a creative outlet and found it here. I have been writing in a journal for many years now, I find it is a good way to sort through my feelings and it’s comforting to let it all out.” She stated and continued to emphasis her point with clear voice, “Photographer Robert Frank once said, "I am always looking outside, trying to look inside." When I look at my photographs I find something inside me that I can empathize with. I try to give voice to the still images to make them my own as well as to facilitate in my own self-discovery. I like adding that extra personal touch.”

Any form of art is considered a self-expression or a voice of inner being. I faced Lorena to confront the reason behind mingling two forms of art. I wondered if words were not sufficient enough to create an image in the reader’s mind and the same with photography, does it need to be complimented with words or a message? She said in that matter, “I feel passionate about both and think they compliment each other well. However, I think they can stand on their own.” She added about her poetic photography, “I would love for people to be able to connect with what I put out there. I crave connections. And if it can be inspiring or make someone feel less alone because we have a shared experience, that's great.” Lorena allows both poetry and photography themes to guide her in creating the full image as I found out from her: “Some of my posts have started out with me writing what I feel at the moment and then looking at my photographs to see if one can help express it or add to it and at other times I have looked at my photographs and got inspired by the image.”

Every artist, photographer and poet seeks themselves in their art. It’s not only a matter of giving to art, for sure it falls that the art gives back in many perspectives without the artist being aware and this is the case with Lorena. “I want to continue to take pictures. My life long goal will be to photograph the people in my life while in very honest, candid moments, smiling. I think that when people smile, in that instant their soul is open and I want to capture that. I have never taken courses in writing or poetry so I would like to do that. Until then, I will continue to blog and share all my experiences in that space. The blog community has been so encouraging and I have met so many wonderful people like you”.

I’m so flattered that I was included and as I was trying to take a role of writer here, the main question remained in my mind as to what sparks poetry in Lorena and according to her, “I'm happy that what I write can be seen by others as poetry. It’s very encouraging and a great honor. Everything I write comes from the heart. I consider myself a very emotional person and I like to write it down. Lately, my own experiences have sparked what I write about.”

Though we have come to an end, the inspiration has continuity. I find that the light of inspiration is ongoing and the flame is shining and Lorena’s gratitude for this flame of creativity is summoned in her final words, “My inspiration lately is from a special person in my life and the feelings/emotions that I've experienced since we've crossed paths. Films, writers, poets, photographs and friends also inspire me. The light is ongoing thanks to the special people in my life and from this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the simple things in life. I also feed my soul with inspirational quotes everyday and it's very important to have a friend that can make you laugh!”

you were the match

you
were the light
at the end of the dark tunnel
i was hiding in and i crawled towards it with a hunger i did not know i had
and your words echoed in my mind
and the possibilities quenched my thirst
and i made it out feeling so alive
and didn't find
you.

left with this unfamiliar blinding light
i discovered that this flame was always
in me and you were the match
that helped me light it.

Incite your eyes and soul as you visit ~ Every Passing Moment ~

Patry Francis ~ Through the Language of Poetry ~

2005-09-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

Patry with her daughter Nellie

Interviewed and Written by Gulnaz

Patry Francis a sparkling poetess. I came across her poetry blog, Waitress Poems, some time back and was immediately struck by the depth of her feeling and by the mastery of her art. She writes with a big heart and she writes in simple words. There are worlds in her poems. You see your own shadows in those lines and people you might have known and feelings which you might have had but never quite expressed them so.

When Nasra of iamnasra asked me to interview a poet of my choice, I decided upon Patry Francis as I would like her poetry to be read by even more and I am sure that whoever reads her will enjoy her words as much as I do.

Patry Francis lives in the U.S. on the south coast of Massachusetts. She told me that though she has done a few courses in poetry and writing while she was in college, she is mostly self-taught, which to me is another proof of her inherent talent and individual style.

Czeslaw Milosz, Cesar Vallejo, Adam Zagajewski and Mary Oliverare some poets she tremendously admires and would love to be influenced by them but she modestly adds, that she does not think she is influenced by any of the above which is perhaps the reason for her uniquely simple and profound style of writing. She knits layers and weaves images and thoughts with her words.

When I asked her if there is a specific style of poetry which she enjoys, she said, “I like what they call "accessible poetry," but I'm willing to work hard to understand a poem if the poet has something meaningful to say.”

