Watch the January 2017 Poetry Readings

Poetry performed by Hugh Ritchie and Val Cole

Little Girl Lost Diana Princess of Wales Poetry Reading by Patricia Poulos

WHY DO PEOPLE HATE – Poetry Reading by Felicia L Smith

Tears of Remorse – Poetry Reading by Debbie Lyn Jones

Inertia – Poetry Reading by James R Adams II

An Election – Poetry Reading by Diana Benskin

 

 

Little Girl Lost – Diana Princess of Wales, Poetry Reading by Patricia Poulos

Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Sadness and loss

What motivated you to write this poem?

The death of the Princess Diana

How long have you been writing poetry?

I commenced in about 1970.

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

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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

I wished to share the life of one lost to the world

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

I have written 4 non-fiction books, a number of short stories, I have written, produced and edited the “Profiler” magazine, five feature scripts and one short.

What is your passion in life?

To do all I can to prevent suffering and starvation of the populace (including animals) and protect children.

An Election – Poetry Reading by Diana Benskin

Performed by Hugh Ritchie

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is to portray the cloud of doubt that surrounds this election

What motivated you to write this poem?

The manner in which the PEOTUS attacked a remarkable woman in Senator Hillary Clinton that has done so much for our country

How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing poetry since I was a teenager.

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

This is a difficult one there are so many people I would love to converse with My list would include Dr. Martin Luther king Jr, Jesus Christ, Harriet Tubman, President Obama, Bob Marley, Oprah Winfrey, My first African ancestor taken that was kidnapped and brought into slavery. Henceforth since I am confined to only choosing one it would be Maya Angelou

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

To be a voice for those who cannot speak or are afraid to do so

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

Yes, I am in the process of releasing a collection entitled Spoken words from the mouth of this Babe

What is your passion in life?

Hmmmm, I have many, but writing, and a desire to learn to play the piano is one and to enlighten the younger generation also

Tears of Remorse – Poetry Reading by Debbie Lyn Jones

Performed by Hugh Ritchie

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Voices Silenced

What motivated you to write this poem?

I read the newspaper article about the stepmother and grandmother running this poor child to death. I knew someone needed to speak for her and for others who are the victims of abuse.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I started when I was about 8 years old and I have about every poem or verse I have written since then.

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

Mother Teresa. Her love, patience, and wisdom have always inspired me.

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

I had planned to create it in multimedia myself, however, my diabetes resulted in cataracts, a hearing loss and nerve damage to my hands. While I do plan on creating the piece in multimedia, I wanted to get this piece out there and share it. I felt that a professional actor would give it the emotions it deserved.

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

I write verse, poems, and inspirational articles. On the quirky side, I write prose about the Walking Dead, at my blog: http://twd-coda.tumblr.com/. I used to play the piano long ago (started in 2nd grade) and used to be an illustrator.

What is your passion in life?

I am a creative. It is part of everything I do, and everything that I am.

Most of my writing is very emotional and heartfelt. Some even consider it dark. I struggled to explain “the why” in my first YouTube Video entitled “My Child” which was about the Haiti tragedy. When I posted My Child, the reason of why I share my writing, became clear: Sometimes, sorrow must be shared ~ so that we can feel as one, mourn as one, heal as one….

Eventually, I want to create a multimedia channel called Voices Silenced, and be a voice for those who are unable to tell their story.

Inertia – Poetry Reading by James R Adams II

Performed by Hugh Ritchie

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

It’s about catharsis. Waking up. These things move me not kind of stuff. Whether it’s external b.s. or internal b.s. If we don’t learn to let go and stop being our own worst enemy, we don’t change. If we keep failing the same tests? We keep getting thrown back into the same place, only to be tested over and over again until we learn to let go and stop being slaves and victims to circumstance and bad habits. Only I can do that for me and only you can do that for you. Join me. It’s a cleansing.

What motivated you to write this poem?

I can’t control how they’ll respond. I hope they enjoy it and that they connect to it and to me in some way that is meaningful to them. I’m trying to connect with them. Whatever floats their boat when it comes down to it. If it doesn’t resonate with some, that’s okay too.

How long have you been writing poetry?

In elementary school when I had to for a project. Very sporadically since.

Do you have a favorite poet?

I’m not a real learned reader of the greats. Coleridge’s Kubla Khan because it’s so powerful. Describing the indescribable. It’s powerful, beautiful, terrifying and enigmatic. He was brilliant. I like things that are contemplative. With music, there’s too many to mention. Maynard James Keenan, Roger Waters and David Gilmour’s lyrics make me contemplate their meaning, and I like that. They are sublime.

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

Sounded like a cool idea. Get it out there.

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

Just finished a major revision of my first novel-length manuscript. Wrote a script and shot a short film based on the manuscript (Cuckold Picasso- there’s a trailer on youtube, cuckoldpicasso.com and IMDb).

What is your passion in life?

My family, my writing, and making sure I’m doing things that inspire me. I didn’t for a long time and my quality of life was not what is in today. I began writing seriously two years ago. It changed my life.

