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Tuesday, July 1, 2025
KRISTY RAINES INTERVIEW
NILAVRONILL TALKING WITH
POET OF THE MONTH
KRISTY RAINES
NILAVRONILL: Why does literature and poetry, in particular interest you so much? Please give us some idea about your own perception of literature or poetry in, general.
KRISTY RAINES: Thank you for inviting me to your wonderful
publication, OPA. It is truly an honor
to be asked to be interviewed by you. First of all, the possibility that I
would ever be a poet or a writer never entered my mind when I was younger. But my mother was an avid reader and took me
to the library every week when I was a child.
She read to me before I could read. which is one of my fondest
memories. I have no other real literary
background, nor did I ever study it in school, although in high school I did
enjoy the sonnets of the late Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Music and dance were where my talent lied
growing up, like my mother, who was a wonderful singer and dancer. My whole family could sing. My sister’s gift was in acting, and both my
sister and my brother did some writing of poetry for their own pleasure. The
arts were truly incorporated in our lives one way or another. It wasn’t till around 2012 when I began
writing a children’s book for my Granddaughter, and I would write poetry now
and then, mostly fantasy with a mixture of reality, but it wasn’t until about
five years ago, that I became very engaged in writing, particularly in
poetry. The more I wrote, the more I
fell in love with it. It has become a
beautiful obsession; a release of all of my emotions and thoughts. I was
surprised many times how much of me was in the poetry I would write. Bits of my life came alive and became poems,
as well as songs I would hear, other people’s pain, pictures, and thoughts that
would come to me out of nowhere, and my spirituality has grown which I now also
write about as well. Writing poetry is
now just like breathing. It is so deeply
seeded into my everyday routine. I
believe literature and especially poetry is an extension of what needs to come
out. It is like a healing, and I believe
it affects every part of our lives. It is a lovely way of communicating. Poetry touches live and also tells the real
story of the spirit who writes the poetry.
But literature doesn’t stop there.
Without literature, there would be no account of important moments in
history, nor would there be books of spirituality. Both, The Bible and The Quran are recognized
as great masterpieces of literature.
Children’s literature is very important for imagination and growth. I can’t even imagine such a world without
books, stories and poetry. Literature is probably the most important tool we
have for communicating.
NILAVRONILL: We would like to know the key factors and the people who have influenced you immensely in the growing phase of your literary life.
KRISTY RAINES: I believe
that things I have seen or experienced in life, have been my greatest teacher
and influence. My childhood, my
children, lessons I’ve learned, good and bad, life, death, loss and also my
faith. All those life experiences have
formed and shaped me as a writer and poet.
I feel deeply and I write passionately.
My life has transformed in so many ways.
Though it was always part of my personality, I have a greater love for
people from all over the world and have an abundance of empathy. I fight for change in the world with my pen.
I would have never done that years ago. I have a great love for people and have formed wonderful friendships with people
from countries I never even heard of until I started writing. Some have taught
me about living through tragedies, through traditions and cultural differences
other than my own. It is exciting. I have also learned about other's faiths and
religions. I am open to learning and not afraid to see things through their
eyes. Poetry and literature became a true awakening for me, and I love my life
so much more now. I have become very accepting without judgement, and many
accept me in the same way.
When I was first introduced to online poetry groups, I felt like a fish out of
water. I had never attempted to go into
groups from other countries or my own as a novice poet, but then I met many
popular international poets who accepted me in their groups and challenged me
to stretch my limits in poetry. Matloob Bohari was my first literary friend
from another country and has been since before I started writing seriously. We
have been friends for about twelve years. He wrote beautiful poetry and would
share it with me from time to time. Then I met Sajid Hussain,
whose poetry was like a puzzle that I would often have to dig deep to figure
out at times. He writes excellent,
metaphoric poetry. And taught me a lot. At around the same time, I met Anwar Rahim,
who like me, enjoyed fantasy poetry and who was always very welcoming. All three were from Pakistan. About the same time, I met Shikdar Mohammed
Kibriah from Bangladesh, who was more like a mentor to me. He was strict in what he taught me, but
encouraging at the same time. Each helped me grow as a poet in their own
way. In 2022, Shikdar nominated me and
a poem I wrote titled, “Beautiful Man”, for an award. I was shocked when I
became a finalist. That is when my
poetic journey really took off, and since then, I have earned many awards and
have become internationally known. I never thought that would happen to
me. I launched my first book of poetry
in 2024. Though there are so many more
people too numerous to name who influenced my poetry, one Poet really stands
out. He became a dear friend and is the
gentleman I now write with. His name is Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai, a romance
poet/writer from India. Before I met
him, I never considered myself a romance poet.