Speaking form a layman’s point of view, I have often wondered if there was a correct way of enjoying poetry as it is usually something people are too much in awe of to, truly enjoy. So I put the question to her. She answered, “A poem should be immediate enough to strike at the heart on first reading it, but deep enough to reward the return reader.” This is so true. The poems, which I have liked, have captivated me from the start but have reaped more when read again.

At what age did you start writing? Patry says, “As soon as I mastered the alphabet.” I smile to myself as I imagine little Patry writing rhymes in her childlike writing, pushing her lovely curls away from her face. What a joy, she must have been to her parents, I think to myself. The first poem she remembers writing is when she was eleven. “I was eleven and lying on the summer grass in my back yard, staring up at the overturned bowl of sky. Suddenly, I was desperate to put my yearning and my love for the earth on which I found myself into words. The result was the first poem I can remember writing,” tells Patry.

Writing is a solitary work yet we all crave appreciation, so my next question was if she wrote for herself or for her audience. She explained, “I write to satisfy my creative instinct, but then I want to go out and hand out my poems on the street--if that what it takes. My intended audience is anyone who loves poetry, and maybe even a few who don't think they do.

Ones work is a creative result of one’s surrounding influences and I was curious to know what her creative influences were. She showed her vast horizon by answering thus, “They are very broad. I'm influenced by music and conversation and theatre, and of course by all the wonderful poets I read--some published and famous, others friends who I've met on the Internet--like you, Gulnaz!” Thank You Patry, I am going to cherish that!!

What do you want your readers to take from your poetry, Patry? “A Poem should make the reader look closer, listen more acutely, feel more deeply.” Once again I was stuck by how simply she states the most profound. We need people in this world who can make us appreciate this world and one another by their work.

There are many of us involved in creative pursuits and her answer to how she approaches creation, is something we can all learn from:

“For me creation is a four step process:

1. Write joyfully and freely without judging yourself.
2. Put the piece aside for a while.
3. Return to it and polish it till it shines in the dark.
4. Give it away!”

Rejection and Appreciation both can be dangerous if not handled properly and I was eager to know how she dealt with them. She answered with her inimitable charm and wisdom; “When a poem is accepted, I do a little dance around the living room with my Jack Russell; I kiss my husband, and make a special "lucky" dinner. Rejection, on the other hand, is a less celebratory occasion. It is, however, often instructive. When a poem is rejected many times--say 25--I print it out and examine it line by line. If I still feel it is a worthwhile poem, I send it out 25 more times. If not, I silently thank the editors who rejected it for teaching me something about myself and my work.”

Ever since I started my blog, I have looked upon it as a form of release. I asked Patry’s view on this, she said, “I can't imagine how anyone gets through the difficulties of life without it!” So anyone out there, reading this and looking for a form of expression has found his or her answer.
Patry’s work has been published in literary magazines but I wanted to know what difference did the internet make to her readership as this is how I came across her work, on the other side of the world.

“I love being published in literary magazines, but I never know how the readers are reacting to my work. On the Internet, the reaction is direct and visceral. And what's more, I can then visit their blog or home page. In that way, writing is no longer a one-sided activity, but a true interaction. I've also met people from all over the world; and through the language of poetry, we've discovered that the distance between us is nothing but a rumor.”

People often mistake the need for appreciation with the hunger for fame. Patry not being one of those people, delineated the difference between the two with her answer; “The thrill of seeing your words and your name in print eventually diminishes, but the experience of connecting with one perceptive reader through a poem never does. It is like entering a previously unknown heart and being received with joy. Nothing can compare to that.”

This brings me the interview to a close and I am left with her words, “that the distance between us is nothing but a rumor.” I hope you have enjoyed reading this interview as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you.

A WHITE SHIRT

Later it will hang in a dark closet
beside your blue suit. When you
wear it, it will stand between
the lies you tell the world
and your heart.
But now, dangling on the line,
autumn’s slow conflagration
sparking behind it,
it has shaken off your claims
of ownership.
Startled with sun,
the wind captured in one swollen sleeve,
it is the purest thing on the landscape;
it is the Holy Ghost
come out to stir the flames.

