Tag: poetry reading

Heartbreak, Poetry by Shalana Pace

GENRE- Hurt
—-

My heart aches for you, it cries for you.
For all that is no longer safe for you.
Love the skin you’re in
So they say
But not too much or you’ll have to pay
With your life that is
You see
You are so powerful, so strong, so influential
But they won’t stop to see your potential
Instead they claim to fear you
Black MAN, woMAN, we will never forget you Sandra Bland
My heart aches for you, for all that is no longer safe for you
Turn your music down
When they come around
Jordan Davis we will never forget, OH and what about selling cigarettes, remember that’s a threat
My heart aches for you, for all that is no longer safe for you
Gone too soon and we are left with what could be,
If only you hadn’t worn that hoodie
Stand still, don’t shoot, hands in the air son
Self defense! oh wait that was a toy gun
License and registration please,
You can now lose your life selling CDs
My heart aches for you, it cries for you, for being black is no longer safe to do!

 

    * * * * *

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:

She cries alone, Poetry by Odonko-ba

 Genre: Rhyme, Relationship

—-

Drenched in tears
of her own shame
but not of her making

He ascended from shadows
and shadowed her
shattering her dreams
as easily
as did her hymen

She became his fixation
a nightmare lived daily
where time
nor the hour
matters anymore

This monster that looks as human as we
invisible
to the eyes
of humanity

The unthinkable atrocities he commits
upon innocent flesh
he posses

Shackled and caged like a dog

She cries alone

A burden
no child should have to bear

She thinks of her mother and
father
of her brother
and sister
and yes
of her dog
Sam

If only she could warn them of
the monster
that lives next door

The monster
that comes to borrow sugar
or sip coffee
with mum on the porch

At times
drinking a few beers
with dad after work
boasting of games played
on the sports network

All the while stealing glances
at us children

She cries alone

Who would believe her
this man
a pillar of the community
always
a helping hand

Can’t you see he’s a sham
a monster
a pedophile
a child rapist

Ask him
as to my whereabouts
see if he answers you
with a straight face

The rattling of the cage
alerts her to his presence

He comes yet again

She cries
screams and
pleads for him to leave her alone

But this only seems to give him pleasure
mocking her
he mounts her quickly
his screams and cries
of perversion
the only sound left
heard in the room

A single solitary tear
falls from her eye

Please God just let me die
she begs
her lament falling
upon deaf ears

Maybe
it is God
who is dead or
maybe
God has no ears to hear

The monster has left the room
but his stench lingers
pervasively
like the smell of death

Is it possible
to smell ones own death
she muses

For surely
she dies a little
each day

The death of
abandonment
the death of
loneliness
the death of
regret
the death of her
soul

If only
she was strong enough
to fight back

She would scratch out his eyes and
rip out his tongue
that filthy slimy thing
she would feed
to Sam
he would eat anything

The thought
giving her slight amusement

The rattling of the cage
startles her

He’s back yet again

She begins to cry…

 

 

 

    * * * * *

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:

IT WAS A PLACE IN NEED OF WARMTH – Poetry Reading by Gloria D. Gonsalves

Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

The poem has three themes: reflection, regret and hope.

What motivated you to write this poem?

I was reflecting about last year’s global events, where I as a writer could contribute with a written word on acceptance and nurturing of human diversity.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing over ten years. It has been a journey and still is of continuous learning through participation in events and contests, studying available materials and reading others’ works. The latter took sometimes as I didn’t wish to be influenced in my writing style. In time, I realised that I can be authentic while reading and listening to other poets.

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. I would involve her as an illustrator too. We would chat about the sequel of 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 have submitted my works before. What I said then and remain so is, I like the idea of using different media channels to portray my work, especially because I don’t enjoy making public appearances. So your platform is perfect 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?

Writing is and concurrently a tremendous courage. The courage to – expose thoughts in public, accept rejection, accept criticism, make mistakes, resolve own problems, find own style and keep writing. As long as it is a passion and I place no limits to my imagination or not allow rules to distract me, I will never run out of a desire to write.

