They were told they’d troop with honour
to defend our nation’s grace;
how fortitude would be enough
to save the human race.
They were trained to fight with courage
being free would fuel their fire,
justify the loss of souls
with peace upon the pyre.
They were led to death with orders,
belief in righteous cries
to qualify the stolen truths
which bleed through tearful eyes.
Colin Ward
from “Ripples”
©2018
Translated from Georgian into English by Manana Matiashvili
I have searched everything everywhere:
The sun is here, the earth is here, the winds are blowing…
All the words,
All the ideas are present,
All images, masks and toys we used,
All bits of bread that were eaten
Or thrown to birds;
All the trees under the shadows of which
Our rocking cradles stood;
All the voices we heard in songs
And in frightening spells at night…
Here are all the saints in the names of which
For safety we were wrapped.
But so many things are still missing –
Including original copies of our selves,
And grass of immortality,
And bread of life,
And fear of God,
And laws of heart,
And the ways to unseen houses too, –
Seems intercellular space has expired
From the entire body of universe…
Everything exists for its own sake,
Not for others,
Not for one beloved…
Even time has expired …
Maybe somebody has taken it?
Somebody has stolen?
Maybe I am mistaken,
Not remember correctly if we had it at all…
Seems I have dreamt,
Seems I wished so much
That it was fixed in my mind
As if I had…
Maybe I have kept the white flowers of great moments
Somewhere in an old book
In order to remember later about eternity…
Oh, my God,
Haven’t you kept our original copies?
Wish you had saved and kept us all…
Genres: life, sad, personality
I’ll go into exile
And I’ll say,
That my homeland
Looks like a rubber fish –
looks like a toy –
from where air has been pumped out With pistons,
Then fins cut around
With a blunt knife,
Tearing up gills,
And again they
Threw it back into the beach
It’s mouth toward the north wind.
A circle, sir!
the Forty Second parallel too, is
A noose, sir!
You put your heart into it and …
It strangles you.
Robert Meskhi
Tbilisi, Georgia
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the poet:
1) What is the theme of your poem?
The theme is pain through the night.
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
I had lost my little sister her lungs collapsed and i was really depressed so the poem really expressed my pain.
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
I’ve been writing poetry since the 3rd grade when I learned what an Haiku was haha.
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
If I could have dinner with one person it would have to be Maya Angelou she’s my inspiration.
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
It was a leap of faith and dedication to show myself that my work could actually go somewhere.
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
Yes, I write short stories, scripts, life hacks, etc.
7) What is your passion in life?
My passion is to become a positive influence to young artists no matter what their form of art is.
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the poet:
1) What is the theme of your poem?
How I met the love of my life
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
The love that I feel for him
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
Since I can remember (Knee high to a grasshopper)
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
My Mom again
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
Hopefully to find a publisher of my poetry one day
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I’ve tried but all I know is poetry
7) What is your passion in life?
Writing and making people smile
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the poet:
1) What is the theme of your poem?
It is a poem from a mother to her children after losing custody of them due to her addiction and mental breakdown. The guilt, shame, and remorse of her decision to leave them in someone else’s care in hopes that they would live a life she could not afford to give them.
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
Let’s just say, “personal experience.” Along with a neverending desire and need to apologize for this choice.
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
As long as I can remember, but I have just begun to share my talent with the general public. As a matter of fact, my first Anthology of Poems has just been released on Kindle. A collection titled, “The Fractured Ego.”
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
With a doubt, I would need to say, my Mother!
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
Many reasons, but to hear my words expressed by another is a thrill and I couldn’t be happier to share my thoughts and works. I am curious to see how the actor has interpreted my writing. This has been very exciting. Thank you.
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I currently have two other publications. I have a short story on Kindle titled, “The Menacing House” and a suspense mystery novel, titled “Cycles of Time – Revenge is Mine.” And as I stated above, I have a newly released anthology of poems, “The Fractured Ego.”
7) What is your passion in life?
My life’s passion is to keep it simple, enjoy life, continue healing, and to just be internally happy!
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the poet:
1) What is the theme of your poem?
Theme: About an old Fisherman making his final fishing trip.
