Sunday, November 1, 2026
HARINDER CHEEMA INTERVIEW
NILAVRONILL TALKING WITH
POET OF THE MONTH
HARINDER
CHEEMA
NILAVRONILL: Welcome to Our
Poetry Archive. Since April 2015 we are publishing and archiving contemporary
world poetry each and every month. Up to the last month we have published 136
monthly issues and 12 Year Book. I hope you would also like OPA very much, like
hundreds of poets around the world.
HARINDER CHEEMA: Our Poetry Archive is truly a wonderful initiative. What makes it special is the way you bring together poets from different parts of the world and give their work a meaningful space. In doing so, you are not only celebrating poets of today but also creating a valuable record of contemporary Literature and Poetry for future generations. You truly are preserving and archiving the voices of contemporary times. Publishing 136 monthly issues and 12 Year Books speaks highly of your dedication and service to Literature and humanity. I truly feel honored to be featured in OPA and also to share space with renowned poets from all across the world. Thank you for this opportunity and recognition, and Gratitude for preserving verses that will continue to speak to posterity and resonate across generations.
NILAVRONILL: Why do
literature and poetry in particular interest you so much? Please give us some
idea about your own perception of literature or poetry in general. And about
your favorite writers in the growing phase of your life.
HARINDER CHEEMA: As
a student, I was good at academics, but I developed a special love for English
literature and poetry, largely under the influence of my father, who was
himself a true man of letters. He began his career as a Professor of English
Literature at a prestigious University. Our
home was often filled with lively and intellectually stimulating discussions on
literature and poetry. I would eagerly look forward to these interactive
sessions every day. At a very young age, my father introduced me to the works
of poets such as William Wordsworth, John Keats, P. B. Shelley, Alexander Pope,
John Milton and William Shakespeare among many others. He not only discussed
their poetry and literary contributions but also shared fascinating anecdotes
from their lives, which further deepened my curiosity and encouraged me to read
more about them. Looking back, I realize how
profoundly my father influenced me. I am deeply indebted to him, not only for
nurturing my love for literature but also for playing a defining role in
shaping my destiny. Literature is a reflection
of life itself. It captures our experiences, emotions, dreams, and struggles.
Through stories and poetry, we come to understand not only the world around us
but also ourselves. Literature keeps memories and histories alive, passes
values from one generation to another, and allows us to connect with people and
experiences far removed from our own.
NILAVRONILL: I think living
together with a particular language is very much essential in writing poems in
any particular language. And this experience makes a poet more mature in his or
her literary writings. I would like to know your own experiences, especially
when you write both in your own language and in a foreign language such as
English.
HARINDER CHEEMA: I write mostly in English, and
I owe much of my comfort and proficiency in the language to my education and
the institutions where I studied. My father, who had an exceptional command of
English, also played a significant role in shaping my linguistic abilities
during my formative years. His influence, combined with my academic
environment, helped me develop confidence in both communication and writing. Over the years, I have found it increasingly natural to think and
express myself in English. My reading habit has further enriched my vocabulary,
sharpened my expression, and deepened my understanding of the language. In many
ways, English has become not just a language I write in, but a language through
which I naturally articulate my thoughts and ideas.
NILAVRONILL: Our Indian
subcontinent had a colonial past. We too are the product of this colonial
legacy through our education, social upbringings and political cultures.
Consciously or even unconsciously most of our literary works bear this marks
either explicitly or implicitly. I would like to know your own experience on
this matter, in respect of your own literary works.
HARINDER CHEEMA: One
of the most enduring legacies of our colonial past can be seen in our education
system, particularly in the place that English came to occupy in our
intellectual and academic life. English was introduced and promoted largely to
serve the administrative needs and interests of the British rulers. Yet, over
time, it acquired a significance far beyond its original purpose. It became a
window through which we could look beyond our own immediate cultural and
geographical boundaries and engage with the wider world. As generations of
Indians became proficient in English, they gained access to a vast body of
literature and ideas. We could read the works of great English writers,
novelists, playwrights, and poets in the original language and engage directly
with their thoughts and imagination. Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Keats,
Shelley, Dickens, Austen, and many others became part of our intellectual
landscape. At the same time, English enabled us to appreciate ideas from
different cultures and traditions, broadening our horizons and encouraging us
to think more progressively. It became a
bridge between India and the wider world. For me personally, this legacy has
been particularly meaningful. My familiarity with English opened the door to a
world of literature that continues to inspire, challenge, and shape the way I
think and write.
NILAVRONILL: Is it possible
to put into the words everything that as a poet you wish to express literarily?
If not, why?
HARINDER CHEEMA: No,
it is not possible to express everything that I wish to express and perhaps
that is precisely the strength of a poet. The source, the inner core from which
my poetry originates, is like a perennial spring of thoughts. It continues to
flow, quietly and endlessly, regardless of how much I draw from it. Even after
giving so much of myself through my words, I feel that there is still so much
more waiting to be expressed. Perhaps poetry lives in that space between what
we feel and what we are able to put into words. The more one writes, the more
one discovers that the well of creativity within is inexhaustible.
