tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71763168134847072502024-03-18T10:13:22.725-07:00Moonrise PressMaja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-72009861205778254602024-03-17T04:10:00.000-07:002024-03-18T10:12:51.064-07:00"Crystal Fire" Anthology Reading at Bolton Hall Museum on 24 March 2024 at 4:30pm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3257" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2QMV1643seYuhcfprN78653e0-NgwBMLGZCBgxy9tPJ-ygZqIBM965EwwEeJGgx4inETDjDny090FcZ42NH9bFriEn8W1iScy8EPVYENgTOWHFTtcZK2_zm2WiKiK5QyFoACJ_oVK1WBV2znHlY9hjckjIRa2zs46Y-CD0BUrPyv_tmbhXlWpheCUlU/w400-h239/GroupNov20.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Joe DeCenzo, Ella Czajkowska, Susan Dobay (gallery owner), Maja Trochimczyk and Bory Thach, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">at the reading from <i>Crystal Fire</i> at Scenic Drive Gallery in Monrovia, November 2022.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moonrise Press is pleased to present a poetry reading from </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Crystal Fire: Poems of Joy and Wisdom," a poetry </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">anthology edited by Maja Trochimczyk in 2022, at the Village Poets Monthly Readings on </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">24 March 2024 at 4:30 pm. The reading will take place at the Bolton Hall Museum, at 10110 Commerce Ave, Tujunga, CA 91042</b><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Free admission, refreshments provided. Suggested donation $5. The reading will also include 45 min for the open mic sections, so bring the best of your positive, joyous, and inspirational poems!. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There will be seven poets featured in the anthology who will read their work during the event: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. Joe DeCenzo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. Elzbieta Czajkowska</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. Bory Thach</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Marlene Hitt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. Alice Pero</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. Ambika Talwar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. Maja Trochimczyk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Copies of the book will be available for purchase. More information about the book and the featured readers is below. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZPS3INviNASMN0WQa4P6e6zjkqTrGWVADfYg-AYt0WXraLIyQaNASxZ5V-EEPH7WntAFW2HdRWW_CaFSP12VAtkdD6ySZdqqBnATgCXUhxCIS-wAn8tGv_TArZwwT_eq7le8iTSKDCmKUkLjU7BxKwT24HRk2p45sqPnrsz0co6tPHXYLZMJ_x95/s2997/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZPS3INviNASMN0WQa4P6e6zjkqTrGWVADfYg-AYt0WXraLIyQaNASxZ5V-EEPH7WntAFW2HdRWW_CaFSP12VAtkdD6ySZdqqBnATgCXUhxCIS-wAn8tGv_TArZwwT_eq7le8iTSKDCmKUkLjU7BxKwT24HRk2p45sqPnrsz0co6tPHXYLZMJ_x95/w269-h400/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" width="269" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy & Wisdom</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/ambika-talwar-and-maja-trochimczyk/crystal-fire-poems-of-joy-wisdom/hardcover/product-r9yg86.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-57-3</a> (color hardcover)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/pqqz9g" target="_blank"><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISBN</span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/pqqz9g" target="_blank">978-1-945938-58-0</a> (color </span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">paperback)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/ambika-talwar-and-maja-trochimczyk/crystal-fire-poems-of-joy-wisdom/ebook/product-qv9w7v.html" target="_blank"> </a></span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/ambika-talwar-and-maja-trochimczyk/crystal-fire-poems-of-joy-wisdom/ebook/product-qv9w7v.html" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-59-7</a> (eBook) </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="PL" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Edited by Maja Trochimczyk, and illustrated with paintings by Ambika Talwar, the “Crystal Fire” anthology gathers poems of joy and wisdom by 12 poets, 8 women and 4 men: Elżbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, Bory Thach, and Maja Trochimczyk. The poets span all ages and diverse life experiences. They include émigrés from Poland, Cambodia, and India, and those born in the U.S. College professors join community poets. Native speakers appear alongside those for whom English is the second, or even the third language. The ”joy and wisdom” they write about are also different, as each poet follows their own path and gathers unique reflections to share with their readers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF30dE932dmhnZOTOx3bYLEZdS-aOQi4zbebKkLXhfAB86-8JZcRaRlks1QnuXFGVUblNjfbw79LYUTJF0dW0ZdBfqQaYwr0AZlAf5S-ob9KyBcgbWncNBbTJsMijmIiHCAJrT2xh5jowX4Dd85wro6oELQboTNhxsSgY8b18cU2f1VhTph2FUt57FojQ/s2808/grupaoct16.png" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2808" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF30dE932dmhnZOTOx3bYLEZdS-aOQi4zbebKkLXhfAB86-8JZcRaRlks1QnuXFGVUblNjfbw79LYUTJF0dW0ZdBfqQaYwr0AZlAf5S-ob9KyBcgbWncNBbTJsMijmIiHCAJrT2xh5jowX4Dd85wro6oELQboTNhxsSgY8b18cU2f1VhTph2FUt57FojQ/w400-h278/grupaoct16.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Crystal Fire </i>Anthology Reading at Scenic Drive Gallery, 2022. L to R: Mary Elliot, Bory Thach, Marlene Hitt, Alice Pero, Joe DeCenzo, Ambika Talwar, Maja Trochimczyk</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">Preface</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">When shadows fell, it was time to shine. The worse and more absurd the news and events are, the more inclined I have been to write “positive” poetry—find shelter in my garden, watch ocean waves on an empty beach, play with kites in the hills. All alone. This period of seclusion has helped me find focus and inspiration for a book of my own, </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">Bright Skies</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">, dedicated to my children and grandchildren. I thought of a legacy to leave for them: the legacy of love and joy, the legacy of experience, the legacy of wisdom. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The same focus resulted in the idea of gathering poems of joy and wisdom from other poets for an anthology. Alas, my call for submissions did not result in an avalanche of poems. Not at all. Instead, I heard from some fine poet-friends that they found it very hard to write about light and love, and that their own poems were very dark, reflecting traumas and sorrows of their lives. But I also received sets of great poems that inspired me to change the book’s design. Instead of an anthology filled with single poems by many authors, I present a collection written by 12 poets, 8 women and 4 men, spanning all ages and diverse life experiences. Emigrés from Poland, Cambodia, and India, and those born in the U.S. College professors join community poets. Native speakers appear alongside those for whom English is second, or even third language. The ”joy and wisdom” they write about are also different, as each poet follows their own path and gathers unique reflections to share with their readers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The title of this anthology comes from my poem “The Year of Crystal Fire” written at the end of a very long and convoluted love story that has a lot to do with the ancient Chinese legends of nine-tailed foxes. [...] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Initially, the title of this anthology was to be </span><i style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">The Year of Crystal Fire</i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">, just like the poem, but why limit ourselves to just one year? The phrase of “Crystal Fire” may be seen as the symbol of all humanity, with each person born from the union of man and woman, the male and female DNA strands interlocking in ever new patterns to create human beings. In this phrase, "Crystal" stands for the feminine and “Fire” for the masculine. “Crystal” is peaceful, somewhat static, but well-constructed, stable, and growing slowly into perfection. It is the cosmos of order and being. Remember, only women give birth (though some want to construct artificial wombs and detach humanity from its roots). In contrast, "Fire" is dynamic, sometimes intensely dramatic, always changing, always transforming, constantly in the state of flux. It is the energy of change and growth. It is also destructive, demolishing solid structures of the past to make room for the new. “Fire” means destruction and becoming. It is pure chaos. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Universe arises from the dance of these twin forces, like yin and yang, but neither is pure darkness, negative and “evil” and neither is pure light, positive, and “good.” Instead, they are the ageless vortex of cosmic unity and chaos, of creation and destruction. There is no value assigned to this polarity, for such labels are limiting and deceptive. Both aspects are essential, each cannot exist without its twin. Both are good AND evil, both are positive AND negative. ”Good and positive” when coupled with the other. “Evil and negative” when alone. These are the polar opposites of stagnation and decline—or constant movement and the total destruction of all life. The feminine elements of "earth" and "water" endlessly dance with the masculine elements of “air” and “fire.” Do you agree with me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I find this completely new cosmology that came out of one love wisdom poem to be quite fascinating. Take it or leave it. It is mine to share.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I am grateful to all poets that found their way to this anthology, via submission or invitation to contribute: Elżbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, and Bory Thach. I am grateful for the poets’ willingness to work with me and revise or replace their poems as requested. Alice, Ambika and Bory serve with me on the California State Poetry Society’s Board. Joe and Marlene are friends from Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga; we have been organizing readings together for over a decade. Others are contributors to the CSPS’s <i>California Quarterly</i> whose poems I liked so much I decided to invite them to join us. Thus, these two organizations should also be acknowledged for opening my poetic horizons and making this anthology possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I am particularly grateful to Ambika Talwar whose magnificent artwork graces the cover of this volume and all title pages for individual poets. She is a great painter and a great poet, also the most prolific. Her verse provides a fitting conclusion to this collection designed to illumine its readers with <i>Crystal Fire</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Enjoy!</span><i style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></i></span></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Maja Trochimczyk<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Los Angeles, 28 August 2022</span></i></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwu-sACdal883GSGj20_M-3QjKzSDXeEIpbVsj59wCN_xoeHF9UH9M2y7o5IL-AtY66zX8WXmOCrpR9dujhXN_Fl2S4gE7aEGuwoiW5LhZupDOg7KvuzQhS5LrLBtroTrRPCbrOLEnJiNboQWG12_Ktl5qPwXNgQkNmjgzORfDYdVGcXyah3k4dL6/s3010/0b-Am-BCvrHeavensLakeDiptych-R-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwu-sACdal883GSGj20_M-3QjKzSDXeEIpbVsj59wCN_xoeHF9UH9M2y7o5IL-AtY66zX8WXmOCrpR9dujhXN_Fl2S4gE7aEGuwoiW5LhZupDOg7KvuzQhS5LrLBtroTrRPCbrOLEnJiNboQWG12_Ktl5qPwXNgQkNmjgzORfDYdVGcXyah3k4dL6/w319-h400/0b-Am-BCvrHeavensLakeDiptych-R-2.jpeg" width="319" /></a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar, <span style="text-align: left;">“Heavens Lake Diptych” ~ Right, Acrylic / 1994</span></div><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"><b>ABOUT THIS BOOK - FROM A REVIEW BY MICHAEL ESCOUBAS</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">"Before launching into the poems themselves, I was blessed by Maja Trochimczyk’s two and one-half page preface. This personally revealing summary of her motivations for giving birth to Crystal Fire is indispensable reading. In it she explains her use of "Crystal," and "Fire," in the title. Don't pass over this enlightened writing. </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"> Each contributor offers a unique take on the subject matter, thus adding a touch of virtuosity to the whole. I</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">n an age of vitriolic talk, of political and moral uncertainty, amid the dark clouds of Covid-19, Crystal Fire draws back the curtain on Love, Joy and yes, Wisdom. </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">As art and poetry work together, I’ve come to an ever-deeper appreciation of Wallace Stevens’ very practical saying, “Poetry [and painting] is a response to the daily necessity of getting the world right.” I can’t help thinking that Maja Trochimczyk, Ambika Talwar, and the talented contributors to Crystal Fire, would agree."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">Michael Escoubas, Quill and Parchment, April 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://quillandparchment.com/archives/April2023/book3.html">http://quillandparchment.com/archives/April2023/book3.html</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2023/04/michael-escoubas-reviews-crystal-fire.html</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglgDeorfmIFAb9886oEIOVpnu7RBCtJhXgLlVaL8wwC8AUmY7qZXqF2iem8_wEzWRMNd-RwKm1Zu18tNB3v7P8KTpAMieMprX4_hEt1vP4sLyNdGg2oGfUfyHjtYjvJoQQd-V_qkUzUo4vmt5vjIUA_gZt5P0--C9j7_cI2W0-7mOOXczn0XUMHMX/s2062/4-JD-Am-Meridians-FlowerCopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2062" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglgDeorfmIFAb9886oEIOVpnu7RBCtJhXgLlVaL8wwC8AUmY7qZXqF2iem8_wEzWRMNd-RwKm1Zu18tNB3v7P8KTpAMieMprX4_hEt1vP4sLyNdGg2oGfUfyHjtYjvJoQQd-V_qkUzUo4vmt5vjIUA_gZt5P0--C9j7_cI2W0-7mOOXczn0XUMHMX/w310-h400/4-JD-Am-Meridians-FlowerCopy.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar, “Meridians” ~ Acrylics / 1996</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Joe DeCenzo </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;"> Joe DeCenzo grew up in Los Angeles and majored in theater and English Literature. From 2004-06 he served as the third poet laureate of Sunland- Tujunga. He produced the Shouting Coyote performing arts festival and was a Department of Cultural Affairs grant recipient. His published works include The Ballad of Alley and Hawk and the Study Guide and Poetry Primer. His poems also appeared in Meditations on Divine Names (2012), We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology (2020), and on the Village Poets blog. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Joe currently serves on the planning committee for the Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga and as Chair of Poet Laureate Search Committee. In addition to his volunteer work for Village Poets, Joe DeCenzo was involved in developing or creating: 2002 Shouting Coyote Poetry Festival, 2004 Shouting Coyote Performing Arts Festival, 2005 Mother's Day Brunch at Bolton Hall, 2006 Commerce Ave Fair/Shouting Coyote Poetry Slam, and the annual Hanukkah in the Foothills Celebration</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><!--[endif]--><span> The <i>Crystal Fire</i> anthology includes the following poems by Joe DeCenzo: <i>Where the Road Bends; </i></span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s Never Too Early; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Lasagna; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">For What October Brings; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Between the Lines; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Would You Ever Know?,</span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Love’s Cliché,</span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>With Gratitude, </i>and </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">In Joy and Jacaranda.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">In Joy and Jacaranda</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tell me stories of your restful hibernation,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How you live through the vague and varied impressions</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Of winter’s monochrome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tell me how it feels to dream in lavish lilac periwinkle,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To reimagine the bleached and bland conformities</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> As you prepare the amethyst show.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What gives voice to inspiration</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When that first flower takes to stem?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Your trumpet blossoms serenade the skies,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A fanfare in tones of violet-blue</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Transforming Drab Avenue into Lavender Lane,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Painting fairytales against a hazy backdrop</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That emit free passes to foreign lands.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But, oh, so brief this purple pageant</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before it turns to floral rain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To blink would be to miss its brilliance</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Losing the captivity of its color.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A reviving yet ephemeral moment</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gazing at the lilac plume</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To watch it then become sky again</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the wilting blue trumpet petals</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Form pools of joy to bathe one’s feet</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or a parade of pastel fireworks</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bursting beneath the tires of bicycles that ride past.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You dazzle then you disappear as spring is ending soon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The price of finding summer is the loss of passion’s bloom.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMaumaNBIl6IkHPDxkWoRE6S5ua7dvLHpkHdXyxoCyxaI18zaea-AVoqjtrVDzdS1K1PnLalDwveULVgUWGPlucJCfbodiBAowUsYs-1Iwq3HKK6mcsOdh88KFDwVZp-wK55brc90T8h9zrnnK1t0wnqB41rBhxlVZc3VDvaJym1yZfMtM1fdrKeM/s2110/1-Ella%20-AM-LittleBlueMoon-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2110" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMaumaNBIl6IkHPDxkWoRE6S5ua7dvLHpkHdXyxoCyxaI18zaea-AVoqjtrVDzdS1K1PnLalDwveULVgUWGPlucJCfbodiBAowUsYs-1Iwq3HKK6mcsOdh88KFDwVZp-wK55brc90T8h9zrnnK1t0wnqB41rBhxlVZc3VDvaJym1yZfMtM1fdrKeM/w304-h400/1-Ella%20-AM-LittleBlueMoon-copy.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar, “Little Blue Moon”~ Acrylic / 1996</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Elzbieta Czajkowska <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Elzbieta Czajkowska is a professional Translator, Transcriptionist, certified NLP Coach MA/MCC, Graphic Designer, English Second Language Teacher, Poet, and PR Manager. She worked for many years as Public Relations (PR) Manager for the EWELINEB fashion brand, where she also produced music for such fashion shows as the famous Fashion Week in NYC, in London, and Amsterdam, and has written articles and press release for such events. A person of many interests, talents, and skills, Ms.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Czajkowska was born in Poland.. Ever since she was a little girl, she possessed a deep-seated love for all things creative and artistic, and for learning languages, with English having a very a special place in her heart. She also loves music and likes to draw. She learned the secrets of the art of drawing, painting, and sculpting by attending the Creative Development Studio by Małgorzata Renes. As a graduate of two different music schools, she learned to play piano, clarinet, and percussion. Her love for writing was born in high school, where she first started writing poetry. Throughout the years, and different countries, poetry was her ever closer companion.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">The anthology includes the following poems by Elzbieta Czajkowska: <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Of Sky, and Ocean, and Earth ; </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">What Heart May Be Dreaming<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">;</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Sublime Senses; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Given; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">I Burn; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fruits of Infinity; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Close Enough; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Circles; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>All </i><span style="font-style: italic; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>You; </i> and<i> </i></span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>The Calling.</i> The latter of these poems was nominated for 2022 Pushcart Prize by the editors of the <i>California Quarterly</i> where it first appeared. </span> </p><h2 align="left" style="margin-left: 10.6pt;"><br /></h2><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">All You</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Breathe in, breathe out. Let it go, let it flow.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Let it seep out like water through fingers,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Like sand—drop after drop, grain after grain.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Empty out all the filth, discard the trash—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> There is no use for useless and no worth to worthless,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> No sense in senseless, no purpose to purposeless.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> There is a song to be found in silence,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Peace—in motionlessness wrapped in chaos.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The moment—a breathless wealth of endlessness</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hidden in a second, an age of blissful now.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Freedom is found in a mind unburdened from want,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> From expectations, desires and needs, and thus from fear—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Of losing, of needing more, and not receiving enough.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> You are the grain of sand in a desert dune—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A drop of water in infinite ocean—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> You are the breath, the design, the universe.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Not everything is about you—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Everything is about you—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="bline-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> “I create myself”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW5PS8UlRq4AngrlBH-BicVuKzH7jx8oGQwQ5VsruqNe5zM7HRqsMmHlmNRI-aDqglmEy6P1xZxtSi9g5oV2Ad7vc5UX6K7cTwXhiLSs5ylY9l27gzwmMXE0l2my0GeI4ZZEtTL57R8y58rIUeMZMqC1iDqou7lh9c4eq-hzhRijnCS4vu7LT5FWO/s1400/2-BT-AM-VorticesofBeing0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1400" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW5PS8UlRq4AngrlBH-BicVuKzH7jx8oGQwQ5VsruqNe5zM7HRqsMmHlmNRI-aDqglmEy6P1xZxtSi9g5oV2Ad7vc5UX6K7cTwXhiLSs5ylY9l27gzwmMXE0l2my0GeI4ZZEtTL57R8y58rIUeMZMqC1iDqou7lh9c4eq-hzhRijnCS4vu7LT5FWO/w320-h317/2-BT-AM-VorticesofBeing0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar, “Vortices of Being” ~ Acrylic / 2004</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"> Bory Thach </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bory Thach was born in a refugee camp located on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. His family immigrated to the United States when he was four years old. He served in the U.S. Army and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has an MFA from California State University San Bernardino. Fiction and creative nonfiction fall under the art of </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">storytelling, while poetry for him is more of a study of language, an art form in itself. His work appeared or is forthcoming in: <i>Pacific Review, Urban Ivy, Arteidolia, Sand Canyon Review and We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology.</i> He recently completed a book of poetry dialogues with Cindy Rinne, <i>Letters under Rock</i> (2019) that has been presented as a quasi-theatrical performance in art galleries and museums in Southern California. He joined the Editorial Board of the <i>California Quarterly </i>in July 2020 and started his duties from volume 47, No. 1 of the CQ.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> The anthology includes the following poems by Bory Thach: </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Soul-spirit; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Memory; </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Yesterday I was a Nightingale; </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fireflies in Moonlight; </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">I Fell in Love with the Quietly Flowing River; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">My Desert; </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Mirage; </span><span style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i><!--[endif]--></i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Migration; </i>and<i> </i></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;">Awaken.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"> Fireflies in Moonlight</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A spring moon, sad and beautiful</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In an unseen world. Endless</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whispers of late-night winds and rain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">An oil lamp. Hands in supplication</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As they burn a prayer offering,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Washing away all earthly sentiments.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vibrational auras are shaped by thoughts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Purity and stillness remain. Dreams</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fly, seductive, like star magnolias</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On midnight breeze.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Petals fall outside the window,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Red leaves float on water in a garden</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With lilies. They open as bright as</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">hollowed moons, big enough to fill</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two outstretched palms.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The river of stars ebbs and flows,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then sails away — as melting frost</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Feeds the wilderness. All things</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Come into being. The balance</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of matter and energy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The imperceptible is everywhere</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like ink on a page that brings</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mountains and streams to life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gaze through the veil of time</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beyond mists and fog.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before waking up,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Move between realms</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of the physical and spiritual.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is time to count fireflies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In moonlight.</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DXWfGXcPLMGL8OJqePjx_tN0l808qp5Hi_sYPy4rpZiRK2Jdg07fQ0JDKUSsmzK9yi26kh9awnM19RXXWTt-WSzu60urFwKtI9e5ZAK-jwy-iGB8EEI27HHojCHY2V0ggDjYVu1r7nQG4dDyIbzc9H1h_9S_vUkiXCu_Cu7J0qI3DO6HI8xwKKyD/s2689/4-Marlene-Am-QuietRainfall-Acry..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2689" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DXWfGXcPLMGL8OJqePjx_tN0l808qp5Hi_sYPy4rpZiRK2Jdg07fQ0JDKUSsmzK9yi26kh9awnM19RXXWTt-WSzu60urFwKtI9e5ZAK-jwy-iGB8EEI27HHojCHY2V0ggDjYVu1r7nQG4dDyIbzc9H1h_9S_vUkiXCu_Cu7J0qI3DO6HI8xwKKyD/w298-h400/4-Marlene-Am-QuietRainfall-Acry..jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar, “Quiet Rainfall” ~ Acrylic / 1997</div><br /> <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Marlene Hitt</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Marlene Hitt was the first Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (1999-</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2001). She has been a member of the Chupa Rosa Writers of Sunland- Tujunga and the Foothills since its inception in 1985. In addition to publishing numerous poetry chapbooks, she has authored a non- fiction book <i>Sunland-Tujunga, from Village to City. </i>Her poems appeared in <i>Psychopoetica</i> (UK), <i>Chupa Rosa Diaries </i>of the Chupa Rosa Writers, Sunland (2001-2003), Glendale College’s <i>Eclipse</i> anthologies, and three </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Moonrise Press anthologies (<i>Chopin with Cherries, Meditations on Divine Names</i> and <i>We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology </i>the latter of which she co-edited with Maja Trochimczyk in 2020). Her work was also featured in <i>Sometimes in the Open</i>, a collection of verse by </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">California Poets Laureate, and <i>The Coiled Serpent,</i> anthology of Los Angeles poets, edited by Luis Rodriguez (2016). She served at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga as Museum Director and docent for many years. Ms. Hitt was the history writer for the <i>Foothill Leader, Glendale News Press, North Valley Reporter, </i>and <i>Voice of the Village</i> newspapers. She has been honored as the Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women's Club, and Woman of the Year by the U.S. Congress. Her critically-acclaimed poetry collection <i>Clocks and Water Drops</i> was published in 2015 and her most recent collection, <i>Yellow Tree Alone, </i>appeared in 2023. In 2019, after retiring from active participation in Village Poets Readings, Marlene was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, shared with her husband, Lloyd.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> The <i>Crystal Fire </i>anthology features the following poems by Marlene Hitt: Long Time, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dive Deep, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Journey, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Field Trip with the Sixth Grade, </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Words from the Garden, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A Room Full of Boxes, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">What Am I Thankful For?, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">So Close, </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In the Deepest Parts… ,</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Reflecting, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Echo, and </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day</span></span></p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You lean to a silver pond</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in a brittle pose staring</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">while circles try to reach you</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="ine-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">your palette is dry</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">mudded to burnt umber</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How unlike you</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">your stiff drooping</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">how unlikely on this silver day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">for wind blew last night</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">cleared the air, promised</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a day fair and sunny</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;">I remember the amber</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and the leaves deep gold</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">when that day itself leapt</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">far out into all colors</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">except red which I banished</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That day we danced</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">into intersecting rainbows</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">each moment luminous and pure</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="bline-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We twirled into the day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the one colored with laughter</span></p><p 0in="" class="MsoNormal" margin:="" normal=""><span style="font-family: georgia;">that brisk and leaping</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">zestful soaring day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">just the two of us</span></p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukGuhljyKkK5GMlWyEAwEFGsJMm36AuuTFQpRO5ZX-1ZaDGOnNZwYvKRSHpFTCBcd6RClfQz8_ydbN6YmnCOT9GLRBGka_CjIb0vqA55VWjF0pxPLoPL5XvJ3qxp7YZc4k5tuJWaqgfJwHqk61iLxJZnPuEU5U2niWdjE0w9QEp4nYsNvu1Ftcc2E/s2123/6-AliceP-AM-PassionOfLotus.copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukGuhljyKkK5GMlWyEAwEFGsJMm36AuuTFQpRO5ZX-1ZaDGOnNZwYvKRSHpFTCBcd6RClfQz8_ydbN6YmnCOT9GLRBGka_CjIb0vqA55VWjF0pxPLoPL5XvJ3qxp7YZc4k5tuJWaqgfJwHqk61iLxJZnPuEU5U2niWdjE0w9QEp4nYsNvu1Ftcc2E/w301-h400/6-AliceP-AM-PassionOfLotus.copy.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar, <span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">“Passion of the Lotus” ~ Acrylic / 1998</span></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"> Alice Pero <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sunland/Tujunga’s 10th Poet Laureate, Alice Pero, began giving public readings of her work in </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">1984 in New York City. She has performed in dozens of venues in New York State, Austin, TX </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">and Los Angeles. Pero’s poetry has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">including <i>National Poetry Review, California Quarterly, We Are Here, Coiled Serpent, Wide </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Awake, Pratik, Altadena Poetry Review, San Diego Poetry Review </i>and <i>Crystal Fire. </i>Her first </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">book of poetry <i>Thawed Stars</i> was praised by renowned poet Kenneth Koch as having “clarity </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">and surprises.” In addition to <i>Thawed Stars</i>, she published a poetic dialogue with Elsa Frausto, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Sunland Park</i>. (Shabda Press.) Her newest book, <i>Beyond Birds and Answers, </i>written as a </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">dialogue with New York artist Vera Campion, has been featured in two reviews in the <i>Poetry </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Letter </i>no. 4, 2021, by Toti O'Brien and Neal Leadbeater. She founded the celebrated Moonday </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">reading series in Los Angeles, which ran for almost 20 years on both the East and West Side of </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">Los Angeles and she is now the artistic director of Village Poets reading series in Tujunga, CA. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">A passionate dialoguer, she has created works with over 25 poets in the US, England & Scotland. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">An accomplished flutist, Pero started the chamber music group, “Windsong,” in 2015. Since </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">2020 she has served on the board of the California State Poetry Society as Chair of Monthly </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">Poetry Contests. Pero is also a teacher of poetry to children since 1991. You can find out more </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">about Alice Pero's views on poetry, music, and creativity in the interview published on the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-indent: -0.25in;">Shoutout LA website: <a href="shoutoutla.com/meet-alice-pero-flutist-poet-poetry-teacher/ " target="_blank">shoutoutla.com/meet-alice-pero-flutist-poet-poetry-teacher/ </a></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The <i>Crystal Fire</i> anthology includes ten poems by Alice Pero: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Now; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Southern CA Yard Chaos; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tree Nobility; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Begin Again, Summer Solstice; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">What is Important?; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Be It; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Desert; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Wind Song; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If I Rise; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Break the Lock.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">If I Rise</span> </p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I rise up past the sun</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will keep a point</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">down in the green</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will not cast all my anchors up</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will still touch</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the tiny trees that sway</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the weeping branches</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I hide behind the moon</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">dark shadows paint</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">on planet’s hills, beam</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a long ray on moon’s quiet</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will still leave</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">my thought, brush</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the wings of birds</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in Earth flight</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Form greeting</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I try to fathom space</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">mark deep traces</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in the unknown</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will not rise up forever</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">past the fallen friends remaining</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">loved ones grieving</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those caught in Earth’s</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">endless turning</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will catch the silver</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the dep and silent sky</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will bring a treasure home</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to touch the earth, each eye.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGRdENFv7T3Mzt7V7Q61fnClxbBVeOTv8otfgEnmGQ2SF1_7Us-J5m6c5HGURQ_FyNRNEnEE49S5VMJSOutc0A_V9dssyaBNBx6XD0nY3U_Pgsd2wZ4U3DrEYdp8M2PGuGXAr8Cz8N-XANp20ZHS-hig-4B3gvMbaxiz8Z18Up-H51iI444iF_tXO/s2584/12-Ambika-Ptg-Creative%20VisionOfHeart%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGRdENFv7T3Mzt7V7Q61fnClxbBVeOTv8otfgEnmGQ2SF1_7Us-J5m6c5HGURQ_FyNRNEnEE49S5VMJSOutc0A_V9dssyaBNBx6XD0nY3U_Pgsd2wZ4U3DrEYdp8M2PGuGXAr8Cz8N-XANp20ZHS-hig-4B3gvMbaxiz8Z18Up-H51iI444iF_tXO/w310-h400/12-Ambika-Ptg-Creative%20VisionOfHeart%20.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">“Creative Vision of the Heart” ~ Acrylic / 1997 </span></div><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p> Ambika Talwar <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">In recent winnings, Ambika shares with four others the Poiesis Award for Excellence in Literature (2021-22) for a short story. She received the Nissim International Poetry Prize (2021) for writing a poem daily <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">for poetry month with The Significant League in April 2021. Ambika published a poem in <i>The Force is With You </i>– a collection to honor the Indian defense forces – her poem is for her father and his batch mates (2022): <i>Timeless Inspirations </i>(2022); R<i>uddy Ravens Cheshire Cat & Rusty Rats; Beyond Words; and Breathe Poetry</i> (2021): <i>Roseate Sonnet</i> (2020). She is a monthly contributing poet to <i>Glo-Mag.</i> In 2016, Ambika published <i>My Greece: Mirrors & Metamorphoses</i> – a poetic-spiritual </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">travelogue of her visit in 2002 that seeks to discover our collective human purpose. She asserts it is time for creatives to offer a new narrative to change our worldview, which has led to destructive ways to one that arises </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">harmony. </span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> A graceful and willing performer, she has read at various venues in Southern California and also at Eden Hall, Chatham University, Pittsburgh. Ambika also made a short film titled <i>Androgyne </i>in 2000 for which she earned the Best Original Story Award at a festival in Belgium. She wrote, produced, and directed this film. She has also written two original feature-length screenplays. As a wellness practitioner, Ambika practices Intuition- Energetics™, a powerful fusion of modalities and creativity principles for speedy recovery from ailments so you can experience being whole again. “Both poetry and holistic practices work beautifully together, for language is intricately coded in us. We must be free of false beliefs and confusions,” she notes. Recent retiree as English professor at Cypress College, California, Ambika makes her home in Los Angeles and in New Delhi, India. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Sites: creativeinfinities.com goldenmatrixvisions.com. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Interviews: loispjones.com/taoli-ambika-talwar/ Human Frequency </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Radio: youtube.com/watch?v=mn8w5Tg2yVQ</span></span></p><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span> The Crystal Fire is illustrated with paintings by Ambika Talwar whose 14 poems are included in this volume: <i>Wild Savant; </i></span><i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Breath of Resonance; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Torus for a Broken World; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Joy in a Careless Breeze; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Transmutation: A World In & Beyond Time; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">When Gratitude Rises in my Skin; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Wings of Fire; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We Are All the Beloved; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Shades of a Dinner Meeting; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A Dream of Indomitable Courage; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Rose Haiku; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Freely Wilding Grace; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Melting Mirrors; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Love is Our Immanent Soul Force.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Joy in a Careless Breeze</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Oh! Where are the forests and lakes<br /> I long for? Ripple of feathered wings<br /> and curls of water that sing. Wishbone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> afloat. Smudge of dust on our faces<br /> knees and hands that clasped walls<br /> of rock, mud, fossils, language of lichen.<br /><br /> Rain-song on my head We sing soaked<br /> drenched with joy untrammeled as wing<br /> bone. Oh! Where the forests and lakes<br /> I belong for? Fragrance of wet wood<br /> cedar trickling with fresh breath rising<br /> of latent wilderness whose heart<br /> beats in mine own. I must walk far<br /><br /> from here to there where wisdom beads<br /> fall from treetops scattering auburn leaves<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> on unaware sleepers. Where are the forests<br /> where we can sprawl random as a forgotten<br /> daisy lost as a forest flower about to burst–</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> bloom with limitless joy in a careless breeze?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> Prana, ruah, chi…</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> breath stirs in all directions</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> shimmering new leaves</span><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RoipR_tamQmnRKa7NtBcknP6rsG1NrW61cMPm4rAg8gQjLpLP8n4sy-NjfGSTUV6KcMZ8Orft0OrzX8vNwSCvYcixjZGNJ62FGJo5JxHNn-YCRsTTd21KpZDemqmUpFBJzaO4DYTDFof5omOO34UemYArLYtRqbB-aX2x7ltfxxYoX6j5hHd6zI5/s2147/11-MAJA-Am-BlueArches111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RoipR_tamQmnRKa7NtBcknP6rsG1NrW61cMPm4rAg8gQjLpLP8n4sy-NjfGSTUV6KcMZ8Orft0OrzX8vNwSCvYcixjZGNJ62FGJo5JxHNn-YCRsTTd21KpZDemqmUpFBJzaO4DYTDFof5omOO34UemYArLYtRqbB-aX2x7ltfxxYoX6j5hHd6zI5/w298-h400/11-MAJA-Am-BlueArches111.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">Ambika Talwar, “Blue Arches” ~ Acrylic / 1998 </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Maja Trochimczyk</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> Maja Trochimczyk</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">, the sixth Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (2010-</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2012) and the publisher of Moonrise Press, is a poet, music historian, photographer, and non-profit director born in Poland and living in California. She published eight books on music, six volumes of poetry (<i>Miriam’s Iris, Rose Always, Slicing the Bread, The Rainy Bread, Into Light, and Bright Skies</i>), and five anthologies, including besides <i>Crystal Fire:</i> <i>Chopin with Cherries, Meditations on Divine Names, Grateful Conversations</i> (co-edited with Kathi Stafford) and <i>We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology</i>, co-edited with Marlene Hitt). </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Her poems appeared in: <i>Altadena Poetry Review, Loch Raven Review, Epiphany Magazine, Lily Review, Ekphrasis Journal, </i></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Quill and Parchment, Magnapoets, The Cosmopolitan Review, The Scream Online, The Original Van Gogh’s Ear Anthology, Lummox Journal, Phantom Seed, Spectrum, Poezja Dzisiaj, OccuPoetry, Pisarze.pl,</i> as well as anthologies by Poets on Site, Southern California Haiku Study Group, and others. In 2024, she was invited to join the prestigious Union of Polish Writers Abroad (Zwiazek Pisarzy Polskich na Obczyznie) based in London, UK. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> As a music historian, Trochimczyk presented papers at over 90 national and international conferences in Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, U.K., Canada, and the U.S. She received awards and fellowships from ACLS, SSHRCC, USC, McGill University, MPE Fraternity, Polish American Historical Association, City and County of Los Angeles, and Poland’s Ministry of Culture. The Senior Director of Planning and Development at Phoenix Houses of California (since 2007), responsible for a total of over 200 million in awarded grants and contracts, she also serves as the President of the California State Poetry Society (since 2019) and the President of Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club (in 2010-12 and since 2018). Her six blogs (including PoetryLaurels.blogspot.com; ChopinwithCherries.blogspot.com) have had a combined total of over 1.3 million readers. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Websites: Moonrisepress.com; CaliforniaStatePoetrySociety.com.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> The <i>Crystal Fire </i>anthology includes 14 poems by Maja Trochimczyk, who also conceived of this project, convened poets and artists, edited and published the anthology: <i>The Year of Crystal Fire; </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">A Black Velvet Butterfly; </span></i><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Repeat After Me; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Infinity Room; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Pelicans; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Liquid Opal; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The School of Birds; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Alchemy in the Hills; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Stillness of Trees; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Imagine a Star…; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Arbor Cosmica; </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Like Grapes on a Vine; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">A Starchild’s Lesson; </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Today Is for Us.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></i></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1">
<h2 align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>Grapes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">Vine</span></span> </span></h2></div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.55pt; margin-right: 180.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 180.35pt 0in 46.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">—we grow and grow. Nourished<span style="letter-spacing: -0.85pt;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>gold<span style="letter-spacing: -0.75pt;"> </span>light and sapphire water,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 13.45pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .4pt; margin: 0.4pt 0in 0in 46.6pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">we<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>become<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>sweeter<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">age.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.6pt; margin-right: 179.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 179pt 0in 46.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last traces of
bitterness <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">resentment</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">dissolve
</span>into forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.3pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.25pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 36.45pt; margin-right: 182.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 182.65pt 0in 36.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>long<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">road.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.25pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 13.7pt; margin-right: 84.45pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 84.45pt 0in 13.7pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">hard.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.25pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 29.3pt; margin-right: 41.0pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 41pt 0in 29.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">But<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">here.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.25pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 79.55pt; margin-right: 27.4pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 27.4pt 0in 79.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Grapes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">vine.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.1pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.6pt; margin-right: 121.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 121pt 0in 46.6pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’m<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>kind<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>myself,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;">
</span>kind<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>others, kind to the world.</span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.6pt; margin-right: 121.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 121pt 0in 46.6pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I listen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.05pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.6pt; margin-right: 132.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 132.35pt 0in 46.6pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All grains of
sand on the beach, </span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.6pt; margin-right: 132.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 132.35pt 0in 46.6pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">all<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>dancing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>droplets<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;">
</span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>ocean,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.55pt; margin-right: 101.6pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 101.6pt 0in 46.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>salty<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>mist<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>lips<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>–<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>sing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>song </span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.55pt; margin-right: 101.6pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 101.6pt 0in 46.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of creation.<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span>Such a joy to be. Present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.55pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 46.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Attentive—to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>sparkling<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">pathway</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.5pt; margin-right: 93.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 93.5pt 0in 46.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>sunlight<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>leading<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>beyond<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>horizon—</span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.5pt; margin-right: 93.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 93.5pt 0in 46.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to the
relentless rhythm of the waves </span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.5pt; margin-right: 93.5pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 93.5pt 0in 46.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">crushing all worry into smithereens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.45pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 27.9pt; margin-right: 191.05pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 191.05pt 0in 27.9pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Out<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>flows<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">pain.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.25pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 36.45pt; margin-right: 121.0pt; margin-top: .5pt; margin: 0.5pt 121pt 0in 36.45pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Out<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>goes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">sorrow.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.1pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.3pt; margin-right: 41.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 41pt 0in 17.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">In<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>flows<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">peace.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.1pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 79.55pt; margin-right: 13.9pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 13.9pt 0in 79.55pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">In<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>comes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">gladness.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.45pt;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.55pt; margin-right: 112.3pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 112.3pt 0in 46.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>ripening<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>grapes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>vine
</span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 46.55pt; margin-right: 112.3pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 112.3pt 0in 46.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">we become sweeter as we age.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></p><h2 align="left"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="A_Starchild’s_Lesson"></a></span><span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>Starchild’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Lesson</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I found the Philosopher’s Stone. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Transmogrification.<br />Fear into Love.<br />The lead of sorrow into<br />the pure gold of childlike laughter. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is no other alchemy, but this.<br /><br />“Shine”— said the Voice.<br />“Be fruitful”—Someone wrote<br />in the Great Book for all ages.</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even if half true, it is true enough.<br /><br />Listen. Do not stray from your path. </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You know what lies ahead —<br />past a frozen meadow of snowdrops </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and sasanki, white and violet, </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">glowing with innocence in a forest clearing —<br /><br />past peach orchards, misty with blizzards<br />of falling petals —past lakes of blooming lotus, </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">patiently stretching from mud to the Sun —</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> past golden fields of rye, ready for harvest,<br />to make bread for the journey—<br /><br />Open the parasol of ancient wisdom above you —</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> for shelter, as you walk into the embrace </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of your destiny and shine — shine — shine —<br /></span><br /></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.45pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="height: 23px; left: 0px; margin-left: 490px; margin-top: 345px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 5px; z-index: -1895817728;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img height="18" src="file:///C:/Users/MTROCH~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="docshape5" width="4" /></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">NOTE:<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span><i>Sasanka</i>,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>plural<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>s<i>asanki<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span></i>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Polish<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>name<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>spring<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>wildflower called <i>Pulsatilla </i>or <i>Pasqueflower </i>from
genus </span><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anemone.</span></i></span></p></blockquote><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIeJXZkXQx8OUMROhFSDocMWcdRRDBrDLCs-7YpT9UHjt6IOSg06M2iizVms99t52ZVTzptvsvzn5CW6tQc6Oml0dcAOA4jypQQYr8yvK5caIXnkGhuoqtuJQUqnihNPWBGztPFQyuymToiek31Q-IkEqOkrvSeT727ffRSh3ESk2IY-PPyy8fZRY/s3028/0%20Am-FCvr-HeavensLakeDiptych-L-1-.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIeJXZkXQx8OUMROhFSDocMWcdRRDBrDLCs-7YpT9UHjt6IOSg06M2iizVms99t52ZVTzptvsvzn5CW6tQc6Oml0dcAOA4jypQQYr8yvK5caIXnkGhuoqtuJQUqnihNPWBGztPFQyuymToiek31Q-IkEqOkrvSeT727ffRSh3ESk2IY-PPyy8fZRY/w318-h400/0%20Am-FCvr-HeavensLakeDiptych-L-1-.jpeg" width="318" /></a></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar: “Heavens Lake Diptych” ~ Left, Acrylic / 1994</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">BIOS OF OTHER POETS FROM THE ANTHOLOGY</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 10.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.65pt; margin: 3.65pt 0in 0in 10.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #006ec0;">Mary<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1pt;"> </span>Elliott<span style="letter-spacing: -1.7pt;"> </span></span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>poet,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;">
</span>writer,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>publicist,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>arts<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">enthusiast. </span>Her poems have appeared in journals such
as California Quarterly, Las Positas College of the Arts, in print through Wingless
Dreamer, and elsewhere.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Santa<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>Barbara<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>has<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>been<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>home<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>Elliott for over 30 years, where she was
the Executive Director of the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>worked<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>art<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>dealer<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>local<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>gallery
specializing in American art, and held several different<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>marketing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>positions<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>various<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>museums such as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>Santa<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>Barbara<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">
</span>Museum of Art, MOXI –<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>Wolf<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>Museum<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Exploration<span style="letter-spacing: 1.75pt;"> </span>+<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Innovation, </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Santa</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Barbara</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Zoological</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Gardens.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.7pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Her</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">favorite</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">charities</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">relate</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">to fostering
rescue dogs, children’s health issues, and public education. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Originally
from the Midwest, Elliott</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">credits
her parent’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">stoic perseverance in
difficult times, along with their love of music, art and literature as her
biggest influences.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">They instilled in
her the sense that art was sacred and transformative. When she’s not writing,
Elliott is walking the trails of Santa Barbara</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">where</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">there</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">are</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">still</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">places</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">unfettered</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">by</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">“progress”.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Elliott</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">earned</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">her English literature and language
degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 10.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.65pt; margin: 3.65pt 0in 0in 10.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.5pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #006ec0; line-height: 107%;">Jeff<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1pt;"> </span>Graham<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9pt;">
</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">studied<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>English<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Creative<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Writing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">
</span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>San<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Francisco<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>State
University. Author of the chapbook <u>The Eye of Morning</u> (Zeugma Impress
Inc.), publications include appearances in journals such as <i>Blue Unicorn, Indefinite Space, California
Quarterly, Asheville Poetry Review </i>and <i>Grasslimb.
</i>Jeff is also a contributor to various haiku journals.</span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 10.55pt; margin-right: 16.85pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 16.85pt 0in 10.55pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #006ec0; line-height: 107%;">Frederick<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Livingston<span style="letter-spacing: -1.85pt;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">grew<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>southern<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">
</span>tip<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>Salish<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>Sea<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>in
Olympia, Washington. Ecology, experiential education, and peace building have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>given<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>years<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>rural<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Tanzania,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Costa<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>Rican<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>highlands,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>American West,
and beyond. His writing has appeared in numerous literary magazines, scientific<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>journals,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>public<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>spaces.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>His<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>first<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>collection<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>poetry,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span><i>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>Moon and Other Fruits</i>, is expected in
early 2023</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 10.55pt; margin-right: 16.85pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 16.85pt 0in 10.55pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.05pt 26.5pt 0.0001pt 10.6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #006ec0;">Allegra Jostad Silberstein </span>grew
up on a farm in Wisconsin but has lived in California since 1963. Her love of
poetry began as a child...her mother<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>would<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>recite<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>poems<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>she<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>worked.<span style="letter-spacing: 1.55pt;">
</span>In<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>addition<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>three<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>chapbooks<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">of</span><span style="text-align: left;">poetry, she has been widely
published in journals with a growing number on-line. Her first book of poems, </span><i style="text-align: left;">West of Angels </i><span style="text-align: left;">was published by Cold
River Press in March of 2015. In March of 2010 she became</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">first</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Poet</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Laureate</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">for</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">city of Davis, California serving for two
years. Dance is a great love of her life. </span><span style="text-align: left;">She dances and performs with Panela Trokanski’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Third</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Stage</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">dance</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">company.