First appeared in The Tampa Review

Poetry Reward

2005-07-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

Through the Door

You thought that I was special
You said I was the one
Now I've upped and left you
Through that door I've gone
Why wouldn't you believe me
When I said to you
That I couldn't stand having you
Lying in my bed
I shouldn't deny I love you
Cause that would not be true
It's just that I don't need you
Forever in my head
It's simply not the right time
Or even the right place
All I need at the moment
Is lots of my own space
I hope that you'll believe me
Because all I say is the truth
It was honestly a case
Of it being me and not of you.

copyright 2005 Jeremy Williams

Tell us a little about yourself, Jeremy. Where do you come from and what is your ackground?

Well, where to begin eally….I am Jeremy Williams, 22 and currently live in Birmingham, England having just graduated from Hull University. I am an aspiring actor (you can see me in the films Adam, Pizza For One and I have just been cast in Mr Sweetheart – also performing Aug. 23-29 at Edinburgh Festival in a play called Poppycock!) and a keen writer. For more details about me, you can visit http://www.starfishents.co.uk/jeremy.williams

Do you consider yourself a serious poet?

I really enjoy poetry but don’t know if it is me who has to consider myself a poet. I enjoy writing and hope that others might consider me a poet.

What inspires you to write, Jeremy?

Those around me and the emotions I feel. I try to write what is in my heart and mind.

What is poetry to you?

An honest and heartfelt form of expression. A release.

What made you start writing poetry?

About a year ago a friend (who is a singer) wanted some lyrics, so I said I’d have a try. Since then, I’ve been getting more and more into poetry as a written form.

Why do you continue to write poetry?

For my personal enjoyment, I like to put my thoughts on paper. It clears my mind and helps sort things into an order.

What is your favorite poem by a renowned poet?

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Are you a published poet? Do you have a published book of your poetry?

I wish! I would absolutely love to get my work published – have already divided poetry into anthologies on my PC!! If anyone out there would like help my dream come true, then please let me know.

What is your honest opinion on your own poetry?

I like my poetry as I feel it is a reflection of who I am. I am very honest in my writing and am pleased that people seem to enjoy reading it. However, even though I appreciate others liking my writing, I actually write for myself and for own reward.

Do you think poetry can only emerge from been gifted with a talent? Can we create a poet for example through writing courses or poetry workshops etc?

I think anyone can write or be a poet, however, I think certain people are >born with gifts. A good poet has a natural way with words in my opinion.

Do you agree that poems can be well designed? In what you think poetry can be designed?

I think poems shouldn’t be restricted to a certain form. Many people talk about set structures for a poem and if a poem doesn’t fit into that pattern, feel it is a bad poem. I actually disagree, I think if the poem conveys its message and moves the reader then the poem has worked. I think sometimes people design a poem, using images and words that they know will move
their reader, in that way poetry can be designed.

In which mood do you feel the urge to write a poem?

Mostly when something is playing on my mind, either in a good or a bad way. I think it is easier to express your feelings when you are down, upset or confused about an issue but simply due to the fact that when you are happy you are caught with expressing that emotion in a different way.

Where do you want to go with your poetry?

I would love to get some work published but realise how hard it is. It is one my ambitions.

Where can find your poetry?

A lot of it is online at Jeremy Blog. Please pop along and any feedback would be great! If you know of a publisher or literary agent, let me know!

What is your purpose of having a poetry blog…is it an aspiration that you maybe one day your poetry will be discovered??

Who isn’t?

Can poetry make a difference in the world?

I think it is really hard for anything to make a difference in the world on a very large scale, however, I do feel that poetry and all other art forms can affect individuals. I feel that is just as significant. Even if only one person reads my poems or sees one of my plays and is moved, then I have done a good job. I think it is a very romantic notion to think we can change the world, only very very special people have that ability, some use it positively others not so.

which of the your poem is your favorite? and why?

That is really hard to say.. I do really like Through The Door as it is about an ex, it sums up exactly how I felt at that moment for me. Twenty-Two is a very accurate representation of who I am and Always Based Myself On Others also is representative of me. I also think Cat and
Mouse would be perfect for a Cat food advert!

What does your family think of your poetry?