NILAVRONILL: Do you think the primary obligation of a poet should be to
communicate with the temporal as well as with the eternal essence of life and
the universe? If so, how can one fulfil that particular obligation?
HARINDER CHEEMA: A
true poet is connected to both temporal life and the eternal life of the
universe. He lives not only in the world around him but also in the vast
landscape of his own thoughts and imagination. And thoughts, unlike the
physical world, have no boundaries, they can travel freely across space and
time, reaching into the past, imagining the future, and touching the timeless. Perhaps this is what defines the journey of a poet.
He stands firmly in the temporal world, with all its joys, sorrows, struggles,
and uncertainties and yet feels an irresistible pull towards something eternal.
In this sense, the poet becomes a bridge between the temporal and the eternal,
between the world we inhabit and the world we imagine, between the finite human
experience and the infinite mystery of existence. Through his words he can capture both, the
transient nature of the physical and the timelessness of the eternal.
NILAVRONILL: It is an established fact that every poet should create his or her own
poetic language as an unique literary signature that would eventually keep him
or her alive beyond his or her time. I would like to know your personal
experience in this regard, and how can one achieve that unique literary
language in his or her lifetime?
HARINDER CHEEMA: It
is fascinating to observe that poets belonging to different cultures,
societies, historical periods, and personal backgrounds often share something
deeply human which are their thoughts and emotions. Although their experiences
may be shaped by very different circumstances, the feelings that inspire poetry
are often universal. Joy, sorrow, love, loss, longing, hope, loneliness and
pain are emotions that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. At the
heart of poetry lies the human response to life. Our thoughts are rarely
isolated from our emotions, rather, they emerge from the experiences we live. A
poet may write about a deeply personal moment, yet the emotion expressed can
resonate with someone living in a completely different culture or time. This is
perhaps one of the most remarkable qualities of poetry. Yet, if poets share
many of the same fundamental emotions, what makes one poet different from
another? The answer often lies in the way those emotions are expressed. A
poet's uniqueness is shaped by his or her voice, choice of words, imagery,
rhythm, metaphors, and overall literary style. Two poets may experience the
same emotion, but they may express it in entirely different ways. One may use
simplicity another may rely on rich imagery and symbolism, while yet another
may choose irony, humor, or philosophical reflection. It is this individual
manner of expression that gives poetry its distinct identity. Poetic language therefore
plays a crucial role in shaping a poet's voice. Sometimes the choice of a
particular literary language is conscious and deliberate. At other times, the choice seems almost
instinctive. A poet may naturally gravitate towards the language in which
emotions feel most authentic and thoughts can be expressed with greater freedom.
The language of poetry, therefore, is not merely a medium of communication, it
can become an essential part of the poet's identity. Many poets also develop a
distinctive style and remain faithful to it throughout their creative lives.
Their recurring themes, images, rhythms, vocabulary, and ways of looking at the
world gradually become recognizable. Over time, these characteristics form what
we may call the poet's unique voice. We may read a few lines and immediately
sense who the poet is, even without seeing the name attached to the poem. That
recognition is a sign of artistic individuality.
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?
HARINDER CHEEMA: Personally,
I believe that it is a matter of great pride and fulfilment for any poet when
his or her work becomes the subject of literary criticism. To have one's poetry
examined, discussed, interpreted, and engaged with by readers and critics means
that the work has invited thought and conversation. In many ways, literary
criticism gives a poem another life. It takes the poem beyond the private world
of the poet and places it in a larger intellectual and cultural space where
different interpretations and perspectives can emerge.
Literary criticism, however, should not be understood simply as
criticism in the sense of finding faults or pointing out weaknesses. It is a
much richer and more meaningful practice. At its heart, literary criticism is
an attempt to analyse, interpret, question, and explore a literary work in
depth. It encourages us to look beyond the surface of words and examine the
emotions, ideas, symbols, imagery, historical context, language, structure, and
philosophical questions that may lie within a poem. A
poem can often appear simple at first reading, but poetry has a remarkable
ability to contain layers of meaning. Sometimes a particular word, image, or
metaphor can carry a significance that may not be immediately apparent.
Literary criticism allows us to pause and look more carefully. It opens
different doors into the same poem and helps us understand not only what the
poet is saying, but also how and why the poet is saying it. I strongly feel that we can develop a deeper and
more complete understanding of a poem when we approach it through the lens of
literary criticism. Poetry is an evolving conversation between the poet, the
critic, and the reader. Different readers may discover different meanings, and
each interpretation can add another dimension to our understanding of the work.
For a poet, therefore, literary criticism can become an opportunity for growth.
Honest and sensitive criticism can encourage a poet to reflect upon his or her
craft, understand its strengths and limitations, and continue evolving as a
writer. Ultimately, literary criticism enriches both the poet and the reader.
NILAVRONILL: Literature
encompasses every aspect of life, it blends the various shades and textures of
human aspirations as well as drawbacks. It also lights up the new horizons and
new dimensions of human capabilities relentlessly. I would like to know your
particular viewpoints; how do you relate all these in your own writings?