But, as we collaborated together, we became a successful literary duo
who have written 242 epistolary poems together and have recently published our
first book together called, “I Cross my Heart From East to West”. We crossed
cultural borders. Through this metamorphosis, I also became a successful
romance poetess as well, which I am truly grateful for.
I have also been very influenced by the Rohingya poets/writers, and
photographers who I have gotten to know and care about very much. I have watched them on their very long and
difficult journey. Their story is a heartbreaking one, but they are some of the
kindest and deserving people I have ever met.
Their poetry and love for education are amazing. I often now wish I
would have been able to travel when I was younger to meet the many online
friends and poets that had such an impact on me. I think that is my biggest regret. But just meeting people from other countries
online has made up for some of that regret.
I am so blessed to be surrounded by other people, poets, and writers
with different ideas and customs. Through all of our differences culturally we
have been brought together. There are no
differences between any of us when we come together as authors and poets. Yes, literature
is something that can bring people closer
together. There is no doubt in my mind
about that. My heart knows no borders.
NILAVRONILL: How do you relate your own self existence with your literary life in one hand, and the time around you, in the other.
KRISTY RAINES:
I think that the many things I have gone through
in life effects the way I write, and what I write about. Many times, the poetry I write has nothing to
do with me, but may be about someone else’s circumstances. And at other times, it does. But I do believe
that a part of me is in every poem I write in some way. Poetry helps me express my emotions to
other’s and it also helps me understand their lives as well. It is a way of communicating my feeling
without just coming out and plainly saying how I am feeling inside. Since I have become a better poet, I have
noticed that poetry is very healing and that it can also heal others. So I will
continue my journey of writing and learning. There is always something new to
learn.
NILAVRONILL: Do you think society as a whole is the key factor in shaping you as a poet, or your poetry altogether?
KRISTY RAINES: No. I believe that society has a very small role
in who I am and the fact that it is not society that shapes me, but other poets
who have helped shape, me and a lot of dedication on my part. I have always had my own ideas and know who I
am. I am not afraid to speak out on
whatever I choose to write about and how I write. I hope never to let the influence of our
society shape me as a person or change my poetry. The only thing that society’s
role plays in my poetry is if it is a subject that has to do with current times
and I decide to write about it. I believe that letting our society rule what a
poet writes, or if you allow it to change you as a person, takes away your true
identity as a poet or writer. Always be
true to yourself…
NILAVRONILL: Do you believe creative souls flourish more in turmoil than in peace?
NILAVRONILL: As a poet does socioeconomic and politics in general influence your literary visions? If so how, and if not, why?
KRISTY RAINES:
I really try not to let economy and politics
into my poetry most of the time. If I
did, I truthfully think that I might offend someone who doesn’t hold the same
views as I do. And that one moment could
affect the rest of my career as a poet.
Unless it is something that I feel very strongly about politically, I
don’t see a reason to write something that would not only hurt someone else, but
that could cause animosity between me and my audience or peers. Poetry can be a
strong tool for peace. So let there be peace. My political opinions have little
value in a world we are all trying so desperately to find peace in right
now. Opinions may cause more
division. Though, like everyone, I do
have strong political opinions. Poets are the peacemakers and our pens have
more power than we think. So, though it is important to have an opinion, it is
even more important not to cause more division in a very fragile world.
NILAVRONILL: Do you believe that all writers are by and large the product of their nationality? And is this an incentive for or an obstacle against becoming a truly international writer?