They seem to enjoy it. Luckily I have a very supportive family who realise that the trades I wish to enter are difficult and are there to support me all the way. Sometimes they don’t agree with what I have to say or worry if I write something negative, however, this is only a natural reaction.

How important is writing poetry to you? What does writing poetry
mean to you?

I love writing poetry because it helps me keep a clear mind. I constantly get fresh ideas and walk around with a book to write them down. Poetry is merely one of my forms of expression, I only hope I do it well.

Take a look at my poems and short stories: http://jemidgimi.blogspot.com

Laughter

Laugh a minute

That it wasn’t

But the laughter

Show a good time

Was what we had

Maybe we argued

Along the way

But look at us now

Still friends today

Lets remember the fun

That we shared

Remember always

We only argued

Because we cared

Where Next?

This is the beginning
Not the end
Now is the time
You’ll become my friend
What we had before
Wouldn’t have lasted
That is for sure
It was just a fad
A passing phase
It was good fun
Never anything bad
And I am glad of
Those times we had
But now let’s move on
To something else
Forever friends
Could we ask for more?

UNDISCOVERED POET

2005-07-16T12:14:00.000-07:00

~My Poetry ~
A quiet place for my undiscovered poems, thoughts, and pearls of wisdom.

born to catch butterflies on her tongue

She was born to catch butterflies on her tongue.

With shooting stars in her eyes,

she would wait for the rain

to wash the day

out of her hair.

Sitting on a small, dry patch of grass,

she closes her eyes

and waits

anticipating the flutter on her tongue.

As a child

she advised balloons

how to bounce and stretch.

She interrogated hens

until they told her

the truth.

When she tires, she closes her eyes

and shrinks to the size of a pea,

and hides under a maple leaf

in the backyard.

She feels safe there

resting and dreaming

of a world filled

with butterfly wings.

~My starting point~

My name is adrian. My pseudonym is stan laurel. I am from Denver, Colorado, USA. I don't believe that my writing is American just because I am from the USA. My writing reflects me, and if that includes bits of my heritage (being German), then so it does. Otherwise, I write about life.

Unfortunately, poems do not appear out of thin air. It is not as though, at any given time, I am walking around with a beautiful poem floating in my head, and all I have to do is grab pen and paper. Many times, I start with a simple idea, possibly an emotion I am experiencing at the time. This is my foundation. All of my poems are autobiographical. They are created from within. Once I have something important to write about, I can begin. This is where some magic is involved. Although entire poems do not float into my ear, I do experience certain phrases or word combinations that sound pleasing. I write whatever idea, word(s), phrase(s), and/or sentence as quickly as I can in order to capture the entirety of my mind. Finally, I begin to write a poem. I write around the words or phrases I wrote on paper earlier. Many, many, many revisions ensue, and after some time, I am ready to share my poem. It is important to note that (1) writing is a skill that increases with repetition. The more you write, whatever genre, the easier you can express your ideas; and (2), revision is a sometimes never-ending process. It is difficult for me to imagine any of my poems as “complete.” There is a point, however, when you have to let go and see if your poem is going to fly.

~Poetry to me is~

I write because it feels good.
Poetry means so much. It is how I capture my life for others to relate, enjoy, or just read about. It is a way for me to obtain a form of immortality. Poetry is also therapeutic. It allows me to relax and see things with hindsight.

There are too many poets, writers, and other people who have influenced/inspired me. I will try to name a few: Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, Sylvia Plath, J.D. Salinger, Joseph Heller, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, William Faulkner, James Joyce, Alice Walker, Henry David Thoreau, Franz Kafka, Lewis Carroll, Lao Tszu, William Shakespeare, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allen Poe, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, William Carlos Williams, Ezra Pound, Marianne Moore, T.S. Elliot, E.E. Cummings, Ogden Nash, Theodore Roethke, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Lowell, Richard Wilbur, Allen Ginsberg, W.D. Snodgrass, John Ashbery, Anne Sexton, Richard Howard, Adrienne Rich, and many, many others.

A shower in the summertime

The hot, dry wind

blows against my clean, wet hair.

My shorts stick to the

backs of my wet legs.

A shower in the summertime

makes the dry heat

feel refreshing.

~My Poetic Achievements~

My only poetic achievement is my collection of poetry. I have compiled my poems on my poetry blog and hope to publish a book of poetry some day.

~My Aims in poetry~

My main goal in writing poetry is to please my own mind. I do enjoy sharing my poetry with others and welcome any constructive comments.

~I end over here~

Write! Write! Write! Read! Read! Read!

The Candle's Flame

The candle's flame

flickering in its bowl,

flashes a butterfly's shadow

upon the wall.

Its patterned wings flutter.

The rim of the bowl

curves the butterfly's wings

making an arched span.

Simple in beauty, hovering on the wall,

complex in specifics,

I admire its beauty

until a gust of wind

extinguishes the butterfly's flight

(it's soul rises up, pours into the sky, anddisappears).

Everything else you need to know about me can be found at my personal blog: http://undiscoveredpoems.blogspot.com/

Hopless Poet with his Hopeless Rhymes

2005-07-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

“Sometimes the person gets very depressed so he starts writing depressing stuff and they turn out to be good so even after the depression period had ended he continues and finishes the good piece of writing for the joy of it. I write because that makes me feel good and I think it has something to do with my self-esteem”

These are the words of Hopeless Poet, a poet where he emerged from the shores of the Arabian Gulf. The silence of the wind blowing from the seaside, shattering the grains of sand. In sublime of the waves a poetic voice was born, like a mystical ocean in its uniqueness, he too wanted to remain a mystery. “I called myself Hopeless Poet. It was when I started my blog. You can say I was in a hopeless mood. I don’t like to put my real name online but if anybody chatted with me I wouldn’t mind telling my real name and many other things that I won’t post in my blog or anywhere else online!” He explained the reason for being anonymous.

He never thought he will become a poet “I never imagined myself writing poetry when I was a kid. And actually I used to make fun of the whole poetry thing! My older sister and my younger brother started writing before me and I think they were surprised to see me writing. You can say that I am a late boomer.” Hopeless Poet recalls his past, and smiling as he continues on his memory lane. “It was 2002, I was driving the car back from a repair shop and I composed the lines in my mind and when I arrived home I wrote them in a paper. My 1st poem was “The Old Man”. I don’t know if what I have is a talent in writing poetry or not, but I can say that 2002 was the start. Then I stopped for a while and returned in 2004 and didn’t stop since.”

The Old Man

I saw an old man walking in the street
He hardly walks as he pulls out his feet
Trying as he might to lose the crowd
And failing in that I may should add
I wonder why his face looks so recognizable
He never looked my way like I was invisible
I swear I saw that face before
Where and when, no answers and nothing more
A face that filled my heart with terror
Oh god I remember I saw that face in the mirror
Where did I go wrong in my life?
Why does time wound more than the knife?
Where is my family, where are the loved ones?
I feel lonely and I live in sadness
I tried to shout I tried to scream
Only to hear the phone ringing, and thank god it was only a dream

Copyright Hopeless Poet

Hopeless Poet defines himself as "classic wannabe", his poetry are rarely other than rhythmic structure. When writing its all about the poem itself, “When I write a poem I don't think of a style of my own and my only goal is for the poem to be as good as I can make it to be and since I am not a native speaker of the English language I have to search and check if some words are acceptable to be put with other words and for grammar purposes and so on. Many things around inspires me. A nickname I may like or a line in a song or a chat with a friend or a dream,” he says. He opt his passion by reading collective work of classic poetry and the work of William Blake, William Wordsworth, Rupert Brooke, Bronte Sisters, Robert Lee Frost, Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow seem to inspire and influence his poetry. “The poet in me decided to read classic to improve”, he affirms.

Though his words is not published in form of a book, Hopeless Poet has gained popularity through World Wide Web, “It allowed me to post my poems in specialized sites and my own sites and get feedback and support from the readers. But I admit I was very reluctant to post any of the poems because I was afraid that some will steal them and post them under their names and get all the credit. At the end I opted to post”.

Lost

Looking at the mirror close enough
Wondering about yourself
Thinking about your old memories
That were forgotten upon an empty shelf
Pictures of loved ones scattered around the room
Frameless and dusty
That old bed of yours
The steel posts are rusty
You remember the sleepless nights you spend
Thinking about that someone
About your dreams and fantasies
And how they all come to none
Shattered just like that window's glass
Broken into pieces and scattered on the floor
No matter how hard you try to pick them up
They are there to wound and hurt you more

Copyright Hopeless Poet

He strongly advice, “Read as much as you can from others work and don't be shy to let others read your work and give their opinions and don't feel down when they criticize and point out the mistakes in the poems you have written.”