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
Motivation: My father was a fisherman for 40 + years in Ireland living by a fishing village. In summer months I went on the boat with him in my childhood. The poem is a reflection of part of my childhood spent fishing.
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
I dabbled in my early 20s with poetry. Started writing again seriously about 10 years ago.
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
The Dali Lama, to see what words of wisdom he can give me. How can I motivate myself to become a better person. To discuss with him his views on modern
society‘s relationship with technology & religion. Basically to be inspired by his presence.
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
Why not! How often do you get an opportunity like this? It’s fun it’s a visual and vocal interpretation of a written piece of art. Make it come alive! Reach out to a wider audience.
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
Sports writing mainly football. Satire writing occasionally. Used to be a journalist writing about Health and Social Affairs.
7) What is your passion in life?
Emotional awareness of your surroundings. Appreciation of nature and art which inspires writing. The power of knowledge makes a mind stronger every day. Listen to your intuition. Acknowledge that you’re learning about life every day till the day you die.
Performed by Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Get to know the poet:
1) What is the theme of your poem?
They say that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, but what about the pieces, the scars left behind? What about the harsh memories that chase you when you try to sleep at night or the absence of time that you need to heal, and do we fully heal? Or are we just damaged beyond repair, wanting to be fixed, but knowing that we can’t be, no matter how hard we might try, but we still try, which inspired me to write this poem.
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
“If You Could Fix Me” was written years ago during a time when I tried to pull myself back together again. All I could see were the scars, wondering if they would ever go away, and if the damage could be fixed. The poem was originally longer and more raw, but I revised it and cut it down. And then I added it to my book of poems called, “Fragments of Yesterdays Past.”
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
I have been writing poetry since maybe eighth grade. I used to write a lot of poetry, but these days, I write more short stories.
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Stephen King
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
WildSound has always delivered on their performances, giving voice to my words.
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I have been writing a lot of short stories recently, and some of my stories have been published by Sirens Call Publications and Dark Helix Press.
7) What is your passion in life?
Writing first, Photography second.
I went to church when I was five,
Sunday school, never missed it.
I looked over; who did I see?
Well, of course, I saw Pearl, teaching.
Time went by and I got older,
I graduated to the “big church”.
I looked over, I sat on the left.
Who was on the right, Pearl.
Once a month, every month,
Usually the first Sunday… Food`s aplenty.
Go downstairs to eat, who`s there?
Pearl, with bowl in hand, always smiling.
Time goes by, I’m married now.
It’s Sunday. Church again.
I look to the right, across the aisle,
and who`s there? Right again. Pearl…
1999, it’s a very sad Sunday in church.
My Gramzer, up front lying in a casket.
I stood up, turned around, I said a few words.
Who do I see? Pearl, handkerchief in hand.
It`s Sunday, Church, Choir time.
I walk up front and once again,
Looking behind me, I see…
Pearl, ready to sing for Jesus.
Time goes by; my whole family is with me.
We’re on the left, as usual.
It’s been 55 years since that first Sunday.
I look over. Who do I see? Pearl.
Pearl, I thank God for you…
Super Geezers – Just some Teasers
Civilities rambunctious Sneezers.
Belch at any Time of Day,
no Concerns of What they Say
Have no Time for Politics,
Pick their Noses just for Kicks.
Speak their Minds without a Care,
take a Nap most Anywhere.
Cranky if They want to Be,
Dirty Jokes and Laugh with Glee.
Dot to Dot on their Age Spots,
Hide their Trash in Flower Pots.
Reminisce ‘bout Fond years Past,
answer Questions never Asked.
Complain about the Younger Age,
Read a Book to Feel the Page.
Thumb through Photos in their Hand,
Skip their Meals if they’re Bland.
Talk about their Aches and Pains,
to Heck with Staying in their Lanes.
Super Geezers have the Power,
Certainly their Place and Hour.
what Remains is Up to You,
Do just what You want to Do.
Genre: Aging, Senior Citizens, Seniors, Geezers, Life, Death, Relationships, Society, Senior Centers, Retirement, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Medicare, Old, 65 and Older, Social Security.
POETRY FESTIVAL. Submit to site for FREE. Submit for actor performance. Submit poem to be made into film. 