KRISTY RAINES: Maybe some,
but not all, in my opinion. I can’t speak for all writers, but as for myself, I
don’t see myself as the product of my nationality, but as someone who looks
beyond nationalities and who sees others as equals. As long as you are a well
versed poet with good writing skills with a unique style of writing, who is
willing to listen and learn, has a genuine love for others, has a good poem
subject, and does not get offended easily, you can be a successful international
poet. I take every advantage to
communicate with people who are not my nationality. It is part of my purpose as an international
poet. I enjoy talking to people. It really doesn’t matter who they are or
where they are from. Look beyond your
own nationality and beliefs, because those are things that will hinder you as a
writer/poet.
NILAVRONILL: Do you think literary criticism has much to do with the development of a poet and the true understanding of his or her poetry?
KRISTY RAINES: I think
you have to be willing to listen to the criticism with an open mind, and if the
criticism makes sense to you, be able to try it out to see if it will enhance
your poetry. But you can’t lose yourself
in other people’s opinions at the same time.
Poetry is such a personal thing.
It is your feelings and your emotions.
But take into considerations things to enhance your poetry and leave
what is not helpful behind. Dare to be
better…
NILAVRONILL: Do you think people in general actually bother about literature? Do you think this consumerist world is turning the average man away from serious literature?
KRISTY RAINES: It
depends. I think that people who either
read a lot or write, very much appreciate literature. But in an age of AI, I believe that it is
ruining true literature. I do not
respect the poetry or writings of other’s who use AI to write. It is like a
slap in the face. Many of us work hard
to write something beautiful and meaningful.
Why should someone be able to cheat by coming up with a poem or story
without putting the work into it? I see
so much of it now. I’ve spent time
running poems through AI detecting software, and I can’t believe how many poets
and writers are using AI to write poems.
AI poetry comes out without mistakes and seems more polished, but it is fraud,
to me. It also lacks the emotion of a
true poet. I now even worry that someone will use parts of other poet’s poems
to write one of their own. Also, the
younger generation and even some of the older are turning more towards
technology for entertainment. That may
very well replace reading a book in the future.
I buy as many old books as I can, especially history books, for the very
reason that I do not want to see any history disappear. It concerns me for sure.
NILAVRONILL: How would you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your aspirations for or expectations from the younger generation?
KRISTY RAINES: I think right
now, we may just be the last generation to love and respect literature as we
know it, though I hope I am wrong. Our
children need it. And the generations
after we’re gone may not realize just how important keeping literature alive
is. My aspirations and expectations for
the younger generations are that something will click in their or their
parent’s minds that will make them realize, until they put down their phones,
start having deep conversations and have true outdoor and play time, their
future will lack social skills and they will not be able to problem solve. It would be a very lost generation who would
not have their own ideas. They will be
easily lead without a thought of their own. I am concerned for the children of
the future…
NILAVRONILL:
Humanity has suffered immensely in the past, and is
still suffering around the world. We all know it well. But are you hopeful
about our future?
KRISTY RAINES:
I see the suffering in our world, but who knows
the future, but God Himself? At times,
what I see disturbs me. Especially the
hate that is being spewed towards each other. It needs to stop. But with sound leadership who hold good moral
values and determination to be honest and love the people they lead, it may be
possible. We all need to realize that we
have to be willing to help each other.
We have too much corruption in our world and until the problems are
weeded out and the corrupt officials in every country are replaced with people
who want to do something good for humanity, I fear for our futures. But I am a person who has witnessed miracles,
I have to believe that there is hope.
Who knows? It may be through
poets and writers with a message of peace all over the world, that helps change
this very damaged world. We all need to strive for change in our writing.
NILAVRONILL: What role can literature in general play to bring a better day for every human being?
KRISTY RAINES:
Through literature, we can keep producing
inspiration in our writing, with a message of hope and love, and one with
respect towards human life. We also need
to help where we can, and educate ourselves on other’s belief and cultures so
we understand each other. We also
desperately need to have wholesome literature for our children so they can just
be kids and grow up with quality books.
I would love to see children just being children again. Our world needs
a new message to squash out hate. It will be through literature and the people
writing it, who will help sustain this new message.