HARINDER CHEEMA: Literature, to me, is life itself. It is a reflection of both our inner and outer worlds. It reflects the world we inhabit and the world we carry within us. Through words, we try to make sense of our thoughts, emotions, experiences, dreams, fears, and contradictions. Literature gives language to what is sometimes difficult to express in ordinary conversation. It allows us to articulate our feelings. Life is never one-dimensional, and literature cannot be one-dimensional either. It captures the fragility and uncertainty of human existence, but at the same time, it also celebrates the remarkable strength of the human mind and character. We experience loss and love, failure and hope, loneliness and companionship, despair and resilience. All these experiences can be understood in the space of literature. For me, writing is also a way of engaging with this complexity of life. My writings are no different in that sense. I write about the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, and everything that lies somewhere in between. I do not believe that poetry must restrict itself to one particular emotion, subject, or mood. Life itself is a vast spectrum, and I feel that poetry should have the freedom to embrace that spectrum. My poetry moves across different worlds and different states of being. It travels from the mundane to the mystical, finding poetry not only in extraordinary experiences but also in the seemingly insignificant moments of everyday life. It moves from the temporal to the eternal. Time, mortality, existence, and the possibility of something beyond the visible world often find their way into my writing. It also moves from the physical to the spiritual. The physical world is what we see, touch, and experience, but there is another world within us which is the world of consciousness, belief, longing, imagination, and spiritual questioning. Poetry allows these worlds to meet. There is also room in my poetry for the satirical and the reverential. I believe that life deserves to be looked at with both seriousness and humor. Satire allows us to question human follies, social contradictions, hypocrisy, and absurdities, while reverence allows us to pause before beauty, faith, nature, love, and the mysteries of existence. Sometimes we need laughter to understand life, at other times, we need silence and contemplation. Similarly, my writing moves from the philosophical to the comical. Philosophy asks us to confront the larger questions of existence, while humor reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. The two may appear to be opposites, but both are deeply human responses to the world around us. Ultimately, I see poetry as an open space where all these seemingly opposite dimensions of life can coexist. The sacred can exist alongside the ordinary, the serious alongside the humorous, the beautiful alongside the disturbing, and the physical alongside the spiritual. Human life itself contains these contradictions, and perhaps poetry becomes most authentic when it does not try to resolve them but simply allows them to exist together. That is what I try to do through my writings. I hold a mirror to life in all its richness and complexity.
NilavroNill: Would you consider, it should be the goal of a poet to
enlightens the readers towards a much greater apprehensions of life and
eternity in general? Or is it better to write poems only to console the poet’s
soul? Do you believe, literature can eventually help people to uplift human
conscience?
HARINDER CHEEMA: Poets,
in many ways, are free-spirited souls. They do not always conform to the
established ways of thinking, feeling, or expressing themselves. A poet often
looks at the world from a different angle and is willing to question what
others may simply accept. This freedom of thought is perhaps one of the most
essential qualities of a poet. A poet writes not merely because there is
something to say, but because there is something that must be said. Most poets write about what touches them most
deeply. It may be an experience, a person, a memory, a moment of beauty, an
injustice, a personal loss, a spiritual awakening, or even an ordinary incident
that suddenly acquires extraordinary meaning. Poetry often begins with
something intensely personal, a feeling that refuses to remain silent. When
that feeling is transformed into words with honesty, imagination, and artistic
sensitivity, it can become something much larger than the experience that gave
birth to it. This is where poetry acquires its
real power. A poem may begin in the poet's individual world, but its emotional
truth can travel far beyond it. A poet may write about his own loneliness, yet
a reader who has never known the poet may recognise his or her own loneliness
in those words. A poet may write about personal grief, and someone else may
find comfort in it years or even centuries later. In this way, the subjective
can become universal. Perhaps this is one of the reasons impactful poetry has
such extraordinary longevity. Anything that becomes truly immortal in
literature does so because it continues to speak to human beings across
generations. Time changes societies, cultures, languages, and ways of living,
but certain emotions remain remarkably constant. Love, longing, loss, hope,
fear, wonder, loneliness, faith, continue to be part of the human experience.
When a poet succeeds in giving these universal emotions a distinctive and
memorable voice, the poem can transcend its own time. I also believe that,
somewhere within the heart of every poet, there exists a quiet desire for
immortality, not necessarily immortality of the person, but immortality of the
voice. The poet knows that life is temporary, but words have the possibility of
travelling beyond the lifetime of their creator. A poem can remain when the
poet is no longer there to recite it. It can be discovered by a reader who was
not even born when it was written. In that sense, poetry offers the poet a way
of continuing to exist through language. Yet true poetic immortality cannot be
achieved simply by wanting to be remembered. It has to be earned through the
work itself. A poet must touch something genuine in the human heart. The poem
must carry an emotional or intellectual truth that readers can recognise, even
if it originates in a completely different time, culture, or personal
circumstance. This is why even deeply subjective poetry can have a universal
purpose. The poet may begin by speaking of I, but the reader may discover we
within those words. A personal experience becomes a shared human experience. And
when poetry does this, it acquires a purpose far greater than mere
self-expression. It can enlighten, move, challenge, influence, console, awaken,
and transform. It can make us question ourselves and the world around us. It
can give words to emotions we were unable to articulate. It can offer comfort
in moments of darkness and inspire courage when hope seems distant. At times, a
poem may even change the way a reader sees life. For me, that is the highest
achievement of a poet, not simply to write beautiful lines, but to create
something that continues to live in the minds and hearts of others. A poet
becomes memorable when the words cease to belong exclusively to the poet and become
part of the reader's own inner world. If his words can enlighten, touch,
challenge, or inspire generations of readers, then the poet has achieved
something very rare. The poet may be mortal, but poetry has the power to
outlive the poet.