The Songs You Left – Poetry Reading by Lois Terrans Bradbury

Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Grief and loss of losing someone you love and finding a way to keep going.

What motivated you to write this poem?

Watching a musician performing knowing the recent loss in their life.

How long have you been writing poetry?

Since my teenage years.When I got more marks for one page poems than a two page compositions in English class.

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

My Grandfather.

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

Watching and hearing someone else’s interpretation of the words written on the page and bringing it to life.

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

Yes. Short stories, plays, scripts, novels, songs. A writer writes. I write.

What is your passion in life?

Being the best friend I know how, helping others overcome and achieve.

nobody crazy ’bout an angry white man – Poetry Reading by Juley Harvey

Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

The state of America

What motivated you to write this poem?

The state of America

How long have you been writing poetry?

Since high school

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

The Dalai Lama

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

Seemed like a good idea at the time

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

Short stories, creative nonfiction, novel, prize-winning poet and former journalist

What is your passion in life?

Pretty much given up on people; to bring as much beauty, laughter, and light into the world as i can!

A trace of dreams – Poetry Reading by Dora Marii

Poetry performed by Val Cole

Twitter: @marii_dora

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Power of fantasy is the theme of this poem.

Waking up in early morning hours and having a dreamlike inspiration. What is inspiration? Having lots of fantasy and starting to realise it and to handle it can change your life 🙂

What motivated you to write this poem?

Following fantasy and dreams and looking for ways to ‘make them real’ is a great motivator for our lives. This poem depicts how I have started the year 2016 – to the end of the year I have found my reality. I am a poet and this is the path for me.

How long have you been writing poetry?

I have written poetry from ‘91 to ‘98 but showing it only to friends and school mates. I have started to write again 2013.

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

Lady Gaga – I have had a crush on her music lately, loving ‘Marry the night’. Good music needs also good lyrics.

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

I find it a great idea! Some years ago I have seen something like this on TV and liked it. Such performances are refreshingly attracting more people to arts and to poems.

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

I write short stories, one of them ‘The calm river’ was submitted in autumn 2016 to a publishing contest and is now available on my Facebook Page (would love if you can link to it! http://bit.ly/dora-calm-river)

What is your passion in life?

I am a professional dreamer searching for my Self – the biggest adventure nowadays.

A Shadow – Poetry Reading by Christopher Burn

Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

Self improvement through change

What motivated you to write this poem?

Recovery from addiction

How long have you been writing poetry?

Sporadically for thirty years but more intensely for the past five years

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

The Greek poetess Sappho.

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

Curiosity as to how an objective rendering would sound.

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

I have written two books (Poetry Changes Lives and The Fun We Had), I also write articles, blogs and reviews.

What is your passion in life?

My passion in life is Life itself, specifically family, friends, writing and the afterlife, none of which I am good at.

2016! – Poetry Reading by Kevin Short

 Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

A REFLECTION OF TWELVE MONTHS PAST

What motivated you to write this poem?

THE SADNESS AND DESPAIR EXPERIENCED BY MANY DURING 2016

How long have you been writing poetry?

40 YEARS +

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

IT’S A TOSS UP BETWEEN ELVIS AND SAMUEL BECKETT, BUT DONALD TRUMP WOULD BE FAVORITE RIGHT NOW!

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

I AM A PERFORMANCE POET MYSELF, BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HEAR ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL’S PERSPECTIVE AND INTERPRETATION.

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

YES, I WRITE PLAYS, SCREENPLAYS, SONGS, QUIRKY BOOKS, AND A LITTLE HAIKU.

What is your passion in life?

MY PASSION IS TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THOUGHT THROUGH THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA.

2016: A year of heartaches and surprise – Poetry Reading by Ruth Andrews Garnes

 Poetry performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

What is the theme of your poem?

2016 in Review

What motivated you to write this poem?

The challenge by Festival of poetry.

How long have you been writing poetry?

Approximately 20 years.

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

Oprah Winfrey

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

Oprah Winfrey

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

Yes, I’ve written 2 script and has two poetry collection.

What is your passion in life?

My family and writing

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