NILAVRONILL: We are almost at the end of the interview. I remain obliged to you for your participation. Now, personally, I would like to know your honest opinion about Our Poetry Archive. Since April 2015 we publish and archive contemporary world poetry each and every month. Thank you for sharing your views and spending much time with us.
KRISTY RAINES: I have
followed OPA for quite a while now, and I am impressed with your publication
and your dedication to publish our works.
You undoubtedly spend countless hours to make this a highly respected
and enjoyable online magazine. Thank you
for all you do for poetry, literature and the arts in general.
KRISTY RAINES was born Kristy Rasmussen,
on April 9, 1957 in Oakland California, in the United States of America. She is
a poet, writer and an advocate for human rights and genocides; namely, The
Rohingya refugees living in Cox's Bazar Bangladesh. Kristy is a former Civil
Servant who worked for the United States Naval Reserve Readiness Command and
later retired from the medical field. Kristy has published two books. One with
a prominent Poet from India, Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai titled, "I Cross My
Heart from East to West”, and one of her own books of poetry titled, "The
Passion within Me". She has a few
children's books she plans on publishing soon. Kristy has received many
literary awards for her unique style of writing and has been recognized for her
humanitarian work. She enjoys time with family, is married, has two children, three granddaughters and
one great grandchild on the way.
KRISTY RAINES
The Next And Thereafter
The Moon watches
you from afar
and the stars
around me sparkle for you
Oh Sun!
I, the mystery
you search for
that could not
be found in anyone else
waits for you
like a lost Princess in the desert
Can you feel my
deep touch of passion?
It is a reminder
that with every rebirth
I will return to
you, over and over again
Know that no
love will ever be as true
No words spoken
will ever be as sweet
And, no life you
search for will ever be as complete
For we were
destined to live our lives together
in this life and
into the next and thereafter
Only you hold
the key to the door that
leads to my
heart of eternal love for you.
Live and die
with me...
No Doubt Heaven Sent
Your words
always touch my heart so deeply
I have never
been so moved by them until now
Your truth is
surely straight from the heart
For me you say
you would give up all
I now truly
believe you would
You gave up all
expectations and that was the key
The cost of love
far outweighs any win on earth
No one I know
loves as deeply as you do
Because of that,
you have received the desires of your heart
Someone who
loves you as much as you love them
What a gift that
is
No doubt, Heaven
sent...
Let Me Hold Your Heart
The heart is
like a delicate crystal vase
It is so very
beautiful, and catches the eye
But when it is
being held by the wrong person
they will drop
and break it into pieces
leaving it
unrepairable
A heart should
be held like a precious treasure
Tell me about
your sleepless nights and why
she hurt and
disgraced you selfishly
Now, you can't
find your way out again because
your eyes are
still watching her foolishly
So, let me hold
your heart
I will never
take it from you, and it will be safe with me
I promise, I
will never drop it or let it shatter...
With you, I
can't catch my breath
for in our world,
you make life exciting
Love is to be so
strong that it can't break,
so, love me with
everything in your heart
You will never
have to search for a mirage
I am alive and
real, standing next to you
In the morning,
I wake up with you like the sun
filled with hope
in the day ahead of us
Thoughts of you
make my heart race
because you've
put your all into us
Our love has
been shaped into something
more beautiful
than we could ever have imagined
and no eclipse
of darkness will ever pass between us.
A Cold Winter's Night
A woman sits
alone on a cold Winter's night
with a tattered
blanket wrapped around her so tight
In her frail
hand she holds an old empty purse
in the other, a
Bible, she reads quietly this verse
"I will be
glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love,
for You have
seen my troubles from Heaven above".
"Thank you,
Lord, for keeping me one more day
Use me for your
purpose is what I pray"
As she continues
to read to herself in the cold
a complete
stranger approaches the woman of old
Have you no
family or home to keep you warm?
You'll freeze to
death in the coming Winter's storm.
She looked up at
him with a very warm smile
and spoke with
such kindness in a humbled style
"There was
a time in my life when I had it all
that came with a
price and in my faith did I fall
Since I came
back to the one who created me
He fulfills His
promise and takes care of my needs
I may not have
riches or a homemade of stone
But provisions
are met by people's kindness shown".