She</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">was</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">accepted</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">company</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">1994
and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">now</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">at</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">91</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">still</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">dances</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">but</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">has</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">minor role. She also sings with the Davis
Threshold Choir. Allegra lives on a half acre of land and tending to the earth
enriches her spirit.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.05pt 26.5pt 0.0001pt 10.6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 10.6pt; margin-right: 18.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 18.7pt 0in 10.6pt; text-indent: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #006ec0; line-height: 107%;">Jane Stuart </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">(Jessica Jane
Stuart) is<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span>a writer and poet, born
on August 20, 1942. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Western Reserve
University, Cleveland in 1964; the Master of Arts at Indiana University,
Bloomington, in 1969; and the Doctor of Philosophy, Indiana University,
Bloomington,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>1971.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>She<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>taught<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>University<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Florida,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Gainesville;<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>Santa<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>Fe
Community College, Gainesville; St. John's River Community College, St. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Augustine, Florida; and Flagler College, St. Augustine,
Florida. Her poetry books include: <i>A
Heart Shaped Moon </i>(Cameo, 2002), <i>Candlelady
</i>(Cameo, 2002), <i>Journeys </i>(Summit
Poetry Press, 1998), <i>Moon Over Miami </i>(Poetry
Forum Press, 1995), <i>Passage Into Time </i>(Big
Easy Press, 1994), <i>Sestinas </i>(Cameo,
2000), and <i>The Turning Year </i>(Cameo,
2005). She is a member of: Society<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>America<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;">
</span>Poets,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>Mississippi<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>Poetry<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;">
</span>Society,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>Oregon<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>Poetry<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;">
</span>Society, Arizona<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>State<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>Poetry<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>Society,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>Kentucky<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>State<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>Poetry<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>Society,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;">
</span>California<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>State </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Poetry</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Society,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">American</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Tanka</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Society,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">American</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Haiku</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">Society,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">as</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">well</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt;">as Phi Beta Kappa and Eta Sigma Phi.</span></span></p></div></div><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 36pt; line-height: 51.36px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_26" o:gfxdata="UEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQA0Ev94FAEAAFACAAATAAAAW0NvbnRlbnRfVHlwZXNdLnhtbKSSy07DMBBF
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" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 39pt; visibility: visible; width: 67.8pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata cropbottom="-168f" cropright="-97f" o:title="" src="file:///C:/Users/MTROCH~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-13047362399074020432024-01-11T14:20:00.000-08:002024-02-18T18:27:17.642-08:00Call for Poems for Ekphrastic Collection "Genuine SW Blue" - Due by April 4, 2024 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gbC7pKebKrNSOSeokhz97hpx-UrssX8sZmY0cWXhfN4QUUsyHYgkCXCS_EmILCyBMlyK4DZtlclUMfzX6yUp-Ch6QpKeHj-u6PHQP8vgkDdTmNgRJ-OAdWzduHElJtDQKMmf7m-WgcuJb7taW09BG835-QV2ZVmFpQZWhCnDZI35RzKk_fIPWUolS0Y/s2016/IMG_4514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gbC7pKebKrNSOSeokhz97hpx-UrssX8sZmY0cWXhfN4QUUsyHYgkCXCS_EmILCyBMlyK4DZtlclUMfzX6yUp-Ch6QpKeHj-u6PHQP8vgkDdTmNgRJ-OAdWzduHElJtDQKMmf7m-WgcuJb7taW09BG835-QV2ZVmFpQZWhCnDZI35RzKk_fIPWUolS0Y/w300-h400/IMG_4514.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Moonrise Press will publish a collection of ekhprastic poems inspired by the work of Slawek Wisniewski, especially his Genuine Yves Klein Blue series. Poets are now asked to submit their work by email to maja@moonrisepress.com, with 150-word bio. English and other languages with English translations. Poems up to 48 lines, previously unpublished or with publication details enclosed, will be considered. Haiku, haibun and tanka submissions are welcome. Poets may write about one or more paintings reproduced on this blog. The collection is edited by Maja Trochimczyk.</p><p>Payment to poets will be one copy of the published book. A reading will take place in June 2024.</p><p>The painting above, in Genuine Yves Klein Blue is entitled <i>a ritroso dal passato... </i>and bears an inscription translated on the back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhHKaQtx8Skl-PK6-ovVwkVB-epRpSJKU_-BWuRKsnGEUxrJaL5zr3cVQJ3QhdTGjI0JahtgzCbF5_Bm0ihCcd5ss2e26XRgGFkJkLU3uH6IO0npDRr4T5j4xDG1xO8AcPQCUk6GwsMn1RzvAnRgMJTJKLERzGu-j42-fVShWrOlVijc9OmlDk2koRnA/s2016/IMG_4515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhHKaQtx8Skl-PK6-ovVwkVB-epRpSJKU_-BWuRKsnGEUxrJaL5zr3cVQJ3QhdTGjI0JahtgzCbF5_Bm0ihCcd5ss2e26XRgGFkJkLU3uH6IO0npDRr4T5j4xDG1xO8AcPQCUk6GwsMn1RzvAnRgMJTJKLERzGu-j42-fVShWrOlVijc9OmlDk2koRnA/w300-h400/IMG_4515.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Information about the artist is below. The book will be published in paperback and ebook versions. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFIh8TV7AhZnIPq6mQj--K7ZQ6Hje70y36nxPRhuSM-PVFypE-WWIhdBe6yXN3AzVzncraZ7k0DyiLf-c1-iT3PIPlmZUsr8h0MSuk2eF32QoF9EXRA35eMwbsLWVM8xJ03Zq1GHOek96Io5DWWLwy_rQcA8uK9cQT1qw2hMHUX9U1h8npGeOOvbaN0sP/s300/wisniewski.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFIh8TV7AhZnIPq6mQj--K7ZQ6Hje70y36nxPRhuSM-PVFypE-WWIhdBe6yXN3AzVzncraZ7k0DyiLf-c1-iT3PIPlmZUsr8h0MSuk2eF32QoF9EXRA35eMwbsLWVM8xJ03Zq1GHOek96Io5DWWLwy_rQcA8uK9cQT1qw2hMHUX9U1h8npGeOOvbaN0sP/s1600/wisniewski.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>SLAWEK WISNIEWSKI</b></p><p>Born in 1959 in Poland, Wisniewski is an American artist, living in Southern California, Los Angeles area. He studied medicine in Poland (M.D. Diploma), however was always involved in the creative arts, mostly oil painting on canvas. His first shows date back to the 1980s (Honorata Gallery in Lodz, Poland). He is a member of Zwiazek Artystow Plastykow Rzeczypospolitej-Polska. </p><p>Wisniewski successfully showed his art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and was affiliated with the gallery ARSG for five years; he is currently represented by Saatchi Art Gallery, saatchiart.com. For several years, he worked with a group of NOHO-artists called EVA.</p><p>His paintings in surrealist styles include trompe l'oeil still life imagery. Currently, he works on a series of paintings showing expressions of Los Angeles, using color for its emotional impact in his interpretations of the city. In new works he uses also scribbles, as automatic form , intuitive and emotional ,non-linguistic visual signs to display reference to landscape or semiotic expression of thoughts. There are also some lines of poetry chosen from Rilke. Some of the works are done in genuine Yves Klein Blue/IKB/. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4YpgMvaGvhX4LTElJDfbG1ubxL6a5p6K6JD3-LGiEapR9d7jBRgfY-SQQWr4fiU6vUS386mGWmFY4-c1Lj53idp01y3FwnrsLRdQjujMOK13Z9qhh1VMTAqj2myrxmfa6rhjYIhl7Lns8xGleyl_usUVCiKz-IM0UQ46Yo_wgdo5vQJoEOga_hzVlbNn/s325/blueviolin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4YpgMvaGvhX4LTElJDfbG1ubxL6a5p6K6JD3-LGiEapR9d7jBRgfY-SQQWr4fiU6vUS386mGWmFY4-c1Lj53idp01y3FwnrsLRdQjujMOK13Z9qhh1VMTAqj2myrxmfa6rhjYIhl7Lns8xGleyl_usUVCiKz-IM0UQ46Yo_wgdo5vQJoEOga_hzVlbNn/w328-h400/blueviolin.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Blue Violin- Mixed media IKB,wood violin, pencil 24 in x 36in</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlcKQJGYLmRKcU7T2yg9CM13VCrvD-CljbsyYopqx7oN9duDGHNWSpN8_cGosVqxBNzbT0Js6RBSu1xZwCmCpC8zx3xzlDDRQ2G-0HQgC-s_gUFLG3RKAGoctoCFT93E4adJve7zRSivNfrl5vkqdL4a-dsgeRXDJJa0g_YWYv_0IWqbALJLMgTXxDFYa/s770/hyperinsomnia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="770" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlcKQJGYLmRKcU7T2yg9CM13VCrvD-CljbsyYopqx7oN9duDGHNWSpN8_cGosVqxBNzbT0Js6RBSu1xZwCmCpC8zx3xzlDDRQ2G-0HQgC-s_gUFLG3RKAGoctoCFT93E4adJve7zRSivNfrl5vkqdL4a-dsgeRXDJJa0g_YWYv_0IWqbALJLMgTXxDFYa/w400-h301/hyperinsomnia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hyperinsomnia by Slawek Wisniewski, oil on canvas, 48’ X 36’</i></span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G98wuH7i4X4ht4SEaoMrfGljgfdiBSD2XA5siQYIJUatRHAcxPCzrD6jdP0yfIPAYWCavQuJXJ1EG7q_inIDxBcuCHD258PhctKb840T6C33xOHpeEj-93qxGgju0e1_SbaKp-eRpfodykO4FsIHX6OKf4PPyV4TEmhUfGzqU4nBHhnZDG2QDl_inJyJ/s3169/Just%20once-AA.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="3169" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G98wuH7i4X4ht4SEaoMrfGljgfdiBSD2XA5siQYIJUatRHAcxPCzrD6jdP0yfIPAYWCavQuJXJ1EG7q_inIDxBcuCHD258PhctKb840T6C33xOHpeEj-93qxGgju0e1_SbaKp-eRpfodykO4FsIHX6OKf4PPyV4TEmhUfGzqU4nBHhnZDG2QDl_inJyJ/w400-h301/Just%20once-AA.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Just Once – City Painting by Slawek Wisniewski, oil on canvas, 48’ X 36’</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimajBoL8IUWH4OlyC3hIgn3lGU_H2Rvbg2kLVq5oLTTnYB2X6AvVGhHurGgNza_4jg3G_NEz5fmQRD_vUZqWrHbaLIoJIX4lFJFQN_hACecvct78wm0lmvN1X1w43Zt5V0upgMbUDm6ZPbzPjcCD-dEydpErdqW-gwGxsPy5Ia2acejsuTUTMd0roio_c/s1920/justoncecitypainting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimajBoL8IUWH4OlyC3hIgn3lGU_H2Rvbg2kLVq5oLTTnYB2X6AvVGhHurGgNza_4jg3G_NEz5fmQRD_vUZqWrHbaLIoJIX4lFJFQN_hACecvct78wm0lmvN1X1w43Zt5V0upgMbUDm6ZPbzPjcCD-dEydpErdqW-gwGxsPy5Ia2acejsuTUTMd0roio_c/w400-h300/justoncecitypainting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just once, city... by Slawek Wisniewski</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMrvLAUlVYj2wMKvTfJP9ZIZVr9dhxTsJl4PnpX5qRPWZ2A1u2Cv2FKNzDha-wUuimaerna6TLxwrDkK8fDJfXQIH0B-ilDQxOidIUB0LUZiuaFb8adjYB8VJaYpfOVN9ISpOYBhWCqhndwtwLj5hk-6QqQs-97UXwcdNRRyo9l_MEPaMtKzETfGrHR4/s4032/IMG_2539.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMrvLAUlVYj2wMKvTfJP9ZIZVr9dhxTsJl4PnpX5qRPWZ2A1u2Cv2FKNzDha-wUuimaerna6TLxwrDkK8fDJfXQIH0B-ilDQxOidIUB0LUZiuaFb8adjYB8VJaYpfOVN9ISpOYBhWCqhndwtwLj5hk-6QqQs-97UXwcdNRRyo9l_MEPaMtKzETfGrHR4/w300-h400/IMG_2539.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Paintings from the Genuine YK Blue series</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKzFNc0UFZ3EsYrYoLXolYXmeTkwBB2UOdwhcHSlHL1mM-Dgaw0f9Qg1Z24RIdoOV0_RWbpGaVKwe8cELYFSdKGtCths9CZ2a2pHq-w2C9BDTL2KSxVEZc8vVL8Ab37FVs55KkPGHyN6k1mpNBK5CtZUQQ4XqnPIKAkVwZVhwlKZvpB887a-xDQ14oAU/s4032/IMG_2538.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKzFNc0UFZ3EsYrYoLXolYXmeTkwBB2UOdwhcHSlHL1mM-Dgaw0f9Qg1Z24RIdoOV0_RWbpGaVKwe8cELYFSdKGtCths9CZ2a2pHq-w2C9BDTL2KSxVEZc8vVL8Ab37FVs55KkPGHyN6k1mpNBK5CtZUQQ4XqnPIKAkVwZVhwlKZvpB887a-xDQ14oAU/w400-h300/IMG_2538.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">The Blue Violin and other paintings from YK Blue Series</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-33812626444778923332023-10-28T09:51:00.007-07:002024-03-10T13:43:50.539-07:00Celebrating Modjeska in California - A New History Book by Maja Trochimczyk<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tlS-jy_b5sqju8jjgJTh7gZDt8NicIDTrqAjd-LSlei3E5Nt8_5FEusfGl0kohlRBSn-puBHHWhll3NXDgvYLvm5EPZuxqaoSxT3q58DKo1CzA8BgpwJPHceXAR6xzznt_-c6IFmUHCSRRbcEe9c-WoHfNozJmUplxZVefb_SCH5TUsg7rN5niFroLY/s1710/CelebratingModjeskaCoverWebMed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1710" data-original-width="1140" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tlS-jy_b5sqju8jjgJTh7gZDt8NicIDTrqAjd-LSlei3E5Nt8_5FEusfGl0kohlRBSn-puBHHWhll3NXDgvYLvm5EPZuxqaoSxT3q58DKo1CzA8BgpwJPHceXAR6xzznt_-c6IFmUHCSRRbcEe9c-WoHfNozJmUplxZVefb_SCH5TUsg7rN5niFroLY/w266-h400/CelebratingModjeskaCoverWebMed.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">ISBN 978-1-945938-55-9, paperback; ISBN 978-1-945938-56-6, hardcover</span></p><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 400;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ISBN 978-1-945938-57-3, e-book in e-Pub format</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Published in December 2023, <b style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 400;">Celebrating Modjeska in California: History of Helena Modjeska Art & Culture Club </b>is a 400+page case study of one Polonian organization, active since 1971, that reveals the interests, activities, successes and challenges of successive waves of Polish immigrants to America, especially the generation of the Displaced Persons (survivors and veterans of World War II, mostly interwar Polish <i>intelligentsia</i>), and of the Solidarity-era (activists of anti-communist movement, "tourists" who came to work and overstayed their visas, and creative/enterprising individuals seeking to further their careers). The book is dedicated to "all Polish émigrés and exiles dispersed throughout the world who remained faithful to the Polish language and culture, especially to all the volunteers of the Helena Modjeska Art & Culture </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: 400;">Club in Los Angeles, promoting Polish culture in California." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: 400;">This volume consists of ten chapters starting from a biography of the Club's patron, actress Helena Modjeska (1840-1909); a survey of Polish Americans and their organizations in California; and a biography of the Club's founder, actor Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetynski (1910-1989). Six chapters are dedicated to "eras" in the Club's history, from the Kingdom of Leonidas (1971-1978), through the times of Solidarity immigrants (1978-1989), the birth of the Third Republic of Poland (1989-1998), the period of stabilization and status quo (1998-2010), the arrival of new people and ideas (2010-2018), to surviving challenges (2018-2023). The tenth chapter is a summary with conclusions and recommendations. The book includes index and many illustrations from the archives of: Helena Modjeska Art & Culture Club, Polish Museum of America in Chicago, Valerie Dudarew-Ossetynska Hunken - the founder's daughter, American Council of Polish Culture (formerly "of Polish Cultural Clubs"), Institute of National Remembrance, Maja Trochimczyk, and other private and public archives. All net revenue is donated to the Modjeska Club.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: 400;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XOpwyLn8bQjhNUlvQeigYIGirCk4tf4JrqrxsuqpOcpbgHDW8CQAUkWwN0NZLdBrSFk_jtKKjjPbd1Wn1NR4ZQLbj6GVG4_wPZR6wkA9LnX548B_T8sRHYcYvbxCf8fEg5XHtoI9pEPUKwzG3qUGYENcavy1CUwNZ6py12x7LWLMNqZqvb-5UshBa7Y/s1079/CelebratingModjeska_BookCover_2023-1122cor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1079" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XOpwyLn8bQjhNUlvQeigYIGirCk4tf4JrqrxsuqpOcpbgHDW8CQAUkWwN0NZLdBrSFk_jtKKjjPbd1Wn1NR4ZQLbj6GVG4_wPZR6wkA9LnX548B_T8sRHYcYvbxCf8fEg5XHtoI9pEPUKwzG3qUGYENcavy1CUwNZ6py12x7LWLMNqZqvb-5UshBa7Y/w400-h286/CelebratingModjeska_BookCover_2023-1122cor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk149025594"><span lang="PL" style="line-height: 107%;">⦾</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">TABLE OF CONTENTS</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">
</span></b><span lang="PL" style="line-height: 107%;">⦾</span></span><b style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Table of Contents — vi<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Preface
— viii<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Acknowledgements — xi<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
1. The Patron: Helena Modjeska — 1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Celebrating Modjeska in California —
26<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
2. Polish Americans in California — 41</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
3. The Founder: Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński — 76</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
4. King Leonidas, 1971-1978 — <span style="text-align: start;">119</span></p></span></div></span></span></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">The Modjeska Club’s Founders — 121</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">Stanisław Szukalski, Copernicus and Modjeska — 125</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">Roman Maciejewski’s Requiem — 131</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">The Modjeska Club’s Theatrical and Film Events — 139</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">The Modjeska Club’s Lectures and Readings — 146</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">The Board and Bylaws — 153</span></span></div></span></span></span></blockquote><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br style="text-align: start;" /><span style="text-align: start;">⦾ Chapter 5. The Solidarity Era, 1978-1989 — 162</span><br style="text-align: start;" /></span></div></span></span></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">Andrzej Mikulski (1978) & Jerzy Gąssowski (1978-1983) —162</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">President Tadeusz Bociański (1983-1985) — 177</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">President Tadeusz Bociański (1985-1987) — 202</span></span></div></span></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: start;">President Tadeusz Bociański (1987-1989) — 204</span></span></div></span></span></span></blockquote><span style="text-align: center;"><span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
6. The Third Republic, 1989-1998 — 216<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Witold Czajkowski (1989-1994) — 216<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Zofia Czajkowska (1994-1996) — 230<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Edward Piłatowicz (1996-1998) — 235</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
7. The Years of Status Quo, 1998-2010 — 252<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">President
Jolanta Zych (1998-2006) — 252<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">Modjeska
Club – A Tax-Exempt Corporation <span lang="PL">— </span>279<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Dorota Czajka-Olszewska (2006-2008) — 286<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Andrzej Maleski (2008-2010) — 296</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
8. New People, New Ideas, 2010-2018 — 304<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Maja Trochimczyk (2010-2012) — 304<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Elżbieta Kański (2012-2013) — 329<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span lang="PL">President Andrew Z. Dowen (2013-2018) — 332<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
9. Surviving Challenges, 2018-2023 — 350</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">President
Maja Trochimczyk (2018-2022) — 350<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">President
Maja Trochimczyk (2022-2023) — 370<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Chapter
10. Conclusion — 380</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>About
Helena Modjeska Art & Culture Club — 403</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>About
the Author — 403</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL">⦾</span><span lang="PL"> </span>Index
— 405</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%; margin-left: 0.25in;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY66zI0y0lP5TUKmQPumCegVSdbAQgBY898xCtLcOL6stUkY1szgzL12d6ihAQdjgzlZ6i70l0zTXNzfHFViYzXLByCEaeSoBZAEhl6vHru8u30c2CloVqt6fbNjhT8y6VUuIf6y0EOrpsS69aM_w6MP94tOiK_OpmFU524Bjii8HqZrp1zJo9LjJm8U/s1876/resolution%20city%20LA%2040anniversary%202012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY66zI0y0lP5TUKmQPumCegVSdbAQgBY898xCtLcOL6stUkY1szgzL12d6ihAQdjgzlZ6i70l0zTXNzfHFViYzXLByCEaeSoBZAEhl6vHru8u30c2CloVqt6fbNjhT8y6VUuIf6y0EOrpsS69aM_w6MP94tOiK_OpmFU524Bjii8HqZrp1zJo9LjJm8U/w384-h640/resolution%20city%20LA%2040anniversary%202012.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="PL" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 107%;">⦾</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 107%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>PREFACE</b><b style="font-weight: 400;"> </b></span><b style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><span lang="PL" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 107%;">⦾</span><b style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women
merely players; / They have their exits and their entrances,/ And one man in
his time plays many parts,/ His acts being seven ages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">~ William
Shakespeare (<i>As You Like It</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">This quote from Shakespeare, the
favorite playwright of actress Helena Modjeska, appeared in 2012 on the
Modjeska Club’s 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary poster by Polish artist Lech
Majewski. It fits the history of a Polonian organization that reached its
maturity after having been active in Southern California since 1971. Helena
Modjeska Art & Culture Club in Los Angeles has outlived many similar
organizations. Its achievements and challenges are presented here in the broad
context of its predecessors and contemporaries. This project was initially
designed as an English version of the <i>Album 50-lecia Klubu Kultury im Heleny
Modrzejewskiej</i> that I edited, together with Elżbieta Kański and Elżbieta
Trybuś, for the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of our organization in 2021. The <i>Album
</i>contains an assortment of materials produced by Club activists and guests
during the past five decades. Since online translation engines are widely available
and constantly improving, creating an English translation of all these source
materials would have been counterproductive. Instead, the wealth of documentary
and archival material that I collected for the <i>Album </i>needed analysis,
interpretation, and contextualization. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Three
chapters that I wrote for the <i>Album 50-lecia Klubu</i> have been revised and
expanded here. The first translated and updated Chapter is about the Club’s
patron, Helena Modjeska (stage pseudonym in the U.S.), or Modrzejewska (stage
pseudonym in Poland), or Countess Bozenta (a name used in the U.S.), or Jadwiga
Helena Misiel (the name from her baptismal certificate.) Born in 1840 in
Kraków, the ancient capital of Poland, when it was a part of Austrian-ruled
Galicia, Modjeska came to California for the first time in 1876 and died here
in 1909. She was an actress, director, producer, writer, and illustrator. An
émigré, she learned English and became an American theater star, specializing
in her beloved Shakespeare plays. Modjeska was the first celebrity of Orange
County and a model for immigrant success. A section of the first chapter summarizes
the efforts that Polish Californians made to commemorate and promote this lasting
model of émigré achievement and patriotism. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h6Zq7EIKO-Lddv7T9XlaXY9zNYvtpIfYO3ykEi3READO_vsTzYRp4XModG9NeNLvG3LOfO0M0smNG9XB5_8BgamiNt5m1Rfm9xTTudQBiyYmAFM_lr8UX03PnbEfFBuISOEq12MGjMEQSdpnNzwM-TZ5mEcx3k3lUntHh6biHyyqcFSWx4oOtwV7eEs/s360/godlo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="339" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h6Zq7EIKO-Lddv7T9XlaXY9zNYvtpIfYO3ykEi3READO_vsTzYRp4XModG9NeNLvG3LOfO0M0smNG9XB5_8BgamiNt5m1Rfm9xTTudQBiyYmAFM_lr8UX03PnbEfFBuISOEq12MGjMEQSdpnNzwM-TZ5mEcx3k3lUntHh6biHyyqcFSWx4oOtwV7eEs/w376-h400/godlo.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Modjeska Club website design by Ewa Chodkiewicz-Swider, 1996</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> The
second, entirely new, Chapter is about the cultural context for the emergence
of the Modjeska Club in the 1970s: an overview of Polish immigration to
California, its different cohorts, and ways of structuring its societal and
cultural life in a multitude of organizations. It
builds on prior research by immigration scholars and documents gathered by
Polonian activists in California. The third, translated and expanded Chapter is
about the initiator and the founder of the Modjeska Club, Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński
(1910-1989). An actor, director, journalist, acting coach, producer,
translator, art dealer, and cultural activist, he made an enormous impact on
the development of Polonian communities throughout his life. Writing his
biography was possible thanks to the resources, research support, and
encouragement of his daughter Valerie Hunken, who provided numerous, hitherto
unpublished photographs and documents, and clarified complex issues. Chapter
Four, (the third section translated and expanded from the Polish <i>Album
50-lecia Klubu</i>) presents the tenure of Ossetyński as the Modjeska Club’s President
in 1971-1978. Here, we encounter an array of fascinating large-scale projects that
promoted the work of fellow émigrés from the Displaced Person generation—artist
Stanisław Szukalski (1893-1987), composer Roman Maciejewski (1910-1998), and
writer Aleksander Janta-Połczyński (1908-1974), among them.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">From Chapter Five to Ten, the connection to the previously published <i>Album</i> of Club documents becomes tangential, as these source materials are instead analyzed and interpreted. The narrative benefits from the juxtaposition of texts from Club Archives with other documents that came to my attention since then, including files in Poland’s Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (Institute of National Remembrance), documents maintained by the State of California, and recent research publications. Additionally, I found in the Modjeska Club Archives certain documents that were earlier not examined. These six chapters are organized by the periods in recent Polish political-cultural history. Chapter 5 covers the crises and restructuring of the Club during the Solidarity-era to 1989 (with Club Presidents Andrzej Mikulski, Jerzy Gąssowski and Tadeusz Bociański). Chapter 6 is dedicated to the first decade of the Third Polish Republic, finally free of the yoke of Soviet oppression (1989-1998), with Club Presidents Witold Czajkowski, Zofia Czajkowska and Edward Piłatowicz. In this period, the Club’s history was dramatically rewritten during its 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary celebrations in 1996. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UhoGreLmLqDm39sGuCEQc_VZW_fP6JWazJlexcjPHku_Yrj4iHclwR3TzG2z_4lhng9FrCxahNhVupMa7UR4oUkitQNvgWi80vwd1ut-vRB9tMpkPVeeKpXyJDBDBZ3uAxFv0KWZpwcR_v-Mzi4LXfC19V1jFe8xKGfylDRHhgvzUWer-v9Sobb_a8U/s792/%234%20Front%20cover%20EBook%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UhoGreLmLqDm39sGuCEQc_VZW_fP6JWazJlexcjPHku_Yrj4iHclwR3TzG2z_4lhng9FrCxahNhVupMa7UR4oUkitQNvgWi80vwd1ut-vRB9tMpkPVeeKpXyJDBDBZ3uAxFv0KWZpwcR_v-Mzi4LXfC19V1jFe8xKGfylDRHhgvzUWer-v9Sobb_a8U/w309-h400/%234%20Front%20cover%20EBook%20(1).png" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cover of 50th anniversary album, 2021</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Chapter 7 tackles the years of stabilization and expansion, 1998-2010,
with Club Presidents Jolanta Zych, Dorota Czajka-Olszewska, and Andrzej
Maleski. During this time, the Club held some of its most significant events
and hosted the most eminent guests from Poland. Simultaneously, it underwent a
“multiple-personality” crisis, as it struggled to maintain its character of an
exclusive social club, while obtaining the official status of a public-benefit,
California non-profit corporation. Chapter 8 (2010-2018) switches gears, as I
direct the focus on my first two terms as President in the
first person including the Club’s 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary celebrations. The
second of “my” terms was not finished; my resignation in December 2012 was followed
by a brief presidency of Elżbieta Kański. Six years with Andrew Z. Dowen at the
helm (2013-2018) marked a period of continued close collaboration with the
Polish consulate and selected cultural groups, such as Polish Film Festival in
Los Angeles. Chapter 9 (2018-2023) deals with more recent challenges associated
with the pandemic and its aftermath, especially visible in the political
bifurcation and increasingly confrontational manner of public discourse. A
summary and my recommendations for the future of the Club are outlined in
Chapter 10: Conclusions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Why
would anyone read the history of a small Polonian organization active on the
shores of the Pacific? Would its audience be limited to the Modjeska Club’s
members and activists? It is this group that might be the most surprised and
even challenged by the content of my history of “their” Club. I think that the Modjeska
Club’s history is a unique “case study” of the challenges, crises, and
achievements of Polonian organizations, promoting Polish culture thousands of
miles away from the “old country” and struggling to maintain a balance between
their American present and the Polish past. Having a first-person knowledge of
the interior workings of this group as its President since 2010, a lecturer and
interviewer since 2001, and co-organizer of several of its programs since 1997,
soon after my arrival in California in 1996, I am uniquely positioned to
narrate this history. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> As a trained historian and
self-taught English-language poet, I’ve authored many books of cultural history
and poetry, writing mostly in English. However, I’m functionally bilingual and
bi-cultural, having learned English in Poland and having made a conscious
decision to become a first-generation Polish American, not a Pole living in
America. This book benefits from my personal experience as an émigré. As I am
not an exile, I was not forced to leave, but I shared the trauma of the loss of
the “ground under my feet” and I felt a sense of displacement and alienation in
a bewildering new space, new culture, new language. This aligned my experience with
the exiled generation of Displaced Persons of WWII and the political refugees
of the Solidarity era. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p>This book is dedicated to them, as
it tells their story.<span style="text-align: right;"> </span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i>Maja
Trochimczyk<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i>Los
Angeles,11 November 2023</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span lang="PL" style="font-size: 12pt;">⦾</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span lang="PL" style="font-size: 12pt;">⦾</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The project is financed by the
Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland as part of the Competition
“Polonia and Poles Abroad 2023.” The publication expresses only the views of
the author and cannot be identified with an official position of the
Chancellery of the Prime Minister.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">The work is part of the project entitled
"I will show you Poland —stimulating the Polish community and Poles abroad
to act in the Polish national interest."</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="PL">Projekt
finansowany ze środków Kancelarii Prezesa Rady Ministrów Rzeczpospolitej
Polskiej w ramach konkursu „Polonia i Polacy za Granicą 2023”. Publikacja
wyraża jedynie poglądy autora i nie może być utożsamiana z oficjalnym
stanowiskiem Kancelarii Prezesa Rady Ministrów.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="PL">Praca
jest częścią projektu pt. „Pokażę Ci Polskę – stymulowanie środowisk Polonii i
Polaków poza granicami kraju do działania w polskim interesie narodowym”.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 6pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aBlc0EeUjo3oHT6C7E4EGmp-Mx7F-blmT9-eK6_VobEaqVG0Bq1PTu2xtzQCmJ-TzNlYK3xAvnomaGEAlhY2m_J5AmCBybqoKh8joR83EVNizV199epJjoYJ9iACfZp3nLqKAl8Y-P_Mo7cwS20ANpND_XniP5l4e5B_4qy3Dz9li4YkiSA59h8Lu47c/s900/flag%20emblem%20Poland.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="900" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aBlc0EeUjo3oHT6C7E4EGmp-Mx7F-blmT9-eK6_VobEaqVG0Bq1PTu2xtzQCmJ-TzNlYK3xAvnomaGEAlhY2m_J5AmCBybqoKh8joR83EVNizV199epJjoYJ9iACfZp3nLqKAl8Y-P_Mo7cwS20ANpND_XniP5l4e5B_4qy3Dz9li4YkiSA59h8Lu47c/w400-h133/flag%20emblem%20Poland.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-size: medium;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;"> ⦾</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;">⦾</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;">⦾</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Celebrating Modjeska in California</i> is based on research conducted in
the archives of the following institutions and persons: Helena Modjeska Art
& Culture Club in Los Angeles; Polish Museum of America in Chicago, The
Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino; University of California,
Irvine – Special Collections; as well as
archives of the American Council of Polish Culture in Chicago (formerly
American Council of Polish Cultural Clubs) and the Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (Institute
of National Remembrance) in Warsaw, Poland; Archives of Valerie Dudarew-Ossetyńska-Hunken, and the
author’s personal archives. Their permission to conduct
research and to publish the results (including photographs from the archives of the Modjeska Club, PMA, ACPC, and Valerie Hunken) is hereby gratefully acknowledged.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;">⦾</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;">⦾</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span lang="PL" style="text-align: center;">⦾</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am deeply grateful for the
generous assistance and support of Valerie Dudarew-Ossetyńska-Hunken, daughter
of the Founder of the Modjeska Club, Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński. Thanks to her
dedication to the memory of her father, ongoing research support, providing
many valuable resources, and correcting errors, I was able to write the first
biography of Ossetyński, an eminent actor, director, journalist, and Polonian
activist. I also relied on copies of letters, writings and photographs from
Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński’s Papers that she donated to the Polish Museum of
America in Chicago. It is a treasure-trove of Polish American history,
especially as pertains to California.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am thankful for valuable research
assistance on-site and providing materials by email to Director Małgorzata Kot
and Archivist Halina Misterka of the Polish Museum of America. I thank scholars
Patryk Pleskot of the Institute of National Remembrance in Warsaw, Poland and
Peter J. Obst of the American Council of Polish Culture in Chicago for their
support as well as identifying and providing access to vital documents. I am
grateful to members of Polish American Historical Association and historians: John
Bukowczyk, Stanislaus Blejwas, Anna Jaroszyńska-Kirchmann, Mary Patrice
Erdmans, and Joanna Wojdon, for their insights and research into diverse
aspects of the Polish diaspora.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I would like to express my
gratitude to all members and activists of the Helena Modjeska Art & Culture
Club who contributed to the Club’s projects during over 50 years of its
existence, ensured the survival of this organization, while other groups
dissolved, and made this book possible.</p><o:p></o:p><p style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span>Special thanks to archivist and art
historian Isabella Zuralski-Yeager, Ph.D. and to Nicholas Skaldetvind for
proofreading and copy-editing of the manuscript.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">All statements, errors, and
omissions are mine; I have described the history of Polish Americans in
California and the Modjeska Club based on the knowledge I have gained from
documents available to me in 2023. These statements may be corrected in the
future, when more information becomes available. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><o:p> </o:p><i> Maja
Trochimczyk, Ph.D.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i>Los Angeles, 11 November 2023<o:p></o:p></i></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><i style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"> </i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7ArWx99wsHBayrW8hiGB6NQVXsw8HJcVoDfXkjDJN29Brd4nKr7VrupOX5pzXjSZIe2buR6qWZrSUuOt1uBgHVqEh2ohPh-b_jf12Vxs-8RDG1XToXUl5HaNHxZ1lwVZ1Y3p-GxaVy_Es3UUuTzNWeAn3keC5Juic2bq-jSLatKQ78CPwk4AjziR8W4/s1154/poster%20red%2040%20anniversary%202012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="794" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7ArWx99wsHBayrW8hiGB6NQVXsw8HJcVoDfXkjDJN29Brd4nKr7VrupOX5pzXjSZIe2buR6qWZrSUuOt1uBgHVqEh2ohPh-b_jf12Vxs-8RDG1XToXUl5HaNHxZ1lwVZ1Y3p-GxaVy_Es3UUuTzNWeAn3keC5Juic2bq-jSLatKQ78CPwk4AjziR8W4/w275-h400/poster%20red%2040%20anniversary%202012.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Modjeska Club 40th anniversary poster by Lech Majewski, 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal;">⦾ </span><span class="rynqvb" style="font-style: normal;"><b><span lang="EN">ABOUT MODJESKA CLUB</span></b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> ⦾</span><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: justify;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ1_tMPv6s2xPNfgGX5BopndG9yiv7TvhM3yyu3B9yVkZ_WOPUqbNBjSio6L1T3irB0fVhgJ8-Vt1e4GNRMUkylgyFCiVUm2tpI5JnY-LAoM6IXzmlsP41c8foMUz-x7YTRC_I4WaP2wGVk3Que0y8vIHLtsBiF30LBI0rbkc1r4fpjC0kX_aS7yetbg/s960/lagunagroup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="960" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ1_tMPv6s2xPNfgGX5BopndG9yiv7TvhM3yyu3B9yVkZ_WOPUqbNBjSio6L1T3irB0fVhgJ8-Vt1e4GNRMUkylgyFCiVUm2tpI5JnY-LAoM6IXzmlsP41c8foMUz-x7YTRC_I4WaP2wGVk3Que0y8vIHLtsBiF30LBI0rbkc1r4fpjC0kX_aS7yetbg/w400-h245/lagunagroup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Modjeska Club after Maja Trochimczyk's lecture </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on Modjeska at Laguna Art Museum, March 2019</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Established in 1971 by actor-director-journalist Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński with Stefan Pasternacki, Wacław Gaziński and Eugenia Domachowska, Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club in Los Angeles celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. The Club is a charitable, cultural and a-political organization, dedicated to the promotion of the Polish culture, as well as Polish arts and sciences in California. Initially associated with the American Council of Polish Cultural Clubs and the Polish American Congress of Southern California, the Modjeska Club became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2006, with the IRS Tax Determination number EIN 20-3491956. Every year, the Club sponsors dozens important cultural events in Los Angeles and its environs for the Club members and the general public. During the past five decades of its existence, the Modjeska Club has made a significant contribution to the enrichment of the ethnic mosaic of Southern California. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Financed by membership dues and individual donations, the Club invites eminent guests from Poland and organizes meetings with artists, actors, film directors, scholars, journalists, musicians and government officials. It presents concerts, film screenings, performances, and exhibitions. Since 2010, the Club has honored the most eminent Polish actors with the Modjeska Prize, so far presented to Jan Nowicki, Barbara Krafftówna, Anna Dymna, Jadwiga Barańska, Jan Englert, Andrzej Seweryn, and others. Videos from Club events, zoom lectures, and TV programs about the Club are on the Club’s website in English (modjeska.org) and Polish (modrzejewska.org). In 2021, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Modjeska Club issued a 380-page <i>Album 50-lecia Klubu Kultury im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej</i> edited by Maja Trochimczyk, Elżbieta Kański and Elżbieta Trybuś, documenting the five decades of its activities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i> </i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">⦾ ⦾ ⦾ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01zDoP5iylNlQAWWMWV_JBKgBVDoN6HMQSHSEtRraQpvjQ42596IgS9jl_8lTpoyfTxGOSzYCebMhNnkgj8SzuTFNkLUPFMTOFcPpReTeOV0HSQ5oyRYKLuRqnd37GR8QAyuwHu9Q_YUfWh8QkmsILpyFQzUpPbPq0zrEhhUb80hchYuKF98RrFkfLxQ/s6000/DSC06769%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01zDoP5iylNlQAWWMWV_JBKgBVDoN6HMQSHSEtRraQpvjQ42596IgS9jl_8lTpoyfTxGOSzYCebMhNnkgj8SzuTFNkLUPFMTOFcPpReTeOV0HSQ5oyRYKLuRqnd37GR8QAyuwHu9Q_YUfWh8QkmsILpyFQzUpPbPq0zrEhhUb80hchYuKF98RrFkfLxQ/w400-h266/DSC06769%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk hosting the Club's Christmas Caroling in Beverly Hills, 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"> ⦾ <span class="rynqvb"><b>ABOUT THE
AUTHOR</b></span> ⦾<b> </b></p>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maja Trochimczyk, Ph.D., is a music historian, poet, photographer, and non-profit director born in Poland and living in California. She published eight books on music and Polish culture: <i>After Chopin: Essays in Polish Musi</i>c (2000), <i>The Music of Louis Andriessen</i> (Routledge, 2002), <i>Polish Dance in Southern California </i>(Columbia UP, 2007), <i>A Romantic Century in Polish Music</i> (2009), <i>Lutosławski: Music and Legacy </i>(2014, co-edited with Stanisław Latek), <i>Frédéric Chopin: A Research and Information Guide </i>(Routledge, rev. 2015 with William Smialek), <i>Górecki in Context: Essays on Music </i>(2017), and <i>Album 50-lecia Klubu Kultury im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej </i>(2021). She also published 27 peer-reviewed articles in such journals as <i>American Music, American Journal of Semiotics, Computer Music Journal, Contemporary Music Review, Interface, Leonardo, Muzyka, Musical Quarterly, Organized Sound, Polin, Polish Music Journal, Polish Review, Polish American Studies,</i> and <i>Studia Chopinowskie, </i>as well as 27 book chapters in volumes on Chopin, Lutosławski, Szymanowska, Tansman, Jewish music, women composers, Polish music after 1945, and ecomusicology. An author of six volumes of poetry and editor of five poetry anthologies, Trochimczyk received PAHA Creative Arts Prize for two poetry books (2016). Hundreds of her articles and poems appeared in English, Polish, as well as in German, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Serbian translations. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Dr. Trochimczyk holds a Ph.D. from McGill University in Montreal for her dissertation (written as Maria Anna Harley), <i>Space and Spatialization in Contemporary Music: History and Analysis, Ideas and Implementations </i>(1994). She also received two M.A. degrees, from the University of Warsaw and Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. She served as Director of Polish Music Center for eight years and presented her research at over 90 national and international conferences, in Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, U.K., Canada, Australia and the U.S. She received awards and fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, University of Southern California, McGill University, MPE Fraternity, Polish American Historical Association (Swastek Award, Creative Arts Prize, and Distinguished Service Prize), City and County of Los Angeles, and Poland’s Ministry of Culture (medal for the promotion of Polish culture abroad). The founder of Moonrise Press, Trochimczyk has served as President of Helena Modjeska Art & Culture Club (in 2010-2012 ad since 2018). She is also the President of California State Poetry Society and Managing Editor of the California Quarterly (2019–) and Vice President for Public Relations of Polish American Congress of Southern California (2022–). She previously served as Secretary and Communications Director for the Polish American Historical Association (2010-2020) and Poet-Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga, her California home. Since 2007, she has worked for Phoenix Houses of California as Senior Director of Planning and Development; a senior management position that also enabled her to volunteer for so many cultural causes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></blockquote></span></span></span>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-35144100374610664172023-08-20T15:16:00.002-07:002023-10-28T09:43:39.795-07:00Two Moonrise Press Authors at Village Poets Reading at Bolton Hall, August 27 and September 24<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic54UHwzZe1KqLIDk67GECwDoFnKNwR614e-zjN8tv34H0lxxkCq_Ppw9UZK5r6pydoXi-fkeW0uZDP5pxhUkGlVdL7nVjNxC1G0yrWrFmMa5Jb-sY7Ij3TF5edpmW7e4hKq2gj_bIM_gr6k90Y-nJWiDj0Q683Yqey8rTOo3VeLETOkTo0n4pMG8Ir8k/s408/collinscoverbluefin-opt-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="272" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic54UHwzZe1KqLIDk67GECwDoFnKNwR614e-zjN8tv34H0lxxkCq_Ppw9UZK5r6pydoXi-fkeW0uZDP5pxhUkGlVdL7nVjNxC1G0yrWrFmMa5Jb-sY7Ij3TF5edpmW7e4hKq2gj_bIM_gr6k90Y-nJWiDj0Q683Yqey8rTOo3VeLETOkTo0n4pMG8Ir8k/w266-h400/collinscoverbluefin-opt-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /> Two of Moonrise Press authors will be featured at upcoming Village Poets Monthly Readings held on Sundays at 4:30 pm at at Bolton Hall Museum, located at 10110 Commerce Ave, Tujunga, Los Angeles, CA 91042-2313. Beverly M. Collins will read her work on<span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"> </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 4:30pm</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;">. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"> Suggested donation $5 per person for the cost of refreshments and to donate to the Little Landers Society that manages the Bolton Hall Museum, a Los Angeles Historical Landmark built in 1913.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqJOmq_ex0BuifA6WJA8dfW41XhgJIt9ESQ9wCYvmlNS5a9yyhKS2aHxV74MTmepzUYLQItP2-WEtxtQSaS0p2TEVa9KyU1iBTbWpValMq4hZ_Bret5NjUFbyT-MYUwww1Lh0XKE7tPonEXty3jBlpCTsvd7XD0kiJbqnHC_bQ1QyW9UxLKFFyu7jO3c/s1145/IMG_3288%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1145" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqJOmq_ex0BuifA6WJA8dfW41XhgJIt9ESQ9wCYvmlNS5a9yyhKS2aHxV74MTmepzUYLQItP2-WEtxtQSaS0p2TEVa9KyU1iBTbWpValMq4hZ_Bret5NjUFbyT-MYUwww1Lh0XKE7tPonEXty3jBlpCTsvd7XD0kiJbqnHC_bQ1QyW9UxLKFFyu7jO3c/s320/IMG_3288%20(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #222222;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 17.12px;">Beverly M. Collins</span></b><span style="color: black; line-height: 17.12px;"> is one of 3 Winners in the Wilda Morris June 2021 Poetry Challenge (Chicago), a 2019 Naji Naaman Literary Prize in Creativity (Lebanon). Collins is also a prize winner for the California State Poetry Society, twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize and short listed for the Pangolin Review Poetry Prize (Mauritius). Her photography can be found on the cover of Peeking Cat 40 (UK), displayed online by The Academy of the Heart and Mind, printed on Fine Art America products, iStock/Getty Images, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Spectrum, and others.<span> </span></span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Website: </span><a href="https://beverlym-collins.pixels.com"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">https://beverlym-collins.pixels.com</span></a><span style="color: black; line-height: 17.12px;"><span> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/beverlymcollinsnow"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">www.facebook.com/bevelymcollinsnow</span></a><span style="color: black; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Instagram@beverlymcollinsartist</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Her book <strong style="color: #24678d; text-align: center;">Mud in Magic </strong><span style="text-align: center;">was published in July 2015:</span></p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/beverly-m-collins/mud-in-magic/paperback/product-22216693.html" style="color: #b41708;" target="_blank">ISBN 978-0-9963981-0-7 (paperback)</a>, $15.00, 96 pages.</div><div style="color: #b41708; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/beverly-m-collins/mud-in-magic/ebook/product-22172374.html" style="color: #b41708; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/beverly-m-collins/mud-in-magic/ebook/product-22172374.html" style="color: #b41708;" target="_blank">ISBN 978-0-9963981-1-4 (e-book, E-Pub format)</a>, $8.00</div></span><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Beverly M. Collins’s "Mud in Magic" is her second poetry book, filled with the wisdom </span>of experience, Her skillful and often aphoristic or narrative poems portray a scene or a character that we could encounter on our streets, in our cafes. The poems are organized into three parts: Thought Bistro (Part I), Tinder Flames (Part II), and Elixir Café (Part III). The beauty and wonder of daily life fill these pages and delight the readers.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1097" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvY6KenM6Hc6S29pPKVNbHKjGeXLCj9wMTGErt_jims6eLJrvTzPOx0NU_oEVDEbXm0Dt8dJnlTcyeXBNqWtuyZb1F4Ge407YBeeiDoS_Dg3vb7fzzopbP6761VWNAkTLbmXvqBTFJWV6y92j5RmEALQHWgnsa4iauB1zoiuMyUSMVupqcOsqrkU1/w400-h286/P5231640.JPG" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;" width="400" /></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Marlene Hitt</b>'s second full-size poetry volume, <i>Yellow Tree Alone. Selected Poems </i>will be featured during the Village Poets reading on Sunday, 24 September 2023 at 4:30 pm. Written between 1998 and 2022, these 129 poems bring together the fruit of a lifetime of wisdom and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The title is borrowed from the last poem in the book, a description of a bright yellow tree, lonely in a vast empty field - a symbol of the loneliness of the poet, often misunderstood by those around her. It is a universal condition of every poet, every creative and inspired soul that reaches beyond the mundane, beyond their immediate surroundings, transmuting the chaff of experience into the gold of words. Marlene Hitt's poetry perfectly exemplifies this alchemy of creative craft.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">182 pages (xviii pp. prefatory matter, and 164 pp.); 6 in x 9 in. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/marlene-hitt/yellow-tree-alone/paperback/product-g682ky.html" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-34-4</a>, paperback, $22.00 plus S & H </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/marlene-hitt/yellow-tree-alone/ebook/product-47r6dy.html?q=yellow+tree+alone+hitt&page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-35-1</a>, ebook, ePub format, $10.00</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cover photo by Karen Winters, cover design by Maja Trochimczyk</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yellow Tree Alone<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Yellow tree<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Stands glowing<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In sideways light<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Regal and glorious<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her beauty<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her message<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For life’s meaning<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wasted<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With no one<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To see that golden<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Radiance<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She sings<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To no one<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Who’d hear her<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But the Sun, Ra<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Giver of Gold</span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvY6KenM6Hc6S29pPKVNbHKjGeXLCj9wMTGErt_jims6eLJrvTzPOx0NU_oEVDEbXm0Dt8dJnlTcyeXBNqWtuyZb1F4Ge407YBeeiDoS_Dg3vb7fzzopbP6761VWNAkTLbmXvqBTFJWV6y92j5RmEALQHWgnsa4iauB1zoiuMyUSMVupqcOsqrkU1/s1097/P5231640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">ABOUT MARLENE HITT</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Marlene Hitt was the first Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (1999- 2001). She has been a member of the Chupa Rosa Writers of Sunland- Tujunga </span>and the Foothills since its inception in 1985. Her critically-acclaimed first poetry collection <i>Clocks and Water Drops</i> was published by Moonrise Press in 2015. In addition to publishing numerous poetry chapbooks, she has authored a non- fiction book Sunland-Tujunga, from Village to City. Her poems appeared in <i>Psychopoetica </i>(UK), <i>Chupa Rosa Diaries</i> of the Chupa Rosa Writers, Sunland (2001-2003), Glendale College’s <i>Eclipse </i>anthologies, CSPS California Quarterly and Poetry Letter; three Moonrise Press anthologies (<i>Chopin with Cherries</i>, 2010;<i> Meditations on Divine Names</i>, 2012; and<i> We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology</i> that she co-edited in 2020 with Maja Trochimczyk). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Most recently she was one of 12 poets invited to contribute to<i> Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy and Wisdom</i> (2022). Her work appears in <i>Sometimes in the Open</i>, a collection of verse by California Poets Laureate, and <i>The Coiled Serpent</i>, anthology of Los Angeles poets, edited by Luis Rodriguez (2016). She served at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga as Museum Director and docent for many years. Ms. Hitt was the history writer for the <i>Foothill Leader, Glendale News Press, North Valley Reporter</i>, and <i>Voice of the Village</i> newspapers. She has been honored as the Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women's Club, Woman of the Year by the U.S. Congress, and many congratulatory scrolls by the City and County of Los Angeles, and the State of California. In 2019, Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga presented to Marlene and her husband Lloyd, a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing their support of poetry in the Foothills.