“At the end, I would like to thank you Nasra for giving me this opportunity to answer questions about myself and my poetry. And I also would like to thank the readers for their continuous support and comments, without them I wouldn't be where I am right now.”

Ocean of Secrets

Do we dare to explore
What goes beyond that shore
To risk and take the chance
How far we'll advance
In reaching deep inside
To the mysteries that resideWithin your lonely heart
And the battles taken part
The struggles between right and wrong
The endless attempts to stay strong
Will we ever be able to reach out?
And get to know without a doubt
To reveal the secrets that you hold
The tales that never been told
Or we're gonna drown in your oceanA
nd get lost between chaos and confusion
Like those before who went astray
Trying to find your secret hideaway

Copyright Hopless Poet
***************************************

Discover His Blog

A voice from the land of Pharaohs

2005-06-03T05:47:00.000-07:00

pyramids
Originally uploaded by iamnasra.

Silent wind dancing around the pyramids
As she recited her words
The wind retreated behind the shadow
A poetic voice awaking the spirit of pharaohs
The wind appeared from its hideout
So gently carried her voice to far land
To awake any soul who hears her recital voice

Ghada Shahbender

Poetess from Egypt

The Prince and the Eleventh Concubine

I was not raised for servitude

I was not born into slavery

An eleventh concubine…

I will never be.

I will not howl or crawl

I will not with other lionesses brawl

Into that dark circle…

I will never fall.

I cannot be torn apart and shredded

I cannot be taken as anything but a whole

At the alter of your manliness…

I will not surrender my soul.

A prince you are and a prince I want you to be

To hold tenderly, to mount passionately, to embrace intelligently

But anything less…

You cannot expect from me

For my prince sits high on a manly throne

Of desire, love and respectAnd anything less…Of him I cannot accept.

Ghada Shahbender

Ghada Shahbender is a feminine voice from Egypt, her poetic thoughts had touched many members of Poem Hunter, a poerty forum which she is an active member. Rising poetess who expresses herself in a magical melody of poetry. In fact we could even say very few from her country seek to veture writing poetry not with their native language. Living In Poetry caught up with poetess Ghada to get to know her better.

How did you come to poetry?
I used to play poetry games as a child, write things and answer questions in rhyming words. Last year I found myself doing the same thing answering mobile sms messages in rhyme with a friend who writes poetry (Messages to a friend at poem hunter). Some time later I was going through a depression and my therapist recommended that I start writing down my thoughts. They came out in poetry. I posted a poem on poem hunter and was very touched by the feedback and encouragement I got. I’ve been writing since then

Where does a poem begin for you?
For me a poem starts with a thought or as a reaction to something someone said or wrote.

What poets do you admire?
Many! I love Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson in English, Pablo Neruda in Spanish, the Moa’laqat from Jahileya, Nizar Kabbani, Khalil Gobran and Mahmoud Darwish.

What is your writing process and practice?
Very undisciplined at the moment. I’m writing a novel and a biography of an Egyptian political activist and I’m trying to enforce a research, reading and writing discipline on that.

What else inspires you to write?
People, what they say and write mostly

Being from Egypt what inspire you to write in English rather your own Language "Arabic"?
I’m very sad to say that I am not a proficient writer in Arabic!

How much you feel you have mastered writing English poetry?
Not enough.

Though written in English, How much Arabic language employed on your poems to sensuous?
I have recently been translating the Arabic poems of Khaled El Sawy (an Egyptian poet, actor, writer, director) to English. It is an effort on my behalf to internalize the form of the language in hope of writing in Arabic in future. I have also been reading the Qura’an and its interpretation and translation to English. This is reflecting on my English writing. You can see that in the last verse of Miracle Of Birth.

Where can we read more of your poetry?
It’s all on poem hunter

Do you think poetry can be technically sophisticated as when it comes contemporary?
Definitely. A lot of the free form contemporary poetry is highly technical. I’m still unable to carry rhythm and rhyme in free form.

