Tag: poetry reading

Poetry Reading: Curse Coffee Cups, by Andrew Green

Performed by Katelyn Varadi

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Curse Coffee Cups is a patchwork of memorable lines of poetry that run through my head.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

It expresses frustration at trying to come up with something original with a head stuffed with other poets’ work.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I was a (very) occasional poet until two years ago when I began to publish regularly on Wattpad. I have been blogging on my own site literally a couple of months.

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

That’s difficult but I’m a huge admirer of Wendy Cope’s work and would love to meet her.

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

Rhythm and the sound of words is critical to the way I write. My poetry is written to be read out loud though I seldom get the opportunity.

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

I occasionally write non fiction but poetry is my preference. My first, self published book, Margaret’s Story, was a little out of the ordinary though – a biography of my mother in verse.

7) What is your passion in life?

I have many and varied passions; my wife, children and grandchildren, writing, running (though I’m in my sixties and a bit slower than I once was), growing fruit and veg for the table, travel, we particularly love India, and Harlequins Rugby Club.

Poetry Reading: A Prayer Forgotten But Answered, by Randy Peyser

 

Performed by Katelyn Varadi

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Healing the heart

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I was sitting at a bus stop, not waiting for a bus, but waiting for a friend. We were going to eat dinner at a crepe restaurant. She was running late. I had just come from a poetry class and felt inspired to write some more. This poem popped out of me and had nothing to do with that class. So, I wrote it while sitting there at a bus stop.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing poetry for four years. Poetry is something I started writing for fun. I started going to a monthly poetry class in Scotts Valley, California. I enjoyed the friendly social aspect of the class. We wrote to prompts and shared what we wrote. The teacher created a strong sense of safety in the class, so there was a lot of freedom to not censor oneself, and just write and explore the medium.

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

Truthfully, my mother, because I miss her. She was totally supportive of me and unconditionally loving. She encouraged my creative soul to blossom, and she was my biggest cheerleader.

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

I was curious and the price was right. ; )

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

I write books – I wrote The Power of Miracle Thinking; and Crappy to Happy, which Julia Roberts holds up in the movie, Eat Pray Love. I’ve been editor-in-chief of a national magazine and have written for many magazines over the years.
I LOVE to get people book deals with publishers. That is what I do for a living. My other passions: I have 17 drums, and for some reason, my neighbors still like me. I also play guitar, dulcimer, and just started teaching myself ukelele. Another passion is art – I do collages, silk painting, and mandala weaving. Another passion is animals. I support many.

Poetry Reading: Cracks In The Sidewalks, by Irene Leland

Performed by Katelyn Varadi

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

A melancholy and symbolic laurel portraying the analogy of a relationship that will be crumbling with the cracks in the sidewalk and diminishing with the flattening of the hill.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

Unlike personal motivation for much of my lyrics, this creatively came to me, and I was drawn by its double meaning, as a way to bring a meaningful impact.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing poetry since I was in grade school…for sixty years.

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

That person would be Joni Mitchell, as her lyrics and music always inspired me.

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

I’m an actor and a voiceover artist, and I knew that having my work vocally performed in a professional presentation would give it a special asset.

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

Yes! I’m an author of two biographies, two children’s books, several short stories and articles, a film treatment and script, many poems and award winning songs.

7) What is your passion in life?

My passion in life is to live to the fullest, exploring and fulfilling my dreams and tapping into and sharing my God given gifts of writing and composing! My natural living and creative expression has given me tremendous fulfillment in dealing with the celebrations and the hardships in life. 

Poetry Reading: 03:00, by Selah J’ne

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.

Poetry Reading: Fell In Love With You, by Kathy Scott

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

Poetry Reading: Tears For You, by KG Petrone

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!

Poetry Reading: The Fisherman, by Robin McNamara

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.

Poetry Reading: Im Zweifel zur Wahrheit, by Erich Ruhl Bady

Performed by Carina Cojeen

POETRY 7 questions:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

We can be sure on our way to truth if we allow (ourselves) to doubt. We need to doubt.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

In an exibition I saw the installation of three signposts – two pointed nearly to the same direction –  to the direction of truth and doubt – the other signpost showed the way to the opposite … the indecisiveness (deutsch: Unentschlossenheit)

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since about six years, even more since three years

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

Barack Obama

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

I think there could be the chance to increase the range (I hope I’ll be allowed to show the link on my pages…) – and the other reason: I would like to hear my poem spoken by another voice (because I’m a narrator as well – all my 50 poems are to be listened on AUDIYOU –    https://www.audiyou.de/benutzer/smoothenergy99/0.html

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

Sometimes reviews about books or films – in my main job (Journalist / Press officer) I write articles and speeches – The other side job is audiobook narrator (should be more 🙂

7) What is your passion in life?

I will never stop to believe in the possibilities of personal development and in the power of compassion and dignity – therefore sometimes I try to consolidate my thoughts and my deep sentiments into a poem – and my wife, my two daughters and my four grandchildren motivate me to carry on

POSTSCRIPT:
THE POETRY FESTIVAL is a real great project which brings together open minded and warm-hearted people.
Thank you for this grand idea.

 

Poetry Reading: A WIDOW’S STORY, by Terita Buchanan Moore

Performed by Carina Cojeen

Get to know the writer:

 1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is how I overcame the tragic loss of my husband. Triumph after an unexpected tragedy.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I wanted to inspire others in whom may have suffered an unexpected tragic loss, by sharing my pain and the power to overcome.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing poetry, since I was twelve years old.

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

It would be my late husband Frank Moore II.

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

It is my desire to share my gift of poetry with the world.

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

Yes, I am a published author of “My Sweet Thoughts of Poetry.”

7) What is your passion in life?

My passion is to uplift and encourage the masses in sharing my story.