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5H9yXwm0BLwbzeJ-7Hp-N78vZClpD8nDotRpwsS6qiiZhmSdrKiA_TQ_pn6uxYbCxAneKlqj4JsC7YXHakerYEap5CJlAXqm6yKkE3MPtkG9Tak_2dhwl57NQTwD9FXXgCvtrFIzMrO4OZOR68bfVqjnU2MsVPNvxJ1MthcwBKxsERpM-ulPZj3VGYE/s4080/MarleneTreeKarenCoverLg4paintFIN41823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2730" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5H9yXwm0BLwbzeJ-7Hp-N78vZClpD8nDotRpwsS6qiiZhmSdrKiA_TQ_pn6uxYbCxAneKlqj4JsC7YXHakerYEap5CJlAXqm6yKkE3MPtkG9Tak_2dhwl57NQTwD9FXXgCvtrFIzMrO4OZOR68bfVqjnU2MsVPNvxJ1MthcwBKxsERpM-ulPZj3VGYE/w268-h400/MarleneTreeKarenCoverLg4paintFIN41823.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><br /></p></div><div><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-89876033164250486542023-04-28T10:53:00.003-07:002023-04-28T10:53:37.763-07:00Michael Escoubas reviews "Crystal Fire" for Quill & Parchment (April 2023)<p>Moonrise Press is very pleased to receive such a positive review of its new anthology "Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy and Wisdom" edited by Maja Trochimczyk and published in 2022. The review by Michael Escoubas was included in <i>Quill & Parchment</i> Vol. 262, April 2023 and is reprinted here in its entirety. It is even nicer that this issue commemorates the Poetry Month with a series of poems about great poetic masters of the English language. So it is a double honor - to be so praised and to be placed in such great company. <a href="http://quillandparchment.com/archives/April2023/vol262.html">http://quillandparchment.com/archives/April2023/vol262.html</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7-DMDMlAiacMQl2M39Lk8OQRdagBbypCcVyEJuXn2KRByER9rKjTCz9h-vlSCN8bjbH5FMC_xyngodAt4KvD0nxUMSjxMxBNc8wbH-xyPMgW-YitdmkYHwz9g2MELGqZNlQ8rtZphGzSJW5D7HHMuaktr32IDNkc0L9K43gNWY5JyJokgR91XjB_/s2997/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7-DMDMlAiacMQl2M39Lk8OQRdagBbypCcVyEJuXn2KRByER9rKjTCz9h-vlSCN8bjbH5FMC_xyngodAt4KvD0nxUMSjxMxBNc8wbH-xyPMgW-YitdmkYHwz9g2MELGqZNlQ8rtZphGzSJW5D7HHMuaktr32IDNkc0L9K43gNWY5JyJokgR91XjB_/w269-h400/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><p>Crystal Fire: Poems of Joy and Wisdom</p><p>Editor: Maja Trochimczyk; Art by Ambika Talwar; 144 poems ~ 14 paintings ~ 188 pages</p><p>Publisher: (Moonrise Press, October 2022)</p><p>ISBN 978-1-945938-58-0 (color paperback) ~ 188 pages ~ $53.00 plus S&H</p><p>ISBN 978-1-945938-57-3 (color hardcover) ~ 188 pages ~ $68.00 plus S&H</p><p>ISBN 978-1-945938-59-7 (eBook) ~ $10.00 instant download</p><p>To Order: https://moonrisepress.com/crystal-fire-anthology.html</p><p><i>Reviewed by Michael Escoubas</i></p><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Sublime Senses</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Until the heart stops</p><p>it desires.</p><p>Until the mind stills;</p><p>it aspires;</p><p><br /></p><p>Until the senses</p><p>take their leave</p><p>they deceive–</p><p>such dreams they weave …</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>I chose this poem by Ella Czajkowska, as the perfect lead-in to my review of Maja Trochimczyk’s stunning new anthology Crystal Fire: Poems of Joy and Wisdom. In two succinct quatrains Ella’s poem captures my emotions. While defining abstract terms such as Joy and Wisdom is like trying to nail jello to a wall, key words such as “desires” and “aspires” speak to me. I desire Joy; I aspire to Wisdom. Both words are beyond my reach.</p><p>Stanza two, hints that I must take a pause and allow the subtleties of the imagination to inform me. Through the superb efforts of 12 talented poets (8 women, 4 men) fresh light has been shed upon your reviewer’s quest. More on this later.</p><p>The book is illustrated by the multi-talented Ambika Talwar. One of her works precedes each featured poet’s contribution. I mentioned earlier that growing in Joy and Wisdom requires slowing down, taking a pause. Ambika’s paintings play a key role … they whisper Joy. Here is an example entitled “Quiet Rainfall”:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBzgSCrkOggidVu_ndfdPazrx6vyZuFp8sA0Ln4W54tJpORofeXXyTKGMGlaYrAj0yfSyC2H6agsVB6hXKKgnzmNEsy2SYXVe6FZO5Nd8qQHnE425oAO5JPAjVI4E7WwdpqbaD9dynSPHoVITGjkD6VPeYIetqWh00cu_6IeKfJxFGBE4JrcfesfS/s2689/4-Marlene-Am-QuietRainfall-Acry..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2689" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBzgSCrkOggidVu_ndfdPazrx6vyZuFp8sA0Ln4W54tJpORofeXXyTKGMGlaYrAj0yfSyC2H6agsVB6hXKKgnzmNEsy2SYXVe6FZO5Nd8qQHnE425oAO5JPAjVI4E7WwdpqbaD9dynSPHoVITGjkD6VPeYIetqWh00cu_6IeKfJxFGBE4JrcfesfS/w298-h400/4-Marlene-Am-QuietRainfall-Acry..jpg" width="298" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">“Quiet Rainfall” by Ambika Talwar ~ Acrylic / 1997</p><p> As I reflected on Ambika’s painting, paired with Marlene Hitt’s poems, something struck me: Painters and poets share similar concerns, namely, bringing Nature’s message of beauty and spirituality alive in people’s hearts. Da Vinci said it, Poets paint pictures with words; artists write poetry without words. Her poem, “Words from the Garden,” gives me a sense of “Quiet Rainfall,” here’s an excerpt:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>Rose and Petunia, Lantana and Sage …</p><p>A passing breeze lifts my hair as I sit pondering</p><p>the beauty of the life that surrounds me.</p><p><br /></p><p>Bushes with plain simple leafy life</p><p>display themselves and I speak their names,</p><p>Savor the sounds my lips make …</p></blockquote><p>Hitt’s inflections and phrasings surround me with a sense of raindrops assuming (but not imposing) their rightful place in the world and even in human life. Could life be about that? Could it be that Joy and Wisdom have something to do with such perceptions? The poet's sensuous phrasings continue,</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>… Xylosma, Sweet Jessamine, Plumbago Blue</p><p>and Bougainvillea Magenta, Oleander, Fuschia,</p><p>bright yellow Palo Verde, iron wooded and thorny,</p><p>Wisteria surrounding it all to make me feel safe.</p></blockquote><p>While Trochimczyk’s goal, as editor, is not an ideal coordination between paintings and poems, the paintings do set a mindfulness tone as readers step into each section. </p><p>Frederick Livingston’s “Rainbows Dreaming,” brought me up short with a touch of Wisdom I had not considered before. I have italicized his Wisdom lines. The poem was inspired by Snoqualmie Pass, in Washington state.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj8hrADzG58phgfIsQ3NhS1fix3iIBzIUTvLHdDja7xhtMpdRBd1QbC-xUwCHfPIMcUjSt6NlMAMn2ZqiSmV3tYCuaJr7_La7FlYGXIsThlCrIkHLIrMpkx4JilT4CQsMAaFB4_-zaPmGuzul6xp7lZxayh_T9DjFzWlG1xc-2IyVGJgYMCvPrX7A/s1647/7-FRED--Am-Inititiation-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="1226" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj8hrADzG58phgfIsQ3NhS1fix3iIBzIUTvLHdDja7xhtMpdRBd1QbC-xUwCHfPIMcUjSt6NlMAMn2ZqiSmV3tYCuaJr7_La7FlYGXIsThlCrIkHLIrMpkx4JilT4CQsMAaFB4_-zaPmGuzul6xp7lZxayh_T9DjFzWlG1xc-2IyVGJgYMCvPrX7A/w298-h400/7-FRED--Am-Inititiation-copy.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“Initiation” by Ambika Talwar ~ Acrylic / 2003</span></div><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>Now I know</p><p>the blankness of snow</p><p>is only rainbows dreaming,</p><p><br /></p><p>teaming with streaks of red paintbrush</p><p>little lanterns of columbine</p><p>tiger lilies prowl the scree slope</p><p><br /></p><p>yellow asters multiply the sun</p><p>the hungry green of spring leaves</p><p>purple-blue lupine flooding the valley.</p><p><br /></p><p>Who would ever know</p><p>these slopes were covered in snow</p><p>one mere moon ago?</p><p><br /></p><p>What else have I not seen</p><p>and called “empty” in my ignorance?</p><p>What dreams within me may erupt</p><p><br /></p><p>from thawing soil,</p><p>simply waiting for ripe moments</p><p>to answer the generosity of sunlight?</p></blockquote><p>Before launching into the poems themselves, I was blessed by Maja Trochimczyk’s two and one-half page preface. This personally revealing summary of her motivations for giving birth to Crystal Fire is indispensable reading. In it she explains her use of "Crystal," and "Fire," in the title. Don't pass over this enlightened writing.</p><p>I also appreciated reading the extended biographies of each poet at the end of the volume. Each contributor offers a unique take on the subject matter, thus adding a touch of virtuosity to the whole.</p><p>In an age of vitriolic talk, of political and moral uncertainty, amid the dark clouds of Covid-19, Crystal Fire draws back the curtain on Love, Joy and yes, Wisdom.</p><p>As art and poetry work together, I’ve come to an ever-deeper appreciation of Wallace Stevens’ very practical saying, “Poetry [and painting] is a response to the daily necessity of getting the world right.” I can’t help thinking that Maja Trochimczyk, Ambika Talwar, and the talented contributors to Crystal Fire, would agree.</p><p style="text-align: right;">~ Michael Escoubas, Quill & Parchment Vol. 262, April 2023</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div>The review was then reprinted on Highland Park Poetry group page on Facebook (April 28, 2023):</div><p><a href=" https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=757399209309482&set=pcb.757399592642777" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=757399209309482&set=pcb.757399592642777</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMobuFj-J8ctRZtQoa9AP8dVkLDeeP0rv9t8e-9KjFcoby29TDUV7uQXWNBSLNlxcPc8hBVJXRCC2Svgc8XSfSLZxafbjQsvHMFQNJEilEw2zzUp42jrK9b3ZWTUmkA_9ghPbZHFDUSSL0Qnh8JCBOd3DyHGVfzoUcu3dcgF2-rMoxbFKbYQ51wA4/s2005/9-MARY-AM-Dawn%20Lights-Copy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMobuFj-J8ctRZtQoa9AP8dVkLDeeP0rv9t8e-9KjFcoby29TDUV7uQXWNBSLNlxcPc8hBVJXRCC2Svgc8XSfSLZxafbjQsvHMFQNJEilEw2zzUp42jrK9b3ZWTUmkA_9ghPbZHFDUSSL0Qnh8JCBOd3DyHGVfzoUcu3dcgF2-rMoxbFKbYQ51wA4/w319-h400/9-MARY-AM-Dawn%20Lights-Copy1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Dawn Lights" by Ambika Talwar, for Mary Elliott's poems</div><p><br /></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-13641064008005702562023-03-23T07:49:00.015-07:002023-04-20T03:49:21.898-07:00Marlene Hitt's Second Poetry Book, "Yellow Tree Alone. Selected Poems" (March 2023)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzJbktK-bMQ3mPnlX-dDy3eohpTQiI6X8n-euB_4EG9pO3POvoMtSEPoJZiaZx3dpHaSpeLpHBMUcKHuyLbzocHopIshZd5aIdBgKvxtMT9QlAO4SmJ9ZxkYMRCFkUB2MGJ6cInJMBTElks_dGsjxtSnSGpdPrBc2WaPFebMngegNcfj7gapRorBJ/s4080/MarleneTreeKarenCoverLg4paint%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2730" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzJbktK-bMQ3mPnlX-dDy3eohpTQiI6X8n-euB_4EG9pO3POvoMtSEPoJZiaZx3dpHaSpeLpHBMUcKHuyLbzocHopIshZd5aIdBgKvxtMT9QlAO4SmJ9ZxkYMRCFkUB2MGJ6cInJMBTElks_dGsjxtSnSGpdPrBc2WaPFebMngegNcfj7gapRorBJ/w268-h400/MarleneTreeKarenCoverLg4paint%20(2).jpg" width="268" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Moonrise Press announces the publication of Marlene Hitt's second full-size poetry volume, <i>Yellow Tree Alone. Selected Poems.</i> Written between 1998 and 2022, these 129 poems bring together the fruit of a lifetime of wisdom and creativity. Some poems are reprinted from earlier publications; the poet's favorites have appeared in print several times. Others are either new or have never been published. The poems have been selected by Marlene Hitt, Alice Pero, and Maja Trochimczyk from Marlene's vast output of well-crafted and insightful verse. Alice organized poems into seven chapters, borrowing their titles from Marlene's poems: 1. That Silken Wisper, 2. Threads, 3. Along the Path, 4. Fallen Words, 5. Thunder under the Ground, 6. The Web, 7. Pillars of Motes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The title is borrowed from the last poem in the book, a description of a bright yellow tree, lonely in a vast empty field - a symbol of the loneliness of the poet, often misunderstood by those around her. It is a universal condition of every poet, every creative and inspired soul that reaches beyond the mundane, beyond their immediate surroundings, transmuting the chaff of experience into the gold of words. Marlene Hitt's poetry perfectly exemplifies this alchemy of creative craft.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">182 pages (xviii pp. prefatory matter, and 164 pp.); 6 in x 9 in. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/marlene-hitt/yellow-tree-alone/paperback/product-g682ky.html" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-34-4</a>, paperback, $22.00 plus S & H </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/marlene-hitt/yellow-tree-alone/ebook/product-47r6dy.html?q=yellow+tree+alone+hitt&page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-35-1</a>, ebook, ePub format, $10.00</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cover photo by Karen Winters, cover design by Maja Trochimczyk</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yellow Tree Alone<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24.5333px;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Yellow tree<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Stands glowing<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In sideways light<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Regal and glorious<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her beauty<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her message<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For life’s meaning<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wasted<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With no one<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To see that golden<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Radiance<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She sings<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To no one<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Who’d hear her<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But the Sun, Ra<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 31.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.5in 0in 31.5pt;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Giver of Gold</span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvY6KenM6Hc6S29pPKVNbHKjGeXLCj9wMTGErt_jims6eLJrvTzPOx0NU_oEVDEbXm0Dt8dJnlTcyeXBNqWtuyZb1F4Ge407YBeeiDoS_Dg3vb7fzzopbP6761VWNAkTLbmXvqBTFJWV6y92j5RmEALQHWgnsa4iauB1zoiuMyUSMVupqcOsqrkU1/s1097/P5231640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1097" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvY6KenM6Hc6S29pPKVNbHKjGeXLCj9wMTGErt_jims6eLJrvTzPOx0NU_oEVDEbXm0Dt8dJnlTcyeXBNqWtuyZb1F4Ge407YBeeiDoS_Dg3vb7fzzopbP6761VWNAkTLbmXvqBTFJWV6y92j5RmEALQHWgnsa4iauB1zoiuMyUSMVupqcOsqrkU1/w400-h286/P5231640.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">ABOUT MARLENE HITT</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Marlene Hitt was the first Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (1999- 2001). She has been a member of the Chupa Rosa Writers of Sunland- Tujunga </span>and the Foothills since its inception in 1985. Her critically-acclaimed first poetry collection <i>Clocks and Water Drops</i> was published by Moonrise Press in 2015. In addition to publishing numerous poetry chapbooks, she has authored a non- fiction book Sunland-Tujunga, from Village to City. Her poems appeared in <i>Psychopoetica </i>(UK), <i>Chupa Rosa Diaries</i> of the Chupa Rosa Writers, Sunland (2001-2003), Glendale College’s <i>Eclipse </i>anthologies, CSPS California Quarterly and Poetry Letter; three Moonrise Press anthologies (<i>Chopin with Cherries</i>, 2010;<i> Meditations on Divine Names</i>, 2012; and<i> We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology</i> that she co-edited in 2020 with Maja Trochimczyk). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Most recently she was one of 12 poets invited to contribute to<i> Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy and Wisdom</i> (2022). Her work appears in <i>Sometimes in the Open</i>, a collection of verse by California Poets Laureate, and <i>The Coiled Serpent</i>, anthology of Los Angeles poets, edited by Luis Rodriguez (2016). She served at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga as Museum Director and docent for many years. Ms. Hitt was the history writer for the <i>Foothill Leader, Glendale News Press, North Valley Reporter</i>, and <i>Voice of the Village</i> newspapers. She has been honored as the Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women's Club, Woman of the Year by the U.S. Congress, and many congratulatory scrolls by the City and County of Los Angeles, and the State of California. In 2019, Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga presented to Marlene and her husband Lloyd, a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing their support of poetry in the Foothills.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmnVB5EX2hq69J2WMrkoEjNzwKP8RAGRA_j2evhKuJvhSkzdgWR3h7fUzJXTav-RRjwdWPbPeh_UhBgnZZaSkwM0lVINb5ooWFGDRzwbn30_XGugVzwVzvilbe2AriNeIiNkleC5zgugvx08jY9vylCJE-5sE565Y85weSSJAa5Us_iLXjE8aCc6U/s2048/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmnVB5EX2hq69J2WMrkoEjNzwKP8RAGRA_j2evhKuJvhSkzdgWR3h7fUzJXTav-RRjwdWPbPeh_UhBgnZZaSkwM0lVINb5ooWFGDRzwbn30_XGugVzwVzvilbe2AriNeIiNkleC5zgugvx08jY9vylCJE-5sE565Y85weSSJAa5Us_iLXjE8aCc6U/w266-h400/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY MARLENE HITT</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">No poem emerges alone but is the product of many influences. Mine have come from years with the Chupa Rosa Writers, The Village Poets and from the influence of many other individuals. For this selection I thank the beauty around me, the work of other poets, of song writers and novelists whose words I admire. I thank my friends and family; the children who have taught me how to see.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">More specifically, I thank Alice Pero who found my great stack of poetry, whose eyes saw and whose heart connected with my thoughts. Alice chose those she found worthy and arranged them in order and in the appropriate spaces. I am always grateful to Maja Trochimczyk who, with her expertise as publisher has made possible the work of many to be seen and appreciated, and whose support has made firecrackers of my enthusiasm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I thank the Village Poets and Bolton Hall Museum for these many years of happiness, especially the Laureates: Joe, Pam, Elsa, Katerina, Damien, Ursula, Maja, Alice, and Dorothy whose gift is to unpack a poem to fully fathom its meaning. Thelma Reyna has been the gift of a friend. I am grateful too to Genevieve Krueger of the Chupa Rosa Writers who gave me a better education in literature than any university course. We will never forget her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It takes many minds, many more than I can say here to influence any work. They are all a part of me and of my words.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Marlene Hitt, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">21 March 2021</span></p><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">PREFACE BY ALICE PERO</span></b></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some people, wise or not so wise, seek to put poets in boxes and categories. This one is “academic,” that one “beat,” another “confessional” and then there is the “ecstatic.” But reading Marlene Hitt’s work is like coming into a room with poems of all colors. She is both conscious and unconscious. Her poems come from deep memory which contains the pioneer, the American Indian, the American housewife, the howls of coyote and the silent slither of snake. We find the landscape of Sunland-Tujunga, dry and rocky, powerful and mystical all at once. We find the solidity of the “real” and the ephemeral of the spirit world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She “sits before us” without excuse or modesty, a person who does not hide her doubts and confusions as she says in A Meditation, “Yet I am A new universe/ a Shy mutant/I am/A confusion/I am/Unsolved And in the same poem, Here I sit before you/Eyes the color of an echo,/Skin pretending to look wise,/An ordinary room in a/House of un-ordinary/Dimension.” As a poet she can conceive of her eyes being “the color of an echo” and so we realize she will never be in any “ordinary” room; she is extraordinary. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These poems are history, threads through her own life mid-20th century when women still embodied home. She struggled with her differences, never able to really “fit,” yet always able to love. She writes of her father, mother: “Who is she, my mother?/A genius with wool and threads/ Oblivious to a poem…grandparents, great grandparents, husband.” But she is never without doubts. Do they know that under the floorboards, under the table laden with bounteous food, heads bowed in prayer, under our feet, below the wood and “slab/there would be hardened prints/of warriors? /Pieces of rusted knives,/black arrowheads/a lost flintlock…What would be the purpose of the prayers?/Or the wars?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her poems take us through known history, back to pre-history, to gods of the past, to stories she has found and reinvented. In these marvelous poems. Hitt is an observer; she reflects life, a mirror with words. Her poem, “Everywhere” that previously gave rise to the title of her first Moonrise Press book, Clocks and Water Drops (2015) has the flavor of Walt Whitman flying through the world, as she repeats the refrain… Water drips in a London flat, she travels “everywhere,” asleep, yet totally awake as she wanders, seeing all the tiny things that make life something worth wandering through. scree falls in “Utah/falls on a silenced beetle/just one B flat howls in Sylmar/an intruder is caught/a stone skims on Lake Victoria/close to shore… everywhere there is movement/please that it shall never stop.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Find these poems and wake up. Marlene Hitt’s voice is movement and thunder and it will never stop.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ Alice Pero</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBzaDwpCmaiMh2ZR3sizPxUnq0gUgAQRr6sUAo5ykZfvGEspMtvLL35K3y5TnZoAQ_m6EGbysukEzcAajmEEFgtH2vgbteIkyqxo8H9OkK8BXQZueZOZ7Gmvd59OX5ue7qprhb8dlW9M03zUJyuT8mq2AD06DrgKQRcdDKKrtE-A9zillOGvu2rou/s1216/alta6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1216" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBzaDwpCmaiMh2ZR3sizPxUnq0gUgAQRr6sUAo5ykZfvGEspMtvLL35K3y5TnZoAQ_m6EGbysukEzcAajmEEFgtH2vgbteIkyqxo8H9OkK8BXQZueZOZ7Gmvd59OX5ue7qprhb8dlW9M03zUJyuT8mq2AD06DrgKQRcdDKKrtE-A9zillOGvu2rou/w400-h300/alta6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">IN APPRECIATION BY DOROTHY SKILES</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Marlene Hitt’s new collection of poems, highlights her gift as a storyteller. Sounds of life in all of its forms speak to us in her poems: Everywhere, “water drips in a London Flat/a canary sings in Paris…”. The Music, “music fell, the little notes,…/dropping much like snowflakes/drifting everywhere.” What the Thunder Said, “thunder shouted with/dry/deep voice…/“no more,” he rumbled! /no more!” Oaks, “…the sound of the ax/the sound of the saw/eats into my sleep/with its open maw.” And Wasps, “…speak in whispers/and pray/in their own words.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Threaded throughout Hitt’s poems is a deep love of nature and of “words” spoken. In Naming the Garden, “Bushes with plain and simple leafy life/reveal themselves and I speak their names/savor the sounds my lips make.” In All Beautiful and Treasured Things, the poet speaks, “I fly/over wild buckwheat, …”/ “…touch the wild rose” /”My temple stands among the flowers of the chuparosa.” In Cremation of the Sycamore Tree, the poet mourns the cutting down of so many trees. Her litany of “never love a tree,” runs throughout the poem. “It’s not wise to love a tree/that interfere with men/Watch the smoke of sycamore form/smoke lifts as if to mourn.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hitt’s work portrays glimpses of human relationships. In the poem, Echo, “I hear my mother’s voice/and the coughs and curses/of my father/and all those whispers/from the ages past.” In Smoke Rings, “The grave lies open for my father’s death/I curl his coat around and smell/the smoke rings tangled there/think of them over his curly hair/he left too soon. I loved him well.” Finally, In Bury Me, the poet tells what she wants to be buried with: “a leaf from the cottonwoods, the seed of an oak, a vessel of stones, a feather from the road, ”…Then touch your hand/to my lips/that I may taste love on my journey.”</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dorothy Skiles, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">16 March 2023</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFhi1l_HPb2PHBvpxu22n7HrPfcFvf_sEuc51Au9Zp0HUc1Rb5-9gXFo-ksn3CIymv59Eat6qpiWdC2V0TTxevwZXJcqqB5Jxof57S098JuokAgaBV4PBisdu7EbzZzBD2mnXy3eOQVDLhaKYBl7lr41PSPAlwpPFB3Ik781EzthYvOfVtRskk7xA/s2997/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFhi1l_HPb2PHBvpxu22n7HrPfcFvf_sEuc51Au9Zp0HUc1Rb5-9gXFo-ksn3CIymv59Eat6qpiWdC2V0TTxevwZXJcqqB5Jxof57S098JuokAgaBV4PBisdu7EbzZzBD2mnXy3eOQVDLhaKYBl7lr41PSPAlwpPFB3Ik781EzthYvOfVtRskk7xA/w269-h400/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" width="269" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">PUBLISHER'S NOTE</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am delighted to share with readers this new collection of poems by Marlene Hitt, written over a period of almost 40 years. The first Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga, member of Chuparosa Poets, Village Poets, and other poetry groups, Marlene Hitt practiced her writing in near isolation from the “official” poetry world, while dedicating her time to the local community, as a historian, poet, and activist. As a sixth Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga, member of the Village Poets, and co-editor of our 10th anniversary anthology <i>We Are here: Village Poets Anthology</i> (2020), I am profoundly grateful for Marlene’s collaboration and dedication to poetry. Over the years, her work has also appeared in several Moonrise Press anthologies: <i>Chopin with Cherries (</i>2010)<i>, Meditations on Divine Names </i>(2012)<i>, and Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy and Wisdom (</i>2022)<i>. </i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_Jo4sWw11rI3oBYCMqsEb23ZHnNO0iUNvflBvmo0BMu7Nt7ZSIWKCvDy-geIYIiKUqv6c2_GEjBqx6D8z2-EvQenl4Mfi-FUEN--Lm3iuokc2MJdsM4HjM0EH0t6_L7x-xEDHbMgCw5Ft6_SgmYy_mqqtMoeGj55gc30mb1bLynOspP85zCyO72_/s2048/clocksanddropscoverPage2A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_Jo4sWw11rI3oBYCMqsEb23ZHnNO0iUNvflBvmo0BMu7Nt7ZSIWKCvDy-geIYIiKUqv6c2_GEjBqx6D8z2-EvQenl4Mfi-FUEN--Lm3iuokc2MJdsM4HjM0EH0t6_L7x-xEDHbMgCw5Ft6_SgmYy_mqqtMoeGj55gc30mb1bLynOspP85zCyO72_/w266-h400/clocksanddropscoverPage2A.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As the publisher of Moonrise Press, I am even more grateful for her poetic insights, her gifts of keen observation, reflection, and vivid expression. In 2015, it was my great pleasure to select poems for <i>Clocks and Water Drops</i>, her first full-length poetry volume. The current collection reprints some of these poems, and gathers other work scattered in various publications over the years. But there are plenty of poems here that never saw the light of the day and are here to enlighten and inspire us. I am thankful to Alice Pero for the enormous effort of selecting poems from thousands of pages and arranging them into seven chapters with distinct moods. In collaboration with Marlene, I changed the title of the whole volume from the <i>Thunder Under the Ground </i>proposed by Alice, into a more euphonious <i>Yellow Tree Alone,</i> that shines with the gold leaves of Marlene’s unique talent.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ Maja Trochimczyk, Ph.D.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">THELMA T. REYNA ABOUT THIS BOOK</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two lines in Marlene Hitt’s poetry collection, <i>Yellow Tree Alone,</i> encapsulate the spirit of her captivating book: “In this box is the past,” she writes, and, “Memories! I have used them all again and again, have dusted, polished, have put them away.” Her book—like a metaphorical “box”—overflows with vivid, soulful vignettes of ancestors braving turbulent oceans; parents and grandparents nurturing their progeny; childhood homes decaying into earth; townspeople navigating wars and ceaseless change; family members parsing love or lack of it. Matters of the heart, or of the metaphoric natural world, big and small, pulse and undulate in Hitt’s poems with strong rhythms, rhymes, and poetic imagery. This book is a tribute to her compassionate understanding of the human condition.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> ~Thelma T. Reyna, National Award-Winning Poet</span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Author of <i>Dearest Papa: A Memoir in Poems</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0VMEnashZZnGmobN6OCKNNPGp1OXEK-bj7tCt35YsYnVP7E-l_2NKTsyy1RMV51g0z3al9w-vRXRF8gR68CaGKeTpeZiOY75Eb771nE_QvHqJRTK6_eeBjERgpwc9o-3QMa2YgGkm25NfrY0-JYz-4OQO_F1eyfAqXILM5_fGQzGpn4DQImSVlcX/s3617/Marlene%20Tree%20Cover%20all%20ppbk%203%2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="3617" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0VMEnashZZnGmobN6OCKNNPGp1OXEK-bj7tCt35YsYnVP7E-l_2NKTsyy1RMV51g0z3al9w-vRXRF8gR68CaGKeTpeZiOY75Eb771nE_QvHqJRTK6_eeBjERgpwc9o-3QMa2YgGkm25NfrY0-JYz-4OQO_F1eyfAqXILM5_fGQzGpn4DQImSVlcX/w400-h290/Marlene%20Tree%20Cover%20all%20ppbk%203%2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">CONTENTS</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 1. That Silken Whisper ~ 3</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Humankind ~ 4</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>A<span> </span> Meditation ~ 5 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>I Wonder ~ 10 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Give Way ~ 11</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>If I Knew ~ 13 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">6.<span> </span><span> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If I Had Known ~ 14</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Up and Over ~ 15</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>At a Campfire ~ 16</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Whisper ~ 18 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Music ~ 19</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Back and Forth ~ 20</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Prophecy ~ 21</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Question ~ 22</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">14.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Yes, I Grieve ~ 23</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">15.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Success, Fame ~ 24</span></p></blockquote><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 2. Threads ~ 25</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">16.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>A Long Thread ~ 26 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">17.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Threads, the Children ~ 27</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">18.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Thread One ~28</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">19.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Voyage ~ 30</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">20.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Going Home ~ 31</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">21.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Everywhere ~ 32</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">22.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Shawl ~ 35</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">23.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Smoke Rings ~ 36</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">24.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Healing ~ 37</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">25.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Who is She, My Mother ~ 38</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">26.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>All about Ashes ~ 41</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">27.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>My Mother Visits ~ 42</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">28.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Mother’s Day 1998 ~ 43</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">29.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Take Me Away ~ 44</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">30.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Scent of Mystery ~ 46</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">31.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Tell Me a Story, Daddy ~ 47</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">32.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Curiosity ~ 48</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">33.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Homecoming ~ 50</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">34.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Great Grandfather’s Reply ~ 51</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">35.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>More Than the Parts ~ 52</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">36.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Landmark ~ 53</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">37.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>A Story ~ 54</span></p></blockquote><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 3. Along the Path ~ 55</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">38.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>New Year on Canvas ~ 56</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">39.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Devil Wind ~ 57</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">40.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>What the Thunder Said ~ 58</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">41.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>What Could You Do with a Bubble ~59</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">42.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Take it Back ~ 60</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">43.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Enlightenment ~ 61 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">44.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Guilt ~ 62 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">45.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Grown Up Year ~ 63</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">46.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Flowers ~ 64</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">47.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Reveries ~ 65 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">48.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Real Reason ~ 66</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">49.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>As a Fly Buzzes By ~ 67</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">50.<span> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Walls ~ 69 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">51.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Glass ~ 70</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">52.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Catatonia Stone ~ 71</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">53.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Collision ~ 72</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">54.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Thought Fermentation ~ 73</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">55.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Cleaning out the Past ~ 74</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">56.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Caged Things ~ 75</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">57.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Here I Lie Still, ~ 76</span></p></blockquote><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 4. Fallen Words ~ 77</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">58.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Puzzling ~ 78 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">59.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>New to New ~ 79</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">60.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>How Far Have I Come? ~ 81</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">61.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Fibril Underneath ~ 82</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">62.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Night Lights ~ 84</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">63.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Topography Map ~ 86</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">64.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Child on the Floor with a Marble ~ 87 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">65.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>I Missed You ~ 89</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">66.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Fallen Words~ 90</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">67.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>New Box of Crayons ~ 91</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">68.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Echo ~ 92 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">69.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>All This ~ 93</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">70.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Word ~ 94</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">71.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Darkness ~ 95</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">72.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Day the Poets Were Silent ~ 96</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">73.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Love Poem ~ 97</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">74.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>If I Knew Your Name ~ 98 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">75.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>No Listing in the Yellow Pages ~ 99</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">76.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Where Will I Put the Keys ~ 100</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">77.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>To the Stones ~ 101</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">78.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Bulky Item Pick Up ~ 102</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 5. Thunder Under the Ground ~ 103</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">79.</span><span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span> </span></span>Two Times Around is a Mile and a Half ~ 104</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">80.<span> </span><span> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Fire That Drinks the Water ~ 105</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">81.<span> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This Mad Journey ~ 106</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">82.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Ripples ~ 107</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">83.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>River Cutting ~ 108</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">84.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Color of the Mind ~ 109</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">85.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Oaks ~ 110 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">86.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Cremation of the Sycamore Tree ~ 112</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">87.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>All Beautiful and Treasured Things ~114</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">88.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Prayer of Thanks ~ 116 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">89.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Disaster ~ 117</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">90.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Memories ~ 118</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">91.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>A Cloud Passed Moon ~ 119</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">92.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Spine Flower ~ 120</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">93.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Musings about Walls ~ 121</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">94.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Rock, Bush, Sand ~ 122</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">95.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Blind Born Fish ~ 123</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">96.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>In Any Forest ~ 124</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">97.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Intersection ~ 125</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">98.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Death Dances ~126</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">99.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Deep in the Spring ~127</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">100. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My Very Own Place ~ 128</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">101. <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This Romance ~129</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">102.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It Wasn’t Always This Way ~ 130</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 6. The Web ~ 131</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">103.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cards at Midnight ~132</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">104.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Green and Cresting ~ 133</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">105.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Homeless ~134</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">106.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thorns ~ 135</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">107.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Naming the Garden ~ 136</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">108.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>That Day ~ 137</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">109.<span style="white-space: pre;"> T</span>he Gallon of my Life ~ 138</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">110.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Wasp ~ 139</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">111.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Green ~ 140</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">112.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Web ~ 141</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">113.<span> </span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The River of Time ~ 142</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">114.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>All the Way Down ~ 143</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">115.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Now I Can Hear the Plodding of Be</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">etles ~ 144</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">116.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>To J. Alfred Prufrock ~ 146</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Chapter 7. Pillars of Motes ~ 147</b><br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">117.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>The Wind is the Wind ~ 148</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">118.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>After ~ 150 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">119.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>Dust to Dust ~ 151</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">120.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Underneath ~ 152</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">121.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Need the Light ~ 153</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">122.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Old Ones Gone Away ~ 154</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">123.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No Words ~ 155</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">124.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No Poem ~ 156</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">125.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I Wish for You ~ 157</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">126.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hummingbird ~ 158</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">127.<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>As the Hawk Flies ~ 160</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">128.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bury Me ~ 161</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">129.<span style="white-space: pre;"><span> </span><span> </span></span>Yellow Tree Alone ~ 162</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-24701133934885436562023-02-01T18:02:00.010-08:002023-02-27T13:45:18.207-08:00Praise for "Bright Skies" by Maja Trochimczyk - Escoubas, Hitt, Skiles, Galasso, Dobay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins1glAxn4E72MXbK2j3tCOldZWzE-_POJ9Alf0MsfUdb42EKqlFwMAHsG6lEFT0QmQKVS_WYxrO6HyHvvAFttZ2ZvMwXdv77toYirh0-2VQUEBa9OvJq1bXN6rJLCioCuXgoDU-wFcmBDYmeMv4dhO1KO7mTwC_lKgN7UeR8V_IxIHYzRiGgzgXzB/s422/brightwinterpath.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="422" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins1glAxn4E72MXbK2j3tCOldZWzE-_POJ9Alf0MsfUdb42EKqlFwMAHsG6lEFT0QmQKVS_WYxrO6HyHvvAFttZ2ZvMwXdv77toYirh0-2VQUEBa9OvJq1bXN6rJLCioCuXgoDU-wFcmBDYmeMv4dhO1KO7mTwC_lKgN7UeR8V_IxIHYzRiGgzgXzB/w400-h300/brightwinterpath.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.moonrisepress.com/bright-skies--trochimczyk.html" target="_blank">Bright Skies. Selected Poems</a></i> by Maja Trochimczyk, published in May 2022 continues to attract positive attention and praise. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Michael Escoubas,</b> in a February 2023 review in online journal <b><i>Quill and Parchment</i> </b>complimented the poet's idea of writing a book for her two new granddaughters, to read when they grow up and wrote:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> "Moonrise Press has produced <i>Bright Skies</i> on high quality stock, perfect for reproducing fine typography and full-color artwork. Featuring seasonal transitions supported by landscape and botanical imagery, Bright Skies rewarded me with each turn of the page. Wallace Stevens, among the premier poets of the last century has written, “The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.” Bright Skies is structured, whether consciously or not, with Stevens’ dictum in mind. Trochimczyk quite literally offers “her” world in word and image. [...] </span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maja Trochimczyk asserts “I am a positive poet.” She means that she looks for and finds the good in life: good in family, good in faith, good in nature and the world. How refreshing, this infusion of light, in a world that oftentimes seems dominated by bad news. For Trochimczyk, the world is beautiful and has value. She highlights a world that is worth redeeming. While acknowledging the flawed nature of existence, she does not “live” there. She dwells in light.[...] Trochimczyk’s body of work bears witness to a mature writing style which uses all the tools in a poet’s toolbox. Most importantly, however, is the mind and heart from which her poems spring. Her substantive ideas are accessible." </span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The reviewer cited selected poems that impressed him: "A Springtime Revelation," "A Pear in a Tree," "Diamonds, "Gifts," and a fragment of "I Give You the World" written earlier for Maja's first grandson, Adam. Let's read the first of these poems in its entirety:</span></p><p><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A Springtime Revelation</b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love my mountains<br />blue and spring green, still<br />under clear azure expanse.<br />Their velvet pleats pile up<br />in layers above the valley rocks, <br />pathways in empty riverbed.<br /><br />This is the Earth— naked,<br />free of trees and houses, of rush<br />and pavement and cars on hot asphalt<br />in L.A. summers— this is pure repose<br />— serenely breathing, slowly, deeply<br />in the cycle of centuries, eons. <br /><br />I love my mountains—<br />the bluish shadows on distant slopes<br />manzanita and sage scattered <br />close-by. The hills open like curtains<br />into infinity to let me in—beyond the next <br />peak, the next canyon, into new worlds<br />that thrive in golden sunlight, expand under<br />the cool glow of spiraling galaxies before dawn.<br /><br />I’m here, I found my life waiting for me<br />under the indigo cupola outlined <br />with deep purple at the ridges—here <br />crickets measure the night as they sing <br />“we are here here here here here here” <br />while birds sleep, hidden among branches.<br /><br />Only distant waves of truck noise<br />from the freeway remind me that <br />this paradise of mine, this fluid, living <br />folding and unfolding is my L.A. home <br />hidden in a strange metropolis, <br />my own La La Land of bare mountains, <br />and the brightest of sunlit gardens.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPmU2M11dQLKRodETjnLAsqvc6Zb4L0I59n5crarLPRn9VVHmFyLbgUPaGUMnTrdV30YZr2vbLPeLTg7lZT75jUKMM3yAATvxe30sEE8aKGcVhuNRjhA2iUXQB7DA05axUP5B5cD780V-eAKqMZOiadWtYFfQh_zck2vupXU1EEYYlFz8i76uDXCB/s981/brightmagnolia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="981" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPmU2M11dQLKRodETjnLAsqvc6Zb4L0I59n5crarLPRn9VVHmFyLbgUPaGUMnTrdV30YZr2vbLPeLTg7lZT75jUKMM3yAATvxe30sEE8aKGcVhuNRjhA2iUXQB7DA05axUP5B5cD780V-eAKqMZOiadWtYFfQh_zck2vupXU1EEYYlFz8i76uDXCB/w400-h300/brightmagnolia.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the time of publication, the first Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga, <b>Marlene Hitt</b>, wrote the following: </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"From pears in a California garden to a recipe from her Polish grandmother for pickled pears, Maja Trochimczyk leads her readers into a lovely world. She sees the beauty of a rose, a bird, a sunrise. She has brought her childhood memories from faraway Poland into the splendid light of Southern California. Woven into each poem is a word picture, accompanied by a photograph of local scenes from her neighborhood – Big Tujunga Wash, Descanso Gardens, Oxnard Beach. These wonderful, heart-warming poems are full of exquisite metaphors and images, where spirituality comes through clearly, without labels, devotions, or being overly didactic.</span> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My favorites, “Mason Bees” and “On Landscapes: A Guidebook,” bring together vivid descriptions of Nature with inspirational life-lessons that Nature imparts. They are perfect in substance, style and language. Seeking contentment in domestic life – peaceful home and garden – is an important message for everyone today. The book includes even an original version of marriage vows and ends with a surprise: a selection of old-fashioned recipes for traditional Polish dishes mentioned in poems. Readers will grow in knowledge of beauty and joy surrounding them, shared in daily doses of bliss. "</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Marlene Hitt, poet and historian, author of "Clocks and Water Drops"</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2021/08/august-tales-from-garden-and-sea.html" target="_blank">"Mason Bees"</a> and <a href="https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2019/04/spring-is-in-air-with-mockingbirds-and.html" target="_blank">"On Landscapes: A Guidebook</a>" were posted on Trochimczyk's poetry blog, Poetry Laurels, so there's no need to copy them here. </span></p><p style="text-align: right;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16sqvlKbNEsofLaZOMYnHnxFy9R6iUvGqdwNaySrpLoET2s9HAuQhbTgIMokacp6i8Moi7pOF1Y1u4xYNksqoRHRZATxfxzFoHccGkOcLUJ65vRDp-9mxv_ag1wxcTIwbAoyRFOLY60j_QdaFdZVyRPWGlG51WgI5HV7DjhXhUMJ2Sg4XUwOaRgOq/s968/bright%20babie2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="968" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16sqvlKbNEsofLaZOMYnHnxFy9R6iUvGqdwNaySrpLoET2s9HAuQhbTgIMokacp6i8Moi7pOF1Y1u4xYNksqoRHRZATxfxzFoHccGkOcLUJ65vRDp-9mxv_ag1wxcTIwbAoyRFOLY60j_QdaFdZVyRPWGlG51WgI5HV7DjhXhUMJ2Sg4XUwOaRgOq/w400-h300/bright%20babie2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Poet Dorothy Skiles of Sacramento,CA, wrote the following about the book:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Maja Trochimczyk’s new poetry book, <i>Bright Skies</i>, tells a beautiful story in photos, in prose, and in poems. She does not only see with her eyes, but with her mind, heart and soul as well. Her book, a celebration of God’s earth in all its beauty, respects all living things. Throughout this rich collection of poems and photographs, there is an intimacy, a warmth, a caring by the narrator towards the object she describes, for instance in <i>Double Delight,</i> a charming poem about a rose from her garden. This personal tone keeps the reader engaged. </span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had to smile when reading<i> A Day Trip to Venice, CA. </i>In the summer of 1967, the year I discovered I like writing poems, I’d arrive at Venice Beach around 10:00 am. I would park myself in the sand with my guitar, folk music and a writing pad. I’d sing, write poetry, and body surf until the afternoon. Then, I’d change into my cotton candy uniform and work from 4:00 pm to midnight at Pacific Ocean Park. What a life! I’m glad Maja’s poem brought back this happy memory of my youth. This magic of poetry stems from the skill of the poet. I believe that Trochimczyk's book will live on, for it is full of life, full of wonder, full of wisdom!" </span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK34chOxbVMOzfRQB763GL0BsIMQHYAvsfUOVnKuQfQG5a2b5LiIoS8eZyMBR7-RnxXBgZofJm5ogBZaJNrUmBGe8lol6CNF7YGk6YYtKBNJCmkKYtlbHyYiFQzBnHEeVynx6J75Hl28N2xX1Gs-9ruAhPL2KWsx9szX6Cf9Mj6eqZPZ5jpXR1l1k/s2016/ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK34chOxbVMOzfRQB763GL0BsIMQHYAvsfUOVnKuQfQG5a2b5LiIoS8eZyMBR7-RnxXBgZofJm5ogBZaJNrUmBGe8lol6CNF7YGk6YYtKBNJCmkKYtlbHyYiFQzBnHEeVynx6J75Hl28N2xX1Gs-9ruAhPL2KWsx9szX6Cf9Mj6eqZPZ5jpXR1l1k/w400-h300/ocean.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Another positive review appeared in <a href="https://www.californiastatepoetrysociety.com/2022/10/csps-poetry-letter-no-3-2022-part-2.html" target="_blank">CSPS Poetry Letter No. 3, 2022.