What would you like readers to take from your poem?
True feeling. It can be humor, distress, anger… any form of true feeling

Do you research before you compose a poem?
No not for poetry. I research for my novel and biography.

What advice do you have for readers who might dream of becoming poets?
Write what you feel and don’t be ashamed to share it with others.

How the World Wide Web gave you the chance for your poetry to reaches people?
It was my only chance to publish and now my friends who have known me for years can go somewhere and read what I have written. It has also given me the chance to meet some wonderful poets.

How many poems did you write?
Around 35 since I went to poem hunter. 22 are posted. The rest I like to keep to myself.

What do you see as the role of a poet in society? In other words, who—or what—is a poet?
A poet is a person who can express feeling and thoughts in some form of beautiful language.

You seem to articulate Haiku so well. Tell us how did you discover Haiku and how much haiku has influenced in your poetic writing? Do you feel you are following the traditional Haiku?
I learnt of Haiku a few years ago when I was helping my daughter with literature. At the time we both playfully experimented with Haiku but unfortunately I did not keep a copy of what we jointly wrote. I have been experimenting with Haiku recently and I’m enjoying that tremendously. It is a wonderful form to capture a moment or thought. I stick to the three line 17 syllable format but stray from the more rigid traditional requirements.

On Arabs, Stench and Filth.

Arabs gave the world Algebra

And the science of Alchemy

When Europe was in its dark ages

And Aristotle was blasphemy.

Arabs gave the world soap to wash out filth

And do away with stench

I write this down and think

I sound like a condescending wench

They gave the world sugar

To sweeten the palate and acid tongues too.

Here I go again.

I sound like a narrow-minded shrew.

I should not bother to list the contributions Of Arab Civilization.

In spite of my fury My anger and indignation!

I am not here to give the narrow minded Lessons in history.

That is neither an accomplishment

Nor poetic victory!

On Jews

Growing up at war with Israel

I’d never met a Jewish woman, child or man.

Until a few years ago when I was fortunate

To make the acquaintance of Sheila and Dan.

Fine examples of the human species

The Kurtzers have taught me a lesson in humanity.

I have shared a lot with Sheila.

She can give courses on wisdom and humility.

With Dan I had many a heated discussion

On the unfortunate history of Middle Eastern strife.

We always parted as friends thanks to his broadmindedness

And the tender mediation of his wife.

On poem hunter I met Mark Fry

A sensitive poet of distinction.

And today I have learnt that religion

Should not be an excuse for pain infliction.

In the name of God, Allah, Mohamed, Jesus and Moses:

Spare us the injuries of verbal bullets

And keep this site for poetic roses. I read back

And my words sound somewhat naive.

But they reflect heartfelt sentiment

And stand for what I believe.

Ghada Shahbender

These two poems caught my attention especially the poem titles Jews, it was described as "A refreshing voice of sanity". It touched many who read it in poetic form that you are part of? Not many write can be biased in this matter we want to know your view on it and how this poetry came up?

A while ago a poet on poem hunter insulted Prophet Mohamed. Many poets attacked him and had the poem removed. I did not see the poem but witnessed the war and that is when I wrote A Message to the Warlords of Poem Hunter. Later on the same poet attacked Jews and a Jewish poet who had fought his slander of Prophet Mohamed. I then posted On Jews. The same poet attacked Arabs in response calling Filth and saying he could smell our stench. Within an hour I posted this poem. I was very angry. Now I find it rather naïve but it expressed my emotion so I keep it there.

I dream of a heaven overlooking the river

NileThe Pyramids at a distance

Fishermen in rickety feluccas

A blazing September sunset

And you sitting next to me

Your face touched with a smile

Ghada Shahbender

How much does Egypt influence you as poet?
Egypt influences my whole life and being. I love Egypt deeply and this love carries on to my love of everyone and everything.

In our final question "Where do you want to go with your poetry"?
I want to be published as a female voice from the Middle East. I believe that Middle Eastern women should be heard in the West. We really have a lot to say.

Read more poetry of
~Ghada Shahbender~

In Her ~Apple Pathways~

2005-05-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

Gulnaz a poetess from India

Discover
~ apple pathways ~
a poetess in the land of spice

As I was wandering around blogs, I came across ~Apple Pathways~ a personal journal interspersed with poetry. This blog is of a young woman and her name is Gulnaz Sheikh. Her name means, a flower to be proud of. It is an Urdu/Persian name. Quite frankly her name reminded me of the legendary Moguls, in the land of spice, India where she lives. To me it was her poetry that lured me to read her blog as I wished to know more about the person behind ~Apple Pathways~.

