Poetry Reading: THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY RAY SIXPACK, by John Ervin

Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

The all-encompassing ignorance and intolerance of anyone who voted for President Trump.

What motivated you to write this poem?

The main character, Johnny Ray Sixpack, of my political comedy film script “The Look of Hate”. I was also motivated by the disgust I have for the shocking number of people in this country who helped Donald Trump become President (even if he didn’t win the popular vote and had help from Vladimir Putin).

How long have you been writing poetry?

Off- and-on for much of my life, though my strengths are in screenwriting and writing non-fiction articles.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Tilda Swinton

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

Professional actors can convey the words I write better than when they are just on the page or the phone. Also, it’d be interesting to see Johnny Ray Sixpack personified (for the first … but not the last … time).

Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I have primarily written feature and short film scripts, five of which have been made into movies. I have also written articles on politics and entertainment for periodicals such as City Pages and The Rake.

What is your passion in life?

To continue bringing my screenplays to life on the big and little screens. And to see Donald Trump impeached and imprisoned!

Poetry Reading: The Great Willow, by Kourtney D. Cooper

Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem addresses sorrow and the consequences one’s sorrows can beget on surrounding people, places and things. We tend to, as humans, have a strange genetic need to be amongst equals. The rich comingle with other likeminded wealth, the poor unable to escape their poverties, the happy with the happy, and if uninterrupted or thwarted, the sad with the sad. If uninterrupted, I’m sure the multiplicity sorrow could prove diabolic.

What motivated you to write this poem?

I am trying to expand my writing, to attempt other forms of writing so that I can grow and evolve as a writer. In their brief existence, poetry challenges a person to think and wonder profoundly by use of beautifully, deliberately arranged words. I want to master this skill.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I just began. My skill and technique is perhaps a few months old. I am training myself by reading other arranged works to help strengthen my own poetic muscle. Even in my writing this, I notice a difference in my writing.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

As cliché as this answer may appear (hopefully it doesn’t relate to pathetic), the one person I’d want to have dinner with is Beyonce. Perhaps the overall reason is due to how much I idolize her hustle and talent. I would want to probe her thoughts on what drives her momentum? How does she challenge herself to attain the next level, to exceed even herself? Things that relate to her maintaining a consistent behavior that bears wealth in wisdom and evolved talent.

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I want to hear my work voiced outside my own head, outside my own mouth—to see someone else interpret the emotion placed throughout the poem.

Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I do write other works: scripts, short stories, blogs, comics, and novels as of now.

What is your passion in life?

My passion in life is to one day write as a successful writer for Hollywood.

Poetry Reading: JUNIOR (IN MEMORY OF), by James R Adams II

Performed by Becky Shrimpton

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Initial reaction to unexpected tragedy and loss

What motivated you to write this poem?

Self-healing and processing/honoring a murdered friend who was in the wrong place at the wrong time- and I was trying to figure out “Why were you there? What were you involved in?” Goes from shock, pessimism and anger to hope and faith.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I do it from time to time as I write a novel. To warm up, or in this case, to express something I’d never dealt with.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Jesus Christ

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I’d done it before. Usually my poems are contemplative. This one is much more raw, emotional and real-life

Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes

What is your passion in life?

Whatever is right in front of me.

Poetry Reading: The Fourth Month, by Gloria D. Gonsalves

Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

The poem has two themes: nature and humour.

What motivated you to write this poem?

This poem was written in 2016 during NaPoWriMo/GloPoWriMo. The prompt was to write a poem in which one explores what they think is the cruelest month, and why.

How long have you been writing poetry?

Over 10 years and I’m still learning every day.

If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

It would be Beatrix Potter, for her knowledge in mycology. We would chat about my picture book ‘Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms’. The story is about high advanced mushroom society, who found a human baby alone in the forest. Their king decides to adopt it and orders Lamellians to use their abilities to care for it.

What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I dislike public performance. So your platform is the right place for me to co-share the skill of writing and performing with someone else.

Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I have published books on fantasy/adventure/educational tales with moral lessons. In the published portfolio is also a novella and anthology of thoughts. For anyone interested to know more, I am giving free books to visitors on my website.

What is your passion in life?

Inspire and invoke positive changes with my writing.

INSPIRATION/MOTIVATION Poetry Contest (Winner gets poem made into film)

Deadline May 31st. Submit a poem that is INSPIRATIONAL or MOTIVATIONAL and get it made into a movie. 

Accepting any poetry in any genre or length that is INSPIRATIONAL or MOTIVATIONAL in any way.

All poems will be posted on this network. Over 95,000 unique visitors a day. The winning poem will have their poetry made into a movie. SPECIAL NOTE: Every single entry will get their poetry performed by a professional actor and made into a video.

The RULES are simple:

1. Write a POEM that is INSPIRATIONAL or MOTIVATIONAL. Send it to this contest for $25 and it will be POSTED on this site guaranteed for 100,000s to see. Plus, every entry will get their poetry performed at the festival and made into a video. (you own all rights to this poem and whenever you want it taken down, send us an email).

2. Email your POEM to submission@festivalforpoetry.com in .pdf, .doc, .wpd, .rtf, or .fdr format or just cut and paste it into the body of the email.

3. SUBMIT as many poems as you like. One fee per poem entry.

4. The poem can be any subject as long as it is INSPIRATIONAL or MOTIVATIONAL. Any topic from optimism, tragedy, to politics.

5. PAY THE $25 SUBMISSION FEE. Guaranteed post on this network. Results to be emailed by June 10th.

Buy Now Button

Watch Recent Poems made into a MOVIE:

Read the best of MOTIVATIONAL/INSPIRATIONAL Poetry – Part 5

CLICK the link and read the best of poetry

IN THE STARS, by Marcus G. Taylor
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2017/04/22/poem-in-the-stars-by-marcus-g-taylor/

SEDONA NOON, by Cliff Smith
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2017/02/23/sedona-noon-poetry-by-cliff-smith/

THE RESTORATION OF A BROKEN LADY
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2017/02/23/the-restoration-of-a-broken-lady-poetry-by/

GONE, by Minusthecynic
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/12/29/gone-poetry-by-minusthecynic/

LITTLE GIRL LOST, Patricia Poulos
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/12/29/little-girl-lost-poetry-by-patricia-poulos/

THE SEMPITERNAL SAPPHIRE, Sohinee Day
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/12/14/the-sempiternal-sapphire-poetry-by-sohinee-dey/

THE VOICE, Tabithashley
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/12/14/the-voice-poetry-by-tabithashley/

A POEM TO A CHILD, Kriz Rogers
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/11/05/a-poem-to-a-child-poetry-by-kriz-rogers/

THE RED THREAD, Jodyboots
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/11/05/the-red-thread-poetry-by-jodyboots/

THE TRILOGY, Shannon Griffiths
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/10/02/the-trilogy-of-poetry-poetry-by-shannon-griffiths/

SEX AT ITS FINEST, HonestlyFrank
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/09/17/sex-at-its-finest-poetry-by-honestlyfrank/

SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE, Carla Fox
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/09/17/sunday-night-service-poetry-by-carla-fox/

DREAMS AND REALITY, Natalia Gorbunova Spain
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/09/17/dreams-and-reality-poetry-by-natalia-gorbunova-spain/

I AM, Allyson Olivia
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/09/17/i-am-poetry-by-allyson-olivia/

I’VE GOT TO WIN, Sonya Marshall
I’ve got to win, Poetry by Sonya Marshall

WALLS OF FLESH, Shannon Rohn
Walls of Flesh, Poetry by Shannon Rohn

FROM WITHIN HER RIB CAGES, J. Liethers
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/07/23/from-within-her-rib-cages-poetry-by-j-liethers/

FLICKERING LIGHTS, Silfath Pinto
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/07/04/flickering-lights-poetry-by-silfath-pinto/