NILAVRONILL: How would you evaluate your contemporaries and what are your
aspirations for or expectation from the younger generation?
HARINDER CHEEMA: It
feels wonderful to see how much is happening in the world of poetry today.
There is a renewed energy, openness, and diversity in contemporary poetry, and
it is especially encouraging to connect with poets from different cultures,
countries, and backgrounds. Despite our geographical and cultural differences,
it is striking to see how many of us are thinking about the same concerns that
shape our lives and our times. Poets today are
writing about issues that cannot be ignored -environmental degradation, climate
change, gender inequality, violence and crimes against women, social injustice,
and the growing misuse of technology. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence
has also opened up new questions about creativity, originality, ethics, and
what it means to be human. Alongside these contemporary concerns, poets
continue to explore deeper questions about spiritual sterility, moral decline,
loneliness, compassion, and the loss of human values.
This makes contemporary poetry particularly significant. Poetry is no
longer seen merely as a private passion or an aesthetic exercise. Increasingly,
it is being understood as a purpose, a means of engaging with the world,
questioning what is wrong, creating awareness, and perhaps even contributing,
in its own small way, to healing a wounded world. A poem may not change the
world overnight, but it can change the way one person sees the world. And
sometimes, that is where meaningful change begins. I
find the younger generation of poets especially exciting. They are often more
experimental, creative, fearless, and direct in their expression. They are not
afraid to question established ideas or explore subjects that earlier
generations may have approached more cautiously. They are also using new forms,
digital spaces, and emerging technologies to reach readers and create
communities across geographical boundaries. Their poetry reflects the rapidly
changing world they inhabit, and in doing so, it brings a fresh sensibility to
literature. However, in a world where so many
voices are constantly competing for attention, becoming a truly unique poetic
voice is not simply a matter of being different for the sake of being
different. It requires honesty, originality, and authenticity. A poet must have
the courage to write from a place that is genuinely his or her own. I believe
readers can sense when poetry comes from lived experience and sincere feeling,
and they can also sense when words are merely being used to create an
impression. We write poetry, but poetry also writes something within us. It
makes us more observant, more questioning, more compassionate, and sometimes
more courageous. If we allow it to, poetry can change not only the way we
write, but also the way we live. If poetry can awaken that humanity within us,
then it has already begun to fulfil its deepest purpose.
NILAVRONILL: We are almost at
the end of the interview. I remain obliged to you for your participation. Thank
you for sharing your views and spending much time with us.
HARINDER CHEEMA: It
has been an absolute pleasure discussing my favorite subject - "POETRY”.
Thank you so much for your thought-provoking questions and for having me here.
I truly appreciate the opportunity. My very best wishes for all your future
endeavors.
HARINDER
CHEEMA: is an
internationally acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist, author, editor,
anchor, and motivational speaker. A distinguished Naji Naaman Laureate, she is
recognized among prominent global literary voices and has been featured in 50
Memorable Women, Asia by the Stockholm Project. Her work has also been
showcased by the prestigious Farsala Academy, Greece and Café Philo, New Delhi
and her name and work finds a place of pride in "Vibrant Voices", a
poetry anthology of contemporary Indian Women poets published by the Sahitya
Akademi. Her poetry has been translated into numerous national and
international languages, reflecting its wide resonance across cultures. As a
motivational speaker, she has been invited by several colleges and universities
across India, where she inspires audiences with her literary insight and
thought leadership. She has also graced various national and international
literary festivals as a distinguished guest. With a rich body of work and a
profound literary presence, she is a proud recipient of numerous awards,
accolades, and recognitions in the field of literature.
HARINDER CHEEMA
Tell Me, Oh! Author Of Time
What should I
ask for?
Tell me, oh! the
Great Giver
Should I ask for
a palatial house
Will I be able
to carry it on the other side of the river
Or should I ask
for fame or beauty?
Will it last for
eternity?
Tell me, oh!
Author of Time
Eternally can I
live in 'youth prime"?
And will these
adornments make my dust shine?
What should I
collect in my vessel and what should I lose?
What kind of
protection will spare me from the noose?
Tell me, oh!
Creator of all the worlds
Is there a way
which leads to your abode?
Show me that way
this time by illuminating my heart
So that my soul
celebrates its flight when from the mortal world I depart.