A single tear
rolled down the stranger's cheek
as he knelt down
next to the woman so meek
With arms around
her, he helped her stand
He covered her
with his coat and took her hand
"Tonight,
you have found a home with me
for there was a
time that I had nothing, you see
But a very kind
woman saved me from my plight
when she gave me
a home on a cold Winter's night".
Things Words Can Not Express
Show me so
sweetly and gently
things words cannot
express
How can I be
silent as I look in your eyes
or when in your
warm caress?
Do others hear
the sound of my sighs
while in your
strong embrace?
And do they
watch me holding your gaze
while together
in a public place?
Silently and gently,
I come to you
under the
glowing moonlight
Now close any
distance between us
It's just you
and me tonight...
KRISTY RAINES
KRISTY RAINES was born, Kristy
Rasmussen, in Oakland, California, in The United States on April 9, 1957.Kristy
is a Poet, Writer and an Advocate for Human Rights Internationally. She has
received many literary awards, and humanitarian recognition certificates. She
is most known internationally, for her unique style of writing. Kristy has
recently launched her first poetry book, titled, “The Passion Within Me”, and
is awaiting the launch of her second self-published book written with respected
Poet, Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai of India, of Epistolary Poems, titled, “I Cross
My Heart from East to West, Volume One”.
Kristy is also working on her first two fantasy books, titled, “Princess
and The Lion”, and, “Rings, Things, and Butterfly Wings”. Kristy also writes short stories for
children.
VALENTINA NOVKOVIĆ
Flutes
I keep
twenty-two sleeping lilacs
next to my heart
their flowers
only delight my eyes.
Twenty-two
promises
remained in the
dry river beds,
twenty-two
silences somewhere else spoke,
with the song of
heavenly flutes,
inaudible to me,
mother.
Hospital Room
A silence that
only disturbs
The sound of
oxygen.
Three men more
dead than alive
More in the
other world than in this world
They are
sleeping.
What are they
dreaming about?
Now that dreams
are
Become a luxury?
Now that the
feat is to welcome a new morning
And the bed
across from you is empty.
What do sorrows
worn out over the years dream about?
Arthritic knees
that no longer move
Hands that can't
even hold water alone?
Now, when the
piece of sky has become a square
barely visible
from the hospital rooms
Which swallows
dignity.
VALENTINA NOVKOVIĆ
VALENTINA NOVKOVIĆ (Serbia), graduate
philologist, poet, prose writer, literary translator. Editor in a publishing
house. Published four book of poems (Timeless 2014, Drop by drop 2018, Riddles
of Tenderness, 2020, Poems to the Heaven, 2022, which won the first prize at the
Fifth Drina Literary Meeting) and one prose book (Two hours from reality,
2020), Winner of many awards for poetry and prose as well as for translations.
The book of stories by the famous writer and translator Rahim Karimov,
"Stories for youbg people" Alma, 2019, which she translated into
Serbian, received the award for the best translated prose book in 2019 by
Literary Translators. Her verses have been translated into 16 world languages,
and the book Odgonetke nežnosti was translated into Romanian in 2022 (Leo
Butnaru translator, Timpul publisher.) She has translated individual stories
and poems of more than 300 authors into Serbian, interviewed all important
creators around the world and interviews were published in more widely read
newspapers or magazines for culture and art. Member of the Association of
Writers of Serbia and Kazakhstan, the Serbian Literary Association, and many
associations in the world. Editor and host of the forum "Literary
Conversations".
THADDEUS HUTYRA
Wings Of Philosophy
.
In the
descending darkness, which is threatening us,
People are
greatly concerned and are praying for change.
One that is
sunshine of peace, squirrels eating chestnuts
In wings of
philosophy, eagle wings in exchange.
.
Masterful!
Faultless! Magic! Enlightening the world!
For wings of
philosophy are our wings of thought!
Feathers of
inquiry, mind’s flight to fly toward,
Philosophical
plumes too, much of it in snapshot.