LOVE, Krishna Singh
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/07/04/love-poetry-by-ram-krishna-singh/

Read the best of MOTIVATIONAL/INSPIRATIONAL Poetry – Part 4

CLICK the link and read the best of poetry

THEN YOU WAKE UP, Donna J. Loewen
Then you wake up, Poetry by Donna J. Loewen

A REMARKABLE TALE FROM THE LAND OF PODD, Ed Newman
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/06/22/a-remarkable-tale-from-the-land-of-podd-poetry-by-ed-newman/

HIJO PRODIGO DE LA DESGRACIA, Francisco Fernandez
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/06/22/hijo-prodigo-de-la-desgracia-poetry-by-francisco-fernandez/

LOTTIE WE CAN FLY, Elaine Longworth
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/06/22/lottie-we-can-fly-poetry-by-elaine-longworth/

TO LEAD WELL, Bob Vanourek
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/06/09/to-lead-well-poetry-by-bob-vanourek/

MY LIFE TUMBLED AND I FELL, A Goomer
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/05/27/my-life-tumbled-and-i-fell-poetry-by-a-goomer/

THE EARTH THROUGH THE EYES OF THE MOON, Julie Hartley
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/05/27/the-earth-through-the-eyes-of-the-moon-poetry-by-julie-hartley/

ODE TO THE WRITER, Siza Sibiya
Ode to the Writer, Poetry by Siza Sibiya

THE LAST HUMAN TO HAVE LIVED, Mudeet Arora
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/04/27/the-last-human-to-have-lived-poetry-by-mudeet-arora/

GODS PURSUIT, BWC Poet
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/04/15/gods-pursuit-by-bwc-poet/

13/9 VERSES LOVE, Karoline Lehner
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/04/13/9-verses-love-poetry-by-karoline-lehner/

MY DAILY PRAYER, Angey Cravens
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/04/07/my-daily-prayer-poetry-by-angey-cravens/

JUST FOR A DAY, Robby J. Keating
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/03/24/just-for-a-day-poetry-by-robby-j-keating/

UNCLE THIS IS WAR PAINT, Kimberly Cruz Alvarado
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/03/23/uncle-this-is-war-paint-poetry-by-kimberly-cruz-alvarado/

WHAT OF THE UNKNOWN PATH, Maria Parent
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/03/22/what-of-the-unknown-path-poetry-by-maria-parent/

I AM ME, Upender Reddy
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/03/19/i-am-me-poetry-by-upender-reddy/

CHILLY START, Kate Alsbury
Chilly Start, Poetry by Kate Alsbury

Read the best of MOTIVATIONAL/INSPIRATIONAL Poetry – Part 3

CLICK the link and read the best of poetry

C POEM, Natalie Henderson
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/03/13/c-poem-by-natalie-henderson/

MY COMPASS, Esmeralda Hernandez
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/23/my-compass-poetry-by-esmeralda-hernandez/

BE THE LIGHT, Yusef Vance
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/22/be-the-light-poetry-by-yusef-vance/

OCEANS BOTTOM, Antonia Giordano
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/19/oceans-bottom-poetry-by-antonia-giordano/

HE AND SHE, Chirayu
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/02/08/he-and-she-poetry-by-chirayu/

DON’T, Spyridoula Antoniou
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/01/30/dont-poetry-by-eirini-spyridoula-antoniou/

ALONE, Anderson Gomes
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/01/29/alone-poetry-by-anderson-gomes/

HEART SHAPED BUBBLES, Hillary Bryan
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2016/01/24/heart-shaped-bubbles-poetry-by-hillary-bryan/

SIMPLICITY, C. Denyce Ward
SIMPLICITY, Poetry by C.Denyce (Ward)

POETRY, Derek Ray
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2015/11/12/poetry-by-derek-ray/

CRAZY BOY, R. Shanelle
Crazy Boy, Poetry by R.Shanelle

A MENTION OF MINCHIN, Allison Welborn
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2015/11/03/a-mention-of-minchin-poetry-by-allison-welborn/