I Found Peace
I found Peace
sitting in a shroud in the graveyard
Hiding from the
world in pitch dark
"Do you
live here”? I dared to ask
Without lifting
the shroud "Peace" began to talk
That He has
found refuge amidst the dust
That is free
from Desire, Greed and Lust
He said he lives
among the dead
The wind lifted
the shroud to reveal his bleeding head
Broken and
shattered Peace clutched the cloth
To save himself
from people's wrath
I lifted His
shroud and cleaned the blood
I promised to
rescue Him from the world of the dead
I told Him that
in my verses He could reside
And then there
would be no need to hide
Peace can be
killed time and again
But eternally
lives in "Voices Sane"
Peace is my
companion, my eternal friend
And together we
will transform every end into a bend.
HARINDER CHEEMA
HARINDER CHEEMA is an internationally
acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist, author, editor, anchor, and
motivational speaker. A distinguished Naji Naaman Laureate, she is recognized
among prominent global literary voices and has been featured in 50 Memorable
Women, Asia by the Stockholm Project. Her work has also been showcased by the
prestigious Arsala Academy, Greece and Café Philo, New Delhi and her name and
work finds a place of pride in "Vibrant Voices", a poetry anthology
of contemporary Indian Women poets published by the Sahitya Akademie. Her
poetry has been translated into numerous national and international languages,
reflecting its wide resonance across cultures. As a motivational speaker, she
has been invited by several colleges and universities across India, where she
inspires audiences with her literary insight and thought leadership. She has
also graced various national and international literary festivals as a
distinguished guest. With a rich body of work and a profound literary presence,
she is a proud recipient of numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions in the
field of literature.
PARVINDER NAGI
Scattered Verses
I left my
thoughts like paper in the wind
Half-written
lines that never found their end
They drift
through streets I’ve never walked before
And tap like
memory against a closed door
The sky forgets
the colors it once wore
Yet paints them
softly on the evening floor
I try to gather
what my mind has spun
But words keep
breaking into one by one
A scattered self
in fragments, thin and wide
With echoes of
what I once tried to hide
Still, in the
chaos, something stays the same
A quiet pulse
that answers to my name.
Majestic Brilliance
I am the poised
fragrance in the room
A steady
brilliance that refuses gloom
Not seeking
approval, not chasing a crown
Yet somehow, I
lift every gaze looking down
I am the rhythm
that time can’t ignore
A quiet command
without needing more
I do not
compete, I simply arise
Like dawn that
unfolds in unhurried skies
I am the
elegance written in air
A presence that
lingers everywhere
No effort
required to prove I belong
The world just
adjusts when I am strong
I am the balance
of softness and might
A graceful
unfolding of radiant light
Unbruised by
opinion, unbroken by fear
I remain even
when nothing is clear
And I am enough,
as I already stand
A masterpiece
shaped by no mortal hand.
PARVINDER NAGI
PARVINDER
NAGI is born and brought up in Mombasa, Kenya,
East Africa. Parvinder has dedicated her career shaping the minds of future
generations as a principal. Parvinder is a national award winner from NCERT,
New Delhi. Parvinder is an author of a poetry book, “UNFATHOMED SECRETS”, a
heartfelt collection of 100 poems from the abyss of her heart. She is a
recipient of many literary awards. * An ambassador for peace in the world
poetic fraternity, * The Global Peace Ambassador Awards, * Literary Ambassador
Awards * Honorary Doctorate Awards *An Ambassador for Indian Culture Insight
Magazine. Parvinder has done many collaborative poems. Her poems are translated
into various languages across the globe. Her poems are published among 231
great noble world poets, in the book “WORLD CONTEMPORARY POETS VOLUME 2”, also
published in Turkish in “Poets from The World”, then in Global Change Makers”
and in “The Women - Global Poetic Gems" a collection of lyrical poems by
international poets and yet into many more anthology books. Parvinder has
translated a historical chronological book, from Kosovo, written by Dibran
Fylli “Prekazi Brezni Trimash-HE IS ALIVE”. And another poetry book of selected
poems “A caress in the soul” of a renowned author, writer and editor Angela Kosta
from Albania, into her mother language Punjabi. Parvinder’s poems are music to
the heart that express different aspects of life, using different styles and
themes giving pleasure to the readers.
XRYSOULA FOUFA
Human Life
The spirit of
life is carried away
in the wind of
the universe
that blows
softly or hard
in the course of
time
full of past
memories
and future
dreams.
Birds sing their
songs
as human hearts
do.
Every teardrop
can become
a blossoming
smile one day.
©® Xrysoula Foufa
A Barefoot Hero
Particles of
dust
smiled at the
foot passing.
They sensed the
wind of freedom.
Tree leaves
cracked
under the foot
pressure
but smiled
happily.
They understood
the way of
living unbound.
The butterflies
noticed the movements
and tried to
keep pace with.
The birds
praised the efforts
looking from
above.
The man
continued walking
among the stones
of his heart.
He took strength
barefoot
to get rid of
his soul burden.
The touch on the
earth
sustained his
breathing.
The soil made
him an everyday hero.
He would never
give up.