.
The wings of
philosophy! Humanity’s last chance!
For the world is
on threshold of falling to abyss…
May
rationality’s reach soars now in minds at once,
Be the bridge to
a new world, one full of happiness!
.
May wings of
philosophy soaring in our minds,
May love and
peace most welcome, be our masterminds!
Philosophy Is You And Me!
.
Philosophy, a
flower! One reaching the blue sky!
The fragrance of
its reason carried by the wild winds,
Soon the pollen
of ideas like wild sparks on the fly!
All the thorns
on any rose, not at all queens and kings!
.
Philosophy got
the wings, it is a soaring bird,
Exploring the
heights of thoughts in their labyrinths.
Courageous
enormously, never really disturbed,
Descending
hunting eagle focused on its victims!
.
Philosophy a
sparrow, dancing from branch to branch,
A beautiful
hummingbird singing like all angels.
Philosophy is a
crow breaking twigs with one crunch,
It is a
chameleon, seagulls, owls and ravens.
.
Philosophy, you
and me! You, my love! You, the world!
A bridge to
build together! Truly a wonder-world!
THADDEUS HUTYRA
THADDEUS HUTYRA is a poet writing
poems both in English and his native Polish. His poetry is usually available on
Facebook and in Spillwords. He has published a number of poetry books in LULU
and KDP Amazon in paperback. He was born in. Poland, lived for a while in New Zealand
of which he is a citizen, then stayed some time in China and since 1991 he
lives in Belgium, often travelling across Europe.
TAGHRID BOU MERHI
Waves Of The Infinite Soul
In the stillness
of the night,
The soul travels
through the pathways of dreams,
Touching unseen
colors,
And voices
flowing like water in the valleys of silence.
Under an ancient
moon,
I sit in the presence
of contemplation,
Listening to the
voice of the winds
As they sketch
the map of the sky on my face.
There, where
time fades away,
The moment
unites with eternity,
And the eyes
open gates that have no keys but silence.
I see shadows
walking without bodies,
And touch stars
singing the songs of the unseen.
In those
moments,
I feel that I am
not myself,
But a wave
embracing the shore in a dance of oblivion.
Mystical
experiences teach us,
That we are more
than bodies,
We are the pulse
in the heart of the universe,
And a dream
reshaping itself in the mirrors of the soul.
In the changing
states of consciousness,
I find myself
the world,
And I find the
world dwelling within me,
For we are two
waves in a sea with no shores.
Pages Of The Soul
The poems are
the wings of our souls
They soar
between the pages of days,
Preserved by
memory, or scattered by the wind
Into the corners
of oblivion.
Yet, I love all
my poems,
For each one
carries my face
In a fleeting
moment of life.
The last joyful
page
Was hidden on
the branch of a tree before my window,
When my soul
turned green for the first time,
Filled with
hope.
On that day, I
wrote my dreams
On linden leaves
And hung them on
the doors of tomorrow.
The last
sorrowful page fell
When I
encountered the profound meaning of loss,
Realizing that
some faces
That left our
lives will never return,
And that the
phone holds no numbers
To console the
absence.
The last
nostalgic page still sleeps
On the shelves
of my heart.
It awakens with
the rise of the moon
To weave stories
in the threads of night.
It is the page
that carries the scent of mothers
And the songs of
childhood,
Still floating
on the memory of time.
The first page I
ever read
Was on my
father's features,
As he spoke to
me about the land
That vanished
beyond the borders.
I was young
then,
But that page
continued to travel with me,
Until I read it
again on the face of the clouds
When the sea
took our loved ones
And never
returned them.
The most
beautiful page
Is the one I
welcomed with hope,
When I held my
heart in my hands for the first time.
That page was
filled with love and wonder,
And I still keep
it
In the diaries
of my prayers every morning.
The truest page
Is the one I
write now,
When I decided
to let the little girl inside me
Run free without
restraint,
Painting words
As if they were
butterflies
Soaring in a new
morning.