</a> <b>William Scott Galasso</b> also found plenty to praise in this colorful volume of poems and photographs.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"In these uncertain times, when the world wobbles on its axis between pandemics, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">climate change and war, taxing our ability to cope, Maja Trochimczyk</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, presents us with her antidote, <i>Bright Skies, Selected Poems</i>. The book is </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">divided into five sections: <i>Spring, Summer, Babie Lato, Autumn </i>and<i> Winter. </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">She created this generous volume (her ninth) as a gift to her children, grandchildren and for those </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">of readers fortunate to read it. Every poem celebrates the incomparable beauty, diversity and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">healing power of nature--giving us reason for hope.[...] </span> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In addition, she compliments her literary art with a visual artist’s eye for light, color, shape in the </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">exquisite detail of her photography. The photographs on glossy paper present in minute detail </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">every subject she turns her attention to. Further, her knowledge of local flora and fauna verges on </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the encyclopedic presenting us with an abundance of riches, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">which inform her life and work, <i>writing poetry is like growing artichokes from a seed of </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>invention.</i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whether one perceives dewdrops on a rose, the wind swirl of a kite in cerulean skies or, an </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">incoming wave bursting from a turquoise sea, one is moved and that’s the point. She presents all </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">five senses and dares you to fully engage—and to be moved."</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ William Scott Galasso, review excerpt from <i>Poetry Letter</i> No. 3, 2022</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2022/04/spring-cleaning-in-year-of-crystal-fire.html" target="_blank">"An Artichoke of a Poem"</a> was posted on Trochimczyk's Poetry Laurels blog, <a href="https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2021/03/flying-kites-is-pure-joy.html" target="_blank">"Flying kites..."</a> can also be found there, and several blogs presented poems about <a href="https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2020/08/how-high-moon-sandcastles-on-beach.html" target="_blank">ocean waves.</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-QTyrNjCMiApZXzNWJTG9v8pAAy0b_HJCuUJb-FeC8QtHUFHfTQ9iAyMbj_1aHGY_i7QnEWVdHJG9P2PpJqyiiTGuC5Cy_emRw9yM75HDVekt16DLRjHgtGqhfMGyp7Sq57wWA_g7ZOP2qexgINb3LgdjhsdWE-s1bEu7sgzyGZzMaHsljwcVfuA/s981/bright%20summer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="981" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-QTyrNjCMiApZXzNWJTG9v8pAAy0b_HJCuUJb-FeC8QtHUFHfTQ9iAyMbj_1aHGY_i7QnEWVdHJG9P2PpJqyiiTGuC5Cy_emRw9yM75HDVekt16DLRjHgtGqhfMGyp7Sq57wWA_g7ZOP2qexgINb3LgdjhsdWE-s1bEu7sgzyGZzMaHsljwcVfuA/w400-h300/bright%20summer.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hungarian-American painter <b>Susan Dobay </b>was so inspired with the philosophy of life that Trochimczyk hid among the beauties of garden and California landscape, that she wrote the following:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Bright Skies </i>poems have the highest intensity expressed in an enjoyable poetic , artistic way. From <i>Bright Skies</i> poetry I am learning to listen to nature with an open mind and heart. The poems of <i>Bright Skies </i>are pointing to a higher awareness level while giving an utmost ecstatic pleasure to the senses. The simultaneous expression of biological love making and spiritual love are in perfect harmony. Maja’s poems are stimulation... inspiration to listen to the essence of nature. This book creates harmony in the heart. The colorful photos are expressing visually the richness of the poems."</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Susan Dobay, painter</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRCYU-ojoE5j0KGenY-dqcwemWHRosqlaaIs--jDnh2wf-JVKiZFN_zncROZmJLr2HQZWbaYj4BtfBguUFqFYs1S1O7xuFm21TiXrm8JG5I7GkmiEp1mu7xI1E8C7d_UHEZ_2KLQYH3Agtqx-QvpN6w6kowgn-VUEQtjRrE6127MMyjRn-B4QzFvN/s4500/Bright%20Skies%20Cover%20Vine%20Front-page-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRCYU-ojoE5j0KGenY-dqcwemWHRosqlaaIs--jDnh2wf-JVKiZFN_zncROZmJLr2HQZWbaYj4BtfBguUFqFYs1S1O7xuFm21TiXrm8JG5I7GkmiEp1mu7xI1E8C7d_UHEZ_2KLQYH3Agtqx-QvpN6w6kowgn-VUEQtjRrE6127MMyjRn-B4QzFvN/w266-h400/Bright%20Skies%20Cover%20Vine%20Front-page-001.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/maja-trochimczyk/bright-skies/paperback/product-qmrmp5.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-49-8</a>, color paperback</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">US Trade (6 x 9 in / 152 x 229 mm), 184 Pages</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">85 poems, 160 color photographs, 6 portraits</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/maja-trochimczyk/bright-skies/ebook/product-vd8qmp.html?q=bright+skies+maja+trochimczyk&page=1&pageSize=4">ISBN 978-1-945938-52-8</a>, eBook in ePub format</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">ISBN 978-1-945938-54-2 color hardcover.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Preface and Table of Contents, with sample poems:</span></div><div><a href="https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/05/maja-trochimczyks-new-volume-of.html"><span style="font-family: georgia;">https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/05/maja-trochimczyks-new-volume-of.html</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maja Trochimczyk Reads "From Minium Chronicles", "Ocean of Jade" and "On Landscapes: A Guidebook" from the book on YouTube: <a class="style-scope ytcp-video-info" href="https://youtu.be/m0i17jPRPLs" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/m0i17jPRPLs</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maja Trochimczyk Reads Poems from "Bright Skies" on YouTube:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30QrXhNFO7Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30QrXhNFO7Q</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGS3r8mPKSOfEdC8XDKlW45OD2Q1LWAJckyhCO9zFspdBfcIau_jmtkexeADLyAKbggeUsIOzw9Si0jiiE_SwjeOxtg4f0_6GNGJqSiVPiYnbrnb8861EDk9b3GRjGyMzBsE6Xyl6QvmYAkmtrrUc2Gu9z5eX5pifZnlg8CopmE597SxCPcTNYADL/s2048/fog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGS3r8mPKSOfEdC8XDKlW45OD2Q1LWAJckyhCO9zFspdBfcIau_jmtkexeADLyAKbggeUsIOzw9Si0jiiE_SwjeOxtg4f0_6GNGJqSiVPiYnbrnb8861EDk9b3GRjGyMzBsE6Xyl6QvmYAkmtrrUc2Gu9z5eX5pifZnlg8CopmE597SxCPcTNYADL/w400-h300/fog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-83163113980462234812022-12-01T06:56:00.000-08:002022-12-01T06:56:02.034-08:00Moonrise Press Announces Nominations for Pushcart Prize 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInyhXh9_5igcdzMhSLmKIQyt35VxKzAB71ohdzC7rz7kWk-UUnLxSALSJrOaLfbrz2okOiG4wFPyC8NC4z2Jx9WcwOlKTrmb3Lfd8yo5RaeINuz3S3BhvRmyGXwg3Vr107eySTywL5s5pqpxeF1O3vpqA8up-q54syI6qDbzLMA25CAgXHcLCMfBh/s2808/grupaoct16.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2808" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInyhXh9_5igcdzMhSLmKIQyt35VxKzAB71ohdzC7rz7kWk-UUnLxSALSJrOaLfbrz2okOiG4wFPyC8NC4z2Jx9WcwOlKTrmb3Lfd8yo5RaeINuz3S3BhvRmyGXwg3Vr107eySTywL5s5pqpxeF1O3vpqA8up-q54syI6qDbzLMA25CAgXHcLCMfBh/w400-h278/grupaoct16.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><i>Crystal Fire</i> poets at the opening of Sky Garden Exhibit, Scenic Drive Gallery, Oct 16, 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mary Elliott, Bory Thach, Marlene Hitt, Alice Pero, Joe DeCenzo, Ambika Talwar and Maja Trochimczyk</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moonrise Press is pleased to announce its nominations to the Pushcart Prize 2022. We submitted six nominations to Pushcart Prizes 2022 mostly from the <i>Crystal Fire</i> anthology. The anthology editor stated: "Since all poems in the book are excellent, my focus was the jury: what poems do the Pushcart Prize committee NEED to read for their own spiritual benefit?" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Therefore, five poems were selected from<i> Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy and Wisdom.</i> In addition, one poem was selected from Maja Trochimczyk's <i>Bright Skies. Selected Poems. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The poems nominated for Pushcart Prizes 2022 are as follows: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. From <i>Crystal Fire</i>: “Migration” by Bory Thach</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. From <i>Crystal Fire</i>: “A Room Full of Boxes” by Marlene Hitt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. From <i>Crystal Fire:</i> “If I Rise” by Alice Pero</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. From <i>Crystal Fire</i>: “At Times, I Find Myself in Time” by Jeff Graham</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. From <i>Crystal Fire:</i> “Joy in a Careless Breeze” by Ambika Talwar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. From <i>Bright Skies</i>: "Matka Boska Zielna" by Maja Trochimczyk</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Congratulations to all the nominees! Their poems are copied below. In some cases, the layout is not correct online and cannot be fixed. Apologies to the poets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J8iMIIvv2GL3kFAs1EPItOQ1Fbwt2QRgeX-zem5FEmWVpBc2NyZWfAAPCekc5tc9hXm4BXChAI37HzdqWEFPEPWTDCEOIB6vYagwwQ6rYCiTtfx2BWNef2Da0ayakzaADdNS7IwgJiud5Ftmdirki0M8d-H1wbLKhGlTh3KHiJM7DYlE-14juoHR/s2757/BoryGalleryNov20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="2757" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J8iMIIvv2GL3kFAs1EPItOQ1Fbwt2QRgeX-zem5FEmWVpBc2NyZWfAAPCekc5tc9hXm4BXChAI37HzdqWEFPEPWTDCEOIB6vYagwwQ6rYCiTtfx2BWNef2Da0ayakzaADdNS7IwgJiud5Ftmdirki0M8d-H1wbLKhGlTh3KHiJM7DYlE-14juoHR/w400-h268/BoryGalleryNov20.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Bory Thach reads at the closing of Sky Garden Exhibit, November 20, 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Bory Thach</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><h2 style="margin-left: 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #a40020; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Migration</span> </span></h2><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Feel<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>warm<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>breeze<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>taking<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>rest </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Among woods and valleys.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 121.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 121.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>ground<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>rich<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>soil<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>leads </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 121.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 121.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Into one shimmering blue lake.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .5pt; margin: 0.5pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 151.0pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 151pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Steps ripple in the water </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 151.0pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 151pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>surrounds<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;">
</span>mountains. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 151.0pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 151pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>setting<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>sun<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>illuminates </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 151.0pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 151pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A cloud-covered sky,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 121.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 121.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tree<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>leaves<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>become<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>golden </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 121.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 121.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Phoenix feathers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 160.4pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 160.4pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Evening<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>darkens<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>night, </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 160.4pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 160.4pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Letting go of the chaos<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .55pt; margin: 0.55pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 158.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 158.7pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Allows for true freedom. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 158.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 158.7pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dreams
continue with<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 158.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 158.7pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>writing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;">
</span>brush<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>chasing </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 158.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 158.7pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Memories.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 137.2pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 137.2pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Taste the newly brewed wine </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 137.2pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 137.2pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>life,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;">
</span>untainted<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>pollution. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 137.2pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 137.2pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Amidst scattered clouds, </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 137.2pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 137.2pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Swans
are journeying home—<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>mind<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>can’t<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>help<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>join<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">them.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">(c) by Bory Thach</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This poem was selected for submission to the Pushcart Prize committee. However, another poem was nominated as the best poem in the entire anthology by fellow poet Mary Elliott. It is quite a honor, so here's the second poem by Bory Thach. </span></p><h2 style="margin-left: 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #a40020; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Memory</span> </span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 111.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 111.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 111.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 111.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes, under a full moon,<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 111.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 111.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">raise a cup to the clear sky in holy </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 111.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 111.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">reverence.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><i>Pray<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>lover’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">
</span>safe<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>return</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 111.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 111.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Intoxicated
by loneliness—</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 111.35pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 111.35pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 180.55pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 180.55pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>hear<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>sing, </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 180.55pt; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 180.55pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ever so softly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time passes by like flowing
water, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>cold<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>edge<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>blade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>against </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">my skin. <i>I speak with joy. I laugh.</i></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 98%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 172.3pt; margin-top: .15pt; margin: 0.15pt 172.3pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turn<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>around<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>look </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 98%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 172.3pt; margin-top: .15pt; margin: 0.15pt 172.3pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">at the lifetime<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">passion.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let us be carefree. Let’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>wander </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">toward<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>horizon.<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>only<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>wish</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 105.65pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 105.65pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>all my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>days<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>bright<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>as <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">you.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 135.85pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 135.85pt 0in 44.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even in my
dreams, your eyes </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 135.85pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 135.85pt 0in 44.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">guide me with light. I can stay </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 135.85pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 135.85pt 0in 44.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in this world </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 135.85pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 135.85pt 0in 44.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">forever.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">(c) Bory Thach<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLRBOXJXCA9hdo9RibQO8YmlTgpvfs_oW7F9ofIdV3FHSU1H9nuzqqbQNmpKzwqucYFM16vfhtjftxEkC1wzwnzy5ftwt_Xx2vy2HPBHauRkjobcXut9gy5-8eYEBuUKd5iRc_q_C0uj7K6g-Spzl4oRHsmXOFGHOH6RJSbrQjlzzL-8TiW4l0qNL/s1440/IMG_1258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLRBOXJXCA9hdo9RibQO8YmlTgpvfs_oW7F9ofIdV3FHSU1H9nuzqqbQNmpKzwqucYFM16vfhtjftxEkC1wzwnzy5ftwt_Xx2vy2HPBHauRkjobcXut9gy5-8eYEBuUKd5iRc_q_C0uj7K6g-Spzl4oRHsmXOFGHOH6RJSbrQjlzzL-8TiW4l0qNL/w400-h300/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Marlene Hitt reads at Sky Garden Exhibit opening, with Maja Trochimczyk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Marlene Hitt</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="margin-left: 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #006fc0;">A<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>Room<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>Full<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">
Boxes</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .35pt; margin: 0.35pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-size: 21pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 62.4pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 62.4pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>If that box could be mine, I would fill it</span><br /><span>with love letters or needles and colored threads.</span><br /><br /><span>The tiny silver one I would fill</span><br /><span>with pink face powder to put in a purse.</span><br /><br /><span>I wouldn’t take the wormwood chest,</span><br /><span>its lock closed, rusted on, keyless,</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 62.4pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 62.4pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 62.4pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 62.4pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>it is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>not the box,
but the treasure within; </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 62.4pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 62.4pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>box<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>camera,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">
</span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>photo<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>inside<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>still<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">unseen,</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 70.1pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 70.1pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a thin case, long and narrow, to
carry<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span>pencils<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 70.1pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 70.1pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>pink<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>eraser,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>water<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>color<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>paints.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .55pt; margin: 0.55pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 36.2pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 36.2pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lying<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>open<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>table,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>hand<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>carved<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>chest<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>invites </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 36.2pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 36.2pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and I crawl in.<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span>Someday, maybe, this chest will </span></p><span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>hide beneath the seed of an oak</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>stay unfound until the oak has </span><span>aged to forest tall,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 91.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 91pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 91.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 91pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">then fall from a lightning fire,
a storm </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 91.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 91pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">which<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>pulls<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>screaming<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>its<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>roots.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 44.6pt; margin-right: 91.0pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 91pt 0in 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .05pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </o:p>Where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>chest<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>still<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>hides,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">open.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 44.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswuB0-Ih9Y5LmAqTPv2WYr71EvwXm89qHbkUGOW2HYb755l-IQB6fkvCx0VdCJrkirdEtABw-fFKSC9Umg7QKsD5GYgx_FNGE0_P3TN1ZEsnDWKTJ5b3l3JBpfEXAgn-3SETFSXBKpXI8Odgy42vYMx5PoBF19GVT-ySAFZAJGPmdh5Da51dQ0F30/s2509/AliceOct16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="1700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswuB0-Ih9Y5LmAqTPv2WYr71EvwXm89qHbkUGOW2HYb755l-IQB6fkvCx0VdCJrkirdEtABw-fFKSC9Umg7QKsD5GYgx_FNGE0_P3TN1ZEsnDWKTJ5b3l3JBpfEXAgn-3SETFSXBKpXI8Odgy42vYMx5PoBF19GVT-ySAFZAJGPmdh5Da51dQ0F30/w271-h400/AliceOct16.jpg" width="271" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Alice Pero reads at the opening of Sky Garden Exhibit, October 16, 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alice Pero</span></b></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><h2><span style="color: #006fc0;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I <span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">Rise</span></span></span></h2><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I rise up past the sun </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will keep a point </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">down in the green</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will not cast all my anchors up </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will still touch</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the tiny trees that sway </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the weeping branches</span></div></blockquote><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I hide behind the moon </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">dark shadows paint</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">on planet’s hills, beam</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a long ray on moon’s quiet</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will still leave</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">my thought, brush </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the wings of birds </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in Earth flight </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Form greeting</span></div></blockquote><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I try to fathom space</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> mark deep traces</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in the unknown</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will not rise up forever</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">past the fallen friends </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">remaining loved ones grieving</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those caught in Earth’s</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">endless turning</span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I will catch the silver<br /> of the dep and silent sky</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="text-align: left;"><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I will bring a treasure home </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to touch the earth, each eye</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs69g3kt8kpumWQbX60nj8kIH7RZ63bu06Cn2mSnd3NPidP3aAN4dfO5AyLZNLcDzT1PWtY8YTy-pxUsIKLsr8PLXiaGoREGjRsNeW6Y7_aRhnPVfSj3tIu1xopnwxglOZfxzHRtq-ZIfqeaxauAAUBLmRY8k8AUPkQ94jxn1S_mNxA6TO1VpE5YsL/s1602/10-Jeff-AmTa-RaagaForAHimalayanSunrise%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs69g3kt8kpumWQbX60nj8kIH7RZ63bu06Cn2mSnd3NPidP3aAN4dfO5AyLZNLcDzT1PWtY8YTy-pxUsIKLsr8PLXiaGoREGjRsNeW6Y7_aRhnPVfSj3tIu1xopnwxglOZfxzHRtq-ZIfqeaxauAAUBLmRY8k8AUPkQ94jxn1S_mNxA6TO1VpE5YsL/s320/10-Jeff-AmTa-RaagaForAHimalayanSunrise%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Raaga for Himalayan Sunrise</i> by Ambika Talwar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jeff Graham</span></b></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail-WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><h2 style="margin: 0.05in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>Times,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>Find<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>Myself<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">Time</span></span></h2>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 89.8pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The beginning must begin
some-where/time. </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 89.8pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>before<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>beginning<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>begins,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>nothing— </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 89.8pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">immaterially
substantial—must end,</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; line-height: 13.55pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 195.75pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">must<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">slip</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>what<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>isn’t<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>what<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>wasn’t<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">be,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 105.65pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">into<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>out<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>(thus<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>through)<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>being— </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 105.65pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">existent to exist—</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>what<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>can/will/has<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>never<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>be/been<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">again.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 151pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>might<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>begun.
I may be so that I may.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.25pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 4.65pt 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 38.85pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">hour<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">hour,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 136pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">none<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>emergence<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>Hours. </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 136pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The present becomes the present</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 136pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">when I go where I am to
go</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 185.8pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt; text-indent: 27.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">when<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>go<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>there </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 185.8pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt; text-indent: 27.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in order to find myself,</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 38.95pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>had<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">thought,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">then<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>some<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>juncture<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">
</span>equally<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">important,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 89.8pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>being<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">
</span>where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>when<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>may</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 89.8pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>(or<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>may<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>not)<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>be is integral,</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>most<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>ask<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">for.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.25pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 4.6pt 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">3</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 128.5pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfixed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>form<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>time’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span>spheroid<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>lattice, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 128.5pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of time’s
fluidity of flux,</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>waited-for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">world</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>fashioned<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>recast<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>first<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">
time…</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">again.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 38.95pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>never<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">now,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 121.35pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">since<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>present<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>becomes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>next<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>now; </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 121.35pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">thus, the now-next</span></p>
</div>
<div class="gmail-WordSection2" style="color: #222222; page: WordSection2;"><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0.05in 57pt 0.0001pt 36.1pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">departing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>into<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>sequence<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>future<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>presents, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0.05in 57pt 0.0001pt 36.1pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">unendingly next and now</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>now<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> then.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 13.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 89.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time, whose beginning and end
are its middle, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 89.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">whose middle is always the middle for me, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 89.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">whose<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>lapses<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">
</span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>time<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>crossed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>time, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 89.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">whose crossings
connect a cross-stitch of lives.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>wake<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>each <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">existence,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>existence’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">every,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0.05pt 91pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>ether<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>dreams’<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>to-and-from, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0.05pt 91pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">out from and back to the
day’s midway.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 57pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Memories<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>tomorrow,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>aspirations<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>yesterday. </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 57pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Genesis comingles with the end’s remnants.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 145.85pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>move<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>time<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>moves<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>me</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 145.85pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and moves me through,</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 145.85pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">retrograde<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">
</span>past<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>meet<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>ever-presence </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 78.05pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of what come—</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">sightless<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">blinding—</span></span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>me<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>chance<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>grasp<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>after<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>aftermath, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 62.4pt 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">what is will never was.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tomorrow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>unended,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>yesterday<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">unbegins.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 109.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the day’s minusculia
amalgamates </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 109.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">with the blinding silence of yesternext. </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 109.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Narration<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>oblivion<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>single<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>motion </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 109.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">as progenitor of all future maneuvers, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 109.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">including the crawl of the day‘s‘ sun(s) </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 109.8pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">traversing an alternate continent of sky.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 13.65pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>ending<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>ends,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>falter<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">find</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 91pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>shadow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>sundial<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>only<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>own </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 91pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">while I stand
steadfast to look at the time,</span></p>
</div>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">hat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span>it’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>just<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>beginning<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>begun<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">begin</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">again,</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>it’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>just<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>another<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>always,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">
</span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">usual</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">never.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No—tomorrow.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>No<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>happy<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">endings.</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>tomorrow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>say<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>tomorrow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">again</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 57pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">since<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>simply<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">
</span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>day,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>such<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>day<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>such. </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 57pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yesterday: the ghost of a legion of
thoughs.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 57pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today:<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>configurations<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>wasn’ts<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>will-nots, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0.05pt 57pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">desperately
hunting the omnipresent elusivity</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0in 36.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">is.</span></i></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 118pt 0in 8.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>tomorrow’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span>yesterday;<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>therefore, </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 118pt 0in 8.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">yesterday<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>inevitably<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>tomorrow’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>today. </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 118pt 0in 8.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No
happy endings, not due to sorrow,</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 118pt 0in 8.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;">but</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">since</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">nothing</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: center;">ends.</span></span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="color: #222222; margin: 0in 118pt 0in 8.6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: center;">Elseless,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">I</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">become</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: center;">momentary.</span></span></p></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(c) Jeff Graham</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYo-hYKrlfp0CRGeHVVqb8p1czQgxE7MuzRKUHQUSWYJ2QujOozU1UlVaRJY2coxNQnPJckVBOlIGaSSGsPaiLNjJRSkmsVbFHIyiaoPW2Er_Wh-kaYBXAFkcb9p-mjqh5aBFlQR9bKfaJo9Ti-owA_cs7M0MwIOsFyxD6sCHF2AfgPkewEnzg0YS/s1971/Me-ingallery-Aug2021-Copy1-CdV2+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="1873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYo-hYKrlfp0CRGeHVVqb8p1czQgxE7MuzRKUHQUSWYJ2QujOozU1UlVaRJY2coxNQnPJckVBOlIGaSSGsPaiLNjJRSkmsVbFHIyiaoPW2Er_Wh-kaYBXAFkcb9p-mjqh5aBFlQR9bKfaJo9Ti-owA_cs7M0MwIOsFyxD6sCHF2AfgPkewEnzg0YS/s320/Me-ingallery-Aug2021-Copy1-CdV2+A.jpg" width="304" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ambika Talwar</span></b></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"><b><br /><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail-WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><h2 style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0.05in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;"> Joy<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>Careless<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Breeze</span></span></h2><h2 style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.05in 0in 0in 8.6pt;">
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.2pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 21.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 13.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh!<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span>Where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">forests</span> and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">lakes</span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 119pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I
long for? Ripple of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>feathered<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;">
</span>wings </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 119pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and curls of water that
sing.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span>Wishbone </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 119pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">afloat. Smudge of
dust on our
faces </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 119pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">knees and hands that clasped
walls </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 119pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of rock, mud, fossils, language of lichen.</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 104.6pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rain-song
on my head We sing soaked</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 104.6pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">drenched
with joy untrammeled<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span>wing</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 104.6pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">bone. Oh! Where the
forestsand lakes</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.05pt 118.3pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I belong
for? Fragrance of wet wood </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.05pt 118.3pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">cedar
trickling <span style="letter-spacing: -1.75pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>fresh<span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span>breath<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;">
</span>rising </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.05pt 118.3pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of latent wilderness <span style="letter-spacing: -1.6pt;"> </span>whose heart<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.05pt 118.3pt 0.0001pt 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">beats in mine own. I
must walk far</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.55pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 93.55pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">from
here to there where wisdom beads<span style="letter-spacing: 2pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 93.55pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">fall from treetops scattering auburn leaves </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 93.55pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">on unaware
sleepers. Where are
the forests</span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 93.55pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">where we can<span style="letter-spacing: 4pt;"> </span>sprawl<span style="letter-spacing: 4pt;"> </span>random as a forgotten </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 93.55pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">daisy lost as a
forest flower<span style="letter-spacing: 4pt;"> </span>about to burst– </span></p><p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 93.55pt 0in 8.6pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">bloom
with limitless joy<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;"> </span>careless<span style="letter-spacing: -0.55pt;">
</span>breeze?</span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.35pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.05pt 21.4pt 0.0001pt 33.55pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Prana,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span>ruah,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">chi…</span></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 1.1pt 59.9pt 0.0001pt 138.45pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">breath<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>stirs<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span>all<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;"> </span>directions</span></p><p align="center" class="gmail-MsoBodyText" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 1.1pt 59.9pt 0.0001pt 138.45pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> shimmering new leaves</span></p></h2></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(c) by Ambika Talwar</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUjJ3zudUmhohyeFEVO-juLDJjm7e1wkfNWj7nmtuV0rcqSEE7ZK4n2LobgPnzJ5PVcEf-0TT_0uTfXRX3Tux0ZBJorkWDXrWxMgYFsxVweA4yvxKMXKemQwNU_sThIDWeIvhOB_oUFl4M3TvaUrRj817ihyv-p_oK9CNStWGtEBJU81RPF4UPqMa/s4032/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUjJ3zudUmhohyeFEVO-juLDJjm7e1wkfNWj7nmtuV0rcqSEE7ZK4n2LobgPnzJ5PVcEf-0TT_0uTfXRX3Tux0ZBJorkWDXrWxMgYFsxVweA4yvxKMXKemQwNU_sThIDWeIvhOB_oUFl4M3TvaUrRj817ihyv-p_oK9CNStWGtEBJU81RPF4UPqMa/w400-h300/IMG_1424.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Maja Trochimczyk with "Crystal Fire" and "Bright Skies" at the Sky Garden Exhibition</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">November 5, 2022, Scenic Drive Gallery, Monrovia</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Maja Trochimczyk </b></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="gmail_default"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia;">Matka Boska Zielna</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: black;">~ for Mother
of God of the Herbs (August 15)</span></i><i></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">Look
at the greening hill slopes charred by last year’s wildfire</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">that’s
magic. Look at the mountain sunflower that grew </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">at
the edge of the asphalt on Oro Vista road, it already blooms</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">out
of nowhere</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">that’s magic, too. The postcard-size
garden </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">by
the old, wooden house, a shack, really</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">fills with
flowers </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">every
spring. Fruit appears on orange trees after bees collect pollen.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">The
scent of sweetness, the cheerful noise of bee wings</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">is
it not far more miraculous, a thousand, a million times </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">more
delightful than the 100 floors of steel-metal-glass </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">of
skyscrapers proudly pointing at the sky? Incomparable </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">with
a patch of weeds, nature’s miracles of renewal. </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">How
proud we are of our empty metallic constructions </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">that
will rust in the jungle, abandoned, like stone pyramids </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">of
the Mayas, shrouded by vibrant green of leaves and</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">branches.