©® Xrysoula Foufa
ΧRYSOULA FOUFA
ΧRYSOULA FOUFA: She was born in 1971 in Farsala
Greece. She graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature of
the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with honors in 1993 and then worked as
a tutoring school owner for 6 years. After that, she successfully passed the
ASEP exams and was appointed to the high school in Astakos Messolongi. She has
been teaching English in the 1st
General Lyceum of Farsala since 2000. She attended various seminars on her
subject as well as on psychology, computing and environmental protection
issues. She loves literature, poetry, travelling and dancing. She writes poems
in Greek and English.She has been awarded several poetry prizes in various
poetry competitions in her country and abroad so far. Her poems have been
included in Poetry Anthologies, newspapers, magazines, online magazines. Some
of her Greek poems have been translated into Portuguese and English. She
participated in International Poetry Festivals. She is a city councillor and an
ex-vice mayor in her town. She had been the president of a local cultural club
concerning Epirus traditions and customs for six years (2018-2024). She is a
member of the Board of the Academy of Farsala and a member of the Board of the
Chess Club in Farsala.
HONG NGOC CHAU
Mother’s Words To Daughter
1
Hey! Mom has
passed my youthful age
I hope you’ll
fall in a good love indeed
Please, knowing
love, miss, and tell me,
I help you know
the love word, you see
2.
What is
difficult for your understanding
Like it's
sometimes sunny sometimes raining
Don't be afraid
to tell me, your mom understand
I have
experienced matter, do you understand?
3
If you really
love, should be brave ever
With all your
heart, you give your lover
Silently
enduring and quitting means no hope
Multidimensional
feelings when knowing love
4
Misunderstand,
you’re jealous and get angry
You have doubts
in mind that vibrate already
Men really know
to love you the most, you know
They clearly
consider that they never dumbfound
5.
Let you be not
jealous of other women it happens
Let you have no
half-truth, half doubt, in the end
If they don’t
love you, your jealousy is useless
I advise you to
keep calm, indifferent indeed
6.
If they really
love and understand you
They don't let
your tears flow, it is true
You beg only to
make yourself miserable
To be bored to
think, sadness is possible
7
Love is not
often a hasty thing
But a voluntary
heart is giving
Care and respect
from both sides
Share emotion is
sweet and nice
8
Remember human
words like the breeze
Don't listen to
the others’s empty promise
Love is together
action in harmony
Before and after
value all are safety
9
Let love the man
that you desire
Go your way, I
can’t say as ever
If you have
bliss and a good grace
Get married,
it’s clear for your fate
10
You’re
steadfast, faithful for your lifetime
Love together
needs to be a sincere mind
With enthusiasm,
the future will be built
East Sea is
small, compared to your will
12
To be timely do
not daydream too!
You need to
think smart, it is a clue
You must avoid
doing a wrong thing
To lose your
springtime, fake loving
13
Women need also
some careers
You should
strive for your future
Focus, firmly do
business in mind
Self-control, a
peaceful mind in life
14
Four qualities
for a girl, you have enough
Faith,
enthusiasm, you have an ideal love
My dear
daughter! If you meet a good grace
Bliss is in your
hands! You should embrace
Women Like A River
1
Deep in my heart
a lot of memories truly
I miss my gentle
mom in my heart really
The vicissitude
life of mom's life exists
Endured misery
storms all are passes
2
Mom's life is
like a dry river so thin
My soul
condensed for the longing
I find a place
to require my mom forever
Who knows when
an up or down a river
3
Who knows
shallow and deep a river
If deep all of
you should care forever
It would help
you sharpen your mind
Think quietly to
avoid all faults in life
4
You greet people
and life, don't be in the hurry
If rice boils
reduce the heat, rice is deliciously
Deep water
shallow water depends on a reality
You should know
if deep to protect the safety
5
All life tells
us to be careful at bends
rivers seem to
remind you of bends
Cleverly deal
with the situation you see
The situation is
compatible, no worries
6
All the blue
rivers are like women
How to know it's
down or up then
You need to know
and very wisely
Take charge of
situations so wisely
7
You look around
at the women in charge
It is like an
observer in the river in charge
Two banks’ sides
of landslides and accretion
Know how to
wriggle on river water motion
8
In short, human
life is like all the wave
Rain and wind
bring the joy of a wave
It's up to women
to manage their beliefs
Nothing is
afraid to achieve their beliefs
HONG NGOC CHAU
HONG NGOC CHAU: Her true name is NGUYEN CHAU NGOC DOAN
CHINH. Her pen name is HONG NGOC CHAU. She is a Master of Education Management,
a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association (Vietnam) and an Honorary
Doctor of Literature and Humanities of the Church and the University of
Prixton. Executive member of W.U.P (World Union of Poets), General Council of
the World Union of Poets with SILVER MEDAL for Researcher (14th medal of the
World Union of Poets), VISHWA BHARATI Associate - India (Vishwabharati Research
Center), International Ambassador of the International Council of Writers &
Artists, Administrator, Coordinator, Group Expert of many literary forums
around the world;
SUMITRA MISHRA
Pitch Fever
They shone like
stars
Pele, Maradona,
Messi, Mbappe,
In classic
contests on the field
One leads and
the other trails
But the penalty
kick decides
Who would lift
the World Cup
At Qatar!!!
Exhilarating
matches in packed stadiums
A test of nerve
and skill
Amid the pitch
fever and feverish pitch
They conquered
or were vanquished
But who is the
hero and who the zero?