TAGHRID BOU MERHI
TAGHRID BOU MERHI: Taghrid Bou Merhi
is a Lebanese-Brazilian poet, writer, journalist, editor, essayist, and
translator fluent in multiple languages. She writes poetry, prose, children’s
stories, critical studies, haiku, and short stories. She teaches Arabic to
non-native speakers and works as a developmental trainer at the Sawa
Development Association. She holds a law degree and serves as editor and head
of translation for eight Arabic magazines. She also leads translation into
Portuguese and Italian for Translators Without Borders and heads the
translation department at Azahar Poetic magazine in Spainand Reverence Cultural
Poetry Magazine. Taghrid is the President of the International Chamber of
Writers and Artists (CIESART) in Lebanon and an advisor for the Sham Land Books
Platform and the World Union of Arab Intellectuals. She represents Brazil in
the international literary association Creative (Germany) and serves as a
global poetry advisor for CCTV in China. In 2024, she was named among the 50
Most Influential Asian Women in Modern Literature and one of the Top 20 Global
Journalists by Legacy Crown. She has received numerous international awards,
including the Nizar Sartawi International Creativity Award (2021), Naji Naaman
Literary Award (2023), and the Zheng Xin International Poetry Award (Beijing,
2022 & 2023)And others. Her works, studied by literary critics, have been
translated into 48 languages. She has authored 23 books, translated 45, written
165 articles, presented 46 books, and contributed to over 210 national and
international anthologies.
SUJATA DASH
Besotted
I am always
besotted by
Plain and
ordinary
For I perceive
greatness
In such style of
perching
Rhythmic
punctuation of
Everyday life is
intoxicating for me
Be it watching
sunset or sunrise
Or intently
listening to twitters and chirpings
To me, each day
is some sort of a jamboree
A parade of
small doses of fulfilment
Eliciting
tidings of freshly minted joy
Out of the
so-called daily grind
I indulge in
impish delight
Armed with
subtleties of life
My yearnings for
pauses and commas
Put me at ease
and in good stead
I listen to my
heart, choose my pace
Enjoy each bit
of doing
You may call me
'foolish' for this kind of fetish
But that is how
I am and shall be.
Curiosa
All my life I
have indulged in
Mirthful effervescence
Like a fluky
butterfly does
Teeming with
avidity and vigor
I have never
tried to fathom though
The cause of
such exuberance
That swirls
around me
Ropes me in such
sprightliness and candor
But my stubborn
and insatiable curiosity
Has decided to
traverse eons and miles
To seek the
subtleties behind
This euphoric
state of being and core
The find amazes
me
Leaves me awash
with a warm glow
Perhaps I could
not have asked for more
As a suitable
answer
I erupt in
triumphant cry
My moist eyes
look deep within
Cling
tenaciously to the hem of your soul
To gather life's
purpose
You have cast me
in such a mold, O Lord!
That, I sense
hardships melt like snow in summer
Life's small
joys and bliss overshadow
Acres of
thickset sorrow.
SUJATA DASH
SUJATA DASH is a poet from
Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She is a retired banker. She has four published poetry
anthologies (More than Mere-a bunch of poems, Riot of hues ,Eternal Rhythm and
Humming Serenades -al
SNIGDHA AGRAWAL
Brought By The Wind
Carried by the
breeze,
it landed near
her feet
a cluster of
pink bougainvillea blossoms,
still fresh,
the narrow
flower at the centre
encased in its
bracts.
She picked it
up,
tucked it in her
coiffured hair
Pink against the
grey,
enhancing her
prettiness,
making her feel
young again,
rewinding to the
days
when jasmine
garlands,
wound around her
hair bun,
were his daily
gift.
Fresh from the
market,
he’d bring them
after work,
a silent gesture
of his love.
Was this a sign
then?
A whisper from
him,
hovering around,
ensuring her
hair would never
remain without
blossoms?
A Chorus Of Voices
A chorus of
voices
rented the air,
“Holi Hai! Holi
Hai!”
From above
rained down
clouds of
colours…
red, orange,
yellow,
green, blue,
indigo,
and violet,
a rainbow undone
to appease
revellers.
In the swirl of
pigments,
old wounds
dissolved,
the harshness of
yesterday
surrendering to
the bright colours.