Thousands of years of human fame obliterated </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">by
the steady, living, fertile abundance, the overflowing</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">force
of life, of matter, our Mother.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">Roots,
shoots, and tendrils spread out, germinate,</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">flow
through the soil in search of water, nutrients,</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">life,
more life, ever growing, ever richer, dancing, </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">singing
the abundance of being</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">the song of
creation</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">we
are</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">we are</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">we
are</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">we are all— </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">we
are one</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">one</span><span style="color: black;">—</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">one</span><span style="color: black;">—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;">(c) by Maja Trochimczyk, first published in <i>Quill and Parchment</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad3rOQUnEZlk0Rn9o68BG7uy7Kj1gXOqhfsnioTRRZrKvmwMs3xhDS4Ljb6E2Wml3OGJ91bGoWfoTQcDXZPK0hok8Z7whrJ-Vt75XH4IQIn2vLd-hYEeMFc8tnUriiCwakPayepLm92ZsuVs1Z8tcm4uYgUVMJXRQFtxCQvWTji2VamzasCDZVU1Z/s4032/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad3rOQUnEZlk0Rn9o68BG7uy7Kj1gXOqhfsnioTRRZrKvmwMs3xhDS4Ljb6E2Wml3OGJ91bGoWfoTQcDXZPK0hok8Z7whrJ-Vt75XH4IQIn2vLd-hYEeMFc8tnUriiCwakPayepLm92ZsuVs1Z8tcm4uYgUVMJXRQFtxCQvWTji2VamzasCDZVU1Z/w400-h300/IMG_1233.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Photo by Maja Trochimczyk at the Sky Garden Exhibition, 2022</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span><p></p></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-88671695271507557302022-11-14T18:23:00.005-08:002022-11-25T11:06:45.493-08:00Sky Garden Exhibition Closing on November 20, 2022 with a Reading from "Crystal Fire" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwjadYcDZY7QsN_9ieJVDPfyT6RzWOX58_kpJ4lNdbs-bHJhygKt6pyilQjQMETD2IMBh_8rutswtoSV731izqt6_xEDDemRU4g7NBhX-GI-ogOfV9gZKLnFPy8tucoxDkdZWLyofRSJGsqNALjoe-0axrZNFibtlsjhkVx_VwGhve2-6fCIPp39Y/s2100/SkyGardenPostcardClosing-page-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2100" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwjadYcDZY7QsN_9ieJVDPfyT6RzWOX58_kpJ4lNdbs-bHJhygKt6pyilQjQMETD2IMBh_8rutswtoSV731izqt6_xEDDemRU4g7NBhX-GI-ogOfV9gZKLnFPy8tucoxDkdZWLyofRSJGsqNALjoe-0axrZNFibtlsjhkVx_VwGhve2-6fCIPp39Y/w400-h286/SkyGardenPostcardClosing-page-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify;">Scenic Drive Gallery and Moonrise Press present <b><span style="color: #0070c0;">SKY GARDEN</span></b>, an exhibition by Ambika Talwar & Maja Trochimczyk. Closing Reception: Sunday, November 20, 2022, 2:30-5:00 pm with a poetry reading from the <i>Crystal Fire</i> anthology. In person: Ambika Talwar, Maja Trochimczyk, Ella Czajkowska, and Alice Pero. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify;">The Exhibit is open by appointment until November 20, 2022 at Scenic Drive Gallery, Monrovia, CA 91016, Email </span><a href="mailto:maja@moonrisepress.com" style="color: #0563c1; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">maja@moonrisepress.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify;"> if you cannot attend and would like a tour, or if you can attend and need the address. </span></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: helvetica;">Free admission. Reception to follow. Books and art available for purchase.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: 17.12px; text-align: justify;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCTpLE8fOakiFn55YlHpesiX7Aa1ONg3bmbfSQF0KROP1R9iwNC9-gveHfjQhkXuKB0osljYEi9aWt73g3Jwph-ERPFVybTDkO1S3-8O1Dc0iXQTopGILqzL2GYJmZ_ktS1_ty1d5R4riNyGHVlc9FbVYIBA12r6dUeOB6iICrY27UgzNi4AoY_rJ/s2997/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCTpLE8fOakiFn55YlHpesiX7Aa1ONg3bmbfSQF0KROP1R9iwNC9-gveHfjQhkXuKB0osljYEi9aWt73g3Jwph-ERPFVybTDkO1S3-8O1Dc0iXQTopGILqzL2GYJmZ_ktS1_ty1d5R4riNyGHVlc9FbVYIBA12r6dUeOB6iICrY27UgzNi4AoY_rJ/w269-h400/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" width="269" /></span></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span>This exhibition presents paintings by Ambika Talwar and photographs by Maja Trochimczyk, inspired by nature and natural spirituality. Ambika's paintings have been used as illustrations in a new anthology by Moonrise Press, edited by Maja Trochimczyk,</span><span> </span><i>Crystal Fire</i><span>, with 144 poems by 12 poets: Elzbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, Bory Thach, and Maja Trochimczyk. The nature photographs by Trochimczyk appear in her 2022 collection</span><i>, Bright Skies</i><span>, with 85 poems and over 160 photographs.</span></span><p></p><div class="gmail_default"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009&source=gmail&ust=1668547141275000&usg=AOvVaw1cZ-1suhFPsaLsbyS8OMw0" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;"> ISBN </span></a><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009&source=gmail&ust=1668547141275000&usg=AOvVaw1cZ-1suhFPsaLsbyS8OMw0" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">978-1-945938-58-0</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"> (<wbr></wbr>color paperback) </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009&source=gmail&ust=1668547141275000&usg=AOvVaw1cZ-1suhFPsaLsbyS8OMw0" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span></a></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009&source=gmail&ust=1668547141275000&usg=AOvVaw1cZ-1suhFPsaLsbyS8OMw0" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7176316813484707250/3389855230785462009" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0070c0;">ISBN 978-1-945938-59-7</span></a><span style="color: #0070c0;"> (eBook), 144 poems, 12 paintings</span><span></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><u><span style="color: #0070c0;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/09/moonrise-press-publishes-crystal-fire.html&source=gmail&ust=1668547141275000&usg=AOvVaw0cJnZN8nhQIBO5ql-3diHn" href="http://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/09/moonrise-press-publishes-crystal-fire.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">moonrisepress.blogspot.com/<wbr></wbr>2022/09/moonrise-press-<wbr></wbr>publishes-crystal-fire.html</a></span></u><span></span></span></p></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">EVENT PHOTOS</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">During the month on display, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There were several visits to the gallery by appointment, including a concert of Polish song-writer and guitarist Piotr Kajetan Matczuk on November 6, 2022. He was touring Southern California and stopped by in Monrovia. Many thanks for playing the wonderful Polish songs to texts by Adam Mickiewicz and others at the gallery! Video clips will follow.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQu0dZwGR1QJ7jxNJUwxbA0ZAHiU417y9FbK8mPE_1N-EeAZHrxmKC1BbHBMRoq0JXheAx_wXGXuowjIoTjZjCfOKyV1_wJ3mbLBT4qEaFJ5Tfd7kHILQzyqcBpewfRGMGfO_C0sLVnJMgX7RTUoITMEKTrYsONISDxEVn6_fkW5hLbLTBWvoL0bg/s4032/matczuk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQu0dZwGR1QJ7jxNJUwxbA0ZAHiU417y9FbK8mPE_1N-EeAZHrxmKC1BbHBMRoq0JXheAx_wXGXuowjIoTjZjCfOKyV1_wJ3mbLBT4qEaFJ5Tfd7kHILQzyqcBpewfRGMGfO_C0sLVnJMgX7RTUoITMEKTrYsONISDxEVn6_fkW5hLbLTBWvoL0bg/w400-h300/matczuk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Piotr Kajetan Matczuk at the Sky Garden Exhibit, November 6, 2022</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIpxeEmVVZFKdhJ86g_IhymjWsCHKHxA-In0huHbNtvSg6U_qH5CBDX2BditoHyvF410XvC925aUTjIAB1uYE2W83n_7VGYnuQhJdkPZWgvpxLuD2DagTiY_25_H143bIA4vnarWv_sDvFIruUnPDdxz7dwWhmGnZ2F9NReUKC1mjaSfR9FHGu_Qm/s4032/matczukgra.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIpxeEmVVZFKdhJ86g_IhymjWsCHKHxA-In0huHbNtvSg6U_qH5CBDX2BditoHyvF410XvC925aUTjIAB1uYE2W83n_7VGYnuQhJdkPZWgvpxLuD2DagTiY_25_H143bIA4vnarWv_sDvFIruUnPDdxz7dwWhmGnZ2F9NReUKC1mjaSfR9FHGu_Qm/w400-h300/matczukgra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWsCNVuEn1Q5bX6JzC-vPb5pCn2HHC3_AGbBrBtt29tbK-ZAU6zWJYsEoQww327ROX8I6-EjjdN739mDPTW5saWWR7PomlqCnSMt7XfLj3BfchKtJnfOaKCfjnHvB9JRfMwpVHZn81kbim3vJld7ESKRW9oNkxSEwcX9ZOWXtFkjrixNedyhJaJZx/s4032/majapiotrsusanselfie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWsCNVuEn1Q5bX6JzC-vPb5pCn2HHC3_AGbBrBtt29tbK-ZAU6zWJYsEoQww327ROX8I6-EjjdN739mDPTW5saWWR7PomlqCnSMt7XfLj3BfchKtJnfOaKCfjnHvB9JRfMwpVHZn81kbim3vJld7ESKRW9oNkxSEwcX9ZOWXtFkjrixNedyhJaJZx/w400-h300/majapiotrsusanselfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan Dobay, Piotr Kajetan Matczuk, Maja Trochimczyk</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NqFY-XdQfTkhDGOonw7jdaH4DTCA_H8HniEC0vxvWHVLDr4hVBvrshAD07u9c97sSE822H9u5eNZEeX-ivCOiqfchf3oRT7p0r46RhEMpMgZzhNGZpshqD-YtDcXbL_j-RWEWyA51tUG4u-QmcmYMeI7ypSywlKA6g26Bi_jbFpve90nr-U5T02X/s4032/majaselfi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NqFY-XdQfTkhDGOonw7jdaH4DTCA_H8HniEC0vxvWHVLDr4hVBvrshAD07u9c97sSE822H9u5eNZEeX-ivCOiqfchf3oRT7p0r46RhEMpMgZzhNGZpshqD-YtDcXbL_j-RWEWyA51tUG4u-QmcmYMeI7ypSywlKA6g26Bi_jbFpve90nr-U5T02X/w400-h300/majaselfi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>The closing reception was held on November 20, 2022 with four poets from " Crystal Fire" in person (Joe DeCenzo, Maja Trochimczyk, Ella Czajkowska and Bory Thach), and one poet attending via zoom, Alice Pero. </div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICfRmr_KtT2Z0ISx4gngMYs47l4kKGPGB6qgdW8nOQ_nsSP3IcEXHlZVqkdDLdlQgtVk5qwabFLZzJ1-yH7Cc_PFnEpd1-8iDN7BexAQb9Pro8867Did9sa3tfGjGV2SXJ_wXtlZDa5z8KDFXKXj7K6d2jIz1TmyuRksXl2sNe6EnlJN2yBORwPbD/s3416/group2Nov20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3416" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICfRmr_KtT2Z0ISx4gngMYs47l4kKGPGB6qgdW8nOQ_nsSP3IcEXHlZVqkdDLdlQgtVk5qwabFLZzJ1-yH7Cc_PFnEpd1-8iDN7BexAQb9Pro8867Did9sa3tfGjGV2SXJ_wXtlZDa5z8KDFXKXj7K6d2jIz1TmyuRksXl2sNe6EnlJN2yBORwPbD/w400-h228/group2Nov20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe DeCenzo, Ella Czajkowska, Susan Dobay, Maja Trochimczyk and Bory Thach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95ibOd9B5ciyppU0kv7VJKj6wxMis8p8YVfpz2Db6vYQz47One4cNrhKT2Vjcg_OAf9-I-dz_OCUG71cwo2Axz813lvXMsiIl_fmRusyi0sTqQfm10WiRU7Dpwcr1RHh0dH2KzLOvK0B9gL9Jr2ECtiOCGRVquO7VGt5X9yrom1fP8GQj4VWw2EfP/s1944/Ella%20Nov%2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="1944" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95ibOd9B5ciyppU0kv7VJKj6wxMis8p8YVfpz2Db6vYQz47One4cNrhKT2Vjcg_OAf9-I-dz_OCUG71cwo2Axz813lvXMsiIl_fmRusyi0sTqQfm10WiRU7Dpwcr1RHh0dH2KzLOvK0B9gL9Jr2ECtiOCGRVquO7VGt5X9yrom1fP8GQj4VWw2EfP/w400-h378/Ella%20Nov%2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ella Czajkowska</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM7EPX5VIsI33zC4NLGILModFW3iKX2L1-WRrwvAavliGagao1Df_RNAvwuW_dxDKeN0XSWvKV-MbIuky1FWl-kZEL84GJRv9nS6UTFs52nrp4i1zVctl17Ax4YXVvEZC1XKu9_sg1xgEyvDQpau9A4CsiE8xDDqw5Z2uucJ6HRWOGV8qyrut67us/s2016/IMG_1591.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM7EPX5VIsI33zC4NLGILModFW3iKX2L1-WRrwvAavliGagao1Df_RNAvwuW_dxDKeN0XSWvKV-MbIuky1FWl-kZEL84GJRv9nS6UTFs52nrp4i1zVctl17Ax4YXVvEZC1XKu9_sg1xgEyvDQpau9A4CsiE8xDDqw5Z2uucJ6HRWOGV8qyrut67us/w400-h300/IMG_1591.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe DeCenzo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQJjNnVrsrIMbKNDeGBV1C8YRqEuxPcwMLEcSu6ijuZGEWAKAN-yauBsFh-K_Aj1Ga88c_q5xXVmVSZcIhMGJK8xZFHraCPP7vMSjwbrdh3-rk6XgynFjEX0GB3EtZGb9gBoEo_bfCDinRTOgNvzW8q2XGIvmojy5Wl86BpfYKL4qZ5xt3PT9CkOo/s2002/Bory%20Thach%20Nov%2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQJjNnVrsrIMbKNDeGBV1C8YRqEuxPcwMLEcSu6ijuZGEWAKAN-yauBsFh-K_Aj1Ga88c_q5xXVmVSZcIhMGJK8xZFHraCPP7vMSjwbrdh3-rk6XgynFjEX0GB3EtZGb9gBoEo_bfCDinRTOgNvzW8q2XGIvmojy5Wl86BpfYKL4qZ5xt3PT9CkOo/w389-h400/Bory%20Thach%20Nov%2020.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bory Thach</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bQP-HByqOm3c6Qc5nO0NY5jNXYa8mIWfzR_7OM8fIvUfUMbQbtZOuSHFcrzw7inaAHFE4FLOVWudwzV0S_TXuTElR1aBhYivTt-57hMOMXH_bioyGvBwicqZchmuqC8Gi7f-yWd4LebgmspgCYmk22bCPiVR4O1wht0PuhI25t9rxzKDFY7gbV6s/s2757/BoryGalleryNov20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="2757" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bQP-HByqOm3c6Qc5nO0NY5jNXYa8mIWfzR_7OM8fIvUfUMbQbtZOuSHFcrzw7inaAHFE4FLOVWudwzV0S_TXuTElR1aBhYivTt-57hMOMXH_bioyGvBwicqZchmuqC8Gi7f-yWd4LebgmspgCYmk22bCPiVR4O1wht0PuhI25t9rxzKDFY7gbV6s/w400-h268/BoryGalleryNov20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bory Thach</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFVA_tzMUytC6SKDep1THlR9E_j8jPmpe1c1GQaSMr47gGYj7m1FxkldMoz6oRcSNfcHQgl7KOIK18e99KvCksrdJzUPvllHErZPG7OxondO4Acu7_H2QdI5az48_AD2hcgTbIFoEXlPrEf2-v8yz_KPXNKQdC47omyO_uFARZBKQSuz6DFHiLSuL/s1944/Maja%20Nov20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="1944" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFVA_tzMUytC6SKDep1THlR9E_j8jPmpe1c1GQaSMr47gGYj7m1FxkldMoz6oRcSNfcHQgl7KOIK18e99KvCksrdJzUPvllHErZPG7OxondO4Acu7_H2QdI5az48_AD2hcgTbIFoEXlPrEf2-v8yz_KPXNKQdC47omyO_uFARZBKQSuz6DFHiLSuL/w400-h378/Maja%20Nov20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bory Thach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiOFQI-yDZalDr7rMVjxI45RB3ubWaeDlRUwzY3sOkBPgiHiOaxopjJrrISD8XCS7dbYrb8AOb6Phe1_dkMCieQ8TYOJKR7wqRVsQpyaIVqyUgUC6bahrGZn60DXGLkqy8jEBP0oJ-TBP93cOCD-EXQyJP2TF3iTV_3fr2C8CNTTMby8GFNplr8AB/s3257/GroupNov20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3257" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiOFQI-yDZalDr7rMVjxI45RB3ubWaeDlRUwzY3sOkBPgiHiOaxopjJrrISD8XCS7dbYrb8AOb6Phe1_dkMCieQ8TYOJKR7wqRVsQpyaIVqyUgUC6bahrGZn60DXGLkqy8jEBP0oJ-TBP93cOCD-EXQyJP2TF3iTV_3fr2C8CNTTMby8GFNplr8AB/w400-h239/GroupNov20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joe DeCenzo, Ella Czajkowska, Susan Dobay, Maja Trochimczyk and Bory Thach</div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We are very grateful to Susan Dobay for her generous hospitality and artistic intuition, selecting and placing the artwork in the gallery. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gIU0i7_6PRsVBBgAd6uCBj7rJCeFBJ3DdF0t0y--3smhMJOlys28qJ3w-4GssRRktOyVTzc1uDQyFFyfie6IPVCaBdHbJAfnOSkh3gpCNWMLEuLiFOqfai4khllct_8SvG2sg-yP47ffFzaVUfJNmWmNSrMpYkyJK1x7W3Ox4UhccjNlmkNymPTa/s2016/IMG_1500.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gIU0i7_6PRsVBBgAd6uCBj7rJCeFBJ3DdF0t0y--3smhMJOlys28qJ3w-4GssRRktOyVTzc1uDQyFFyfie6IPVCaBdHbJAfnOSkh3gpCNWMLEuLiFOqfai4khllct_8SvG2sg-yP47ffFzaVUfJNmWmNSrMpYkyJK1x7W3Ox4UhccjNlmkNymPTa/w400-h300/IMG_1500.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maja Trochimczyk and Susan Dobay with the two books associated </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with the Sky Garden Exhibit, </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">Crystal Fire</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> and </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">Bright Skies</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyGMJQW7WpCd_00V7mB-ZRVvMW8zH_MeE6qpZeKjri3elBOI0vDIm8Vvujn2SBoHcK4Knu3-oje2Darl4jINy9_fCptsd4RKLeiOIdXOXrSIGU39gBAKQqDP1bLyBl4M5PtQNvm5ZOeyZJGvagdHvOF_ZU_1aS9MOnah3X9DMFHghn51vfTG18_id/s4032/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyGMJQW7WpCd_00V7mB-ZRVvMW8zH_MeE6qpZeKjri3elBOI0vDIm8Vvujn2SBoHcK4Knu3-oje2Darl4jINy9_fCptsd4RKLeiOIdXOXrSIGU39gBAKQqDP1bLyBl4M5PtQNvm5ZOeyZJGvagdHvOF_ZU_1aS9MOnah3X9DMFHghn51vfTG18_id/w400-h300/IMG_1495.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCoQaRMCkr2PJP58P7zpBvnsMHzQu1WDblzUALHRWnnEMWflqB_p8sBnhDkyWcmEp-RRUzEqWQabSCGbcPV1vpP2N3w0pL6xhaj0wWTwu4uCSpcyVX4idYuk20JZ4FDmAlc_QEU-xxG1nFlwA7SOH66UDh6AtjKvFhSdr7qCBZum915Yo0LlHZCZm/s4032/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCoQaRMCkr2PJP58P7zpBvnsMHzQu1WDblzUALHRWnnEMWflqB_p8sBnhDkyWcmEp-RRUzEqWQabSCGbcPV1vpP2N3w0pL6xhaj0wWTwu4uCSpcyVX4idYuk20JZ4FDmAlc_QEU-xxG1nFlwA7SOH66UDh6AtjKvFhSdr7qCBZum915Yo0LlHZCZm/w400-h300/IMG_1498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-gmHt6WgxJL8QitYWaixkxu1A97e49urLbz1QOUOyEumldgykhSUyGoZg5neiWUdf86ZII7DSjFceNyd3i1H8X4rVC1Ibr76NKqTNlfosAnr0YXyA1tJOGrziqLLuv2eSGSd4IMob-WV_kqvVV2b2rpssLm1xlHgIS6HK5mYtFu_9O83VDuLkuEN/s4032/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-gmHt6WgxJL8QitYWaixkxu1A97e49urLbz1QOUOyEumldgykhSUyGoZg5neiWUdf86ZII7DSjFceNyd3i1H8X4rVC1Ibr76NKqTNlfosAnr0YXyA1tJOGrziqLLuv2eSGSd4IMob-WV_kqvVV2b2rpssLm1xlHgIS6HK5mYtFu_9O83VDuLkuEN/w400-h300/IMG_1416.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-50145396725047090102022-09-20T20:36:00.012-07:002022-11-25T11:19:46.127-08:00Moonrise Press and Scenic Drive Gallery Present "Sky Garden" Exhibit of Art and Poetry Reading, October 16, 2022 at 4pm<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUnch2paL-Nu9xVwVB_vaEWur9x7aMeMFrRMeSmArY_JUWZF0TT5jPxmt0sx9ziuELLyIF9oSSwTOdgGpd7HdbvvhZ-U5O9WzpqWLaPFfdfGDvaebL6J82cKSF4kbRjWX7DFRPMrhB0bt8-BQ0B6kFeET8F4qCfSorf_LuLKqSyjncWTvfk_61QUe/s1512/SkyGardenPostcard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1512" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUnch2paL-Nu9xVwVB_vaEWur9x7aMeMFrRMeSmArY_JUWZF0TT5jPxmt0sx9ziuELLyIF9oSSwTOdgGpd7HdbvvhZ-U5O9WzpqWLaPFfdfGDvaebL6J82cKSF4kbRjWX7DFRPMrhB0bt8-BQ0B6kFeET8F4qCfSorf_LuLKqSyjncWTvfk_61QUe/w400-h286/SkyGardenPostcard.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p></p><p> Scenic Drive Gallery and Moonrise Press present SKY GARDEN, an exhibition of art by Ambika Talwar & Maja Trochimczyk. Opening reception: Sunday, October 16, 2022, 4-6 pm with a poetry reading from the Crystal Fire anthology & Bright Skies collection. In person: Ambika Talwar, Maja Trochimczyk, Joe DeCenzo, Bory Thach, Marlene Hitt, Mary Elliott and Alice Pero. The Exhibit is open by appointment until November 20, 2022 at Scenic Drive Gallery, in Monrovia, CA 91016, RSVP email to maja@moonrisepress.com. </p><p>This exhibition presents paintings by Ambika Talwar and photographs by Maja Trochimczyk, inspired by nature and natural spirituality. Some of Ambika's paintings have been used as illustrations in a new anthology by Moonrise Press, edited by Maja Trochimczyk, Crystal Fire, with 144 poems by 12 poets: Elzbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, Bory Thach, and Maja Trochimczyk. The nature photographs by Trochimczyk appear in her 2022 collection, Bright Skies, with 85 poems and over 160 photographs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevbJw8U58tuktkHoci16N6zOWNnOmo8B8mhWxUE0WUBYAVZVSOc9s4UCT3KmXaCmNFu6UrtPcp9gXOEgrBR4xqxYku5-Ntynb18KDWhcQ-vHV00aleFb3vmbrJXjUBpr7CYuGfoEXr4_NBhxEKwaQdtjD3WAHrWEKQ_US0HEAtBxmxzo1cUvrIdzq/s2997/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevbJw8U58tuktkHoci16N6zOWNnOmo8B8mhWxUE0WUBYAVZVSOc9s4UCT3KmXaCmNFu6UrtPcp9gXOEgrBR4xqxYku5-Ntynb18KDWhcQ-vHV00aleFb3vmbrJXjUBpr7CYuGfoEXr4_NBhxEKwaQdtjD3WAHrWEKQ_US0HEAtBxmxzo1cUvrIdzq/w269-h400/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy & Wisdom </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> ISBN 978-1-945938-58-0 (color paperback)</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> ISBN 978-1-945938-59-7 (eBook), 144 poems, 12 paintings </b></p><p> Edited by Maja Trochimczyk, and illustrated with paintings by Ambika Talwar, the Crystal Fire anthology gathers poems of joy and wisdom by 12 poets, 8 women and 4 men: Elżbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, Bory Thach, and the editor. The poets span all ages and diverse life experiences. They include émigrés from Poland, Cambodia, and India, and those born in the U.S. College professors join community poets. Native speakers appear alongside those for whom English is the second, or the third language. The ”joy and wisdom” they write about are also different, as each poet follows their own path and gathers unique reflections to share with readers.</p><p>More about this book: <a href="http://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/09/moonrise-press-publishes-crystal-fire.html">moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/09/moonrise-press-publishes-crystal-fire.html</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXpPKidD92HJ2fTSSxgexhMOrn6LvQ7gsNa6RJNZ31Aun3Omj5inRqY03xqKQKa467HtJ476PjTAj8zFefTF0fqzHGEKUmRU7-ZrD8mhqDQIoS6jt9vM9iYdGv79L8cQ1Nd6gzLB5d9yCCVivg_2rny255pDyOa1rxoc2gKPb7NMBaVtoDefteHwj/s3028/0%20Am-FCvr-HeavensLakeDiptych-L-1-.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXpPKidD92HJ2fTSSxgexhMOrn6LvQ7gsNa6RJNZ31Aun3Omj5inRqY03xqKQKa467HtJ476PjTAj8zFefTF0fqzHGEKUmRU7-ZrD8mhqDQIoS6jt9vM9iYdGv79L8cQ1Nd6gzLB5d9yCCVivg_2rny255pDyOa1rxoc2gKPb7NMBaVtoDefteHwj/w318-h400/0%20Am-FCvr-HeavensLakeDiptych-L-1-.jpeg" width="318" /></a></div><p>As Maja Trochimczyk writes in the preface, “The phrase ‘Crystal Fire’ may be seen as the symbol of all humanity, with each person born from the union of man and woman, the male and female DNA strands interlocking in ever new patterns to create human beings. In this phrase, "Crystal" stands for the feminine and “Fire” for the masculine. “Crystal” is peaceful, somewhat static, but well-constructed, stable, and growing slowly into perfection. It is the cosmos of order and being.[…] </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J7Mf0rD7ZPesPeyIgBgUEOQV25Gl-L4dw4H259PsWaQvri6qIgXn_CJsMieercK28-FBWGDSlvv-F7mfv27100ZEi9LleymvFkXvt4mwuSiT46dxA0Lv0qwBQkV8Eh0oEoowjsvhGgH-BecwUA779bnQRvp_yW37chBs8FIGTqcAbgCE_KZCrULC/s1602/10-Jeff-AmTa-RaagaForAHimalayanSunrise%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J7Mf0rD7ZPesPeyIgBgUEOQV25Gl-L4dw4H259PsWaQvri6qIgXn_CJsMieercK28-FBWGDSlvv-F7mfv27100ZEi9LleymvFkXvt4mwuSiT46dxA0Lv0qwBQkV8Eh0oEoowjsvhGgH-BecwUA779bnQRvp_yW37chBs8FIGTqcAbgCE_KZCrULC/w400-h400/10-Jeff-AmTa-RaagaForAHimalayanSunrise%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>In contrast, ‘Fire’ is dynamic, sometimes intensely dramatic, always changing, always transforming, constantly in the state of flux. It is the energy of change and growth. It is also destructive... ‘Fire’ means destruction and becoming. It is pure chaos. The Universe arises from the dance of these twin forces, like yin and yang, but neither is pure darkness, negative and “evil” and neither is pure light, positive, and “good.” Instead, they are the ageless vortex of cosmic unity and chaos, of creation and destruction. There is no value assigned to this polarity, for such labels are limiting and deceptive. Both aspects are essential, each cannot exist without its twin.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seasons </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> by Mary Elliott</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">I place myself,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">An entity</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">In the eye</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Of this life storm.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Through ether-fuel, </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Time energy,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Come back</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">I am reborn.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Return me to the soil,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Knowing nothing</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">From the past.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Rise again,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Clinging tightly, </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Onto this plain,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Where we’ve been cast.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">It’s over now.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">The innocence</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Strung together</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">From within.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Fused tight,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">In darkened winters,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">The ice was getting thin.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Looking towards the pendulum,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Some can see the score.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">To those of us left standing,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">It gets harder to ignore.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Planted for a season</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Upon this road we go.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Like skins of snakes,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">We shed ourselves,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Forgetting what we know. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWjf7Hh9Z58cIg76JgzlKbf2ryJNfECEh8obLrZVYWiwGrsI1MpltaU-L-m4J1ZAlgiNrwMNM5VnYVCgJw0uHY30Ogoo0wMwM-K1VhVdcrUvmi8mKHLqz7s5s0ee6oxex_HiMY0Nuso0oFzA-HSkM6p8l6YrBgvBjgaPl-n9lEL97PBOgLUJ1VGgh/s2005/9-MARY-AM-Dawn%20Lights-Copy1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWjf7Hh9Z58cIg76JgzlKbf2ryJNfECEh8obLrZVYWiwGrsI1MpltaU-L-m4J1ZAlgiNrwMNM5VnYVCgJw0uHY30Ogoo0wMwM-K1VhVdcrUvmi8mKHLqz7s5s0ee6oxex_HiMY0Nuso0oFzA-HSkM6p8l6YrBgvBjgaPl-n9lEL97PBOgLUJ1VGgh/w319-h400/9-MARY-AM-Dawn%20Lights-Copy1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
I Rise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #161a1e; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i>By Alice Pero</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">If I rise up past the sun</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will keep a point</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">down in the green</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will not cast all my anchors up</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will still touch</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the tiny trees that sway</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the weeping branches</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">If I hide behind the moon</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">dark shadows paint</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">on planet’s hills, beam</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">a long ray on moon’s quiet</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will still leave</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">my thought, brush</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the wings of birds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">in Earth flight</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Form greeting</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">If I try to fathom space</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">mark deep traces</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">in the unknown</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will not rise up forever</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">past the fallen friends remaining</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">loved ones grieving</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Those caught in Earth’s</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">endless turning</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will catch the silver</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">of the dep and silent sky</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will bring a treasure home</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to touch the earth, each eye</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nhC7S5rtVeh9NCgkZIAuQoTaV0rQcSeA7cYiKI8nf5xxUMip4t7gbBr9keCWtq68PGQIfqyEoU2MztNviY2tXoXnl9HCF5lPbmkwgePH2zumJMQnKWM1xCEYk6r_mq2M2UCKBoOHARBb89ombnsnYeI6-3pmgo2A8yitO5kL6oKfJL40es5twuOV/s2123/6-AliceP-AM-PassionOfLotus.copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nhC7S5rtVeh9NCgkZIAuQoTaV0rQcSeA7cYiKI8nf5xxUMip4t7gbBr9keCWtq68PGQIfqyEoU2MztNviY2tXoXnl9HCF5lPbmkwgePH2zumJMQnKWM1xCEYk6r_mq2M2UCKBoOHARBb89ombnsnYeI6-3pmgo2A8yitO5kL6oKfJL40es5twuOV/w301-h400/6-AliceP-AM-PassionOfLotus.copy.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Melting Mirrors</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">by Ambika Talwar</span><span style="font-family: Snap ITC;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These burning times are rapidly<br />
winnowing their way – ice is <br />
melting as before melting into floes.<br />
What shall we now dream of<br />
in the middle of the eclipse?<br />
<br />
The blood moon on a still night<br />
has whiskers and we <br />
wonder how to change the things<br />
that break before their time…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surely there is sustenance<br />
for the having and for the grieving<br />
rapidly remembering<br />
beauty of translucent mornings<br />
before the deluge and the smoke<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">before the cracking of old mirrors…<br />
<br />
Look deeply into your heart's core<br />
your soul may sing you onward<br />
for your heart's burning <br />
is but a smidgen away – Call in<br />
your glowing soul…wild as love<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Call it in and love it – Love it because <br />
there is nothing else left for us to do.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3moJe390sMGv1TKn1lqYEHMoiA1ybv-3wrLCnjEVJKfAthbO4s5v3arljF_G2JDInkj823BYwHE8QF5WC03AGuFk0N5lmrg6NCxLQ03ECBT2X9E7Ty6HuK_iFBzKa-3OboLKOdWom-iFyI0Dxfp4iPdcRwwNQCQPrryYfIclgy5XtxoU4M5ilUDk/s2147/11-MAJA-Am-BlueArches111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3moJe390sMGv1TKn1lqYEHMoiA1ybv-3wrLCnjEVJKfAthbO4s5v3arljF_G2JDInkj823BYwHE8QF5WC03AGuFk0N5lmrg6NCxLQ03ECBT2X9E7Ty6HuK_iFBzKa-3OboLKOdWom-iFyI0Dxfp4iPdcRwwNQCQPrryYfIclgy5XtxoU4M5ilUDk/w298-h400/11-MAJA-Am-BlueArches111.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like Grapes on a Vine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>by Maja Trochimczyk </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—we
grow and grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nourished
by gold light<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
sapphire water,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we
become sweeter as we age.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last
traces of bitterness <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
resentment dissolve<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">into
forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes,
it was a long road. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Yes, it was hard.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
But we are here. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Grapes
on the vine.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
kind to myself, kind to others,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">kind
to the world. I listen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
grains of sand on the beach,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">all
dancing droplets in the ocean,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the
salty mist on my lips – sing the song <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
creation. Such a joy to be. Present. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attentive—to
the sparkling pathway <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
sunlight leading beyond the horizon— <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to
the relentless rhythm of the waves<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">crushing
all worry into smithereens.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Out
flows my pain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Out goes my sorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In flows my peace.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In comes my
gladness.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like
the ripening grapes on the vine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we
become sweeter as we age. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirie0iBLjn5UWJyfVjX0Evaf2G0LGmrcDL_nXQwUNrH-pPh_B4BU6AORy6LuqXdpODBPZXKja0hNcK93GxeHkinL10scMhbIv4xZj1uJs38PSobbevsZP0gJr1C3T4lS-tPdFtyN9NOhQUGusJ6d2hoN-LJ3QIF0lRAGJNVRRb0dnFFkoaMPbCo5fO/s856/9%20Pomegranate%20Crown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirie0iBLjn5UWJyfVjX0Evaf2G0LGmrcDL_nXQwUNrH-pPh_B4BU6AORy6LuqXdpODBPZXKja0hNcK93GxeHkinL10scMhbIv4xZj1uJs38PSobbevsZP0gJr1C3T4lS-tPdFtyN9NOhQUGusJ6d2hoN-LJ3QIF0lRAGJNVRRb0dnFFkoaMPbCo5fO/s320/9%20Pomegranate%20Crown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnG-x_EX2nfDvxdfUV5QkzyrP4e6RcH511skuCf4lULaYBDAYkCpMOsGbWNEl-boppg3JSc3-jEgdecU8xkPLBsT7YHl4EvUut8SGNbIQT12SEd2m5JTVQNKDoGEPQ_Cnr-SBOSGLD3gk8LutegUU-haJgFfMVgZVVPCxyxiWHzEmMbYYgqvgbrBol/s4500/Bright%20Skies%20Cover%20Vine%20Front-page-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnG-x_EX2nfDvxdfUV5QkzyrP4e6RcH511skuCf4lULaYBDAYkCpMOsGbWNEl-boppg3JSc3-jEgdecU8xkPLBsT7YHl4EvUut8SGNbIQT12SEd2m5JTVQNKDoGEPQ_Cnr-SBOSGLD3gk8LutegUU-haJgFfMVgZVVPCxyxiWHzEmMbYYgqvgbrBol/w266-h400/Bright%20Skies%20Cover%20Vine%20Front-page-001.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Bright Skies. Selected Poems </b><b>by Maja Trochimczyk.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> ISBN 978-1-945938-49-8, color paperback, </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>184 Pages, 85 poems, 160 color photographs, </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>ISBN 978-1-945938-52-8, ebook</b></p><p>In Bright Skies, as Marlene Hitt writes, "Maja Trochimczyk leads her readers into a lovely world. She sees the beauty of a rose, a bird, a sunrise. She has brought her childhood memories from faraway Poland into the splendid light of Southern California." William Scott Galasso concurs: "Every poem celebrates the incomparable beauty, diversity and healing power of nature--giving us reason for hope.[...] Whether one perceives dewdrops on a rose, the wind swirl of a kite in cerulean skies or an incoming wave bursting from a turquoise sea, one is moved and that’s the point. She presents all five senses and dares you to fully engage—and to be moved."</p><p>More about this book: <a href="https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/05/maja-trochimczyks-new-volume-of.html">https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2022/05/maja-trochimczyks-new-volume-of.html</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzzXXG7DwzEt3rO3gC0iiuLlmcvkPpAqOgmF0BNbq_gbfrxCWOMn98--jWAJQYqWzx31mJn1NDatM3CqnsLns8HzWxsF1xJLqqIxTP5-TOEv9zUXBdyG1Aw9Arod8i9ueeWsk8ow19xxH_NO4G2stQa-Fs29vICgRij1-ogT_2zgSPayyP2JAw8Yn/s3264/tree%20pears.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzzXXG7DwzEt3rO3gC0iiuLlmcvkPpAqOgmF0BNbq_gbfrxCWOMn98--jWAJQYqWzx31mJn1NDatM3CqnsLns8HzWxsF1xJLqqIxTP5-TOEv9zUXBdyG1Aw9Arod8i9ueeWsk8ow19xxH_NO4G2stQa-Fs29vICgRij1-ogT_2zgSPayyP2JAw8Yn/w400-h300/tree%20pears.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
Being Green in Vincent’s Garden</span></b><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">~ After Vincent Van Gogh, "The
Poet's Garden" (1888) <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
at the Art Institute of Chicago<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A white rose faints on a cement sidewalk.<br />Crisp clear azure sky encloses the city in a cupola.<br />Art vibrates on the walls of the Art Institute<br />guarded by green-patinaed copper lions<br />in garish Christmas wreaths. Van Gogh<br />waits for me. Frowning, uncertain.<br /><br />Yes, I love your iridescent greens,<br />celadons, aquas, emeralds, jades.<br />The vibrant grass, uncut new meadow<br />and the explosion of bushes and trees,<br />vibrating with the full force of life.<br /><br />Leaf opens after leaf—after leaf—<br />exploding with cosmic energy<br />alive—so alive—so alive—so alive<br />so real, emerging from canvas<br />coming into becoming—stretching— <br />growing—being—breathing—living—<br /><br />Even the sky vibrates in hues of green<br />and yellow, turquoise, and aqua.<br />Each plant, tree, bush—marked with<br />a thick layer of paint, intense brushstrokes.<br />I understand now. Vincent was one<br />of us, the seeing ones. Awake.<br />He could not tell us any louder<br />than in this saturated greenest paint.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Open
your eyes. We are all here. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
world is ours to love, to see. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></p><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8wxGx5K5SjLSyPwducLgChiA0wf8MXtmWPqyBBxvTF_KH4zDEUdUwMgo52X9t24MARacvz3ljOHPbA4G3Yh9MeIUr3FJDY8JUafb-CJmBgMvI2AAps7HL4WofMiFpWa77-a8szgPoWqDY7ZrX5_eT-iwzZ02llpX4XDYqsCMF_2dcNY46PiP7yK9/s2048/Shadow%20fern.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8wxGx5K5SjLSyPwducLgChiA0wf8MXtmWPqyBBxvTF_KH4zDEUdUwMgo52X9t24MARacvz3ljOHPbA4G3Yh9MeIUr3FJDY8JUafb-CJmBgMvI2AAps7HL4WofMiFpWa77-a8szgPoWqDY7ZrX5_eT-iwzZ02llpX4XDYqsCMF_2dcNY46PiP7yK9/w400-h300/Shadow%20fern.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> The Antidote</span></b><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Chaos breaks out in our cities full of noise,</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> toxins, radiation. I withdraw into my garden,<br /> compress the sphere of attention,<br /> intensifying the focus on minute details.<br /><br /> The liquid patterns of finches’ song, repeated<br /> like a broken record. The sediment lines<br /> on the layered rock from Big Tujunga Wash.<br /> The translucent opal of a quartz stone,<br /> smoothed by the Pacific on Oxnard Beach.<br /><br /> The imperceptible motion of leaves<br /> expanding skywards, while their roots<br /> stretch down invisibly, moist with dew.
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Is it not enough to taste a
pomegranate,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">really taste each tart aril, bursting
in your mouth? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is it not enough to turn your face up,
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to be kissed by noon sunlight?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“No fear, no hate, not even a slight
dislike”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">says St. Germain. I clear the rubble <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of memories of past pain, stronger, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">more clingy than the pain itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The mind is full of useless knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The body remembers on its own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pitiful. The heart locks itself <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in a hard shell of protectiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have to conquer this chaos within, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">polish lamps, wash the windows<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">into sparkling translucence, letting <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;">the light in</span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;">—</span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;">the
antidote to chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKImsZV-tCbvaamMP6b-ZuWWVEAE9C9fUWMpx7RoSp7-irw9at9sGPT_YdkAXLD0qmUK6vhZXHz5iGFn_BuvDZtN8ps1jBBXvjnZLZg0YVDAkgR9DLgH10vRkk8dhWWfBTWbfqZsFdJYYJ1YXotv2aDO21G56JcwWMJuJi3de5gpi1_pIRcF6Z1juT/s4032/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKImsZV-tCbvaamMP6b-ZuWWVEAE9C9fUWMpx7RoSp7-irw9at9sGPT_YdkAXLD0qmUK6vhZXHz5iGFn_BuvDZtN8ps1jBBXvjnZLZg0YVDAkgR9DLgH10vRkk8dhWWfBTWbfqZsFdJYYJ1YXotv2aDO21G56JcwWMJuJi3de5gpi1_pIRcF6Z1juT/w400-h300/IMG_1424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk with "Bright Skies" and "Crystal Fire" books at Sky Garden exhibition opening</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">October 16, 2022</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OPENING RECEPTION AND READING</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The opening reception and reading on October 16, 2022 was a great success with seven "readers" in attendance, presenting their work from the anthology: Ella Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Alice Pero, Bory Thach, Ambika Talwar and Maja Trochimczyk. The work of other poets who live too far to attend was also read during the presentation. The reading was recorded via Zoom and will be posted on Moonrise Press YouTube Channel after edits are finished. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvG1wnnf-JAe0inSzn433vumfgtCTCFxq6wwTqy5zcFxuD4Xvl_ikOa5gYpmPSiT57GG_GPmXg7zcagIJD87ce3375j5RcaVUkd94v1GG1dXCeNogLTjPC5T1OzSU1qMsRj6Abg2Xaac21kO6eLz8QSu0Rlab2vzzqwbW2XdXHv51EigCH2rygMoo/s2143/MarleneOct16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2143" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvG1wnnf-JAe0inSzn433vumfgtCTCFxq6wwTqy5zcFxuD4Xvl_ikOa5gYpmPSiT57GG_GPmXg7zcagIJD87ce3375j5RcaVUkd94v1GG1dXCeNogLTjPC5T1OzSU1qMsRj6Abg2Xaac21kO6eLz8QSu0Rlab2vzzqwbW2XdXHv51EigCH2rygMoo/w363-h400/MarleneOct16.jpg" width="363" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Marlene Hitt on October 16, 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqDFqfv0UHR5WBKuZhHFCcPvl6Mre4qB2cFmulpgp7j2xh2ymuosK8ZPEHlJGY1MgTqbaMIvpPC9lU-t7NHb9rAhc5WcTdIQohES1uvK6ZG5smxd3lCk-CJ7Wg5C2KsWWlv1-9gT0ZwSyxiVLFlsO9toPO7pofsLDCyOTWF41ueMoYwPhUSjJ3Jbw/s1440/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqDFqfv0UHR5WBKuZhHFCcPvl6Mre4qB2cFmulpgp7j2xh2ymuosK8ZPEHlJGY1MgTqbaMIvpPC9lU-t7NHb9rAhc5WcTdIQohES1uvK6ZG5smxd3lCk-CJ7Wg5C2KsWWlv1-9gT0ZwSyxiVLFlsO9toPO7pofsLDCyOTWF41ueMoYwPhUSjJ3Jbw/w400-h300/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4tU0v4IOw1Y-xkA8ugNXmSU20jXhDKyKs4wwRByr3pLT9PFecOMraKinqMWqOd7Omlll3uAE5WGSFwlDNSHvcaLA-4ySt_DYfSyl--d4aAWk7kThMcei5AkPRtpcr99yK0LirNY6HJRwUuCNJx8FamZ78yRA5yPdsx4eKBx7PZrtq_raw4SabzQx/s2509/AliceOct16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="1700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4tU0v4IOw1Y-xkA8ugNXmSU20jXhDKyKs4wwRByr3pLT9PFecOMraKinqMWqOd7Omlll3uAE5WGSFwlDNSHvcaLA-4ySt_DYfSyl--d4aAWk7kThMcei5AkPRtpcr99yK0LirNY6HJRwUuCNJx8FamZ78yRA5yPdsx4eKBx7PZrtq_raw4SabzQx/w271-h400/AliceOct16.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>Alice Pero</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWraIRk08CWOPJVek24-lC-By4v-vqyMDlk77HUbtedEl12OYlq2ZCjy5dHz9EtZCAOPqfL8GMS7iLc9Ufz1GSkQut9r1qwPw2_x1R7AToa5PKePIpvho0oB4x1MfLO2wc_NR62wE8eXtgyZvaayJD3YGHmFWm7wgqZoQQfAhtxS0Se97dY0OuayiN/s2251/Mary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="2251" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWraIRk08CWOPJVek24-lC-By4v-vqyMDlk77HUbtedEl12OYlq2ZCjy5dHz9EtZCAOPqfL8GMS7iLc9Ufz1GSkQut9r1qwPw2_x1R7AToa5PKePIpvho0oB4x1MfLO2wc_NR62wE8eXtgyZvaayJD3YGHmFWm7wgqZoQQfAhtxS0Se97dY0OuayiN/w400-h297/Mary.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mary Elliott</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXYx4_vLKeVrjoJVCd4k8De7K4qDEeQVTnLFatyPeWrSe00utSWLcdbgYU07iVEdxBuQvLDkMCB8KJ7wff6F9SZbcsrWY3UMUsNTvuT3pSNEswkcR1an2wFcmVvU0HcKk0Srb15duOWpi8z4EAZ4vstGAPjR9ox9mQZo7knoRFZloXUQmIRZI5ORh/s4032/20221016_170101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXYx4_vLKeVrjoJVCd4k8De7K4qDEeQVTnLFatyPeWrSe00utSWLcdbgYU07iVEdxBuQvLDkMCB8KJ7wff6F9SZbcsrWY3UMUsNTvuT3pSNEswkcR1an2wFcmVvU0HcKk0Srb15duOWpi8z4EAZ4vstGAPjR9ox9mQZo7knoRFZloXUQmIRZI5ORh/w400-h195/20221016_170101.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Mary Elliott, October 16, 2022</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WOqob8GV2LWkOcEwOdLHJcS81tcO91ZKUTlHkjCyPbHHX0fWa0y1ABuogpwA4b0LMKH1DVFHKIFF9i-HVLJ3QRk0P-cR4Id9b0GfwlgMTJ0qx4yPw88PQ3vEvnm6lIFQnfUCz0g51FYYBBTMwuxeAFUytYZp63O4COLHKAdjKQxD25Jc0KDzwBDe/s1944/majaOct16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="1944" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WOqob8GV2LWkOcEwOdLHJcS81tcO91ZKUTlHkjCyPbHHX0fWa0y1ABuogpwA4b0LMKH1DVFHKIFF9i-HVLJ3QRk0P-cR4Id9b0GfwlgMTJ0qx4yPw88PQ3vEvnm6lIFQnfUCz0g51FYYBBTMwuxeAFUytYZp63O4COLHKAdjKQxD25Jc0KDzwBDe/w400-h350/majaOct16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniM9gWgeodFmP49M2bpIWpBb5GJUBGD_Z9JEHZY2s2c7vxt7O4fkZOEL_wlRaWRB-s9DVjuXaH6pJzsHI-0SudQcVtTtrqx16c3StVWmJIP744D7OnN7Oo2jDmCtqB938T3UnLVeKiR5Etn-Ap2SFuBhp5g0z9DjUE-2F9hNkOJLj9L8rffOvOMON/s1440/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniM9gWgeodFmP49M2bpIWpBb5GJUBGD_Z9JEHZY2s2c7vxt7O4fkZOEL_wlRaWRB-s9DVjuXaH6pJzsHI-0SudQcVtTtrqx16c3StVWmJIP744D7OnN7Oo2jDmCtqB938T3UnLVeKiR5Etn-Ap2SFuBhp5g0z9DjUE-2F9hNkOJLj9L8rffOvOMON/w400-h300/IMG_1262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip26cCSw0I6q7znpztNJ4jCdV0G2OGNdk24SadhMi_RfU-kOcV_GqOB5ZRePDQQxxi9lxg_N5seW5tWNYsHoLoQmmFSVvlt0Xsj2H5_xo1oscMcZcLD8kZf1v1C3O1Pz0cb8g-KjRhB9lRtNuwsh4N2n8uUarh64y3EoOQ9ioXXIdp3EGvsl7MtzYc/s1440/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip26cCSw0I6q7znpztNJ4jCdV0G2OGNdk24SadhMi_RfU-kOcV_GqOB5ZRePDQQxxi9lxg_N5seW5tWNYsHoLoQmmFSVvlt0Xsj2H5_xo1oscMcZcLD8kZf1v1C3O1Pz0cb8g-KjRhB9lRtNuwsh4N2n8uUarh64y3EoOQ9ioXXIdp3EGvsl7MtzYc/w400-h300/IMG_1256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7tqmQaqtSyRHikUZMVSz4Qw5u3w35jTw0qH8PXsE5lnX9sQEEv2idpoMyt0gdsJkT2K3fv8Z2pmfyS7h73gVp5VeslkjXFyQBq9DQ4P7pES-ja6VMtlxQ0pFcatU9HNmpkT752Pu4MYEyfP3g1m7opphXHk_3IgOWwQsGt6nYSjyq8EnXe4kk1jw/s1440/IMG_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7tqmQaqtSyRHikUZMVSz4Qw5u3w35jTw0qH8PXsE5lnX9sQEEv2idpoMyt0gdsJkT2K3fv8Z2pmfyS7h73gVp5VeslkjXFyQBq9DQ4P7pES-ja6VMtlxQ0pFcatU9HNmpkT752Pu4MYEyfP3g1m7opphXHk_3IgOWwQsGt6nYSjyq8EnXe4kk1jw/w400-h300/IMG_1261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQQYw4upbplrpySmwipP6OR3UJMboXtoXyjM8a3_NZChX3aNx0gNC-6n7Hg4Yx0mYWrew7U0TRLIaZU502BqSZ-sD3erocKMahpeelggr2v19LLdAWlMegRlrgVw-g10CQBAB3O0wY9N4u14K7zpEMggBouhL0z6xQ9QFm6lOl3uRNsLiYB_yx3To/s1440/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQQYw4upbplrpySmwipP6OR3UJMboXtoXyjM8a3_NZChX3aNx0gNC-6n7Hg4Yx0mYWrew7U0TRLIaZU502BqSZ-sD3erocKMahpeelggr2v19LLdAWlMegRlrgVw-g10CQBAB3O0wY9N4u14K7zpEMggBouhL0z6xQ9QFm6lOl3uRNsLiYB_yx3To/w400-h300/IMG_1257.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChrAMPLCAhFYmsEIr1JnmpVo1MVIEhrerKbDunPCLAoU1IPIsHbMtE8lycmPa2AH3nEMpRp5L8_Y51LMb-DnsitkjK4-7CzcLIWZ3eBIqSCxLTlC7ypIbeyN7E-TBkTJEe70PgSFt2hFz77U7enj0vX6XLtJ1AiuRE02BCWCZUtkT8QDza3DIY9GZ/s1440/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChrAMPLCAhFYmsEIr1JnmpVo1MVIEhrerKbDunPCLAoU1IPIsHbMtE8lycmPa2AH3nEMpRp5L8_Y51LMb-DnsitkjK4-7CzcLIWZ3eBIqSCxLTlC7ypIbeyN7E-TBkTJEe70PgSFt2hFz77U7enj0vX6XLtJ1AiuRE02BCWCZUtkT8QDza3DIY9GZ/s320/IMG_1259.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Alice Pero<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCefTlRrTJN0yd1ZzTOFHoimDWqebkBuwCGVOFxv8iJ5neUkfVPIGOsppjZJX592nmfhDRVlOQIQ1iRvUYX0oVRLe2_m_R27cs8OJxC-lrNYBvp4WarEB60UHtOSfwutmmKt3M7lWk1FnXQEq-5UeikgIx0r1CviZHfvuUb4zmJI_DsTFaNS3HWca/s4032/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCefTlRrTJN0yd1ZzTOFHoimDWqebkBuwCGVOFxv8iJ5neUkfVPIGOsppjZJX592nmfhDRVlOQIQ1iRvUYX0oVRLe2_m_R27cs8OJxC-lrNYBvp4WarEB60UHtOSfwutmmKt3M7lWk1FnXQEq-5UeikgIx0r1CviZHfvuUb4zmJI_DsTFaNS3HWca/w300-h400/IMG_1240.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja with Jadwiga and Evan Inglis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0u9-vOa0zo0mtFu2XvPHnHauNJDDpbb_51miD-2ZtS9Pzck3xKyThAeI5cPDTdT3dgP_QCCg72iIon759bLghEvmNIOQcDwtOFukxhZjNxacx5uVFGxpKL8_9xeOTXxs2ryyA-_Fe3mKlkSm8ZcXquvKsU1msv1pLs2v9OJjrCrrXdZyD91riE6a/s2808/grupaoct16.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2808" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0u9-vOa0zo0mtFu2XvPHnHauNJDDpbb_51miD-2ZtS9Pzck3xKyThAeI5cPDTdT3dgP_QCCg72iIon759bLghEvmNIOQcDwtOFukxhZjNxacx5uVFGxpKL8_9xeOTXxs2ryyA-_Fe3mKlkSm8ZcXquvKsU1msv1pLs2v9OJjrCrrXdZyD91riE6a/w400-h278/grupaoct16.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Poets at the Opening Reception: Elliott, Thach, Hitt, Pero, DeCenzo, Talwar, Trochimczyk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKqeS0j-K93O0VS47m913BV2gPhOqFWkVtmw1PIn13RAkFFOKm7iWLqdj3rJVYCzDv-Ux2kWcOsBUE5KsnSkaKR3DSRxn0GUXlqxV3J9U2uH9mvvx7fx0RpNuooY0x7ccN145c858Cl_rd0XZ-SAOZGEWSdhspMlXh4ef05eeTojdgzXMLUnDICm9/s1455/Robert%20Horwath%20photo%20of%20group2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="1455" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKqeS0j-K93O0VS47m913BV2gPhOqFWkVtmw1PIn13RAkFFOKm7iWLqdj3rJVYCzDv-Ux2kWcOsBUE5KsnSkaKR3DSRxn0GUXlqxV3J9U2uH9mvvx7fx0RpNuooY0x7ccN145c858Cl_rd0XZ-SAOZGEWSdhspMlXh4ef05eeTojdgzXMLUnDICm9/w400-h370/Robert%20Horwath%20photo%20of%20group2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk108333799;"><br /></span></span><p></p><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-33898552307854620092022-09-01T11:03:00.010-07:002024-01-25T14:40:23.331-08:00Moonrise Press Publishes "Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy & Wisdom" Edited by Maja Trochimczyk, September 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZPS3INviNASMN0WQa4P6e6zjkqTrGWVADfYg-AYt0WXraLIyQaNASxZ5V-EEPH7WntAFW2HdRWW_CaFSP12VAtkdD6ySZdqqBnATgCXUhxCIS-wAn8tGv_TArZwwT_eq7le8iTSKDCmKUkLjU7BxKwT24HRk2p45sqPnrsz0co6tPHXYLZMJ_x95/s2997/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZPS3INviNASMN0WQa4P6e6zjkqTrGWVADfYg-AYt0WXraLIyQaNASxZ5V-EEPH7WntAFW2HdRWW_CaFSP12VAtkdD6ySZdqqBnATgCXUhxCIS-wAn8tGv_TArZwwT_eq7le8iTSKDCmKUkLjU7BxKwT24HRk2p45sqPnrsz0co6tPHXYLZMJ_x95/w269-h400/Crystal%20Fire%20Cover%20Front.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Crystal Fire. Poems of Joy & Wisdom</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/ambika-talwar-and-maja-trochimczyk/crystal-fire-poems-of-joy-wisdom/hardcover/product-r9yg86.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-57-3</a>
(color hardcover)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/pqqz9g" target="_blank"><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISBN</span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/pqqz9g" target="_blank">978-1-945938-58-0</a> (color </span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">paperback)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/ambika-talwar-and-maja-trochimczyk/crystal-fire-poems-of-joy-wisdom/ebook/product-qv9w7v.html" target="_blank"> </a></span></b><b><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/ambika-talwar-and-maja-trochimczyk/crystal-fire-poems-of-joy-wisdom/ebook/product-qv9w7v.html" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-59-7</a>
(eBook) </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="PL" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="PL" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: PL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Edited by Maja Trochimczyk, and illustrated with paintings by Ambika Talwar, the “Crystal Fire” anthology gathers poems of joy and wisdom by 12 poets, 8 women and 4 men: Elżbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, Bory Thach, and Maja Trochimczyk. The poets span all ages and diverse life experiences. They include émigrés from Poland, Cambodia, and India, and those born in the U.S. College professors join community poets. Native speakers appear alongside those for whom English is the second, or even the third language. The ”joy and wisdom” they write about are also different, as each poet follows their own path and gathers unique reflections to share with their readers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">Preface</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">When shadows fell, it was time to shine. The worse and more absurd the news and events are, the more inclined I have been to write “positive” poetry—find shelter in my garden, watch ocean waves on an empty beach, play with kites in the hills. All alone. This period of seclusion has helped me find focus and inspiration for a book of my own, </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">Bright Skies</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">, dedicated to my children and grandchildren. I thought of a legacy to leave for them: the legacy of love and joy, the legacy of experience, the legacy of wisdom. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The same focus resulted in the idea of gathering poems of joy and wisdom from other poets for an anthology. Alas, my call for submissions did not result in an avalanche of poems. Not at all. Instead, I heard from some fine poet-friends that they found it very hard to write about light and love, and that their own poems were very dark, reflecting traumas and sorrows of their lives. But I also received sets of great poems that inspired me to change the book’s design. Instead of an anthology filled with single poems by many authors, I present a collection written by 12 poets, 8 women and 4 men, spanning all ages and diverse life experiences. Emigrés from Poland, Cambodia, and India, and those born in the U.S. College professors join community poets. Native speakers appear alongside those for whom English is second, or even third language. The ”joy and wisdom” they write about are also different, as each poet follows their own path and gathers unique reflections to share with their readers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The title of this anthology comes from my poem “The Year of Crystal Fire” written at the end of a very long and convoluted love story that has a lot to do with the ancient Chinese legends of nine-tailed foxes. I placed this poem in the <i>Babie Lato</i> section of the <i>Bright Skies</i> book. This section contains poems about romantic love and wisdom that comes from loving someone, getting to know the beloved, and learning about love itself. I must admit that the pathway ascending from personal, romantic and erotic love to the universal love, the glue that holds the Universe together, has been my obsession since my first poetry book, <i>Miriam’s Iris, or Angels in the Garden, </i>published in 2008. But I’m a slow learner, so my last words on the subject were written only in 2022! In any case, <i>Babie Lato</i> (lit. <i>Woman’s Summer</i>) is the Polish term for that magical period between summer and fall, when the light is golden, the air warm, and orchards full of fruit. This is the time of harvest, of ripening, of maturing. In English it is called <i>Indian Summer,</i> but this name does not fit my idea of gathering the fruit of insight from romance, so I kept the Polish term.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Initially, the title of this anthology was to be <i>The Year of Crystal Fire</i>, just like the poem, but why limit ourselves to just one year? The phrase of “Crystal Fire” may be seen as the symbol of all humanity, with each person born from the union of man and woman, the male and female DNA strands interlocking in ever new patterns to create human beings. In this phrase, "Crystal" stands for the feminine and “Fire” for the masculine. “Crystal” is peaceful, somewhat static, but well-constructed, stable, and growing slowly into perfection. It is the cosmos of order and being. Remember, only women give birth (though some want to construct artificial wombs and detach humanity from its roots). In contrast, "Fire" is dynamic, sometimes intensely dramatic, always changing, always transforming, constantly in the state of flux. It is the energy of change and growth. It is also destructive, demolishing solid structures of the past to make room for the new. “Fire” means destruction and becoming. It is pure chaos. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Universe arises from the dance of these twin forces, like yin and yang, but neither is pure darkness, negative and “evil” and neither is pure light, positive, and “good.” Instead, they are the ageless vortex of cosmic unity and chaos, of creation and destruction. There is no value assigned to this polarity, for such labels are limiting and deceptive. Both aspects are essential, each cannot exist without its twin. Both are good AND evil, both are positive AND negative. ”Good and positive” when coupled with the other. “Evil and negative” when alone. These are the polar opposites of stagnation and decline—or constant movement and the total destruction of all life. The feminine elements of "earth" and "water" endlessly dance with the masculine elements of “air” and “fire.” Do you agree with me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I find this completely new cosmology that came out of one love wisdom poem to be quite fascinating. Take it or leave it. It is mine to share.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I am grateful to all poets that found their way to this anthology, via submission or invitation to contribute: Elżbieta Czajkowska, Joe DeCenzo, Mary Elliott, Jeff Graham, Marlene Hitt, Frederick Livingston, Alice Pero, Allegra Silberstein, Jane Stuart, Ambika Talwar, and Bory Thach. I am grateful for the poets’ willingness to work with me and revise or replace their poems as requested. Alice, Ambika and Bory serve with me on the California State Poetry Society’s Board. Joe and Marlene are friends from Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga; we have been organizing readings together for over a decade. Others are contributors to the CSPS’s <i>California Quarterly</i> whose poems I liked so much I decided to invite them to join us. Thus, these two organizations should also be acknowledged for opening my poetic horizons and making this anthology possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I am particularly grateful to Ambika Talwar whose magnificent artwork graces the cover of this volume and all title pages for individual poets. She is a great painter and a great poet, also the most prolific. Her verse provides a fitting conclusion to this collection designed to illumine its readers with <i>Crystal Fire</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Enjoy!</span><i style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></i></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Maja Trochimczyk<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Los Angeles, 28 August 2022<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: medium;"><b>ABOUT THIS BOOK - FROM A REVIEW BY MICHAEL ESCOUBAS</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">"Before launching into the poems themselves, I was blessed by Maja Trochimczyk’s two and one-half page preface. This personally revealing summary of her motivations for giving birth to Crystal Fire is indispensable reading. In it she explains her use of "Crystal," and "Fire," in the title. Don't pass over this enlightened writing. </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"> Each contributor offers a unique take on the subject matter, thus adding a touch of virtuosity to the whole. I</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">n an age of vitriolic talk, of political and moral uncertainty, amid the dark clouds of Covid-19, Crystal Fire draws back the curtain on Love, Joy and yes, Wisdom. </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">As art and poetry work together, I’ve come to an ever-deeper appreciation of Wallace Stevens’ very practical saying, “Poetry [and painting] is a response to the daily necessity of getting the world right.” I can’t help thinking that Maja Trochimczyk, Ambika Talwar, and the talented contributors to Crystal Fire, would agree."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;">Michael Escoubas, Quill and Parchment, April 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://quillandparchment.com/archives/April2023/book3.html">http://quillandparchment.com/archives/April2023/book3.html</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwu-sACdal883GSGj20_M-3QjKzSDXeEIpbVsj59wCN_xoeHF9UH9M2y7o5IL-AtY66zX8WXmOCrpR9dujhXN_Fl2S4gE7aEGuwoiW5LhZupDOg7KvuzQhS5LrLBtroTrRPCbrOLEnJiNboQWG12_Ktl5qPwXNgQkNmjgzORfDYdVGcXyah3k4dL6/s3010/0b-Am-BCvrHeavensLakeDiptych-R-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwu-sACdal883GSGj20_M-3QjKzSDXeEIpbVsj59wCN_xoeHF9UH9M2y7o5IL-AtY66zX8WXmOCrpR9dujhXN_Fl2S4gE7aEGuwoiW5LhZupDOg7KvuzQhS5LrLBtroTrRPCbrOLEnJiNboQWG12_Ktl5qPwXNgQkNmjgzORfDYdVGcXyah3k4dL6/w319-h400/0b-Am-BCvrHeavensLakeDiptych-R-2.jpeg" width="319" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Table of Contents<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Table of Contents ≈ </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">v</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Preface <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>x<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Prior Publication Credits<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>xiii<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Illustrations by Ambika Talwar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>xiv<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMaumaNBIl6IkHPDxkWoRE6S5ua7dvLHpkHdXyxoCyxaI18zaea-AVoqjtrVDzdS1K1PnLalDwveULVgUWGPlucJCfbodiBAowUsYs-1Iwq3HKK6mcsOdh88KFDwVZp-wK55brc90T8h9zrnnK1t0wnqB41rBhxlVZc3VDvaJym1yZfMtM1fdrKeM/s2110/1-Ella%20-AM-LittleBlueMoon-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2110" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMaumaNBIl6IkHPDxkWoRE6S5ua7dvLHpkHdXyxoCyxaI18zaea-AVoqjtrVDzdS1K1PnLalDwveULVgUWGPlucJCfbodiBAowUsYs-1Iwq3HKK6mcsOdh88KFDwVZp-wK55brc90T8h9zrnnK1t0wnqB41rBhxlVZc3VDvaJym1yZfMtM1fdrKeM/w304-h400/1-Ella%20-AM-LittleBlueMoon-copy.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Elzbieta
Czajkowska ≈ 3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Of Sky, and Ocean, and Earth <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">What Heart May Be Dreaming<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Sublime Senses <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Given <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I Burn<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Fruits of Infinity ≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Close Enough<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Circles <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">All <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>13<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Calling <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>14<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">All You</span></p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Breathe in, breathe out. Let it go, let it flow.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Let it seep out like water through fingers,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Like sand—drop after drop, grain after grain.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Empty out all the filth, discard the trash—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> There is no use for useless and no worth to worthless,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> No sense in senseless, no purpose to purposeless.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> There is a song to be found in silence,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Peace—in motionlessness wrapped in chaos.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The moment—a breathless wealth of endlessness</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Hidden in a second, an age of blissful now.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Freedom is found in a mind unburdened from want,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> From expectations, desires and needs, and thus from fear—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Of losing, of needing more, and not receiving enough.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> You are the grain of sand in a desert dune—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A drop of water in infinite ocean—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> You are the breath, the design, the universe.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Not everything is about you—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Everything is about you—</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="bline-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> “I create myself”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW5PS8UlRq4AngrlBH-BicVuKzH7jx8oGQwQ5VsruqNe5zM7HRqsMmHlmNRI-aDqglmEy6P1xZxtSi9g5oV2Ad7vc5UX6K7cTwXhiLSs5ylY9l27gzwmMXE0l2my0GeI4ZZEtTL57R8y58rIUeMZMqC1iDqou7lh9c4eq-hzhRijnCS4vu7LT5FWO/s1400/2-BT-AM-VorticesofBeing0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1400" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW5PS8UlRq4AngrlBH-BicVuKzH7jx8oGQwQ5VsruqNe5zM7HRqsMmHlmNRI-aDqglmEy6P1xZxtSi9g5oV2Ad7vc5UX6K7cTwXhiLSs5ylY9l27gzwmMXE0l2my0GeI4ZZEtTL57R8y58rIUeMZMqC1iDqou7lh9c4eq-hzhRijnCS4vu7LT5FWO/w320-h317/2-BT-AM-VorticesofBeing0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Bory Thach ≈ 15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Soul-spirit <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>16<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Memory <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>17<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Yesterday I was a Nightingale <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>18<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Fireflies in Moonlight <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>19<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I Fell in Love with the Quietly
Flowing River <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>20<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">My Desert <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>21<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Mirage <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Migration <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Awaken <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>24<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"> Fireflies
in Moonlight</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A spring moon, sad and beautiful</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In an unseen world. Endless</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whispers of late-night winds and rain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">An oil lamp. Hands in supplication</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As they burn a prayer offering,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Washing away all earthly sentiments.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vibrational auras are shaped by
thoughts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Purity and stillness remain. Dreams</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fly, seductive, like star magnolias</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On midnight breeze.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Petals fall outside the window,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Red leaves float on water in a garden</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With lilies. They open as bright as</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">hollowed moons, big enough to fill</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two outstretched palms.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The river of stars ebbs and flows,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then sails away — as melting frost</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Feeds the wilderness. All things</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Come into being. The balance</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of matter and energy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The imperceptible is everywhere</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like ink on a page that brings</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mountains and streams to life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gaze through the veil of time</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beyond mists and fog.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before waking up,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Move between realms </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of the physical and spiritual.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is time to count fireflies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In moonlight.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><br /></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglgDeorfmIFAb9886oEIOVpnu7RBCtJhXgLlVaL8wwC8AUmY7qZXqF2iem8_wEzWRMNd-RwKm1Zu18tNB3v7P8KTpAMieMprX4_hEt1vP4sLyNdGg2oGfUfyHjtYjvJoQQd-V_qkUzUo4vmt5vjIUA_gZt5P0--C9j7_cI2W0-7mOOXczn0XUMHMX/s2062/4-JD-Am-Meridians-FlowerCopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2062" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglgDeorfmIFAb9886oEIOVpnu7RBCtJhXgLlVaL8wwC8AUmY7qZXqF2iem8_wEzWRMNd-RwKm1Zu18tNB3v7P8KTpAMieMprX4_hEt1vP4sLyNdGg2oGfUfyHjtYjvJoQQd-V_qkUzUo4vmt5vjIUA_gZt5P0--C9j7_cI2W0-7mOOXczn0XUMHMX/w310-h400/4-JD-Am-Meridians-FlowerCopy.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Joe DeCenzo ≈ 25<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Where the Road Bends <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>26<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">It’s Never Too Early <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>27<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Lasagna<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>28<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">For What October Brings<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>29 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Between the Lines <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Would You Ever Know? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>31<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Love’s Cliché<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>32 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">With Gratitude <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>33<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">In Joy and Jacaranda ≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>34<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">In Joy and Jacaranda</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tell me stories of your restful hibernation,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How you live through the vague and varied
impressions</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Of
winter’s monochrome.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tell me how it feels to dream in lavish lilac
periwinkle,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To reimagine the bleached and bland conformities</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> As you