Fairy tale
victories by Morocco
Inspiring the
underdog African nations
Super yachts of
Dubai at sky high prices
Free flowing
champagne and Scotch
This World Cup
surely raised the temperature
Of nations and
fans, of FIFA and Fernandez
It proved that
all are equal on the field
Below poverty
line countries or the super-rich !!!
Shut-mouthed
I learnt soon
enough
That to get
along
I have to go
along!!!
Got to humble
down
Play dumb,
When
shut-mouthed
Keep silent
When called a
slut
Called a dim-wit
Called careless,
useless
Look at the dumb
wall
And cement
myself into it!!!
I knew
Someone was
testing my patience,
My courage!
My friends and
family were thunderstruck
By the way I was
shut-mouthed,
The way I was
derided, debunked,
But I promised
myself
I will be silent
And win my goals
through silence
Will win over
everybody in silence!
God made sure
I go ahead of
all in silence!!!
I shined
brighter
Looked more and
more beautiful
They looked at
me in awe
And wondered
Why was I hiding
myself so long
All because of a
shut-mouthing,
That made me
dumb,
Made me a
tortoise
Hiding myself in
my shell
For fear of
being poked or prodded,
Thrashed or bulldozed,
But inside my
cocoon I hibernated long, sleepless,
Like the
caterpillar I meditated and prayed,
Developed wings
of imagination
And was born a
butterfly
Fluttering in
the garden of
Literary Eden,
Silent and
speechless, yet
Holding the
magic rainbow in my wings!!!
SUMITRA MISHRA
SUMITRA MISHRA is a Retired Professor of
English and a bilingual writer who writes in English and her mother tongue
Odia. To her credit she has published six books of poetry titled 1. PENELOPE’S
WEB, 2. FLAMES OF SILENCE 3. THE SOUL OF FIRE, 4. STILL THE STONES SING, 5.THE
RED MOON, 6. ROSES AND BRUISES, 7. WHISPERING SHADOWS 8. THE EBBING TIDE and a
short story titled REMENISCENCE. Dr. Mishra has also written poetry, short
stories, plays, prose and translation books in her mother tongue. Her published
English books are 12 in number and 35 in Odia. Her poems and stories have been
published in many reputed magazines and e-zines in both Odia and English. She
is editing a women's magazine in Odia titled SMRUTI SANTWONA and a magazine on
Sri Jagannath cult PANCHAJANYA. She is a Rotarian and President of Rotary Club
of Bhubaneswar New Horizon. She is a member of many esteemed Literary
organizations like Utkal Sahitya Samaj ( since 1903) , Shantanu Acharya
Foundation Trust, Sweta Sanketa Trust.
She is a life member of Odisha Lekhika Sansad. She is an avid blogger and her blog is
www.Smiling Sumitra.com, where she posts videos of her English and Odia poetry
as well as short stories and chants.
CINZIA PANUCCIO
If You Want Peace...
If you want
peace,
do not kill with
words.
If you want
peace,
do not take up
weapons.
Burn them
until they turn
to ashes
under a crust of
toasted bread
and warm milk to
feed the enemy.
If you want
peace,
do not bury
brothers,
but use your
hands to give them life,
as a painter
does with
watercolors before a canvas.
If you want
peace, do not fight.
Disarm hatred
with purity of
heart.
Do not support
those who want war and spread terror.
But let pain and
resentment be swept away by love.
If you want
peace,
don't look at
the color of your skin,
let this be a
beam of stars
so powerful it
lights up the world,
may the stranger
have your face,
your eyes and
your breath
like sea
crystals or your garden,
may your tongue
be a bridge of peace
not a cross on
which one cries and is silent.
If you want
peace, listen to it,
whisper it to
the wind,
even if at times
it seems to have a slow pace.
I Will Speak To You Of Love...
I will speak to
you of love, softly whispering
of false
promises, of shooting stars,
of dazzling
smiles and absurd silences.
I will speak to
you of hidden and profound glances
or brazen
crystals shining between drooping eyelids,
of naked bodies
and overflowing passions,
of a life of
regrets, defeats, and multiple mistakes,
of your thoughts
and your imperfections.
Of something
that can't be explained
and irremediably
escapes reason,
of trembling
hands clasped together with your mind elsewhere.
I will speak to
you of love in days faded by time,
of the roaring
song of the sea,
of small steps
capable of making you tremble,
of sunsets and
nights that make you blush,
of that fire
that burns the soul and lets you slowly die.
I will speak to
you of the love that doesn't ask, that doesn't ask questions,
that plays
hide-and-seek
between the
visible and the invisible like a lover does,
between the
certain and the uncertain but extraordinary like dawn in the desert,
of your bare
feet so light,
capable of
crossing my thoughts,
of your innocent
skin that smells of honey under the covers,
of the tone of
your voice, so bitter and so poignant.
I will speak to
you of love a thousand times and a hundred more
I will tell our
story like an intense thrill,
no, I will not
speak to you of love like hell,
but I will shout
your name
and that I love
you even in the darkness of silence.