NO MONEY NO PROBLEM, Kathy Figueroa
No Money? No Problem!, Poetry by Kathy Figueroa

MY BEAUTIFUL CIRCUMSTANCES, Takudzwa Mudiwa
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2015/10/18/my-beautiful-circumstances-poetry-by-takudzwa-mudiwa/

M-E JUST CUT AND PASTE, Bill Clayton
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2015/10/17/m-e-just-cut-and-paste-by-bill-clayton/

STRONGER, Dawn M. Simpson
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2015/10/14/stronger-poetry-by-dawn-m-simpson/

DEFS, DEF P The MC
https://festivalforpoetry.com/2015/10/04/defs-poetry-pt-1-poetry-by-def-p-the-mc/

INNOVATION, Trahsa Nicole Hickman
Innovation, Poetry by Trasha Nicole Hickman

A POEM, Domeen Raad
A poem, Poetry by Domeem Raad

WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE THE PEN CAN ACHIEVE, Mac McGovern
What The Mind Can Conceive, The Pen Can Achieve, Poetry by Mac McGovern

Read the best of MOTIVATIONAL/INSPIRATIONAL Poetry – Part 2

CLICK the link and read the best of poetry

AFTER SUNSET, Javane Stewart
After Sunset, Poetry by Javane Stewart

BARBIE, Hlox Da Rebel
Barbie, Poetry by Hlox Da Rebel

ONLY UNTIL BOREDOM STRIKES, Rayanne Banaga
Only Until Boredom Strikes, Poetry by Rayanne Banaga

FROZEN DREAMS, Virendra Gupta
FORZEN DREAMS, Poetry by Virendra Gupta

POETREE OF LIFE, Lydia Torres
Poetree of Life, Poetry by Lydia Torres

LIFE, Tony Blackstone
LIFE, Poetry by Tony Blackstone

TEST YOUR TALENTS, Theres Ayla Kravetz
Test Your Talents, Poetry by Therese Ayla Kravetz

ANYONE, Robert Valleau
ANYONE?, Poetry by Robert Valleau

SOUTH BOUND, Ruth Andrews Garnes
South Bound, Poetry by Ruth Andrews Garnes

I WILL HOLD MY PEN TO BED, Ibrahim Olalere
I Wil Hold My Pen To Bed, Poetry by Ibrahim Olalere

THE CARNIVAL, Guessella Daniels
The Carnival, Poetry by Guessella Daniels

CHANGE, Chantel Wiggins
Change, Poetry by Chantel Wiggins

MAJORITY, Sanijela Matkovic
MAJORITY, Poetry by SANIJELA MATKOVIĆ

THE TRAIN TRIP HOME, Ben Marchant
The Train Trip Home, Poetry by Ben Marchant

CHILDHOODS PAST, Robert Valleau
CHILDHOOD’S PAST, Poetry by Robert Valleau

THE COLOR OF MY SKIN, Sonya Marshall
THE COLOR OF MY SKIN, Poetry by Sonya Marshall

INSPIRED BY YOU COLORS, Kerry Akers
Inspired by you Colors, Poetry by Kerry Akers

I STAND ABOVE, Dorita Charles
I Stand above, Poetry by Dorita Charles

I LIVE IN THE PRESENT, Ehi Mary Okwechime
I LIVE IN THE PRESENT, Poetry by Ehi Mary Okwechime

Watch the April 2017 Poetry Readings

Performed by Amaka Umeh

Poetry Reading: What is Love, by Colin Guest

Poetry Reading: The Second Cup by Michael Westcombe

Poetry Reading: THE ALMOST HOLY QUATERNITY by Gloria D Gonsalves

Poetry Reading: Plica, by Ewan Lawrie

Poetry Reading: ON THE WATER by Tammi Croteau

Poetry Reading: FIVE by Tammi Croteau

Poetry Reading: DREAM by Mary Freericks