From an earlier journal

curled yellow leaves,
scattered on the still wet ground.
remains of the storm last night

......

sunflowers in a vase,
catch the falling sun through the window.
while she sleeps at her desk

......

early spring morning,
rustling leaves and dancing sunbeams.
kitty goes looking for breakfast

.......

Gulnaz said, “ The first poem I wrote was when I was 16 and it was to express my angst at being caught in a situation which was stifling and from which I could not escape. I have lost that poem but I really liked it. It was different from what I write now. However I did not realize I was writing poetry, as far as I was concerned I was just putting my feelings to paper, it took others to point out that it was poetry”. “To me poetry begins in a moment, which sits itself down in my head and then talks to me.” She sounded like reciting a poetic verse as she explained how she writes

from her peotry collection

Her need to express herself gave birth to her poetic voice and thence it was “it is for the poetry to decide how far it would go. I always feel like a fluke to be honest, after completing a verse I always doubt if another would come. Maybe I write because I don’t know how to paint or because I can neither make movies nor take great pictures but I think its because I enjoy the process of writing. Ha, that makes me sound like I am some serious writer but seriously it’s the act of putting words on paper which is so curiously satisfying!! I write simply, weaving words into images and trying to be economical with the weave,” she explained.

Even though English is not her first language, but she writes in English and she explained the reason why she writes in English “perhaps because I started to think in this language, even as a kid although it was not the first language spoken at home. My parents would bring me storybooks as I loved reading and they were usually in English, I think that is how it started.” Though she does not write in her mother tongue still langue has certain of influence on her, as she summarized her thoughts about it “Since I believe sensuality is about the senses and how the mind perceives those sensations, I would not associate a language with them but certain sensations are related to the place and certain sensations are expressed just so, in certain words but I haven’t used Hindi or Urdu words yet in my poems but I am aware of their idioms and I am sure they affect my perceptions. I want to add here that I don’t know many languages (sadly) but I am a sucker for the spoken word and I love the sounds of different languages and I enjoy hearing dialects and accents and reading poetry and literature from other countries.”

Gulnaz has not had any training in writing. Somehow to me I feel that her writing takes inspiration from Haiku, where the stress is on incorporating nature with few words only. It seems to strongly reflect on her poetry, as she affirms in her own words “I just know how to enjoy poetry and to appreciate it. Personally I feel comfortable using fewer words to create my images, though I love the poems, which are constructed differently from mine. Well each poem is different and all I hope with all of them is that they would touch some corner in the reader’s heart and mind. If I am able to do that, I feel I have achieved something”. I approached with an unexpected question, whether India inspires Gulnaz to write “ Apart from the spices, which I love and the legends, which I don’t know much about, there is so much more to India, in its now, in its here and that is what I know as part of my existence. I have not stayed elsewhere but I suppose writing is not merely place-specific, it is how the place acts on you”, with pride she explained.

snapshots

Dry windswirling motes of dust
Cover me
......
Rustling silk
She leans forward
He murmurs
......
Pale fingerscounting prayer-beads
Sins un-numbered
......
He watches her,
Storm rages at the window
She turns over
......

I asked how did her poetry reached out to the readers, in her simple words she told me “My writing has found its readers only because of the World Wide Web. Also because of the net, I have come across the writings of other people, which I thoroughly enjoy. Just take a walk down the link section on my blog and you will know what I mean.”

Her final words inspired me as she took a moment to address those who would like to explore poetry, “Being an amateur myself, I’m in no position to advise anyone so all I would say is instead of copying someone just listen to your own heart” Gulnaz spoke, with a soft tone of encouragement as we ended our conversation.

Visit
~Apple Pathways~

Reaching Out

2005-05-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

This is a space reaching out other poets...
A Place that nothing mattrs but poetry...
Only poetry has a voice
This is the coner for those who are touched by poetry
Its their inspiration
Livehood
Tears
Laughter
Pain
Joy
Its all presented in poetry
Here is the space we discover them