CINZIA PANUCCIO
CINZIA PANUCCIO holds degrees in Law
and Social Services and, on 25 March 2026, she also earned a qualification in
Criminology. Her legal, social and criminological education is intertwined with
a personal and cultural journey founded on the defence of human dignity, legality,
solidarity and memory. Firmly opposed to a society shaped by indifference, she
has made social commitment and volunteering a concrete mission, devoted to
protecting the most vulnerable and promoting a fairer and more responsible
community. She is also actively involved in raising awareness of blood donation
through AVIS. Her civic commitment has also extended to environmental
protection. She led the association “Fare Ambiente Calabria” with
determination, supporting initiatives dedicated to the common good, the
protection of the natural environment and animal welfare. At national level,
she assumed responsibility for the “Laudato Si’” section of the European
association “Fare Ambiente”. In 2019, she received a Certificate of Appreciation
from the International Columbia Association, Fire Department City of New York,
in recognition of her environmental commitment. In 2023, she was also presented
with a limited-edition commemorative medal by Cav. Vincent A. Tummino,
President of the same association, for her constant contribution to legality
and respect for human values. Cinzia Panuccio’s artistic journey arises from
the encounter between civic consciousness, poetic sensitivity and close
attention to the wounds of contemporary society. Her writing addresses themes
such as justice, memory, suffering, redemption, motherhood, peace, the
protection of rights and collective responsibility. Within her literary
journey, poetry becomes both a space of testimony and a means of inner
reconstruction: a voice that denounces injustice, offers consolation and calls
humanity back to dignity. This vision has progressively shaped a distinctive
and intense literary production, founded on the dialogue between personal
experience, social commitment and universal values. She has been interviewed
several times by Cav. Josephine Buscaglia Maietta, President of AIAE, on WRHU,
the radio station of Hofstra University in New York and recipient of the 2021
World Radio Day Award, as well as by Allora! Australian Newspaper. In 2026,
some of her poems were published in the Albanian literary magazine Miriade,
directed by journalist Angela Kosta. During the same period, her poetry was
also featured in the Turkish magazine Güncel Sanat, whose director is also the
publisher of Baygenç Kitap publishing house. Over the years, she has received
numerous literary and cultural honours. Her poem “Mediterraneo” was awarded
first prize and a gold medal at the 30th edition of the “Angelo ed Angela
Valenti” Competition in 2023. The Mario Luzi Foundation selected some of her
poems for publication in the 2025 annual volume of the Encyclopaedia of
Contemporary Poetry, choosing them from among the works of more than 6,000
participants. She received the 2025 Sicilia “Donna In” Award in the “Legality
and Memory” category, as part of the Federico II Prize. Her book La forza non è
mia was nominated for the 2025 Premio Strega and won first place in the 2025
competition “L’eco dei comuni e delle comunità”, organised under the patronage
of the Senate of the Italian Republic. In 2025, she also won first place at the
16th Navarro International Prize with the fairy tale Erebia Madame Fifì e lo
strano viaggio, published on 13 December 2025 by Kimerik publishing house.
Since 16 July 2025, she has been included on the online Wikipoesia platform as
a poet of international importance. At the 2025 International Kindness Award,
her poem “In nome della legge” was selected to open the event and was published
and distributed in Italy by the FSP Police Union and internationally by the
I.P.A. – International Police Association. During the same year, she was
appointed Ambassador of Solferino Culture in the World. In 2026, her literary
and cultural journey was further enriched by important international honours.
She received the International Academic Diploma in Artistic-Literary Sciences
and Global Peace from FIDEPA-UFIVIBA in Venezuela; second place at the third
edition of the International Excellence Award “DivinaMente Donna”, promoted by
VerbumlandiArt APS and the International Academic Senate; and an Honorary
Doctorate in Literature, specialising in Poetry, conferred by the World
Federation of Arts, Literature, Education, Peace and Culture – FEMALPC. She was
also appointed Baluarte Ilustre de la Unión Literaria 2026 by the international
literary collective “La Voz de Tus Escritores” of Tucumán, Argentina. She
received the Platinum Certificate of Merit for her poem “Among the Mountains”
and was appointed an Honorary Member of the International Confederation of
Poets United for the World – CIPUM, Peru. Her additional international
distinctions include the Certificate of Participation in the Art and Poetry
Contest “A Celebration of Creativity, Heritage and Healing”, promoted by the
Government of the State of Birland on the occasion of the eleventh anniversary
of the foundation of the State of Birland. She also received the Special
“Ultrabardista” Recognition during the Fourth World Poetry Event 2026, awarded
by the Fundación Amazonía Productiva de Ecuador – Poetas Intergalácticos,
representing Italy in Quito, Ecuador. Cinzia Panuccio is also the recipient of
the Golden Lion for Culture and Literature awarded by the MAF – Menotti Art
Festival Spoleto, Special Culture Project Venice 2026, in association with the
Literary Fair for the Promotion of Arts and Culture. Her literary profile is
distinguished by the close connection between social commitment, poetic
vocation, national and international recognition, and a continuous cultural
activity that regards the written word as an instrument of testimony, memory
and civic responsibility.
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