prepare the amethyst show.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What gives voice to inspiration </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When that first flower takes to stem?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Your trumpet blossoms serenade the skies,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A fanfare in tones of violet-blue </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Transforming Drab Avenue into Lavender Lane,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Painting fairytales against a hazy backdrop</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That emit free passes to foreign lands.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But, oh, so brief this purple pageant</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before it turns to floral rain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To blink would be to miss its brilliance</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Losing the captivity of its color.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A reviving yet ephemeral moment </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gazing at the lilac plume</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To watch it then become sky again</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the wilting blue trumpet petals </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Form pools of joy to bathe one’s feet</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or a parade of pastel fireworks </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bursting beneath the tires of bicycles that ride
past.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You dazzle then you disappear as spring is ending
soon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The price of finding summer is the loss of
passion’s bloom.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DXWfGXcPLMGL8OJqePjx_tN0l808qp5Hi_sYPy4rpZiRK2Jdg07fQ0JDKUSsmzK9yi26kh9awnM19RXXWTt-WSzu60urFwKtI9e5ZAK-jwy-iGB8EEI27HHojCHY2V0ggDjYVu1r7nQG4dDyIbzc9H1h_9S_vUkiXCu_Cu7J0qI3DO6HI8xwKKyD/s2689/4-Marlene-Am-QuietRainfall-Acry..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2689" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DXWfGXcPLMGL8OJqePjx_tN0l808qp5Hi_sYPy4rpZiRK2Jdg07fQ0JDKUSsmzK9yi26kh9awnM19RXXWTt-WSzu60urFwKtI9e5ZAK-jwy-iGB8EEI27HHojCHY2V0ggDjYVu1r7nQG4dDyIbzc9H1h_9S_vUkiXCu_Cu7J0qI3DO6HI8xwKKyD/w298-h400/4-Marlene-Am-QuietRainfall-Acry..jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Marlene Hitt ≈ 35<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Long Time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>36<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Dive Deep <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>37<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Journey <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>38<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Field Trip with the Sixth Grade <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>39<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Words from the Garden <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>40<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Room Full of Boxes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>41<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">What Am I Thankful For? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>42<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">So Close <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>43<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">In the Deepest Parts…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>44<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Reflecting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>44<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Echo <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>45<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>46<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You lean to a silver pond</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in a brittle pose staring</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">while circles try to reach you</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="ine-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">your palette is dry</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">mudded to burnt umber</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">How unlike you</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">your stiff drooping</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">how unlikely on this silver day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">for wind blew last night</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">cleared the air, promised</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a day fair and sunny</span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;">I remember the amber</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and the leaves deep gold</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">when that day itself leapt</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">far out into all colors</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">except red which I banished</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That day we danced</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">into intersecting rainbows</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">each moment luminous and pure</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="bline-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We twirled into the day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the one colored with laughter</span></p><p 0in="" class="MsoNormal" margin:="" normal=""><span style="font-family: georgia;">that brisk and leaping</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">zestful soaring day</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">just the two of us</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0r6iHZObpHd4AhD7Ez8uBDdmSGixRGg5hPH8MtGAVXLzQW9JQBTGRyd9Bne-yUbJ8Qxa9hAqlA6duRhHcHisXOSo4EQwA7eigFS8aZ-oBuCX7hNTmLiLy5Eb7s4j8pbPXu3imtmYUYHpISQ61M8yXs6bZ7XuMmlePjNOB6aYvhE0BAlwTp7oNslg/s2143/5-JaneS-AM-SerenityAtDusk-Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2143" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0r6iHZObpHd4AhD7Ez8uBDdmSGixRGg5hPH8MtGAVXLzQW9JQBTGRyd9Bne-yUbJ8Qxa9hAqlA6duRhHcHisXOSo4EQwA7eigFS8aZ-oBuCX7hNTmLiLy5Eb7s4j8pbPXu3imtmYUYHpISQ61M8yXs6bZ7XuMmlePjNOB6aYvhE0BAlwTp7oNslg/w299-h400/5-JaneS-AM-SerenityAtDusk-Copy.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Jane Stuart ≈ 47<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Snow Flower <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>48<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Across a Lost Horizon <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>49<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Nature Medley<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>50<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Alexandria – Athens<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>51<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Going Nowhere<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>52<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Coral Kiss <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>53<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Seeing You in Silhouette ≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>54<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Kentucky Moonlight ≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>55<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Fox Flies through the Wind<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>56<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Puppet Show No. 13<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>58<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Kyrielle<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>59<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Snow Globe ≈ 60<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Going Nowhere</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On the beach</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">your sandals</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a red-striped towel </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> evening's wind </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the lotus moon</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Invisible moments </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">fill our hours— </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">silver stars float </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">through cold skies—</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> summer's solstice</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
is so late this year</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And a lone heron</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">flies behind the hawk </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">and crying owl.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Seaweed fills our boats, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> a blue wind blows us </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> back and forth</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our eyes are full of stars.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our hearts fill with </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the motion of the universe,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> a slow rocking </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> under the full moon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Listen!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Now light is breaking, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> water washing over rock,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> leaves flying in crazy
rhythm </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> while trees wave
their branches.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This new day brings us</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">everything we need.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukGuhljyKkK5GMlWyEAwEFGsJMm36AuuTFQpRO5ZX-1ZaDGOnNZwYvKRSHpFTCBcd6RClfQz8_ydbN6YmnCOT9GLRBGka_CjIb0vqA55VWjF0pxPLoPL5XvJ3qxp7YZc4k5tuJWaqgfJwHqk61iLxJZnPuEU5U2niWdjE0w9QEp4nYsNvu1Ftcc2E/s2123/6-AliceP-AM-PassionOfLotus.copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukGuhljyKkK5GMlWyEAwEFGsJMm36AuuTFQpRO5ZX-1ZaDGOnNZwYvKRSHpFTCBcd6RClfQz8_ydbN6YmnCOT9GLRBGka_CjIb0vqA55VWjF0pxPLoPL5XvJ3qxp7YZc4k5tuJWaqgfJwHqk61iLxJZnPuEU5U2niWdjE0w9QEp4nYsNvu1Ftcc2E/w301-h400/6-AliceP-AM-PassionOfLotus.copy.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Alice Pero ≈ 61<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Now <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>62<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Southern CA Yard Chaos <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>63<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Tree Nobility <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>64<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Begin Again, Summer Solstice <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>65<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">What is Important? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>66<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Be It <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>67<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Desert <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>68<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Wind Song <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">If I Rise <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>70<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Break the Lock <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>71<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">If I Rise</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I rise up past the sun</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will keep a point</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">down in the green</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will not cast all my anchors up</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will still touch</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the tiny trees that sway</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the weeping branches</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I hide behind the moon</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">dark shadows paint</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">on planet’s hills, beam</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">a long ray on moon’s quiet</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will still leave</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">my thought, brush</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the wings of birds</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in Earth flight</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Form greeting</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I try to fathom space</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">mark deep traces</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in the unknown</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will not rise up forever</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">past the fallen friends remaining</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">loved ones grieving</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those caught in Earth’s</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">endless turning</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will catch the silver</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the dep and silent sky</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I will bring a treasure home</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">to touch the earth, each eye.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WBjxsAcFyPKEe6m6_lyJ_nTGHQEO0PrOMn2wrchsskHeTjjo0D46-4DWitiU7QJ3k8Fr0u6AVKcAwti7pKBriCsUiPAL2UhonhDAWL5hHfxuqor2DKJ4ztZfq16VS9zvdDTqK55NP-f1_y1299mC4ufy0uuaeR9fvsv8WQCb9DqR7zJWWK_JwSlQ/s1647/7-FRED--Am-Inititiation-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="1226" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WBjxsAcFyPKEe6m6_lyJ_nTGHQEO0PrOMn2wrchsskHeTjjo0D46-4DWitiU7QJ3k8Fr0u6AVKcAwti7pKBriCsUiPAL2UhonhDAWL5hHfxuqor2DKJ4ztZfq16VS9zvdDTqK55NP-f1_y1299mC4ufy0uuaeR9fvsv8WQCb9DqR7zJWWK_JwSlQ/w298-h400/7-FRED--Am-Inititiation-copy.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Frederick Livingston
≈ 73<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Do Stones Have Souls? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>74<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Fig <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>76<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">All Poems are Moon Poems <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>77<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Rings <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>78<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Lunar New Year <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>80<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Rainbow Dreaming <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>81<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Light <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>82<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Honey <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>83<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Present <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>85 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Gnat Creek <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>86<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Pear Blossom <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>87<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rainbows Dreaming</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Snoqualmie Pass, Washington<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now
I know<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the
blankness of snow<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is
only rainbows dreaming,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">teaming
with streaks of red paintbrush<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">little
lanterns of columbine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tiger
lilies prowl the scree slope<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">yellow
asters multiply the sun<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the
hungry green of spring leaves<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">purple-blue
lupine flooding the valley.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who
would ever know<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">these
slopes were covered in snow <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one
mere moon ago?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
else have I not seen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
called “empty” in my ignorance?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
dreams within me may erupt <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">from
thawing soil,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">simply
waiting for ripe moments<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to
answer the generosity of sunlight?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOOCxeVhU-EzdDzWCycX_KTEi0WAqenJxpAZl4cJkJkvTCFfr_PbX0SXFQw5D4adB29ZwUFeY3yqy5MQ0eeHUdHBp0YqmRYuCc8shtz9jnP3v-ULrHV3XctGwXEB3m8USch0rnINE_kVuYKjTyrMafl6QxGioR98KLy7Wg6g6ioGb177HNJdSO2NB/s2155/8-Allegra-AT-Celebration-Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2155" data-original-width="1591" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOOCxeVhU-EzdDzWCycX_KTEi0WAqenJxpAZl4cJkJkvTCFfr_PbX0SXFQw5D4adB29ZwUFeY3yqy5MQ0eeHUdHBp0YqmRYuCc8shtz9jnP3v-ULrHV3XctGwXEB3m8USch0rnINE_kVuYKjTyrMafl6QxGioR98KLy7Wg6g6ioGb177HNJdSO2NB/w295-h400/8-Allegra-AT-Celebration-Copy.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Allegra Silberstein ≈ 89<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Music of My Love <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>90<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Wherever You Are <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>91<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I Would Lean Out into Meaning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>92<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Full Moon Magic <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>93<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">April Apples and Other Notes <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>94<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Wind <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>95<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Passage of Blossoms <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>96<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">This Day <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>97<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">For the Earth <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>98</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">April Apples and Other Notes</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They blossom now </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">on their way to becoming </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in August harvest.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mourning dove beneath the tree</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">chases a scrub-jay away </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">territorial rights upheld.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sometimes a cliche </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">touches the wonder heard </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in birdsong of the heart.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Word flight remembered </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the old ever new—I love you </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">warming the day.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You are the keeper </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of a country that does not </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">yet know it exists.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Autumn apples </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-family: georgia;">hold stars within…</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the ripening of heart. </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;">
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLSuxffpvAGAZbpfuFSwgT7pxh2hpOtE4H1ugxLjWWM1K7KLNOVI-9_4Olxh-w70z1EcphxiOmfoTLAFmj0167bBO24lfjI5YrAL4XmuQGu58hkKUm_M6HbVIlWrlTvlwd2ssnI3DjuHGEW1DsE3u43f2fXYaee8txH8T3VBwGPHF2WoyCaQdM38Y/s2005/9-MARY-AM-Dawn%20Lights-Copy1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLSuxffpvAGAZbpfuFSwgT7pxh2hpOtE4H1ugxLjWWM1K7KLNOVI-9_4Olxh-w70z1EcphxiOmfoTLAFmj0167bBO24lfjI5YrAL4XmuQGu58hkKUm_M6HbVIlWrlTvlwd2ssnI3DjuHGEW1DsE3u43f2fXYaee8txH8T3VBwGPHF2WoyCaQdM38Y/w319-h400/9-MARY-AM-Dawn%20Lights-Copy1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Mary Elliott ≈ 99<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Run <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">On Becoming <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>102<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Crone <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>103<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Crowns of Flowers <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>105<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Stepping Stones <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>106<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Seasons <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>107<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Weave <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>108<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Blood of Stars<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>110<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blood of Stars<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will
I make it back?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
26,000 light years,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Away
from everything, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
California.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sitting
on the edge,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
Orion Cygnus' arm,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gazing
up into the October skies,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At
some unearthly hour,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
almost Thursday morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sat
wondering if that star,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will
come back my way, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taking
effervescence,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Somewhere
deep into the heavens,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Made
to roam,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luminating
from the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like
me,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Covered
in layers,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
borrowed flesh and bone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Poured
with blood,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From
the souls of stars,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Into
my own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImI0v4HeL4wcxEnF1RQgjb-IofOiR7kMRpfMjvaWbX1vYSjqXnv556V1BPu2aYVNIV-UjiMhw49U6CkkBxJzarydIh_OZWfW9fZgNTV_HeqHB_I9-Tgx68hqXwy79YojWSd4UydUM5xze1o_2yAWCkEnYZBC6KetWbFhJgaRa-4_SWdjw-Kk-6ctt/s1602/10-Jeff-AmTa-RaagaForAHimalayanSunrise%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImI0v4HeL4wcxEnF1RQgjb-IofOiR7kMRpfMjvaWbX1vYSjqXnv556V1BPu2aYVNIV-UjiMhw49U6CkkBxJzarydIh_OZWfW9fZgNTV_HeqHB_I9-Tgx68hqXwy79YojWSd4UydUM5xze1o_2yAWCkEnYZBC6KetWbFhJgaRa-4_SWdjw-Kk-6ctt/w320-h320/10-Jeff-AmTa-RaagaForAHimalayanSunrise%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Jeff Graham ≈ 111<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Theology of Blue <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>112<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">No, It Is Blossoming That Is in Bloom <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>112<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">At Times, I Find Myself in Time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>113<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Roadscape <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>116<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Roadside Roads <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>118<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Polarities: Grove of I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>119<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Twilight’s Flight by Day, by Night <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>120<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Nocturne 20 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>122<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Nocturne 44 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>122<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Bantam Hours 14 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>123<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Bantam Hours 22 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>123<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Bantam Hours 53 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>124<o:p></o:p></span>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Bantam Hours 74 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>124<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Bantam Hours 79 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>125<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Bantam Hours 80<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>126<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">The Bantam Hours 53</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or say, green of field of wheat need not</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">wind to move it, but my eyes to see it move,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">thus my mind to reason what my eyes see, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">thus my body to maintain my mind </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">like/while grain of wheat sustains the body. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or say, the sun sinks due to its heaviness,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">that moonrise is steered by the tides,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">that wheat sways because it is wheat.</span></p><p 0in="" class="MsoNormal" margin:="" normal=""><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or say, the purpose of life is purpose, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the meaning but the search for meaning </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(along with the sense of purpose of such).</span></p></blockquote><p> Or say, I may be.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">The Bantam Hours 79</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not petals, yet the minuscule petals; </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">not leaves, yet the sparse leaves;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">not stalks, yet even the uneven segmentations</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> of the stalks of geraniums </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">brought spring to my thoughts,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">brought spring to fruition (to spring), </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">brought my thoughts to me </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> (of the actual) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the eve of autumn</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">rolling down and off from the eaves </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of treegreen and that of the roof </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the day’s everywhen</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> (thus now).</span><span> </span> </span></p></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RoipR_tamQmnRKa7NtBcknP6rsG1NrW61cMPm4rAg8gQjLpLP8n4sy-NjfGSTUV6KcMZ8Orft0OrzX8vNwSCvYcixjZGNJ62FGJo5JxHNn-YCRsTTd21KpZDemqmUpFBJzaO4DYTDFof5omOO34UemYArLYtRqbB-aX2x7ltfxxYoX6j5hHd6zI5/s2147/11-MAJA-Am-BlueArches111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2147" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RoipR_tamQmnRKa7NtBcknP6rsG1NrW61cMPm4rAg8gQjLpLP8n4sy-NjfGSTUV6KcMZ8Orft0OrzX8vNwSCvYcixjZGNJ62FGJo5JxHNn-YCRsTTd21KpZDemqmUpFBJzaO4DYTDFof5omOO34UemYArLYtRqbB-aX2x7ltfxxYoX6j5hHd6zI5/w298-h400/11-MAJA-Am-BlueArches111.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Maja Trochimczyk ≈ 127<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Year of Crystal Fire <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>128<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Black Velvet Butterfly <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>129<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Repeat After Me <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>130<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Infinity Room <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>132<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Pelicans <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>134<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Liquid Opal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>135<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The School of Birds <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>136<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Alchemy in the Hills <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>137<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The Stillness of Trees <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>138<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Imagine a Star… ≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>139<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Arbor Cosmica</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>140<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Like Grapes on a Vine <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>142<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Starchild’s Lesson <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>143<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Today Is for Us <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>144<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">The Year of
Crystal Fire</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Soft patter of pink rose petals </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">falling onto the floor. The scent of
French Perfume </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">in the air. The heartbeat stops. The world ceases its rotations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I see the light in your eyes shining</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">through the slit in your motorcycle
helmet,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">as you pass me on the street. In a
millisecond</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">of recognition you take me in—whole,
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">serene in turquoise and aqua—then,
you look away</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">far into the past we shared so
shamelessly,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">beyond measure—
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the
year of passion</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the
year of dogs that brought us together</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the
year of longing</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the
year of dolphins dancing on salty waves </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the
year of absence</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the
year of waiting in darkness </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the year of tiger lilies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">the year of nine-tailed foxes—</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> smooth with seduction
and delight</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes, I liked that year the most—
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">as we grew into our demonic, <i>daimonic</i>
selves,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">created new galaxies, parallel
universes </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">out of our other-worldly love.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Timelines shift.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The
cosmic windows </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">keep
opening and closing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Soft
patter of pink rose petals </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">on
the flying carpet takes me into</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> the year of passion</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> the year of tiger lilies</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> the year of diamond kites </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">soaring above hilltops</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> the year of stardust</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> the year of crystal fire</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGRdENFv7T3Mzt7V7Q61fnClxbBVeOTv8otfgEnmGQ2SF1_7Us-J5m6c5HGURQ_FyNRNEnEE49S5VMJSOutc0A_V9dssyaBNBx6XD0nY3U_Pgsd2wZ4U3DrEYdp8M2PGuGXAr8Cz8N-XANp20ZHS-hig-4B3gvMbaxiz8Z18Up-H51iI444iF_tXO/s2584/12-Ambika-Ptg-Creative%20VisionOfHeart%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGRdENFv7T3Mzt7V7Q61fnClxbBVeOTv8otfgEnmGQ2SF1_7Us-J5m6c5HGURQ_FyNRNEnEE49S5VMJSOutc0A_V9dssyaBNBx6XD0nY3U_Pgsd2wZ4U3DrEYdp8M2PGuGXAr8Cz8N-XANp20ZHS-hig-4B3gvMbaxiz8Z18Up-H51iI444iF_tXO/w310-h400/12-Ambika-Ptg-Creative%20VisionOfHeart%20.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">Ambika Talwar ≈ 145<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Wild Savant <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>146<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Breath of Resonance <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>147<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Torus for a Broken World <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>148<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Joy in a Careless Breeze<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>150<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Transmutation: A World In & Beyond
Time <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>151<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">When Gratitude Rises in my Skin <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>152<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Wings of Fire <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>153<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">We Are All the Beloved <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>156<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Shades of a Dinner Meeting <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>158<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A Dream of Indomitable Courage <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>160<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Rose Haiku <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>161<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Freely Wilding Grace <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>162 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Melting Mirrors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>164 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Love is Our Immanent Soul Force<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>≈ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>165<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Joy
in a Careless Breeze</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Oh! Where are the
forests and lakes<br /> I long for? Ripple of feathered
wings <br /> and curls of water that sing.
Wishbone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> afloat. Smudge of
dust on our faces<br /> knees and hands that clasped
walls<br /> of rock, mud, fossils, language of lichen.<br />
<br /> Rain-song on my head We sing soaked<br /> drenched with joy untrammeled as
wing <br /> bone. Oh! Where the forests and lakes<br /> I belong for? Fragrance of wet wood <br /> cedar trickling with fresh breath
rising <br /> of latent wilderness whose heart <br /> beats in mine own. I must walk
far<br />
<br /> from here to there where wisdom
beads <br /> fall from treetops scattering auburn
leaves<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> on unaware
sleepers. Where are the forests<br /> where we can sprawl random as a forgotten <br /> daisy lost as a forest flower about to
burst–</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> bloom with
limitless joy in a careless breeze?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> Prana, ruah, chi…<br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"> breath stirs in all directions<br />
shimmering new
leaves </span><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: BO; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">About the Poets </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">≈ 167</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Snap ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Illustrations by Ambika Talwar<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 150%;">“Heavens
Lake Diptych” ~ Right, Acrylic / 1994 </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">≈</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">
</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Front C</span><span style="font-family: georgia; line-height: 150%;">over</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Heavens
Lake Diptych” ~ Left, Acrylic / 1994 </span>≈
Back Cover<span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Little
Blue Moon”~ Acrylic / 1996 </span>≈
3<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Vortices
of Being ~ Acrylic / 2004 </span>≈ 13<span style="line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Meridians”
~ Acrylic /1996 </span>≈ 23<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Quiet Rainfall” ~ Acrylic / 1997 ≈ 33<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Serenity
at Dusk” ~ Acrylic / 1997 </span>≈
<span style="line-height: 150%;">45<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Passion
of the Lotus” ~ Acrylic / 1998 </span>≈
<span style="line-height: 150%;"> 59<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“initiation”
~ Acrylic / 2003 </span>≈ <span style="line-height: 150%;"> 71<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Celebration”
~ Acrylic / 1997 </span>≈
<span style="line-height: 150%;"> 87<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Dawn
Lights” ~ Acrylic / 1997 </span>≈<span style="line-height: 150%;"> 97<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Raagas
for a Himalayan Sunrise” ~ Acrylic / 1997
</span>≈ <span style="line-height: 150%;">109<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Blue
Arches” ~ Acrylic / 1998 </span>≈ <span style="line-height: 150%;">125<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Creative
Vision of the Heart” ~ Acrylic / 1997 </span>≈ <span style="line-height: 150%;"> 139<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">“Heavens
Lake Diptych” ~ Left, Acrylic / 1994 </span>≈ 16</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">6</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIeJXZkXQx8OUMROhFSDocMWcdRRDBrDLCs-7YpT9UHjt6IOSg06M2iizVms99t52ZVTzptvsvzn5CW6tQc6Oml0dcAOA4jypQQYr8yvK5caIXnkGhuoqtuJQUqnihNPWBGztPFQyuymToiek31Q-IkEqOkrvSeT727ffRSh3ESk2IY-PPyy8fZRY/s3028/0%20Am-FCvr-HeavensLakeDiptych-L-1-.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="2400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIeJXZkXQx8OUMROhFSDocMWcdRRDBrDLCs-7YpT9UHjt6IOSg06M2iizVms99t52ZVTzptvsvzn5CW6tQc6Oml0dcAOA4jypQQYr8yvK5caIXnkGhuoqtuJQUqnihNPWBGztPFQyuymToiek31Q-IkEqOkrvSeT727ffRSh3ESk2IY-PPyy8fZRY/w318-h400/0%20Am-FCvr-HeavensLakeDiptych-L-1-.jpeg" width="318" /></a></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><i><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></i></i></p><i><br /> </i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-66716143106048072042022-05-25T15:05:00.015-07:002023-02-01T17:59:54.069-08:00Maja Trochimczyk's New Volume of Positive Poetry, "Bright Skies" (May 2022)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdrmJajMEM0i8gON0AnarnzHgTLumjVtmZ9jdqmvfm00hJuc9a-Mf-VUP2xAJhAtOAbz-ybOPm_epFj8-0pR9A-ELKOyW-NF8qv_qU2Zls8N_FKfrvosHm4wwXHvz-8CmYSAnvXd98j7-0r76tjUS8I1XnK95LsNCNpwsPxyEgn25B4dCn7PnUMGE/s4500/Bright%20Skies%20Cover%20Vine%20Front-page-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdrmJajMEM0i8gON0AnarnzHgTLumjVtmZ9jdqmvfm00hJuc9a-Mf-VUP2xAJhAtOAbz-ybOPm_epFj8-0pR9A-ELKOyW-NF8qv_qU2Zls8N_FKfrvosHm4wwXHvz-8CmYSAnvXd98j7-0r76tjUS8I1XnK95LsNCNpwsPxyEgn25B4dCn7PnUMGE/w266-h400/Bright%20Skies%20Cover%20Vine%20Front-page-001.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/maja-trochimczyk/bright-skies/paperback/product-qmrmp5.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-49-8</a>, color paperback</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">US Trade (6 x 9 in / 152 x 229 mm), 184 Pages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">85 poems, 160 color photographs, 6 portraits</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/maja-trochimczyk/bright-skies/ebook/product-vd8qmp.html?q=bright+skies+maja+trochimczyk&page=1&pageSize=4">ISBN 978-1-945938-52-8</a>, eBook in ePub format</div><div>ISBN 978-1-945938-54-2 color hardcover.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maja Trochimczyk Reads "From Minium Chronicles", "Ocean of Jade" and "On Landscapes: A Guidebook" from the book on YouTube: <a class="style-scope ytcp-video-info" href="https://youtu.be/m0i17jPRPLs" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/m0i17jPRPLs</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maja Trochimczyk Reads Poems from "Bright Skies" on YouTube:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30QrXhNFO7Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30QrXhNFO7Q</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maja Trochimczyk dedicates this collection of poems, “Bright Skies,” to her children and grand-children, asking them to read and enjoy her verse “when they grow up.” The volume features 85 poems written in 2009-2022 and organized into five sections – Spring, Summer, Babie Lato, Autumn and Winter. The seasons of poetry include reflections on nature, beauty, love, life, and spirituality. The focus is on positive emotions, learning to be calm and content, full of compassion and wisdom. It is a life-long quest, and these poems are an invitation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The poems are illustrated with 160 photographs taken in the poet’s neighborhood – Big Tujunga Wash, Angeles National Forest, Descanso Gardens, and Oxnard Beach. The surprising “Coda” brings a set of recipes for old-fashioned Polish dishes mentioned in poems. Bringing together favorite memories of her Polish childhood – making and flying kites, plays with soap bubbles – and the delights of sunny Southern California gardens, parks, and beaches, the book includes lessons how to seek and find the daily dose of domestic bliss. This book is a legacy from a well-lived life, and a companion to "Into Light: Poems and Incantations" - another collection of positive, inspirational poetry illustrated with photos.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx5-_Zo1DCrOcO-cxBJfZURcNz9Am9mRpAgLVgxaEMVzyoqaf_zxbShe6CSpJC-lBo98WG7Bh7bVBgoV08w0u-eosyF3JLQkYBkUBDXY2zN-yNmKmUnX4fMPqhDj_nvRhrxtJSYljMfQo4ODPHuL4BddGyWFt_2Y29AREFL3ahcjersFvgVrS_pIp/s856/brightcrown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx5-_Zo1DCrOcO-cxBJfZURcNz9Am9mRpAgLVgxaEMVzyoqaf_zxbShe6CSpJC-lBo98WG7Bh7bVBgoV08w0u-eosyF3JLQkYBkUBDXY2zN-yNmKmUnX4fMPqhDj_nvRhrxtJSYljMfQo4ODPHuL4BddGyWFt_2Y29AREFL3ahcjersFvgVrS_pIp/s320/brightcrown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">ABOUT THIS BOOK</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"From pears in a California garden to a recipe from her Polish grandmother for pickled pears, Maja Trochimczyk leads her readers into a lovely world. She sees the beauty of a rose, a bird, a sunrise. She has brought her childhood memories from faraway Poland into the splendid light of Southern California. Woven into each poem is a word picture, accompanied by a photograph of local scenes from her neighborhood – Big Tujunga Wash, Descanso Gardens, Oxnard Beach. These wonderful, heart-warming poems are full of exquisite metaphors and images, where spirituality comes through clearly, without labels, devotions, or being overly didactic. My favorites, “Mason Bees” and “On Landscapes: A Guidebook,” bring together vivid descriptions of Nature with inspirational life-lessons that Nature imparts. They are perfect in substance, style and language. Seeking contentment in domestic life – peaceful home and garden – is an important message for everyone today. The book includes even an original version of marriage vows and ends with a surprise: a selection of old-fashioned recipes for traditional Polish dishes mentioned in poems. Readers will grow in knowledge of beauty and joy surrounding them, shared in daily doses of bliss. "</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Marlene Hitt, poet and historian, author of "Clocks and Water Drops"</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"In these uncertain times, when the world wobbles on its axis between pandemics, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">climate change and war, taxing our ability to cope, Maja Trochimczyk</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">, presents us with her antidote, <i>Bright Skies, Selected Poems</i>. The book is </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">divided into five sections: <i>Spring, Summer, Babie Lato, Autumn </i>and<i> Winter. </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">She created this generous volume (her ninth) as a gift to her children, grandchildren and for those </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">of readers fortunate to read it. Every poem celebrates the incomparable beauty, diversity and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">healing power of nature--giving us reason for hope.[...] </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">In addition, she compliments her literary art with a visual artist’s eye for light, color, shape in the </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">exquisite detail of her photography. The photographs on glossy paper present in minute detail </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">every subject she turns her attention to. Further, her knowledge of local flora and fauna verges on </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the encyclopedic presenting us with an abundance of riches, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">which inform her life and work, <i>writing poetry is like growing artichokes from a seed of </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>invention. </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whether one perceives dewdrops on a rose, the wind swirl of a kite in cerulean skies or, an </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">incoming wave bursting from a turquoise sea, one is moved and that’s the point. She presents all </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">five senses and dares you to fully engage—and to be moved."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ William Scott Galasso, review excerpt from <i>Poetry Letter</i> No. 3, 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"Bright Skies</i> poems has the highest intensity expressed in an enjoyable poetic, artistic way. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">From <i>Bright Skies</i> poetry I am learning to listen to nature with an open mind and heart. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The poems of <i>Bright Skies</i> are pointing to a higher awareness level while giving an utmost ecstatic pleasure to the senses. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The simultaneous expression of biological love making and spiritual love are in perfect harmony. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maja’s poems are stimulation, Inspiration to listen to the essence of nature. Her poetry creates harmony in the heart. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The colorful photos are expressing visually the richness of the poems."</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Susan Dobay, Hungarian-American artist and philosopher of art</span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcmKAuoQqCVN0sJVsDZe2SxZe-f72n2cKbUfaa9-5wos4Fb07E17VvDy6oVTOV8IFVA_Kd-brRZwB6mAeC_YwE69rXWlO7aOHddng7eNPqYgQonNNlpg3Rd6UgZO2jYYALhfrJGuZGmlfgdWJycdGTe0cpyA24bdhScnmyx_0PDvmn4ROg3q2QWkx/s990/brightfamilybeach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="990" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcmKAuoQqCVN0sJVsDZe2SxZe-f72n2cKbUfaa9-5wos4Fb07E17VvDy6oVTOV8IFVA_Kd-brRZwB6mAeC_YwE69rXWlO7aOHddng7eNPqYgQonNNlpg3Rd6UgZO2jYYALhfrJGuZGmlfgdWJycdGTe0cpyA24bdhScnmyx_0PDvmn4ROg3q2QWkx/w400-h310/brightfamilybeach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt;">Preface</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">This collection of poems is inspired by the births of my two granddaughters, Aurelia, born on 12 September 2021 and Juniper, born on 16 September 2021.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">I planned to write a book of poems for each girl, just as I did for my grandson, Adam, born on 16 September 2016.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">The poetry book dedicated to him, entitled </span><i style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">I Give You the World</i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; text-align: justify;">, contains one long poem describing things that I love and cherish in this life, illustrated with photos of my family, travels, and gardens. An abridged version without family pictures appeared on my blog; this version is further shortened here. The purpose of the book for Adam was to introduce the Polish-born boy to his American & Canadian family and their lives. He now lives in the U.S. and is able to share these delights in-person.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Since Adam got “the whole world” as his birthday present, what can I give to his five-years-younger sister, Aurelia, and his cousin, Juniper? I found 85 poems and over 160 photographs that I decided to share with them, in a book to be read when they grow up. This is not a children’s book. With gratitude, I described delights that I found in my garden and home, during walks, adventures, and travels. I wrote about inspirational moments and discoveries, summarizing my life’s wisdom at 64. This volume of “positive poetry” contains verse originally written in 2009-2022 and is a companion volume to <i>Into Light: Poems and Incantations</i> (2016). It is a necklace of love and blessings; each bead – a poem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">I hope that the readers attracted to the themes of seeking light and enjoying life in the garden will find here something to enjoy, something to think about, and something to do in their own lives. After all, we live in the Garden of Eden and can make this Earth a Paradise, if we only want to. Enjoy!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Maja Trochimczyk</span></i></p><p style="text-align: right;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Los Angeles, 1 June 2022</span></i></p><p style="text-align: right;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5bxKRa8zfS8_jWVkrr6WXokAbi-8QjPY5ywbU6sfvOO-XjrnuvAnZuiZXMYIqzcU3fL0LoQuN39KXeX5QsSLJaLBGzipY72uVp2w-r7IB2GGY0yGlFDpK8gbooV-40XtAsK9Fv45dS46gp2V6dOsGIAQiK1Hx3L2yxPoJuDjYqfYXPLtwH03W7Rl/s968/Bright%20Spring1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="968" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5bxKRa8zfS8_jWVkrr6WXokAbi-8QjPY5ywbU6sfvOO-XjrnuvAnZuiZXMYIqzcU3fL0LoQuN39KXeX5QsSLJaLBGzipY72uVp2w-r7IB2GGY0yGlFDpK8gbooV-40XtAsK9Fv45dS46gp2V6dOsGIAQiK1Hx3L2yxPoJuDjYqfYXPLtwH03W7Rl/w400-h300/Bright%20Spring1.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Table of Contents<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">Table
of Contents ≈ v</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Preface
≈ viii<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Prior
Publication Credits ≈ ix<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Spring ~Wiosna ≈ 3<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A Springtime Revelation ≈ 4 </span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Only in California ≈ 5</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Day of a Plum Tree ≈ 7</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Outside my Window ≈ 9</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Spring Cleaning ≈ 11</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An Artichoke of a Poem ≈ 13</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>On Being Green in Vincent’s Garden ≈ 15</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Da Capo al Fine ≈ 17</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Ballad of a New Heart ≈ 19</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An Invitation to the Dance ≈ 21</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Ballad of Angels ≈ 23</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Practical Advice for a Frazzled Passer-by ≈ 25</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Skylark’s Lesson ≈ 27</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">14.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Oh, The Art of Looking ≈ 29</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">15.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>On Being a Bird ≈ 31</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">16.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the doves of love ≈ 32</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">17.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Mystery Solved ≈ 33</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">18.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Double Delight ≈ 35</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">19.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Diamond Days in Crystal Gardens ≈ 36</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">20.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This Afternoon ≈ 39</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">21.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>From Minium Chronicles ≈ 40</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">22.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Golden Hour ≈ 42</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB889hCp_bKmNbsrcbx254lwywOKK8HpVsSc3vZv5FAe8rc6C0IaXw7pjBQ-bkwWxxWU5EnBSM6kraPlFSUJ2ZkSyDwMwN7V8R-L_3ExfoWMPeAvJ4VVrKBcesjIvCsxXjLTFTYyt7-i5XlQlZKf6TMIfALoLeG2ckggxdL4EK3DPLQDLI6zbeeQq1/s968/bright%20lato2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="968" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB889hCp_bKmNbsrcbx254lwywOKK8HpVsSc3vZv5FAe8rc6C0IaXw7pjBQ-bkwWxxWU5EnBSM6kraPlFSUJ2ZkSyDwMwN7V8R-L_3ExfoWMPeAvJ4VVrKBcesjIvCsxXjLTFTYyt7-i5XlQlZKf6TMIfALoLeG2ckggxdL4EK3DPLQDLI6zbeeQq1/w400-h300/bright%20lato2.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Summer ~Lato ≈ 43<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">June in Gold and Blue ≈ 44</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Song of the Summer ≈ 46</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Tale of a Hare ≈ 48</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Drink of Water ≈ 50</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mason Bees ≈ 51</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Golden Time of Honey ≈ 53</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dreaming Bees ≈ 55</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Pear in a Tree ≈ 56</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Day Trip to Venice, California ≈ 57</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Carving Sand ≈ 59</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Champagne Sunday ≈ 61</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Aquamarine ≈ 63</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Ocean of Jade ≈ 65</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">14.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The 23rd of July ≈ 67</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">15.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tatarak ≈ 69</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">16.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Flying Kites ≈ 71</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">17.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Let me go!” ≈ 73</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">18.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Soap Bubbles ≈ 74</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">19.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>High Noon ≈ 75</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">20.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Matka Boska Zielna ≈ 76</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">21.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In Morning Light ≈ 78</span></p><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZ3kjsBkw_V_ZvEAfBfHR-5TDsQqjF-LWNekAKjtC17HFRs_O1vX9hkfSONsQP4x46HpbbsdRpIffWmqLDzJM_Trws44VgEbxk0xuB3cqVuDrpTH52Bn0oXo8ZOi_PhJeHFUDOL9p6lMgPv-v3S7hEXYPVJmMF6FuHcAA5xbP95nsyngUNE9YgILk/s967/bright%20babie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="967" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZ3kjsBkw_V_ZvEAfBfHR-5TDsQqjF-LWNekAKjtC17HFRs_O1vX9hkfSONsQP4x46HpbbsdRpIffWmqLDzJM_Trws44VgEbxk0xuB3cqVuDrpTH52Bn0oXo8ZOi_PhJeHFUDOL9p6lMgPv-v3S7hEXYPVJmMF6FuHcAA5xbP95nsyngUNE9YgILk/w400-h300/bright%20babie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Babie Lato ≈ 81<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">On Thursday Afternoon ≈ 82</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sapphire ≈ 84</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Amber ≈ 85</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Revelation after Il Paradiso ≈ 86</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Up, Up, Up ≈ 88</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>From Yesterday’s Dream ≈ 89</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sunfire Foxes ≈ 91</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sweet Nothings ≈ 92</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Year of Crystal Fire ≈ 94</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Just to Make It Clear ≈ 96</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Chromosome Ballad ≈ 97</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Twin Flame Promise ≈ 98</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Diamonds ≈ 100</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdhD-0wXpnKY_DIlC1lv1RYvWg60JUpul5Omgam7Ql8ZUrrYQrQvhX-cZhJDC8QYN1Pj5oMNxORZE86eCgFq3VB5r72AIfxW9ULKkV0caLSgCV2dwcYyW4LD32nYTXsKrxHG0eTV2BFgOG6WvQfXB2bgZTXND_dqqrMSbMQAWa7e5eBL3wn7Fn4f7/s419/brightfall1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="419" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdhD-0wXpnKY_DIlC1lv1RYvWg60JUpul5Omgam7Ql8ZUrrYQrQvhX-cZhJDC8QYN1Pj5oMNxORZE86eCgFq3VB5r72AIfxW9ULKkV0caLSgCV2dwcYyW4LD32nYTXsKrxHG0eTV2BFgOG6WvQfXB2bgZTXND_dqqrMSbMQAWa7e5eBL3wn7Fn4f7/w400-h297/brightfall1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #990033; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Autumn ~ Jesien ≈
101<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">On Cosmic Breath ≈ 102</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Landscapes: A Guidebook ≈ 103</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Cosmic Rainbow ≈ 106</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Today – For Us ≈ 110</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I Give You the World ≈ 112</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Golden Poem for a Girl of Gold ≈ 122</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gold Wishes ≈ 124</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Juniper ≈ 127</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Fierce Explorer ≈ 128</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Aril ≈ 130</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fall Yucca ≈ 132</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This Evening ≈ 135</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Diamond Rain ≈ 136</span></p><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv74_1N8kHWD1xX8TBCPi-SOGtTodyUTe4TiDsDeXCsWal-0uH1Tdh2cXtywoRYDrPmY-OPi5DW2oCRCBTQy2n_NJIvxo2INdVq5A49_FgwZ7bX3mITip91M_Q1ZsfyZMq8Umj4HqOYUUjmWh1D-NNbST8e8XsRNqOrB8H634NeVxTyBMwGy_6OLZe/s964/brightwinter3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="964" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv74_1N8kHWD1xX8TBCPi-SOGtTodyUTe4TiDsDeXCsWal-0uH1Tdh2cXtywoRYDrPmY-OPi5DW2oCRCBTQy2n_NJIvxo2INdVq5A49_FgwZ7bX3mITip91M_Q1ZsfyZMq8Umj4HqOYUUjmWh1D-NNbST8e8XsRNqOrB8H634NeVxTyBMwGy_6OLZe/w400-h308/brightwinter3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Winter ~ Zima ≈ 139<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">California Winter ≈ 140</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Standing in a Pool of Silver ≈ 141</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Antidote ≈ 142</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Music Box Christmas ≈ 144</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rules for Happy, Holy Days ≈ 146</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Ballad from the Field of Glory ≈ 147</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Jewel Box Sunrise ≈ 150</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Winter Solstice ≈ 152</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Star of Christmas, the Way of Light ≈ 154</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gifts ≈ 156</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>New Year’s Day in the Wash ≈ 158</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Your Rainbow ≈ 160</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Imagine, a Poem of Light ≈ 161</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">14.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Declaration ≈ 162</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">15.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Arbor Cosmica ≈ 164</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">16.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hymn of Light ≈ 166</span></p><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 16pt;">Coda –
Recipes for Poems ≈ 168<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Spring – <i>Mazurkas</i> ≈ 168<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Summer – Pickled Pears and Plums ≈ 169<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Babie Lato – <i>Szarlotka </i>≈ 170<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Autumn – <i>Bigos</i> and Salads ≈ 171<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Winter – <i>Barszcz, Kompot</i> and <i>Kutia
</i>≈ 172<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">About the Author ≈ 173</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWkOzkxNCuw06GEJbd2MEf8zbBjJsjfbp8AViZuJybW8kjcuB9lAJ5dQJUiGXFv_15YzHFsZiwoVdzAD7ZjY3H9S7quI42Oqr8rJu7FrKBH_A0BS5ZLsDVFK5XCbsfuMaEoOX-L1ay1aIEJIvC84VGk4ga-Kas-TtDB2_FTznZcOfGdfdKkRvk0jD/s981/Bright%20spring.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="981" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWkOzkxNCuw06GEJbd2MEf8zbBjJsjfbp8AViZuJybW8kjcuB9lAJ5dQJUiGXFv_15YzHFsZiwoVdzAD7ZjY3H9S7quI42Oqr8rJu7FrKBH_A0BS5ZLsDVFK5XCbsfuMaEoOX-L1ay1aIEJIvC84VGk4ga-Kas-TtDB2_FTznZcOfGdfdKkRvk0jD/w400-h300/Bright%20spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">SPRING - WIOSNA</span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Outside my Window</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A round spot
of gold light</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">appears on
the slope of my California hills</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">green in the
spring, shadowed by rainclouds.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly, an
epiphany of light, a hole in the sky</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">appears
among thickening shadows, dusk</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">approaching
soon, much too soon.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The bright
circle stretches into</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">an arrow,
points west, along the ridge</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and the
gully. The arrow of light, my arrow</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tells me to
go, do, act, lead and follow.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be the
light, bring the light. Enlighten.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before I can
even reach for pen and paper</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to write
down this command, this call to action,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">it is
gone. All is shadow now. Murky darkness.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet the
memory of cloud epiphany lingers,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">etched onto
my retina. This spot of light,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">this arrow
will always be with me —</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">every day,
each morning I will turn the circle</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
contemplation into the arrow of action,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the dawn
star into a comet, inexorably </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">reaching its
end.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it not
the story of my life?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This spot of
light on a mountain meadow</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">after one
winter storm, before another?</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I catch it,
hold it, and keep it safe </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">among my
treasures. Things not to be </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">discarded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unforgettable thoughts.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another
pearl for my precious necklace</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">woven from
brilliant moments — </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">jewels of a
well-lived life.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TI6yXjJC3wtDDTS3IVGTsbK-cE5mT_baF32KptSy6xLGISzZH6BBCW-e4bnbKwhmz_j5oJAqz0hWNptp7nNrl5CotgwTTIIp9Pi1fsgrPwoqvC_w7vCBUnLoitQZLeVf-WrCpLunNfC9E8FHA-ugxZjP5hhaugOolImtWGpR10o4kF5RZB76DqMG/s981/bright%20summer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="981" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TI6yXjJC3wtDDTS3IVGTsbK-cE5mT_baF32KptSy6xLGISzZH6BBCW-e4bnbKwhmz_j5oJAqz0hWNptp7nNrl5CotgwTTIIp9Pi1fsgrPwoqvC_w7vCBUnLoitQZLeVf-WrCpLunNfC9E8FHA-ugxZjP5hhaugOolImtWGpR10o4kF5RZB76DqMG/w400-h300/bright%20summer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>SUMMER - LATO</b></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #538135; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">Matka Boska Zielna<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">~ for Mother
of God of the Herbs (August 15)</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look
at the greening hill slopes charred by last year’s wildfire</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that’s
magic. Look at the mountain sunflower that grew </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">at
the edge of the asphalt on Oro Vista road, it already blooms</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">out
of nowhere</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that’s magic, too. The postcard-size
garden </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by
the old, wooden house, a shack, really</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">fills with
flowers </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">every
spring. Fruit appears on orange trees after bees collect pollen.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
scent of sweetness, the cheerful noise of bee wings</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">is
it not far more miraculous, a thousand, a million times </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">more
delightful than the 100 floors of steel-metal-glass </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
skyscrapers proudly pointing at the sky? Incomparable </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">with
a patch of weeds, nature’s miracles of renewal. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
proud we are of our empty metallic constructions </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that
will rust in the jungle, abandoned, like stone pyramids </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
the Mayas, shrouded by vibrant green of leaves and</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">branches.