WHY DO PEOPLE HATE – Poetry Reading by Felicia L Smith

Performed by Hugh Ritchie

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Equality for all.

What motivated you to write this poem?

The Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling making same sex marriage a right nationwide.

How long have you been writing poetry?

39 years (since I was 7 years old).

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

Maya Angelou.

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

I wanted to share a small interest of mine with others.

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

I only write poetry.

What is your passion in life?

Supporting, motivating, inspiring, loving, and encouraging women who are abuse victims and also people who are passionately pursuing their dreams.

I’m No Poet, Poetry by Kuhle Sikota

 Genre: Rhyme
—-

 I’m no poet
I’m a writer
I write. I’m not perfect or imperfect,
though a persistent practical practitioner
who indulges in one of the most
prolific practices in post-apartheid.

I discovered, designed and distilled lines I Defined.

I perform, promote, possess
and personify poetry.
Painting pictures with still poses
and pasting alphabets on pages.

A dude who is done with rages,
and separated from dimwitted phases.

Let me get back to topic, and start moving…
moving… disturbing my still pose
and follow the rhythm of rhyme.
Let me riddle and write, yes,
ride on my rhythm or rhymes

I write, I wrote, I’ve written without fear of rejection
resolute that you will respect my resolve.

Yes that was poetry, but I’m still no poet..

 

    * * * * *

Deadline: FREE POETRY Festival – Get your poem made into a MOVIE and seen by 1000s. Three options to submit:
http://www.wildsound.ca/poetrycontest.html

Watch Poetry performance readings:

Watch Poetry made into Movies:

 Mr. Façade, Poetry by Esther Oyebode

Genre: Relationship

eyes wide; tears streaming,
the slap across my face,
awake me from dreams and fantasy,
to hear the reject clearly.

the fist in my stomach
remind me of former regrets.
the leg against my neck
shouts game over,
tearing my pride apart,
killing me till I really died.

how did I fall for the hug
that seemed to scream
of how I can be cherished;
or the smile that held my gaze.

Heaven’s apple got me enticed,
even Eve in the garden had no choice.
I was mesmerized by his beauty.
my body fitting every inch
got me believing I was right
with choices made.

only five nights before
his eyes spoke the words aloud
I want you
the handshake screamed
can I know you more?
his approach spat
let me take you to a place
his voice whispered
I want you forever.

 

    * * * * *

Deadline: FREE POETRY Festival – Get your poem made into a MOVIE and seen by 1000s. Three options to submit:
http://www.wildsound.ca/poetrycontest.html

Watch Poetry performance readings:

Watch Poetry made into Movies:

When I heard the anklets chime, Poetry by Navonil Chatterjee

Genre: Family

 

Deep in the folds of the misty mountains,
On a calm and serene morning,
I lay in the cradle of dreamy slumber,
When the fog parted to sweet tinkling.
The music played through wood and stone,
Through cedar trees and shrubs of thyme,
Echoing off the valleys and plains,
That’s when I heard the anklets chime.

.
A stranger from a faraway land,
A land forgotten in times of yore,
She came from a land of dragons and elves,
Proceeded to narrate its everlasting lore.
The white wizard who’s always on time,
The young one with the lightning scar,
Played heroic roles and suppressed evil,
Their glory spread wide and far.
The golden lion that felled the white witch,
Defying death on the table of stone,
A wall of ice that goes on for miles,
Where weddings in blood set the tone.
Harmless family man, the bald alchemist,
The one who knocks, say his name!
Crystals he converts to riches aplenty,
But does not survive to lay his claim.
The Doctor sifts through space and time,
Where blinking can cost you dearly,
On and on she went about each story,
Till I could visualize her tale clearly.

.
‘That’s a world I’d like to visit someday’
My prompt, enthusiastic plea,
‘After all this time?’, she asks perplexed.
‘Always’, I reply with glee.
 

 

 

    * * * * *

Deadline: FREE POETRY Festival – Get your poem made into a MOVIE and seen by 1000s. Three options to submit:
http://www.wildsound.ca/poetrycontest.html

Watch Poetry performance readings:

Watch Poetry made into Movies:

The Second Cup, Poetry by Michael Westcombe

Genre: #Family, #Kids, #Life, #Love & #Relationships.

 —

 How sweet this brew, unsugared, blended tea,
Infused with my love for you, and yours for me!
So blessed, from rich estates, and Darjeeling,
Expressing so much of us, our mutual feeling.

And as the pungent liquor slowly pours,
I reflect on this love of mine, and of yours.
Our children, like the issue from the spout
Are sometimes here, but much more often, out.

So much survived, and much more shared
Leaves both of us with nerve ends bared;
And this, the gentle ritual of brewing tea,
Provides for me, an essential sheltering lea:

Because your welcome presence lifts me up,
I always pour for you, the second cup!

 

 

    * * * * *

Deadline: FREE POETRY Festival – Get your poem made into a MOVIE and seen by 1000s. Three options to submit:
http://www.wildsound.ca/poetrycontest.html

Watch Poetry performance readings:

Watch Poetry made into Movies: