EDITORIAL

WELCOME

TO

OUR POETRY ARCHIVE

Stars above thy head

Shines light upon a dark soul

Reach thy hand and find

~ Haiku: Stacia Lynn Reynolds ~

We, as poets and poetess, express a unique intensity about us. This passion allows us to paint images of the world with our words, along with portraying emotions and ideals in our own styles and rhythms. Poetry is the beauty of our expression through allegory, symbolism, sound and meaning; formulating an imaginative verse to draw emotion or a particular response from the reader. We bring awareness to various subjects encountered through life, whether it be love, war, peace, poverty or prosperity. We construct and arrange our words in a way that leaves a permanent effect or thought to ponder upon. Our words are profound, powerful, exciting, imaginative and elevated in thought; thoughts that come deep within the soul and mind. Poet’s words dance within the minds and senses of those who read their words. The reader sees, feels, smells, tastes and hears each expressed vowel and consonant. We, as poets and poetess, have a unique talent, unique minds and a unique ability to convey the world around us.

We, at times, may seem to be peculiar people to the world, but when our words are read or spoken aloud, our passion is revealed, and a deeper understanding or view occurs. For this reason, Our Poetry Archive features the beauty of each poet or poetess and their words. Along with the featured poets, the introduction of “Poet of the Month” was birthed in April of this year, 2016. The purpose was to bring to light different poetess’ or poet’s views through a personal interview. It has been a great success, beginning with Ana Nedelcu, then Sandy Sass in May. For June, we are proud to present Poet Michael Marrotti’s interview, expressed in his own words. These are three very passionate people, with different backgrounds and way of life, but they all have one thing in common, the intensity and beauty of expression.

This June we are happy to introduce sixteen new poets from different parts of the world to our readers. Our Poetry Archive appreciates the support of each reader and poet. And for this we would like to extend our gratitude to poetess Alicja Kuberska of Poland for bringing in number of poets from Poland to our poetry journal. Your support is appreciated, and humbly asks for your continued involvement in our efforts to shine a light upon each poet as they reach for the stars.

Those who would like to participate in our upcoming numbers, please send at least three poems and a profile picture along with the explicit confirmation of your permission for publication in OPA well before the 21st of every month. Our mail address is ourpoetryarchive@gmail.com

Author Stacia Lynn Reynolds, editor, sincerely thanks each and every poet, poetess and reader who is actively involved in this wonderful blog and continued support of Our Poetry Archive.

From The Editorial Desk

OPA

A

WORLDWIDE WRITERS’ WEB

PRESENTATION!

PUBLISHED BY

OPA

OUR

POETRY ARCHIVE

ONLINE MONTHLY POETRY JOURNAL

http://ourpoetryarchive.blogspot.com

email us to:

ourpoetryarchive@gmail.com

******************************************

MICHAEL MARROTTI

OUR POETRY ARCHIVE

FEATURED POET OF THE MONTH

POET MICHAEL MARROTTI

JUNE 2016

OUR POETRY ARCHIVE

Is Pleased To Introduce

MICHAEL MARROTTI

In His Own Words:

OPA How long have you been writing Poetry?

MICHAEL About two years now.

OPA Who is your favorite Poet?

MICHAEL Charles Bukowski.

OPA What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?

MICHAEL Recently, I've become keen on fiction. It's also my favorite writing genre. The possibilities are endless with the right muse, whereas, when it comes to poetry they seem to be more narrow. Especially for me, since my poems are autobiographical.

OPA If you are published please share with us your book.

MICHAEL I have a few manuscripts out there, but no confirmation yet.

OPA What has been the toughest criticism given to you as a writer? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you write?

MICHAEL Criticism is hard to consider when you incorporate the subjectivity factor. I've been awarded two digital thumbs up so far, and I'm still writing how I always have: from the heart.

OPA When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

MICHAEL I'm a 21st century digital author. Going without my spellchecker would be like going without my meds: detrimental!!

OPA What is your favorite poem you have ever written?

MICHAEL My Mother, The Metaphor

OPA What do you do when you are not writing?

MICHAEL I'm a family man first, so needless to say, the majority of my time is spent raising my lovely family. I do however make it over to the Light Of Life homeless shelter to volunteer twice a week like clockwork.

OPA Compared to when you first started writing, have you notice any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?

MICHAEL Absolutely. It went from mediocre to extraordinary in my humble opinion.

OPA   What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

MICHAEL Anything that's going to take me out of planet Pittsburgh. But usually it's something tragic. I'm a big fan of Hemingway.

OPA What has been your favorite part of being a poet or and author? What has been your least favorite?

MICHAEL The chance to offer catharsis through words, and maybe immortality. I don't have a least part.

OPA When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head to first? Why?

MICHAEL I go straight to the Hemingway section. I'm on a mission to obtain the man's entire catalogue.

OPA Did you get to quit your day job and become a writer and or author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

MICHAEL I've emancipated myself from the system of servitude to pursue writing full-time. I don't make much money from it, but I'm not writing for the material incentive.

OPA   What has been the strangest thing that a reader has asked you?

MICHAEL What kind of shampoo I use. I replied, Garnier Fructis triple nutrition. As long as it's on sale.

OPA Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

MICHAEL Family and philanthropy.

OPA Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take their advice?

MICHAEL No.

OPA   We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

MICHAEL Yeah, bad writing.

OPA   What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?

MICHAEL Music for me is terrible for the creative process. I never listen to music when I'm writing.

OPA   On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?

MICHAEL Playing with my wonderful children.

OPA   What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

MICHAEL Poetry. I'm under the assumption that what's beneficial to me can be beneficial for others. I'm out to help other people. Poetry is philanthropy.

OPA   What are you currently reading?

MICHAEL "Dead Boys" by Richard Lange.

OPA   Who are your favorite authors?

MICHAEL Ernest Hemingway, Albert Camus, Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk, Friedrich Nietzsche.

OPA What 7 words would you use to describe yourself?

MICHAEL Idealistic, manic, altruistic, paradoxical, kind, dedicated and clever.

MICHAEL MARROTTI is an author from Pittsburgh, using words instead of violence to mitigate the suffering of life in a callous world of redundancy. His primary goal is to help other people. He considers poetry to be a form of philanthropy. When he's not writing, he's volunteering at the Light Of Life homeless shelter on a weekly basis. If you appreciate the man's work, please check out his BLOG for his latest poetry and short stories.

The editorial staff of this project: Deborah Brooks Langford, Stacia Lynn Reynolds ; sincerely thank you for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.

MICHAEL MARROTTI

MICHAEL MARROTTI

"AN ODE TO PITTSBURGH"

Pittsburgh

is the kind

of place

that would

acknowledge

dirt as gold

instead of

diamonds

Contemptuous

of their own

Cold as the

winter season

People walking

around in shorts

when its snowing

Trapped on a

dead end road

Lacking logic

Incapable of

minding their

own business

What's the point

if there is no pain

No comprehension

It's the type

of place you leave

Renounce

your heritage

Andy Warhol

returned after death

But wouldn't

have been caught

dead here

when he was

still breathing

Perpetually known

as the steel city

The way

they treat

their own

Is a theft

of all things

labeled decent

"FOR MY FAMILY"

Pittsburgh is like

a bacterial infection

Running low

on amoxicillin

Bringing me down

like an anchor

Two faced people

come to my rescue

in shallow waters

A pretentious judge

and a biased jury

My inebriated mom

denouncing

alcoholic anonymous

Jewish lawyers

giving me a plea

Back on the streets

After the fight

of my life

Walking home drunk

Falling victim

to police brutality

From this scar

under my left eye

To the horrors

and apprehension

Staples in my head

first time around

at Mercy Hospital

To the birth

of both my sons

It's a sacrifice

to live here

Everyday

I put up with

this perpetual

hangover of

Pittsburgh

not for myself

but for the sake

of being close

to those who

matter most

I'm only here

Because

I love my family

"ANDY WARHOL'S OLD NEIGHBORHOOD"

My mother's plan

to live vicariously

through me

Worked like a charm

She named me

after an illustrious

artist of the

renaissance era

Unbeknownst to her

Jinxing me in return

I used to elbow drop

my Nintendo as a kid

And grew up to have

violent episodes

that took little

persuasion

I think its safe to say

Patience is a virtue

I never possessed

Four years is the

amount of time

it took to finish

the Sistine chapel

I'm rarely re-elected

My ex will attest

And prone to fits

of rage during

rush hour traffic

Maybe living in Andy

Warhols old neighborhood

would be inspiring

Which brings me to

where I'm currently at

Two generations of

failed artists

"ANOTHER DAY IN COURT"

Shitty attitudes

and dubious

weather conditions

The only thing

that's for certain

is this feeling

of indignation

There just ain't

no winning in

a town like this

Three or more

churches to

each zip code

Nothing has

been learned

by the final

judgment

Pseudo liberals

all high on

narcotics

Passing

themselves

off as good

decent people

When they're

fascist at heart

superficial

and fortified

with malice

I'm not up

for a debate

Or a senseless

argument

All I want is to be

left alone

So I can focus

on my writing

and the

ramifications

of a close minded

society all going

the same way

Each time I walk

out that door

feels like another

day at court

Offering me a plea

Defending myself

like I'm the one

who's guilty

"Reformation"

I'm at it again

Endeavoring

to reform

the world

through words

when I'm not

using actions

Poetry is

philanthropy

So is volunteering

I'm consistent

with both

Yet assholes

wanna challenge

the integrity

of my character

Ok, here we go

I'm a good person

with a bit of a

temperament

My last assault

was against

the police in Dormont

To me it was

self defense

If it wasn't for

my criminal record

I'd be involved

in distributing

you bodily harm

for pushing

my buttons

But I'll refrain

Leading by example

I'm a nice, decent person

MICHAEL MARROTTI

Poet Of The Month