Thousands of years of human fame obliterated </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by
the steady, living, fertile abundance, the overflowing</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">force
of life, of matter, our Mother.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Roots,
shoots and tendrils spread out, germinate,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">flow
through the soil in search of water, nutrients,</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">life,
more life, ever growing, ever richer, dancing, </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">singing
the abundance of being</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the song of
creation</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we
are</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we are</span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we
are</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we are all </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we
are one</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd698y3uAYp3KXKvVARYQQoWRgZba7hoXUpPUMB9paT5BtkVrKxnVxZU3v6gCeAOb4TpmypnKO3obxOYp7VQ0Xbeyow-rMvAwhmDBE8dYvNkpRjdi0lFTwmk9af4Cav68FYyQY70TJCUbF2mI8bjcQ9yGmLfOx38JeDLKRYepCBS0IEsD6oUgN2Zu/s968/bright%20babie2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="968" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd698y3uAYp3KXKvVARYQQoWRgZba7hoXUpPUMB9paT5BtkVrKxnVxZU3v6gCeAOb4TpmypnKO3obxOYp7VQ0Xbeyow-rMvAwhmDBE8dYvNkpRjdi0lFTwmk9af4Cav68FYyQY70TJCUbF2mI8bjcQ9yGmLfOx38JeDLKRYepCBS0IEsD6oUgN2Zu/w400-h300/bright%20babie2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">BABIE LATO</span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Diamonds</span></b><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><br />
<span antiqua="" arial="" font-family:="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" ook="" quot="" serif=""><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">There is Universe within my heart</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">A myriad galaxies dance in my mind</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I’m a microcosm of Divine design</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In a seashell there is an ocean</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In dark coal mine white diamonds
grow</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In your eyes I find ageless wisdom</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The One Love that sustains us all</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In your guilt I see my darkness</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In your beauty</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">radiance and light</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In your voice</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">the calling, the calling</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Mountain air on a spring morning</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Sparkling diamonds, radiant and pure</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">For all forevers you enfold me in
Love</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwLx54EMcLb_a3LTiElsy67QDl0WT4Ls4kDsXZyNgd5QvVR6TcS_pGnx8pHp1emhvrQdLnmZrpjdP_DGYB7ZHRc7dprQExkd1Ki1RuwxYCpcRq94xsYmUKG4aHWIZRdhsURgfO8BEFwY9VAM5UiPNJ9g5BMPPpxIHw0b80ipEkdi5OJh9sMX-hvDV/s968/bright%20fall2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="968" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwLx54EMcLb_a3LTiElsy67QDl0WT4Ls4kDsXZyNgd5QvVR6TcS_pGnx8pHp1emhvrQdLnmZrpjdP_DGYB7ZHRc7dprQExkd1Ki1RuwxYCpcRq94xsYmUKG4aHWIZRdhsURgfO8BEFwY9VAM5UiPNJ9g5BMPPpxIHw0b80ipEkdi5OJh9sMX-hvDV/w400-h300/bright%20fall2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">AUTUMN - JESIEN</span></b></div></b><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #a50021; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt;">The Aril<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">“Aril” is the word for me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Not “arid”—as in the desert of wasted
years, hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Not “arduous” —as in working so hard
every day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">to make ends meet. These ends, they
never meet, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Just aril. As in my garden at noon. As
in ruby-bright <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">pomegranate shining in full sunlight.
A jewel bowl <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">of arils I pick from exploded fruit to
freeze for winter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">A handful of overripe arils that taste
rejuvenating, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">like fine wine. Tartly-sweet juice
stains my fingers <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">burgundy-red—or should I say, aril-red?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Oh, the delight of untold riches!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">You watch me blissfully chew the seeds<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">and say in disbelief: “You eat them
whole? Really?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">When I was a boy, my brother told me
that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">trees would grow out of my ears if I
swallowed <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">pomegranate seed—huge trees would grow
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">and grow and grow and grow…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">We laugh at the vision of these arid,
forgotten years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">It was an arduous journey that took us
through <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">the wilderness to this vivid moment of
sharing <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">this magic, life-giving nectar of
arils, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">ruby-red arils.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WoLRcZIpe2x9GuomV_IM23tPLcm-1NWrjpB_qqHzZfZtxDPT8feln5TBqPZ2VHtOPR8a_f293dXgiXSQRXe9AnkFLunvPjxBcIbpi9VhnM3UQ6GAClKGrnOLQkSzZHRlzdbbj6pitFDWsk37P-uX6lLSBVC732i1NKQSRrl9vcspTQaaf9vlhuwx/s422/brightwinter1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="422" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WoLRcZIpe2x9GuomV_IM23tPLcm-1NWrjpB_qqHzZfZtxDPT8feln5TBqPZ2VHtOPR8a_f293dXgiXSQRXe9AnkFLunvPjxBcIbpi9VhnM3UQ6GAClKGrnOLQkSzZHRlzdbbj6pitFDWsk37P-uX6lLSBVC732i1NKQSRrl9vcspTQaaf9vlhuwx/w400-h300/brightwinter1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WINTER - ZIMA</b></div></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Viner Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arbor Cosmica<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
~ for my
children</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No
fear, no hate, not even a mild dislike*—</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we
leave our heavy burdens, shards of memories<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">broken,
all too broken, at the bottom of crystal stairs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">beneath
clouds of white camellias, petals swirling<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">through
air like the snow of forgetfulness<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perfect
symmetry of blossoms<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">points
the way—up, up, always up<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">rainbow
crystal stairs, revealed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one
by one as we ascend—inwards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">outwards—dancing
spirals of our DNA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
get to know this place—these depths,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">these
heights—for once, for all lifetimes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
each step, pure notes resonate<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
expand into clear, spacious chords—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the
music of the spheres rings out, wave by wave<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">expanding
from our open hearts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each
chord—harmonious, different—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">each
melody in this vast symphony<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">sweetly
twines around another, and another<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">until
all are One Song, One Wisdom—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
stem and flower, of leaf and root<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in
this Cosmic Tree of humanity<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arbor
Cosmica—</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
have been here<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">all
along without knowing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmNhimF-YwOTsAxbfjNtlUCUexKBcZIDs16Pmcf9xwKlxquwoR3ubj6cFdrZdLuECa_voRG2MFhT8_AP7eWWVL1MTizKAXLOir_jiZqZemrPV6E6o2BztvYDpO5ofRF1xc9uRLXHDg_GtG-dFceRBcOSk-rE6y_LTtERv5SL3dTfN4sE1CpwlI-nn/s292/brightme.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="292" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmNhimF-YwOTsAxbfjNtlUCUexKBcZIDs16Pmcf9xwKlxquwoR3ubj6cFdrZdLuECa_voRG2MFhT8_AP7eWWVL1MTizKAXLOir_jiZqZemrPV6E6o2BztvYDpO5ofRF1xc9uRLXHDg_GtG-dFceRBcOSk-rE6y_LTtERv5SL3dTfN4sE1CpwlI-nn/s1600/brightme.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk with Grandson Adam, 2019</div><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maja Trochimczyk, PhD, is a Polish American poet, music historian, photographer, and non-profit director. She is the author/editor of eight books on music and Polish culture in Polish and English, as well as five poetry volumes and four anthologies, most recently We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology (co-edited with Marlene Hitt, 2020). A former Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga, she is the founder of Moonrise Press, President of the California State Poetry Society, Managing Editor of the California Quarterly and Poetry Letter published by the CSPS, and President of the Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club, promoting Polish culture in California. Hundreds of her poems, articles and book chapters appeared in English, Polish, and in a variety of translations. She presented her research at over 90 international conferences and received many awards from Polish, Canadian and American institutions. Among other honors, she is the winner of the Creative Arts Prize from the Polish American Historical Association (2016) for her two books about Polish civilian experience during WW II and its aftermath, Slicing the Bread and The Rainy Bread. Since 2010, she has maintained a series of blogs on poetry, Polish history and culture, with a total readership of over 970,000 visitors: <a href="http://moonrisepress.com">moonrisepress.com</a>; <a href="http://californiastatepoetrysociety.com">californiastatepoetrysociety.com</a>; <a href="http://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com">poetrylaurels.blogspot.com</a>; <a href="http://chopinwithcherries.blogspot.com">chopinwithcherries.blogspot.com</a>, etc. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyphn7R9_kDTSyX7pGXwKaEXuxo-GvjssJ1KzHFR7EmwPxUDGHDWg6GXcmncVsircBzqxH8h31dFKRQU96amH8qjVFKCbnJFYMgwMfXwFIEDdpYAogWnv8Xi0EXEgcnAk7hf_afMkcU00Vq7n6ic-AXJ-89NC7zfBSco3Hmoi0xkuJ0z-PMWPVv_Ni/s563/brightwinter2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyphn7R9_kDTSyX7pGXwKaEXuxo-GvjssJ1KzHFR7EmwPxUDGHDWg6GXcmncVsircBzqxH8h31dFKRQU96amH8qjVFKCbnJFYMgwMfXwFIEDdpYAogWnv8Xi0EXEgcnAk7hf_afMkcU00Vq7n6ic-AXJ-89NC7zfBSco3Hmoi0xkuJ0z-PMWPVv_Ni/w300-h400/brightwinter2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><div><p><br /></p></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-40259800662421795762022-04-04T09:00:00.011-07:002022-05-31T11:14:51.223-07:00Call for Submissions to Anthology of Joy and Wisdom, "Crystal Fire" - Poems Due by June 30, 2022<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17Ip4O-JPRxBhygh1ggX4QlU86TIYfaweM-FhNXgKnX7sOt-JpF_iLH1xwOGkJ-kupz7tr79r905tz6KBBjOlzgEI5_wqBs3kWw1x9v0uyzmENsj05Dhxnpd2jiwanEEIc7bKeq8BY46ji2Xy1TxcBQm7WfrqTHMgOz42GCQrDH37Oc4_MEeX8p9e/s1300/IMG_4617_opt%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1108" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17Ip4O-JPRxBhygh1ggX4QlU86TIYfaweM-FhNXgKnX7sOt-JpF_iLH1xwOGkJ-kupz7tr79r905tz6KBBjOlzgEI5_wqBs3kWw1x9v0uyzmENsj05Dhxnpd2jiwanEEIc7bKeq8BY46ji2Xy1TxcBQm7WfrqTHMgOz42GCQrDH37Oc4_MEeX8p9e/w341-h400/IMG_4617_opt%20(1).jpg" width="341" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Crystal Fire </span></span></b></div></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">Poems of Joy </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Anthology edited by Maja Trochimczyk</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Deadline June 30, 2022</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Submit via email to info@moonrisepress.com</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I9ZeL5l2YcbUaeFij_ET7QyPRclJX5DDQEcHUNgw-WetsKdeM0nRSmoarpL4Kaw6GRyqyQDuCVBV6SNhxBGERAJkaB5p9Gq-2a1mnfHIghPn1Iqpm6kQiMu_wCxEqvCtggcEx9rzY3SO8bQ4Z69kkoaIgTdmzRSqHjpnKQtfya9Lg4Rp249_aDVk/s2000/IMG_4618_opt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I9ZeL5l2YcbUaeFij_ET7QyPRclJX5DDQEcHUNgw-WetsKdeM0nRSmoarpL4Kaw6GRyqyQDuCVBV6SNhxBGERAJkaB5p9Gq-2a1mnfHIghPn1Iqpm6kQiMu_wCxEqvCtggcEx9rzY3SO8bQ4Z69kkoaIgTdmzRSqHjpnKQtfya9Lg4Rp249_aDVk/w400-h300/IMG_4618_opt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Inspired by the “positive psychology” movement and the Great Awakening of spiritual enlightenment, Moonrise Press will publish an anthology of “positive poetry” in English to celebrate the presence of joy in our lives. Poems will focus on "counting our blessings" and will focus on deep understanding of life, nature, being, love, cosmos, and our place within. Join poets Maja Trochimczyk, Ambika Talwar, Alice Pero and Marlene Hitt in capturing domestic joys and sublime revelations... </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Send your poems in, if you ever had a moment of feeling that "blinders fell off your eyes," that you took off your dark glasses and suddenly saw the world as it truly is – sunlight reflected in the stream, unfurling leaves on peach tree in the spring, shooting stars, that twinkle in a grandma’s eyes, that taste of childhood in a mango slice, that joy of crossing the marathon’s finish line, that unforgettable kiss... These poems of garden, hearth and home, will delight in domestic bliss, family reunions and ways of building strong positive relationships between people - connected in ever-increasing concentric circles to their families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, fellow residents of a city, fellow citizens of a country, and the whole planet. </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNi6M_MyqV4PN_GitDY7sv9NTBaSLY9LcM06EI4WhDnq6KHTbLKbBIFktV1aJd6ICBjlPO1shQeeixS1Z6k_7_JLNumKUynzJ8F_sLQnTEPFHCkyJ-cBJF0N3g-jvcQF7O6M3SgQvNQDOpA-dZJZGOXyXDF81lqIeW9V_mps5JBGKPAcTobRK7Tkvh/s4032/IMG_9873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNi6M_MyqV4PN_GitDY7sv9NTBaSLY9LcM06EI4WhDnq6KHTbLKbBIFktV1aJd6ICBjlPO1shQeeixS1Z6k_7_JLNumKUynzJ8F_sLQnTEPFHCkyJ-cBJF0N3g-jvcQF7O6M3SgQvNQDOpA-dZJZGOXyXDF81lqIeW9V_mps5JBGKPAcTobRK7Tkvh/w400-h300/IMG_9873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Poets are invited to submit up to 8 original poems written in English, no longer than 80 lines each, with a 100-word bio, mailing and email address to info@moonrisepress.com. Please be kind to place all materials in one Word file with your last and first name in the title. Submissions not properly named or formatted will not be read. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In terms of poem length, keep in mind the “trade” shape of the book, 6X9, font 12: it will be published as a paperback, plus ePub ebook. Some poems can be previously published, but we prefer original, unpublished poetry. The selection is at the discretion of the editor. Authors receive one copy as honorarium at 50% of retail price; nd may order extra copies at 30% author's discount.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9loKntRB6XiSnqEHqx5y68BcFeVr5HCScBLWtXrRAFlAYCf_GqEikabvzgtsfaK8YcObAK-aFm9c-rAfFSKHWXoghMgWGzNh2A8wmetDe6J2w301Sky6TWoEZ_b-kVM4okg1CMoz93wKh7f70SZ-alyAA2MhW0-2V-Mq4lphJOMThIW68LaEnN8X6/s1280/IMG_9879.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9loKntRB6XiSnqEHqx5y68BcFeVr5HCScBLWtXrRAFlAYCf_GqEikabvzgtsfaK8YcObAK-aFm9c-rAfFSKHWXoghMgWGzNh2A8wmetDe6J2w301Sky6TWoEZ_b-kVM4okg1CMoz93wKh7f70SZ-alyAA2MhW0-2V-Mq4lphJOMThIW68LaEnN8X6/w300-h400/IMG_9879.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Selfie in the Big Tujunga Wash, June 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Editor, Dr. Maja Trochimczyk</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dr. Maja Trochimczyk is a Californian poet, scholar, translator, photographer, and non-profit director from Poland. She studied musicology at the University of Warsaw, Poland (M.A. 1986) and sound engineering at the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw (M.A. 1987). In 1988 she emigrated to Canada and in 1994 she earned her Ph.D. in musicology from McGill University in Montreal. She held Postdoctoral Fellowships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (1994-1996),and the American Council of Learned Societies (2001-2002).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dr. Trochimczyk has been giving public readings and publishing her poetry since 2007. She published five books of poetry: <i>Rose Always - A Love Story</i>, 2008, rev. 2020; <i>Miriam's Iris, or Angels in the Garden, </i>2008, both from Moonrise Press; <i>Slicing the Bread</i>, Finishing Line Press 2014,<i> Into Light: Poems and Incantations </i>(2016), <i>The Rainy Bread: Poems from Exile</i> (2016), expanded into The Rainy Bread: More Poems from Exile (2021). She also edited four poetry anthologies: <i>Chopin with Cherries: A Tribute in Verse </i>(2010); <i>Meditations on Divine Names </i>(2012), <i>Grateful Conversations </i>(2018, co-edited with Kathi Stafford), and <i>We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology </i>(2020, co-edited with Marlene Hitt). Her poetry and photographs appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, such as: C<i>lockwise Cat, California Quarterly, Cosmopolitan Review, Magnapoets, Quill and Parchment, Ekphrasis Journal, Edgar Allan Poet Journal, Epiphany Magazine, Lily Literary Review, Loch Raven Review, Lummox Journal, OccuPoetry, Quill and Parchment, Phantom Seed, Pirene's Fountain, poeticdiversity, Poezja Dzisiaj, The Sage Trail, The Scream Online, San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, Spectrum</i> and anthologies by Poets on Site, Southern California Haiku Study Group, and other collections. She edited <i>California Quarterly</i> volumes 44:4, 45:3, 46:4, 47:2 and 48:1.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She published seven books of music studies, including: <i>Gorecki in Context: Essays on Music </i>(2017), <i>Frederic Chopin: A Reserch and Information Guide</i> (Routledge, 2015, co-edited with William Smialek), <i>Lutoslawski: Music and Legacy</i> (Polish Institute of Art and Sciences in Canada, 2014, co-edited with Stanislaw Latek), and<i> Polish Dance in Southern California</i> (East European Monographs, Columbia University Press, 2008). Her articles appeared in<i> American Music, Contemporary Music Review, Musical Quarterly, Computer Music Journal, Muzyka, Studia Musicologica, Leonardo, Polish American Studies, Polin, Polish Review, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians II </i>(Macmillan), <i>Women Composers: Music Through the Ages </i>(G.K. Hall), <i>Lutoslawski Studies</i> (Oxford University Press), <i>The Age of Chopin </i>(Indiana University Press), <i>100 Lat Muzycznej Emigracji </i>(MEA Kultura 2018), and <i>Homage to Tansman</i> (Wroclaw, 2019). Her musicology work was translated into Polish, German, French, Swedish, Chinese and Japanese. In 2021 she published <i>Album 50-lecia Klubu Kultury im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej,</i> co-edited in Polish with Elizabeth Kanski and Dr. Elizbieta Trybus.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dr. Trochimczyk is a recipient of PAHA's Creative Arts Prize (2016) for her two poetry books about WWII experience of Polish civilians, including her family under German and Soviet occupation (<i>Slicing the Bread, </i>2014 and <i>The Rainy Bread: Poems from Exile</i>, 2016). She was also honored with PAHA's Distinguished Service Award (2014), and the 2007 Swastek Prize for her article about Polish folk dance groups in Southern California published in the <i>Polish American Studies.</i> In 2012 she was presented with a medal for the promotion of Polish culture "Zasluzony dla Kultury Polskiej" from the Minister of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Poland. She also received numerous city and county honors celebrating her years of volunteering for the Polish-American community.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">She was nominated Acting President of the CSPS in February 2019 and elected President in October 2019. She currently also serves as the President of Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club in Los Angeles. In 2009-2020, she served as the Board Secretary and Communications Director of the Polish American Historical Association. In 2012-2020, she was a member of the Editorial Board of the <i>Ecomusicology Review. </i>Trochimczyk currently manages blogs for the CSPS, Moonrise Press, Village Poets, and the Helena Modjeska Club, as well as her personal poetry and music blogs: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://PoetryLaurels.blogspot.com">PoetryLaurels.blogspot.com</a> and <a href="http://ChopinwithCherries.blogspot.com.">ChopinwithCherries.blogspot.com.</a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interview by Voyage LA site, October 15, 2021:</span></div><div><a href="http://voyagela.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-maja-trochimczyk-of-moonrise-press/"><span style="font-family: georgia;">http://voyagela.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-maja-trochimczyk-of-moonrise-press/</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interview by Shoutout LA website, March 1, 2021: </span></div><div><a href="https://shoutoutla.com/meet-maja-trochimczyk-poet-photographer-and-music-historian/"><span style="font-family: georgia;">http://shoutoutla.com/meet-maja-trochimczyk-poet-photographer-and-music-historian/</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">More information with detailed lists: <a href="http://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/p/maja-trochimczyk.html">http://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/p/maja-trochimczyk.html</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Personal website: <a href="http://trochimczyk.net/main.html">http://trochimczyk.net/main.html</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Publishing website: <a href="http://www.moonrisepress.com">http://www.moonrisepress.com</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLEharY2i_1V6_VKSz_mFf9aZNSLYjUA9wO-eRhJ9VEOS-aGVm4Vw80xR2Ix3ceooUMMUQr1m19GJxnGlyxPDBOMRSqF1RbvmHT_9oQI8v1L_N7dkDHzNph7sTCkHk_9L-VY6iOnXrX_V/s1600/orange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLEharY2i_1V6_VKSz_mFf9aZNSLYjUA9wO-eRhJ9VEOS-aGVm4Vw80xR2Ix3ceooUMMUQr1m19GJxnGlyxPDBOMRSqF1RbvmHT_9oQI8v1L_N7dkDHzNph7sTCkHk_9L-VY6iOnXrX_V/s320/orange.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-42374713144025118342021-12-01T19:20:00.001-08:002021-12-01T19:21:50.089-08:00The Pushcart Prize Nominations from Moonrise Press 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeKo6lLWtr-GsoWCeHVpC0tg8YNVYWjRhCfYUYPqenNQ9Fk0JwGpX3Jd-uL72C7lV3KAc9Qwk72LAGzsZWIsI_LdvMIoQyR31AER26mFldpSbaUNtJj_0OjsyggatFNPElGWwKFLWCFw/s2048/IMG_7656.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeKo6lLWtr-GsoWCeHVpC0tg8YNVYWjRhCfYUYPqenNQ9Fk0JwGpX3Jd-uL72C7lV3KAc9Qwk72LAGzsZWIsI_LdvMIoQyR31AER26mFldpSbaUNtJj_0OjsyggatFNPElGWwKFLWCFw/s320/IMG_7656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Nominations to Pushcart Prize for Best of the Small Presses were submitted for the following poems and short prose published by Moonrise Press: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cindy Rinne: “No Shortness of Breath” from <i>Today in the Forest,</i> 2021</li><li>Maja Trochimczyk: “A Song for a Key”, “Soap Bubbles,” and “The 23rd of July” from <i>The Rainy Bread: More Poems from Exile,</i> expanded edition, 2021.</li></ul><p></p><p>CONGRATULATIONS!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXWpCjEOkxWDW2_Cp0QYfUAen3unYK2EqIh73St_fD7K7qINRKGZiCcI_kYUO8qX6_yMPI9xSZHwbXlb6Djr6iB6j4nHtFTS9JN4IxJtWvNSlvJ4tPryllE7DA8gdItDCZVZAV_KHTxg/w266-h400/CoverFrontTodayForest1-page-001+%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2021/02/today-in-forest-new-book-by-cindy-rinne.htm">https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2021/02/today-in-forest-new-book-by-cindy-rinne.htm</a>l</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>No Shortness of Breath</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sierra mule deer looks deep into brother’s chestnut eyes. Young, but he sees gentleness and a respect for nature. Deer, gatekeeper to the high places, allows brother and sister to pass.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">II.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brother fears owl and feels less afraid with deer. Ready to climb, his pudgy foot slips a couple times on smooth, granite boulders. The wind threatens to take his hat. Be careful, says sister from below. Brother pictures the grace of deer as he scrapes his short fingers. The air is thin, but easy for him to breathe. The incense cedars and white pines arch in biting winds. Brother inhales their spicy smell and takes another step.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cindy Rinne</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">San Bernardino, California</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh3cakjHUEn3R-YUTJuWNAdbqVOlF8rCn7u0TiUkBKWeRLUDsvDy-UBPUSRUUBflFx2BYY50Dfz5CZlJuwKPUt-fmrUYMSaP6bZRYkmN1yXvWgj76OpA99FFAc23LKB1blQa_ZjRB7sE/w268-h400/rainy-bread-paperback-cover-front-page-001.jpg" width="268" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://moonrisepress.com/the-rainy-bread-by-maja-trochimczyk.html">https://moonrisepress.com/the-rainy-bread-by-maja-trochimczyk.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">ISBN 978-1-945938-47-4 Paperback with color photos, 124 pp. $40.00 plus shipping</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ISBN 978-1-945938-01-6 EBook, expanded version $8.00</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-rainy-bread-poems-from-exile-by.html">https://moonrisepress.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-rainy-bread-poems-from-exile-by.html</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="goog_1468901115"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2021/10/trochimczyks-rainy-bread-more-poems.html">https://poetrylaurels.blogspot.com/2021/10/trochimczyks-rainy-bread-more-poems.html</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">≡ A SONG FOR A KEY ≡</span></b></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><i> ~ for Jan Jakub Kolski and his Mother</i></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is a key.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is an iron key.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is a large, iron key.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is an old, large, iron key.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">A key my mother carried in her purse.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is an old, large, wrought-iron key my mother </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">carried in her purse every single day.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is a field.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is a flat field.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is a flat, empty field.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is a flat, empty field in the Ukraine</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">that used to be Poland. A flat, empty field </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">where my mother’s house once stood, surrounded </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">by a tall wooden fence with a tall wooden gate, </div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">and a solid, large, wrought-iron lock.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">They told her: pack!</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">They told her: go!</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">They told her: out!</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">You do not belong.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is our land.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">There is not house.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">There is no fence.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">There is no gate.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">This is the key.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>≡ SOAP BUBBLES ≡</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sky is the color of soap bubbles</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">that Grandpa makes on the porch of old wooden house</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">in the village, the house with a peaked roof </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">and three-panel shutters on each window, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">closed only for winter storms and departures, almost never –</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The straws are tricky to make – of golden rye,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">cut between joints, with the tip quartered</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">and bent into a miniature cross of Malta.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We hold our straws gingerly, in a solemn ritual</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">of dipping them in a dish of lukewarm water </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">with a piece of brown soap, then lifting the tips up</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">and exhaling air slowly, carefully – until</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">the bubble, like the soul of a plum or an apple,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">detaches, becomes spherical, and floats away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Iridescent, translucent – oscillating from pink, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">to blue, to gold, to periwinkle. Yes, the sky before</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">sunset </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">is the color of soap bubbles. I make </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">a shiny sphere </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and watch its upward progress, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">on a meandering path </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">through warm summer sky, until</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">it bursts in a sudden gust of wind. The pang </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">of disappointment is real – it melts away </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">only when another bubble is ready</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">to ascend on its random, weightless pathway. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We count them, one by one, keeping the score.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In times of trouble, make soap bubbles </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">and watch them float on air currents. Away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Into the unknown. The size of a plum or an apple,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">iridescent, translucent – oscillating</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">from pink, to blue, to gold, to periwinkle. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">They float away – specks of joy up in the sky – </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">here just for a moment, until they disappear </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">in ever more distant, misty evening sky.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>≡ THE 23RD OF JULY ≡</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">is the day of clearing karma </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">untying knots on the thread of fate,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">breaking enchantments, reversing curses.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Look at the moon, blood-red and broken </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">above the hilltop, huge like ancient pain </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">passed on through generations.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It follows you, as you drive home</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">after resting in the silver mist of the ocean,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">its waves — turquoise and jade —</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">always moving, yet always the same —</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Look, the moon hides behind the black ridge</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">of despair, only a soft spot remains, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">shimmering on alien indigo sky. The road turns,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">you fly along 80 miles per hour, singing a Chopin's Nocturne<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>-</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">its lustrous cascade of notes split apart</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">by a sudden apparition — a majestic, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">white platinum orb, suspended in darkness.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You remember that rust-red, once-in-the-lifetime</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">moon of prophecy, the fox moon that foretold disaster </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">as it led you back from Paso Robles, Solvang, Santa Rosa, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">on the way into disillusionment and regret.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was hard to understand. Harder to believe in </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">the existence of such twisted, demonic selfishness</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">masquerading as affection. Pitiful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yet the healing was real. The lesson’s learned.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The karma’s cleared. It is done.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The moon now floats high above the valley</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">in its bright halo, distant and indifferent.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You've discovered the virtue of detachment.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You've seen how desires of the heart</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">led you astray. Your life - an illumination.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Like a moonbeam, glowing on cobalt waters </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the Pacific, your path ahead is straight — </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">clear — dazzling — brilliant —</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Starchild, born to shine, you are blessed </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">by the moon's radiance on this magical </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">summer evening of July 23rd.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You found your home. The New Age has begun.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlawQPdpf6JK7t0UN1JL56rZ6wyURZgl7lsvNrrZ8OHtRF6O-BvouZyidIJRybmdjOe17cDbAjOvkQHGbpSGrAbEP-NmBrco-NTx39TzAgNUrpLNv-hlUpPdppy7tA1vl8PcVOOS4qO0Y/s2048/IMG_7623.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlawQPdpf6JK7t0UN1JL56rZ6wyURZgl7lsvNrrZ8OHtRF6O-BvouZyidIJRybmdjOe17cDbAjOvkQHGbpSGrAbEP-NmBrco-NTx39TzAgNUrpLNv-hlUpPdppy7tA1vl8PcVOOS4qO0Y/w400-h300/IMG_7623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-23184220854524399502021-09-23T17:31:00.008-07:002022-09-14T10:33:34.076-07:00Available in Polish - 50th Anniversary Album of Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey3CcHFqx_lS_nuukz4WYHChge2723CF5o6pVuRfQ2Lu6u6tRhsbR0M6i5gGcImSbg3Q44fm9Cu7tFjrm3tjVjBg-JzARp0PAJre_NRo10lB8ct2R7lbGzNnijGNeFoEqj9ZLLQBC4pY/s792/EBook+612x792px.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey3CcHFqx_lS_nuukz4WYHChge2723CF5o6pVuRfQ2Lu6u6tRhsbR0M6i5gGcImSbg3Q44fm9Cu7tFjrm3tjVjBg-JzARp0PAJre_NRo10lB8ct2R7lbGzNnijGNeFoEqj9ZLLQBC4pY/w309-h400/EBook+612x792px.png" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>http://moonrisepress.com/album-50-lecia-klubu.html</u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Album 50-lecia Klubu Kultury im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ed. by Maja Trochimczyk, Elzbieta Kanski and Elzbieta Trybus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://moonrisepress.com/album-50-lecia-klubu.html" target="_blank">Free PDF Download.</a> 33.4MB</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/el%C5%BCbieta-trybu%C5%9B-and-el%C5%BCbieta-ka%C5%84ski-and-maja-trochimczyk/album-50-lecia-klubu-kultury-im-heleny-modrzejewskiej/hardcover/product-mvgpzr.html?q=album+50+lecia&page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-10945938-50-4</a>. Color Hardcover, $164.00. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/el%C5%BCbieta-trybu%C5%9B-and-el%C5%BCbieta-ka%C5%84ski-and-maja-trochimczyk/album-50-lecia-klubu-kultury-im-heleny-modrzejewskiej/paperback/product-9v7q6k.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945038-51-1</a>. Color Paperback, $55.00.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">380 pages, large format 8.5 by 11 in. with color photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ADky7OEbTOLQB7CYjpsk-te8kQxDqkz_V3gV82aJxwpEHArR_A-JFTlaXZXcxBmh-vMpsouaIbpH7CnOpJ_1gI_Vc-4ydz8P9fplkLANfa4HanZhmt_y2KLwCp7e4QQv-5AAU-AuOQ/s960/lagunagroup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="960" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ADky7OEbTOLQB7CYjpsk-te8kQxDqkz_V3gV82aJxwpEHArR_A-JFTlaXZXcxBmh-vMpsouaIbpH7CnOpJ_1gI_Vc-4ydz8P9fplkLANfa4HanZhmt_y2KLwCp7e4QQv-5AAU-AuOQ/w400-h245/lagunagroup.jpg" width="400" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Modjeska Club members and guests after Maja Trochimczyk's lecture </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">about Modjeska at </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Laguna Art Museum, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">March 2019. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The museum donated the large Modjeska banner to the Club.</span></i></div></div></div><p>Moonrise Press is pleased to announce the publication of the history of the Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club, in Polish (July 2021). Edited by dr. Maja Trochimczyk, Elżbieta Kanski and dr. Elżbieta Trybuś, this 380-page volume documents 50 years of cultural activities of the Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club in Los Angeles, established in 1971 by actor-director Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński and other Polish emigres.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtuNEPL9KhZ-Hyjzaxwz_Q3YazVR9po249Nu4-oouAl7shNK6T_WkOfpjqrHV1Mu5fLpBKbDVikpRzUKr5SRdtL2TVm8rMaa-Nh0Bds9-8DlUwdgzA9noPtkfqhrbPEhk8QHMCrJHx1Q/s578/4+Oct+763skulap.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="578" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtuNEPL9KhZ-Hyjzaxwz_Q3YazVR9po249Nu4-oouAl7shNK6T_WkOfpjqrHV1Mu5fLpBKbDVikpRzUKr5SRdtL2TVm8rMaa-Nh0Bds9-8DlUwdgzA9noPtkfqhrbPEhk8QHMCrJHx1Q/w400-h270/4+Oct+763skulap.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Club members at 1976 event with the Theater Eskulap from Warsaw, Residence of </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">President </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">and Founder Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetynski, October 1976. Photograph donated to Club Archives </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by the founder's daughter, Valerie Dudarew-Ossetynski Hunken.</span></i></div><p>The Club is named after a famous Polish actress Helena Modrzejewska (1840-1909) who emigrated to California in 1876, changed her stage name to Modjeska and became one of the most important Shakespearean actresses of her generation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0kk3snKTv-owI6OoQ-_w57A9yTwK_4yfu8y0ncbPdwFF4Bpbp1o1zP8k_lwkKExlBUHze95U-Ga6gODmJnYUxhLlFI4K_60pAr0-uisjGcZtJF9N8oRmytS59vjrBKM3ssrT9fV7iCg/s360/godlo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0kk3snKTv-owI6OoQ-_w57A9yTwK_4yfu8y0ncbPdwFF4Bpbp1o1zP8k_lwkKExlBUHze95U-Ga6gODmJnYUxhLlFI4K_60pAr0-uisjGcZtJF9N8oRmytS59vjrBKM3ssrT9fV7iCg/s320/godlo.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Club's logo with Helena Modjeska. Cover design for 1997 website by Ewa Chodkiewicz-Swider.</span></i></div><p>The Club honored its patron in a variety of ways, including lectures, theatrical and film premieres, unrealized plans to build monuments to her (based on designs by Stanislaw Szukalski and Tomasz Misztal), and the Modjeska Prizes bestowed on eminent Polish and Polish American actors since 2010.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM3G_pll8jtfNqbHqRRWaqgDhvlQYO1bIKJnGeLYS_RPldpoeY1A4l15g6oHb0kXLMWOMnDXBSt6uKgvihaL4_J6_ID66KPavOxWVq3ABw6Dgpx2JjEguy5Ki4E7dtkSfvvvPZadkFPg/s960/image+%25283%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM3G_pll8jtfNqbHqRRWaqgDhvlQYO1bIKJnGeLYS_RPldpoeY1A4l15g6oHb0kXLMWOMnDXBSt6uKgvihaL4_J6_ID66KPavOxWVq3ABw6Dgpx2JjEguy5Ki4E7dtkSfvvvPZadkFPg/w400-h300/image+%25283%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">J<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">adwiga Inglis's article about the 30th anniversary of the Club, 2002.</span></i></div><p>The album consists of essays, interviews, reviews, reminiscences and lists of club's events, including lectures, film screenings, theatrical performances, concerts, cabarets, and more. It is richly illustrated with color photographs taken over the 50 years of the Modjeska Club's history. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqwCxNerw8nzbOSPEfjXdAGq5mOA_Myt9NG2eKhWAztNf_uPqqAVbLYRh2Swhrkqut_-JeQHJTlw5ng_PNo5M9RuU1IMZPhYgq8sPaKR3QYggQLUFbBvE8wSNy94N2QVL4t-jyAws1HU/s800/DSC_5522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqwCxNerw8nzbOSPEfjXdAGq5mOA_Myt9NG2eKhWAztNf_uPqqAVbLYRh2Swhrkqut_-JeQHJTlw5ng_PNo5M9RuU1IMZPhYgq8sPaKR3QYggQLUFbBvE8wSNy94N2QVL4t-jyAws1HU/w400-h266/DSC_5522.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Modjeska Club members singing Christmas Carols in 2013.</span></i></div><p>Texts by: Anna Maria Anders, Tadeusz Bociański, Krysta Close, Dorota Czajka-Olszewska, Zofia Czajkowska, Witold Czajkowski, Zofia Cybulska-Adamowicz, Leonidas Dudarew-Ossetyński, Jadwiga Inglis, Michal Jasień, Tomasz Kachelski, Elżbieta Kański, Krystyna Kuszta, Jarosław Łasiński, Andrzej Maleski, Dr. Mira N. Mataric, Marta Ojrzyńska, Maria Pilatowicz, Edward Piłatowicz, Dr. Kleofas Rundzio, Andrzej Seweryn, Katarzyna Śmiechowicz, Jan Świder, Dr. Maja Trochimczyk, Dr. Elżbieta Trybuś and Jolanta Zych. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmdCk94_I216PNb1ADwUmPLaEro3bpHFGbps3MbSEJIx6QskbVgyLqmm-jWKAqVO-Lu7Nl46KmgAIerBJ_JER0JAh5LVUjR9xGNvryfULWwGDa6GzKOK3DqXGECALMVKQrLyhrhVN0z0/s1002/nasa2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1002" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmdCk94_I216PNb1ADwUmPLaEro3bpHFGbps3MbSEJIx6QskbVgyLqmm-jWKAqVO-Lu7Nl46KmgAIerBJ_JER0JAh5LVUjR9xGNvryfULWwGDa6GzKOK3DqXGECALMVKQrLyhrhVN0z0/w400-h230/nasa2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Modjeska Club members and guess at The Real Poetry of Cosmos event with </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">five Polish engineers, at Van Harman Auditorium of JPL/NASA, 2011.</span></i></div><p>The publication of this volume was made possible by a grant from the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles, and the generous support of Moonrise Press. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65e6pZKu6WI6_-D8Oz5-gPYO7wHm_WHI3wDEFbolbybxZvctwB3XxCk3edPjlaAVcnB6tA6uQLY4B6iSFgiUDe8ioiI4qNvU0AXKTj-whAvay14YFIZhpTldFJFB33pw_x1SLcChoPMA/s616/cg_LA_en.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="616" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65e6pZKu6WI6_-D8Oz5-gPYO7wHm_WHI3wDEFbolbybxZvctwB3XxCk3edPjlaAVcnB6tA6uQLY4B6iSFgiUDe8ioiI4qNvU0AXKTj-whAvay14YFIZhpTldFJFB33pw_x1SLcChoPMA/s320/cg_LA_en.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-34171391497052123742021-04-25T14:29:00.004-07:002023-10-30T07:56:14.676-07:00"The Rainy Bread: More Poems from Exile" by Maja Trochimczyk, New Expanded Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwy-rK7zPjMtX9ttf0IeXPsTqlHDmwDY7SFEEReINB5OuFW_p9qf9nJp0cqUeXQBt0pE-t8VTfizB1cc8TVxQR-q9TyPmO9toI0HxqXMEbpG8DL5BtRntcFDNYQGNZmOdxHP_XEndIsc/s2048/The+Rainy+BreadCOVEREBOOK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1575" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwy-rK7zPjMtX9ttf0IeXPsTqlHDmwDY7SFEEReINB5OuFW_p9qf9nJp0cqUeXQBt0pE-t8VTfizB1cc8TVxQR-q9TyPmO9toI0HxqXMEbpG8DL5BtRntcFDNYQGNZmOdxHP_XEndIsc/w308-h400/The+Rainy+BreadCOVEREBOOK.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/12jyvn85"><span style="font-family: georgia;">https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/12jyvn85</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span color="rgba(10, 16, 26, 0.7)" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">E-book: ISBN </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a101a; text-align: left;">978-1-945938-01-6, $8.00, expanded</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a101a; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> edition, April 2021</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0a101a; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Color paperback: <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/maja-trochimczyk/the-rainy-bread-more-poems-from-exile/paperback/product-g5z95r.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN </a></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span face="interface, sans-serif" style="color: #0a101a;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/maja-trochimczyk/the-rainy-bread-more-poems-from-exile/paperback/product-g5z95r.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">978-1-945938-47-4</a></span><span style="color: #0a101a; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/maja-trochimczyk/the-rainy-bread-more-poems-from-exile/paperback/product-g5z95r.