Each hue a
brushstroke,
painting over
hearts
with a gentle
promise:
that this day,
differences
would fade,
covering the
dark tones of hate.
The earth itself
seemed to sigh
as the colours
soaked into the skin,
no longer
distinguishing
between rich and
poor,
young and old,
enemy or friend.
The festival’s
truth,
in its joyful
chaos,
mankind was
united,
bound by a
common thread:
love, laughter,
and the warmth
of shared joy.
Holi, the
victory of spirit
over division,
a reminder that
the mind’s darkness
can be
vanquished
with the
simplest of gestures…
a splash of
colour,
a song,
and the belief
that even the most divided
can be made
whole.
SNIGDHA AGRAWAL
SNIGDHA AGRAWAL is a spontaneous
writer with a deep appreciation for storytelling, shaped by decades of diverse
experience. Raised in a cosmopolitan environment, she seamlessly blends Eastern
and Western influences in her work. Educated at the prestigious Loreto Institutions
under the guidance of Irish nuns, she developed a strong foundation in the
written word, later complemented by an MBA from IGNOU, which broadened her
understanding of commercial writing styles. Her career in multinational
companies refined her ability to write across genres, including poetry, prose,
short stories, and travelogues. A keen observer of life’s nuances, her work has
been featured in numerous online journals and anthologies. A published author
of five books, the latest titled FRAGMENTS OF TIME, is a book of memoirs
written in a simplistic style. Based in Bangalore, Snigdha remains committed to
learning and evolving, embracing the ever-changing landscape of literary
expression.
SLAVKA BOŽOVIĆ
A Kiss Of Gratitude
A heavenly aria
is playing,
the whole galaxy
is shaking,
my soul has no
peace,
I need a code
address.
Whose verses are
beautiful,
they draw me
sketches with longing,
my heart
surrenders to them,
because they
warm me like the sun.
Is it some
unknown poet,
I want him to
crawl into my soul,
He is sick with
love,
His gaze
confuses me greatly.
Wake me up from
my sleep in the morning
leave a rose on
the threshold
offer me your
heart,
I want to know
his code?!
Who is the poet,
a stranger,
why is he
running away in silence?
To return his
love for his love
For a rose, a
kiss, to thank him.
The Roots Of Goodness
Goodness is a
quality with which a person is born.
That quality is
given by God.
The gift of God
leads us into the light
Its value is
greater than gold.
A good man gives
from the heart
Not just by
words, but by doing good deeds
A noble soul
expects nothing in return
It is enough to
see happiness in the eyes of a friend.
Good people
radiate nobility
They kindly
reflect positive energy
Many are glad to
meet them
In the company
of noble souls
They feel very
nice.
Therefore, let
us never give up goodness
Let's nurture
that most valuable root in ourselves
Because all
earthly beauties are gathered in it
Let's focus on
love, and instill happiness in everyone's lives.
SLAVKA BOŽOVIĆ
SLAVKA BOŽOVIĆ is a poet from
Montenegro. She is a member of numerous domestic and foreign literary
associations. Her works have been presented in more than 80 regional and
international anthologies and joint collections, and have been translated into
several world languages. She makes a significant contribution to electronic
magazines, domestic and foreign websites, as well as radio frequencies that are
heard on all meridians. Her poetry is highly rated in the world. Slavka was
declared the captain of world poetry at the most visited world forum
"StoryMirror" She is also a senator of world poetry and the winner of
the gold medallion with her image from 2022 to 2025. The humanitarian
participates in spreading the love of peace and tolerance of humanity. The
Luso-Brazilian Academy of Arts and Poetry awarded Slavka Božović the title of
Immortal Academician. Slavka was declared an Icon of World Poetry by the Indian
Institute of Science and Arts. At the World Poetry Championship, held in
Romania in August 2021, Slavka won the title of vice-champion and Star of World
Poetry. Also, in 2022, in Naples, Italy, Slavka was awarded the Grand Prize for
her literary career. Slavka has published two independent collections Suitcase
of the, A spark in the eyesoul, Steps of nostalgia and Echo of silence.
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