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">,</a> 124 pages, 60 poems, 14 pages of photos, $40.00</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>The Rainy Bread: More Poems from Exile, </i>a poetry collection by Maja Trochimczyk has been enlarged by 30 poems and reorganized into six parts. An updated e-book and color paperback editions are available. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The book now includes 63 poems about forgotten stories of Poles living under the Soviet and German occupation during WWII, especially in the Eastern Borderlands of Kresy. They were killed, deported, imprisoned, or oppressed after the invasion of Poland by Germany on September 1, 1039 and by the invasion by the Soviet Union on September 17, 1939. Some of these brief portraits capture the trauma and resilience, ordeals and miraculous survival stories of the author’s immediate family. Their experiences of displacement, hunger, cold, and poverty during the war are typical of Polish civilians. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrWEHjDYaYc3yvsfTGa9Yu2xfRjf5nApNpvO5Rb6IVydZocklpMG1UfzZA1Ni_IPzYVguyzFtDTj96OPilBs5wmtb8-9kstmo6v7BPT6rD44FwwbSFyfO6dC8piKdBYivsNQUeeNUqB8/s150/147maria.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="113" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrWEHjDYaYc3yvsfTGa9Yu2xfRjf5nApNpvO5Rb6IVydZocklpMG1UfzZA1Ni_IPzYVguyzFtDTj96OPilBs5wmtb8-9kstmo6v7BPT6rD44FwwbSFyfO6dC8piKdBYivsNQUeeNUqB8/w241-h320/147maria.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Author's Grandma Maria Anna Wajszczuk, b. Wasiuk (1906-1973)</div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">These fictionalized fact-based memories are coupled with depictions of survival of other Poles deported to Siberia, the Arctic Circle, or Kazakhstan; those left the Soviet Union with the Second Corps of the Polish Army under the command of General Władysław Anders; those who were transported to refugee camps in India or Africa; and ended up in Argentina, Canada, Australia or the U.S.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwRt4mAhVksFKodNm78zXytfkGxJp23N_lhAPDoTwwpnhVxtOAIdNwII-GxmNDWscqUHcNhZoDvRzDICqlZQad9cFOjdd9mSv9qKH3nWX5kgUBDpY7bNnE_B1x8MjtRH91MgjpgxHFIg/s3264/IMG_0970.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwRt4mAhVksFKodNm78zXytfkGxJp23N_lhAPDoTwwpnhVxtOAIdNwII-GxmNDWscqUHcNhZoDvRzDICqlZQad9cFOjdd9mSv9qKH3nWX5kgUBDpY7bNnE_B1x8MjtRH91MgjpgxHFIg/w400-h300/IMG_0970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A monument to Polish civilians shot by Germans during Warsaw Uprising.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The book is a companion to “Slicing the Bread” (2014), with which it shares some poems, including vignettes from the author’s childhood in Warsaw. Organized into six parts - Destinations, Nowhere, Hunger Years, Resilience, There and Back, What Remains, the updated book follows a trajectory of descent into the hell of deportations, imprisonment, hunger, mass murder, and ascent into resilience and survival. The dark rain of sorrow changes into the diamond rain of delight with life.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q65tOdavRwfokSWrWbc12XaDpmFLBdVMz4wQ6FC0OpLP8LHKdeNr7F3Z_8dvIFvaMElqdPwziXL4FR0tQT7LVnlhUyBoVa9ZYlbzFgWC9ZgTQUVcQPXN-CGL3v1mYbNYvDng1nZ3_Cs/s1280/IMG_1812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q65tOdavRwfokSWrWbc12XaDpmFLBdVMz4wQ6FC0OpLP8LHKdeNr7F3Z_8dvIFvaMElqdPwziXL4FR0tQT7LVnlhUyBoVa9ZYlbzFgWC9ZgTQUVcQPXN-CGL3v1mYbNYvDng1nZ3_Cs/w400-h300/IMG_1812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b style="font-family: georgia;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maja Trochimczyk, Ph.D., is a Polish American poet, music historian, photographer, and author of seven books on music, most recently “Gorecki in Context: Essays on Music” (2017) and “Frédéric Chopin: A Research and Information Guide” (co-edited with William Smialek, rev. ed., 2015). She currently serves as the President of the California State Poetry Society, managing editor of the California Quarterly, and President of the Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club in Los Angeles, promoting Polish culture in California. Trochimczyk’s nine books of poetry include “Rose Always,” “Miriam’s Iris,” “Slicing the Bread,” “Into Light”, and four anthologies, “Chopin with Cherries” (2010), “Meditations on Divine Names” (2012), “Grateful Conversations: A Poetry Anthology” (2018) and “We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology” (2020). This is her ninth poetry collection.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovV5AUhMxhYLTEqesRJuDO6zS3JsGmw7m_IrpN5RZLnFwDeoeZJWmC7lPyxuPA-qwKXLwWxPVd_wiHGJ2ctYShveRpl84m5lOA5GT9Q9rlMh88HQkZYrGCQb3HM7__WCYt_lm1HmovV0/s3264/IMG_4376.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovV5AUhMxhYLTEqesRJuDO6zS3JsGmw7m_IrpN5RZLnFwDeoeZJWmC7lPyxuPA-qwKXLwWxPVd_wiHGJ2ctYShveRpl84m5lOA5GT9Q9rlMh88HQkZYrGCQb3HM7__WCYt_lm1HmovV0/w400-h300/IMG_4376.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nike - Monument to Warsaw Uprising, Warsaw, 2014.</div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">SAMPLE NEW POEMS</span></b><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>≡ PANI BASIA ≡</b></span></p><p><i style="font-family: georgia;">~ in memoriam Barbara Wysocka, “Irma” soldier in the Warsaw </i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> Uprising, prisoner of Stutthof Camp (1927-1997) </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Who was this stranger at Christmas Eve dinners? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A tall, stern lady who did not smile or talk to children. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Distinguished. Distant. Too stiff for hugging. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She looked at us as if from another planet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She ate her food slowly, methodically,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">relishing each sip of the hot beet soup, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">gingerly picking fishbones out of carp in aspic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">An aura of loneliness spread out around her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why did Mom take her for vacation to Abu Dhabi,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">on an exotic adventure, to see red sands, palms, camels?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The answer waited for decades in packets </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">of old letters, medals earned during the war. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She was “Irma,” a teen liaison for Division Baszta </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">in Mokotów. Fought to the end, Warsaw’s fall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Imprisoned in the Stutthof Concentration Camp. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her whole family perished. All alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Never married. Wrapped in her grief </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">like a cashmere shawl.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">On her vacation in Persian Gulf, she saw </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">wobbly camels race – and finally laughed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt2eV3EJ6og8JojemWgYncAXhLHMf8sMEfq2mRqUesVFNuxooSWcCWPUKXkHTM1OQc4BlAKQe6WIbC5xTHYulqAHxRdayjd7k5STG4pGT0bBW0aMEObI2kUEwrkO_q-ZNSXHC6FH078I/s3264/IMG_2919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt2eV3EJ6og8JojemWgYncAXhLHMf8sMEfq2mRqUesVFNuxooSWcCWPUKXkHTM1OQc4BlAKQe6WIbC5xTHYulqAHxRdayjd7k5STG4pGT0bBW0aMEObI2kUEwrkO_q-ZNSXHC6FH078I/w300-h400/IMG_2919.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A monument to Polish civilians shot by Germans during Warsaw Uprising</div><br /><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> ≡ THIRTY SIX ≡</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The number is thirty-six. Not thirty and </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not thirty-seven. Thirty-six. That’s how many </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">lives they saved, sheltering them in secret, finding</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">more food, more clothing for the ghetto escapees. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Doctor Alicja and Mr. Marian Burakowski at your service. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unsung heroes, nearly forgotten, except for </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">that tree planted in Yad Vashem’ garden in 1983. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Righteous among the Nations. No. 2480 on the list </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the bravest people the world has ever known.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Think of the sheer audacity of what they did. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The number is thirty-six. Not thirty and not thirty-seven. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">How many Jews would you have saved, if your own life, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">and that of all your children, your whole family, were at stake? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Germans declared a mandatory death sentence, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">for this crime, if caught. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do not forget their names, then, Alicja and Marian</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dr. and Mr. Burakowski at your service.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The number is thirty-six.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ8hS2J3_SBphZeithCMoW403-UzswNvlTvBHureapcwV0xGBRCEHfQs_m8gdyTnXSB8R4Rjd6Zd-AM65zJem5zG8GFHwZlLRO6Lre3UA4kOKFhUeDTn0FzTfKizF4uA3Ayan3IHNDAg/s348/HankaOrdonowsna_arm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ8hS2J3_SBphZeithCMoW403-UzswNvlTvBHureapcwV0xGBRCEHfQs_m8gdyTnXSB8R4Rjd6Zd-AM65zJem5zG8GFHwZlLRO6Lre3UA4kOKFhUeDTn0FzTfKizF4uA3Ayan3IHNDAg/w288-h400/HankaOrdonowsna_arm.jpg" width="288" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ THE GREATEST SONG ≡</span></b></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> ~ for Hanka Ordonówna, a humanitarian star (1902-1950)</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Miłość Ci wszystko wybaczy… Love will forgive you everything. . .</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The refrain of Poland’s most famous song</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">echoes through her memory, as she listens </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">to the stories of war orphans – covered in</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">wounds and lice, starved to skeletons, yet</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">finding time to play. They asked her to sing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ordonka, she used to be in another life, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">on a different timeline, another planet, perhaps – </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">its very existence impossible to believe in, here </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">on the train with orphans, on the way to a refugee</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">camp in India – in a coarse military uniform instead </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">of silks, pearl strings, shawls, and ostrich feathers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Champagne for the greatest star! Balls and revues</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">for the beloved singer of perfect Love! Such charm! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She found refuge in Beirut, her final stop, Paris </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">of the Levant. There was no Poland to return to, after </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stalin’s tanks rolled in to stay for 45 years. She did not </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">make it. She did not feel like wearing silks, feathers, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">pearls – after the orphans that survived their odyssey </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">went somewhere else to become someone else – not </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">her lost Polish children, smiling with delight as she sang.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Miłość ci wszystko wybaczy… bo miłość, moj miły, to ja!</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Love will forgive you everything. . . for Love, my dear, I’m Love!</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">NOTE: Read a summary of her story by Irene Tomaszewski, "The Cabaret Star and the Orphans: From Warsaw to India</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">" <i>Cosmopolitan Review,</i> vol. 5 no.2 (June 2013). </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">http://cosmopolitanreview.com/hanka-ordonowna/</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rxfV0etWNhz0Pn5eLy9H9ju81R4ielCd6H3-oYDDX3nF_22x2oM__9m6J8J2lMXj3JjvecdjFQ6TNnXquvjU8y1w7v6C7IWlunnm6v5JEnafiTdCC1ROTXeu4haab2U1Zg93RC_tB9k/s3264/IMG_0967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rxfV0etWNhz0Pn5eLy9H9ju81R4ielCd6H3-oYDDX3nF_22x2oM__9m6J8J2lMXj3JjvecdjFQ6TNnXquvjU8y1w7v6C7IWlunnm6v5JEnafiTdCC1ROTXeu4haab2U1Zg93RC_tB9k/w400-h300/IMG_0967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ A PILOT IN PAKISTAN ≡</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ for pilot Zofia Turowicz (d.1980)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She learned to fly to have wings —</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">to look down at the rolling waves of mountains, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">the geometry of fields outlined by rivers, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">dotted by lakes. She longed to see where clouds</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">were born, and where they were going.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today, she teaches soldiers of a foreign army</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">how to fly and kill, kill and fly away, unharmed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">They call it the dogfight, as in, dog </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">eats dog, the bigger dog,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">the faster dog, the dog </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">with sharper teeth. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The dogs of war.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Six years was enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Enough of this war.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She lost her home, her house, her childhood.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She has no future. Alone, wearing blond curls </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">and the tight, belted uniform of a pilot</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">she’s teaching soldiers in a Muslim country </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">how to fly to war. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">NOTE: Pilot Zofia Turowicz was the wife of Władysław Józef Marian Turowicz (1908-1980), commander of about 30 Polish pilots that trained the newly formed Pakistani Air Force since 1948. He remained a PAF officer, and became the founder of Pakistani space program. <a href="https://www.compasstravelguide.net/curiosities/the-polish-pakistani-air-force/">https://www.compasstravelguide.net/curiosities/the-polish-pakistani-air-force/</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGVyK_QRskM75lFK3GrPVzGKsUHEJrTikRtEoazDScV_O-vis4Y0VhN9biJYI27C9ziQvy4p89q0nOV0U38nHDCunOKyY_B1TduevFHjkow0TzCnqfq0EfXJptE-e_eYYqcnzDjP0wZY/s3264/IMG_2887.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGVyK_QRskM75lFK3GrPVzGKsUHEJrTikRtEoazDScV_O-vis4Y0VhN9biJYI27C9ziQvy4p89q0nOV0U38nHDCunOKyY_B1TduevFHjkow0TzCnqfq0EfXJptE-e_eYYqcnzDjP0wZY/w300-h400/IMG_2887.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">≡ TABLE OF CONTENTS ≡</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ PART I ≡ DESTINATIONS ≡ 1≡</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. Once Upon a Time in Baranowicze ≡ 2</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. What to Carry ≡ 4</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3. How to Walk ≡ 5</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. Starlight ≡ 6</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">5. Charlie, Who Did Not Cross ≡ 7</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. Five Countries in Venice ≡ 9</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. Kazakhstan, 1936 ≡ 11</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. Eyes on the Road ≡ 12</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">9. The Baton ≡13</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">10. Diamonds ≡ 14</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">11. Of Trains and Tea ≡ 15</span></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ PART II ≡ NOWHERE ≡ 17 ≡</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">12. The Summer of Love ≡ 18</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">13. Bees and the Breeze ≡ 19</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">14. Afterimage ≡ 20</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">15. The Odds ≡ 21</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">16. Colors of Faith ≡ 22</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">17. Incense ≡ 24</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">18. Wołyń ≡ 25</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">19. Kołyma ≡ 27</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">20. Amu Darya ≡ 28</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">21. Reflection ≡ 30</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">22. Shambhala ≡ 31</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">23. Birdwatching in a Saltwater Marsh ≡ 33</span></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ PART III ≡ HUNGER YEARS ≡ 35 ≡</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">24. Slicing the Bread ≡ 36</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">25. The Trap Door ≡ 37</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">26. Peeling the Potatoes ≡ 39</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">27. The Spoon ≡ 41</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">28. Kasha ≡ 42</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">29. The Hole in the Wall ≡ 43</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">30. Hair ≡ 44</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">31. The Polish Easter ≡ 45</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">32. Whitening ≡ 46</span></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ PART IV ≡ RESILIENCE ≡ 47 ≡</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">33. Pani Basia ≡ 48</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">34. Family Stories ≡ 49</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">35. Persistence ≡ 50</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">36. Unvanquished ≡ 52</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">37. Thirty Six ≡ 54</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">38. The Greatest Song ≡ 55</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">39. A Pilot in Pakistan ≡ 56</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">40. Under African Sky ≡ 57</span></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ PART V ≡ THERE AND BACK ≡ 59 ≡</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">41. A Song for a Key ≡ 60</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">42. Ciocia Tonia ≡ 61</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">43. Asters ≡ 63</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">44. No Chicken ≡ 65</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">45. Hiding ≡ 67</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">46. Naming Names ≡ 68</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">47. The Coat ≡ 69</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">48. Short Legs ≡ 70</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">49. Standing Guard ≡ 71</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">50. The Way to School ≡ 72</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">51. Reverberations ≡ 73</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">52. Losing Irena ≡ 74</span></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">≡ PART VI ≡ WHAT REMAINS ≡ 75 ≡</span></b></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">53. The Lady with an Ermine ≡ 76</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">54. Language ≡ 78</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">55. The Prophet ≡ 80</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">56. Counting Traumas ≡ 82</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">57. Tatarak ≡ 83</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">58. An Exile's Blues ≡ 84</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">59. The Antidote ≡ 85</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">60. Soap Bubbles ≡ 87</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">61. The 23rd of July ≡ 88</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">62. Diamon Rain ≡ 90</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">63. Oh, Silver River ≡ 92</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Family Album ≡ 93</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Author ≡ 106</span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">About this Book ≡ 107</span></div></div></blockquote>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-90379093937829988052021-02-23T10:20:00.011-08:002022-11-14T19:07:26.199-08:00"Today in the Forest" A New Book by Cindy Rinne and Toti O'Brien, February 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ukw1NgM-czLe_q0n9wMP2v7Hf5O7Nwty27d26fPHslr4fs-3nLxaC-ueywAt-1FMbN9evWqv3aLahybMavrBzQGi06zErfjkAFEpp6BCRaIz1zZq86Yb-u1govcXaMZDxOqKpCoqH6E/s2048/CoverFrontTodayForest1-page-001+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ukw1NgM-czLe_q0n9wMP2v7Hf5O7Nwty27d26fPHslr4fs-3nLxaC-ueywAt-1FMbN9evWqv3aLahybMavrBzQGi06zErfjkAFEpp6BCRaIz1zZq86Yb-u1govcXaMZDxOqKpCoqH6E/w266-h400/CoverFrontTodayForest1-page-001+%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/cindy-rinne-and-toti-obrien/today-in-the-forest/paperback/product-v7r6zy.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-43-6</a> Color Paperback, 46 pages, $20</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/cindy-rinne-and-toti-obrien/today-in-the-forest/ebook/product-r4ggzz.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-45-0</a> E-Book in PDF, only on lulu.com, $10 </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/cindy-rinne-and-toti-obrien/today-in-the-forest/ebook/product-mg24pg.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-44-3</a> EBook in e-Pub, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, etc. $10</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moonrise Press announces the publication of "Today in the Forest," a mysterious and inspired poetry and art book that will stir your imagination. This gem of a book has been created by Cindy Rinne, poet and fiber artist, and Toti O'Brien, artist, musician, and poet, with Cindy's poems and Toti's images in a delightful counterpoint of words and visions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first reading is scheduled by Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga on Zoom on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 4:30 pm. To request a link email Maja Trochimczyk at maja@moonrisepress.com or Dorothy Skiles at dmhskiles@gmail.com. In addition to discussing her imagery and techniques, Toti ead some of her poems - since the book includes only poetry by Cindy Rinne. Two open mic sessions were available, before and after the feature presentation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Video recording of the reading on YouTube:</span><a class="style-scope ytcp-video-share-dialog" href="https://youtu.be/7sZM8GSJJgU" id="watch-url" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: var(--ytcp-font-subheading_-_-webkit-font-smoothing); background-color: #f4f4f4; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: var(--ytcp-font-subheading_-_font-size); line-height: var(--ytcp-font-subheading_-_line-height); text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/7sZM8GSJJgU</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_zUTTPe6szrFtBItFgln8wOdx87pSflmoZWdwONTdBxcXLRQKje5-IdBEjbquoQGURT3lFVDZTYVYbruJoxYMpa3XFQ8YBqc63MhdL8DRearGllA1Ttm4QEaNxk1B5gKtgcXfB3Vj5c/s601/bird.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_zUTTPe6szrFtBItFgln8wOdx87pSflmoZWdwONTdBxcXLRQKje5-IdBEjbquoQGURT3lFVDZTYVYbruJoxYMpa3XFQ8YBqc63MhdL8DRearGllA1Ttm4QEaNxk1B5gKtgcXfB3Vj5c/w281-h400/bird.jpg" width="281" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ABOUT THIS BOOK</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"I was mesmerized reading Today in the Forest. O’Brien and Rinne have created a luminous, mythical world inhabited by a Moon Goddess, wolf-people, and various imaginative delights. It is a world destroyed or horribly threatened, yet I felt protection, care, and survival here. Today in the Forest is a poetic journey illuminated with hope and memory."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> ~ Stacy Russo, author of <i>Love Activism </i>and <i>We Were Going to Change the World</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">"As if in the forest all the problems of our world are being solved under the bark of trees, in an unseen parallel world, a precise and healing mythology is acted out by half human half visionary figures. Here, illustrated with powerful hand by someone who has been there, and witnessed, Toti O'Brien as master-artist, embodies the magical words of storyteller Cindy Rinne whose characters, her intimates, have allowed her to share their secrets at work.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Cindy has recorded and given us a magic scroll. Toti has drawn and given us the map. "She sees the sand bottom and tries to hold the tree's shadow. A murmur gurgles as golden rocks beckon her to climb." ~ Cindy Rinne</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> We need to be here for hope." </span></div><div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> ~ Kath Abela Wilson, leader of Poets on Site, author of <i>Figures of Humor and Strange Beauty</i> (Glass Lyre Press, 2019)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ABOUT THE AUTHORS</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnkdGSz6Vcqcmo26BTIMCtoG-NN_erGhPp4XPWwiKWDE4O2uw9k7GnROEXhTcEnNKahhxOs2nJPELkEnEWZz9Bjk66eSqeXrYuM8JMtANwiMplcfPukfwIcMeOMcGzqBmrddXva8aF1c/s512/cindyrinne.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnkdGSz6Vcqcmo26BTIMCtoG-NN_erGhPp4XPWwiKWDE4O2uw9k7GnROEXhTcEnNKahhxOs2nJPELkEnEWZz9Bjk66eSqeXrYuM8JMtANwiMplcfPukfwIcMeOMcGzqBmrddXva8aF1c/s320/cindyrinne.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cindy Rinne creates fiber art and writes in San Bernardino, CA. Cindy is the author of several books: silence between drumbeats (Four Feathers Press), Letters Under Rock with Bory Thach, (Elyssar Press), and others. Her poetry appeared or is forthcoming: A<i>nti-Heroin Chic, Verse-Virtual, LitGleam, </i>and others, plus several anthologies. <a href="http://www.fiberverse.com">www.fiberverse.com</a></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVZRc7ZzyGRvRqh2Mpj8Ewaabx6EcS1iGp_CLsgnVvsO9SQbBmduc29HSmQNrhdzj_0T-DbTJHbx4oa6R8pVa3sKmRY4rW_JuByUIMbeB49PqC5i37QywbOvNb35OPHr5BiCKzyVrmPQ/s300/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVZRc7ZzyGRvRqh2Mpj8Ewaabx6EcS1iGp_CLsgnVvsO9SQbBmduc29HSmQNrhdzj_0T-DbTJHbx4oa6R8pVa3sKmRY4rW_JuByUIMbeB49PqC5i37QywbOvNb35OPHr5BiCKzyVrmPQ/s0/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> Toti O’Brien’s mixed media have been exhibited in group and solo shows, in Europe and the US, since 1995. She has illustrated several children books and two memoirs. Her artwork is on the cover of several books and it was most recently featured in<i> pethricor, Two Hawks, Arkana and Argo.</i> More about her work can be found at <a href="http://totihan.net/index.html">http://totihan.net/index.html</a></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD28AoMcGofj6x4Wp5ir51ZnrYvQBN4FHr-b8Df_KL9wS8weigAI3r-Ec8LjSd8v2brsPamJsXrkQtSn2LIf9GyyKC4901gSRvzBn7z6MRuGNyZC4u0g5GmI_OfUIUw_-AzbP-_oKRmAk/s563/boat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD28AoMcGofj6x4Wp5ir51ZnrYvQBN4FHr-b8Df_KL9wS8weigAI3r-Ec8LjSd8v2brsPamJsXrkQtSn2LIf9GyyKC4901gSRvzBn7z6MRuGNyZC4u0g5GmI_OfUIUw_-AzbP-_oKRmAk/w300-h400/boat.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">TABLE OF CONTENTS</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Poems by Cindy Rinne <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Images by Toti O’Brien</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part I – Moon Goddess</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anahita Speaks Today in the Forest<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Today in the Forest</i><span style="white-space: pre;"><i> </i> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>4 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Presence / Absence <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span> </span></span>5 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anahita’s Horses <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>6</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some Days Coral Mustang<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>7</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Deep-Downness</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>8</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Deep-Downness<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>9</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rain Stick<span style="white-space: pre;"><i> <span> </span><span> </span></i></span>10</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Hollowed Plant</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span>11</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>At All Cost</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>12</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">At All Cost<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>13</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Return from the Grave<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>14</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Beneath Quarter Moon</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>15</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Crystalwind Vanishes and Finds a Map<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>16</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After all these Years of Waiting<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>17</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Food from Starshine</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>18 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Decay<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>19</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thinks of Her Family<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>20</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part II – Crystalwind’s Family</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Elements<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>23</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Merger of Heartbeat and Bark<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>24</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Memories</i><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>25</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>One Loop Left</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>26 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Wolf Flower<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>27 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Exposed Roots<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>28 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Exposed Roots</i><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>29 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Rings of Time</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>30 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Azurite Knows Two Bodies<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>31</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No Shortness of Breath<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>32</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Gentleness</i><span style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>33</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Sister Runs</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>34</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Murmurs<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>35</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Crystalwind Imagines Anahita<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span>36</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Acknowledgements <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>38</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Authors <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>39</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgrMYgsAGLZZzISG4kZqyeOau9kMIAKVEWvVQW8-SapNdK7uRrB_lxzPpdKq_ZcTunFfpdWBE3ppufuUh-_0C57R6JNYqLEm94RNrYOOHMAsLvFh4Komd-HnosUKYSsemPnwKPxHN_ys/s540/anahita.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="540" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgrMYgsAGLZZzISG4kZqyeOau9kMIAKVEWvVQW8-SapNdK7uRrB_lxzPpdKq_ZcTunFfpdWBE3ppufuUh-_0C57R6JNYqLEm94RNrYOOHMAsLvFh4Komd-HnosUKYSsemPnwKPxHN_ys/w400-h300/anahita.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh9ymLVgceYp58SYXqsINWERGE4ObhD4d2gn4Zsx7CE31F-ajx9M8iiIKIxCdKx3gfB3P7PjihA9UAeOLd9SpuHLN9AATL8pXmf3HBJUw-szKsEqBtPIyEL-we22GIQJq7xpbxWBsogU/s540/anahita.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="540" height="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh9ymLVgceYp58SYXqsINWERGE4ObhD4d2gn4Zsx7CE31F-ajx9M8iiIKIxCdKx3gfB3P7PjihA9UAeOLd9SpuHLN9AATL8pXmf3HBJUw-szKsEqBtPIyEL-we22GIQJq7xpbxWBsogU/w400-h0/anahita.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Book Review by Michael Paul Hogan, in L<i>ondon Grip Poetry Review </i>online, November 2022:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="goog_1383275987"><br /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://londongrip.co.uk/2022/11/london-grip-poetry-review-cindy-rinne">https://londongrip.co.uk/2022/11/london-grip-poetry-review-cindy-rinne<br /></a></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Is it possible to create a myth? Or should they evolve out of some remote and unrecorded past, only gaining the concrete legitimacy of words when they have been refined and expanded over centuries of oral transmutation? Does poetry represent a myth’s end in the sense that the myth is now completed? That it can no longer be told in many versions, but now must be read as a single unified work?</i></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The genius of Cindy Rinne (greatly aided by the genius of her illustrator, Toti O’Brien) is that she has managed to sidestep these questions by not exactly creating a myth, but presenting us with the fragments of a myth, one that might have been developed orally then been crystallised by poets, but now resembles the shards of pottery and pieces of fresco from which an archaeologist might recreate the kingdom of Sparta or the city of Troy. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The myth, she seems to say, has been forgotten, buried under a heap of modern imagery; from these fragments I now present to you, you must recreate the myth for yourself. [...]</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Ultimately, Today in the Forest defies any kind of conventional revue. The text is like trying to negotiate an entirely blacked-out village by the occasional flash of lightning; the illustrations need to be seen to be appreciated; the effect of the combination of the two must, therefore, be taken on trust. I can only conclude by saying that Cindy Rinne and Toti O’Brien have between them created a small masterpiece. It deserves all the success I hope it achieves.</i></span></p></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-57566087437963605382021-02-04T12:34:00.003-08:002021-03-12T07:13:20.967-08:00Review of Toti O'Brien's "An Alphabet of Birds" by Mari Werner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Yx9TlwNOxCPguIAe6rjdPERyOv8oilmx9fr_FguqcQzWVFCXA8nQC12n87yWoiZsojtNOxfqMR5uUEIJUDOu23QgPt6V2R9jcr_iuR7yjrkyChtSly_1YmA0p2E2O5mN2Pv-vucDwFtR/s1800/AlphabetCoverFront.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Yx9TlwNOxCPguIAe6rjdPERyOv8oilmx9fr_FguqcQzWVFCXA8nQC12n87yWoiZsojtNOxfqMR5uUEIJUDOu23QgPt6V2R9jcr_iuR7yjrkyChtSly_1YmA0p2E2O5mN2Pv-vucDwFtR/w266-h400/AlphabetCoverFront.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Book Review by Mari Werner: <i>An Alphabet of Birds</i> by Toti O’Brien</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Published in Poetry Letter No. 1, 2021, California State Poetry Society</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Los Angeles: Moonrise Press, October 2020; </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moonrisepress.com/alphabet-of-birds.html">http://www.moonrisepress.com/alphabet-of-birds.html</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">ISBN 978-1-945938-41-2, paperback, 184 pp, $15.00; </p><p style="text-align: center;">ISBN 978-1-945938-42-9, ebook in ePub, $10.00</p><p style="text-align: center;">Preview by <i>Quill and Parchment </i>- New Books Announcement</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://quillandparchment.com/archives/Feb2021/vol236.html">http://quillandparchment.com/archives/Feb2021/vol236.html</a></p><p>In mindfulness meditation, the object of the practice is to be fully present in the moment. In Toti O’Brien’s prose collection, <i>An Alphabet of Birds</i>, the stories are told by a narrator who is keenly in the moment and acutely perceptive—so much so that the reading experience can become like a meditation. This is a prose collection but it’s difficult to nail down whether they’re stories, essays, or prose poems, fiction or creative non-fiction. And it isn’t necessary. These are literary pieces told through a rare and distinctive voice that slips effortlessly from the real to the surreal, and from the outer to the inner world. The details that bring a story to life and bring a universe into the mind of the reader are poured so naturally into the pages that it’s easy to forget one is reading.</p><p>The title of the piece, <i>Five Senses</i>, may be something of a representation of the character of the book— except that it turns out not to be limited to five. This particular piece is an intriguing exploration of the perceptions, influences, and decisions that shape or foreshadow the vectors of life from an early age. It begins with the inner story of a small child quenching her thirst for sense, experience, and understanding under the wise tutelage of her grandparents, or out on her own roaming orchards and wild ravines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ukddGj7GGEsuIlFBUH1usSaioLEABBv86rw9fXYiGrTqWXvN_gjoVVgpw3FDE3alC-CuVBz549IAVh0HWMeoF8C4WP3Ebn5DcdcEvQKNS9JDJb7ZWv2d3Av3GtQEWrz4c5hZtWZXU-7D/s792/AnAlphabetOfBirdsForMaja612x792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ukddGj7GGEsuIlFBUH1usSaioLEABBv86rw9fXYiGrTqWXvN_gjoVVgpw3FDE3alC-CuVBz549IAVh0HWMeoF8C4WP3Ebn5DcdcEvQKNS9JDJb7ZWv2d3Av3GtQEWrz4c5hZtWZXU-7D/w309-h400/AnAlphabetOfBirdsForMaja612x792.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p>Her explorations and the expansion of her world come to life in full detail, but at the same time other senses are invoked in the reader, such as developing a love for the grandfather or feeling the apprehensive chill of another side of the child’s life. “Back in town with her parents, in winter, she’ll start school. When spring and the swallows will come she will return South, Grandma promises. Right. She begins waiting for spring without further ado.” </p><p>The words are beautifully written without calling attention to themselves. They conjure another realm without particular regard for the confines of time and the standard definitions of how things work in the ‘real’ world. Most of the pieces are not linear, they ride conceptually in what flows like gliding down a river on a raft. </p><p>O’Brien paints both the outer and the inner landscape in vivid detail. In Sunset Walk, the reason for the deep grieving taking place in the inner world of the walker is never revealed, but the grief is interwoven as the outer world plays in full color texture and motion. “And I long for every house, for every life I haven’t lived, feeling both its sweet promise and its irreparable loss.”</p><p>Parts of the book are humorous in a wry matter-of-fact way devoid of any self-conscious effort to make you laugh. For example, the squirrel contemplating an orange in Creation: “Judging by the gravity of its frown it must be debating large matters, either the original sin (the type of fruit makes no difference, all round juicy things work, temptation-wise) or else global issues such as climate change, inequality, resource shortage…” Or in Darwin where the reader enters a place in which everyone knows a bird doesn’t fly. “It can’t for a crucial reason, a deal-breaker. Such a feat would take lots of oxygen, and birds talk too much. In fact, they never stop. That is why fish fly, dear, fish only. Because they shut up.” One may be left wondering if other assumptions about the structures of reality have evaporated too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLt4qimdCu8-yrUFXBmomsoQFsg1BfIqjti3bJgHtFTEQ5yNGPHC1rWuwm-j5hyphenhyphen_VXyY0VNfMSotBtOIo7QrMllOu_jy3QCGkwovo6JjF4ymrzoHWa-0kw97p2vkswAMbScalCFY_8U1J/s300/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLt4qimdCu8-yrUFXBmomsoQFsg1BfIqjti3bJgHtFTEQ5yNGPHC1rWuwm-j5hyphenhyphen_VXyY0VNfMSotBtOIo7QrMllOu_jy3QCGkwovo6JjF4ymrzoHWa-0kw97p2vkswAMbScalCFY_8U1J/w320-h320/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TOTI O'BRIEN</div><p>The pieces, even the humorous ones, are philosophical, but never by way of bringing messages tied up in packages. The narrating voice is deeply inquisitive and observant, not just of physical perceptions and the inner emotional realm, but also of the world at large, the universe, the perennial questions related to being a human on Earth. It raises questions, opens doors, explores ideas—such as this from the first-person piece, September, as the narrator listens to Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy: “Quite a simple message. Sursum corda, be brave, never give up. Isn’t it what Beethoven always intends? He did. The man is long dead. But his notes are resounding against my bones, striking my membranes. They vibrate through my throat, echo within my ears. The composer is dead, but he’s not…I know it is common sense. Still, how common is that? What outlives the body, where, why?”</p><p>Though this work visits many different emotions and situations, overall, it provides a collection of clear windows into colors, tastes, textures and music of life that are there to be experienced—if you’re paying attention. This is gifted writing that deserves a broad readership and critical attention.</p><p style="text-align: right;">~ Mari Werner, Claremont, CA</p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Published in California State Poetry Society's "Poetry Letter," no. 1, 2021, in PDF format and on CSPS Blog: <a href="https://www.californiastatepoetrysociety.com/2021/02/poetry-letter-no-1-2021-reviews-of.html">https://www.californiastatepoetrysociety.com/2021/02/poetry-letter-no-1-2021-reviews-of.html</a></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-5322337062049828242021-02-02T23:58:00.004-08:002021-02-02T23:58:32.020-08:00Margaret Saine - Poet of "Lit Angels" and Gardens of the Earth" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRpfpctBwjV0YewmvRyDrHxyjB6oWFL3TEhpp4jyTtmdgC0w0wmL7Oe7TJ2qLNMOYgA1oYYAn3NtLKCzvJVhQbtbaN2iPywR2KN0YTiWm4eTv574GfKiRHI_rt0snaPyJA5CEp5Ni0XM/s1068/sainemaja_opt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1056" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRpfpctBwjV0YewmvRyDrHxyjB6oWFL3TEhpp4jyTtmdgC0w0wmL7Oe7TJ2qLNMOYgA1oYYAn3NtLKCzvJVhQbtbaN2iPywR2KN0YTiWm4eTv574GfKiRHI_rt0snaPyJA5CEp5Ni0XM/w395-h400/sainemaja_opt.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: center;">Margaret and Maja at Maja's Photography Exhibit, 2018.</span></div><br /><p></p><p>Margaret Saine, author of two books published by Moonrise Press, "Lit Angels" and "Gardens of the Earth: According to Nature", has recently retired from her decades of volunteer work for the California State Poetry Society. The "Poetry Letter" No. 1, 2021, included the following in appreciation of her selfless service: </p><p>"After 18 years of service to CSPS as <i>California Quarterly</i> Editor, Secretary/Historian and <i>Poetry Letter</i> Editor, Margaret Saine decided to step down and focus on her own poetry. As her replacement as Poetry Letter Editor and CSPS President, I am especially grateful that she introduced me to the CSPS. Margaret’s contributions to our Society are immeasurable. To me, she is the embodiment of extensive, expert knowledge of all the arts (poetry, literature, painting, sculpture, and architecture), as well as languages, and history. I admire her deep, unyielding love of poetry in as many languages as can be brought together for the cause of peace and coexistence without violence, without wars – to seek beauty, inspiration and appreciation of the world as is, in all its darkness and light, in all its riches. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b4nMJ92eU5kd4RIrIlt9sMmoMElMcCOZsCLVJCJYAeuURV_NZ5IAAEx9ofb1lS7eAjOmHuIbP_SjLVaf9TRZ8zf5Cvw1lGA8GvjgPl8DX4xBghBHqFo13N1KwvObCYgVBwFGbUOI008/s1275/V46N1-TwoCovers-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="825" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b4nMJ92eU5kd4RIrIlt9sMmoMElMcCOZsCLVJCJYAeuURV_NZ5IAAEx9ofb1lS7eAjOmHuIbP_SjLVaf9TRZ8zf5Cvw1lGA8GvjgPl8DX4xBghBHqFo13N1KwvObCYgVBwFGbUOI008/w259-h400/V46N1-TwoCovers-page-001.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cover of the <i><a href="https://www.californiastatepoetrysociety.com/2020/04/california-quarterly-461-spring-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">California Quarterly</a></i> 46 no. 1 edited by Margaret Saine. </div> <p></p><p>She writes and publishes poetry in English, her native German, as well as French, Italian and Spanish. She translates an international group of poets, giving them a space to share their insights. As a photographer, she depicts the world in motion - blurry, misty, ambiguous, yet enticing with mysterious patterns. Her erudite, thoughtful and passionate poems reflect her keen attention to detail, ability to see the large picture, find wisdom in nature and art. I am glad my Moonrise Press published Margaret’s two poetry books, Lit Angels (2016) and Garden of the Earth: According to Nature (2018). I am profoundly grateful for all the gifts Margaret brought to my life – richness of vivid language, sharp focus on quality of words expressing a thought or impression clearly and succinctly. </p><p>John F. Harrell, CSPS Past President and Editor, current Treasurer and Webmaster, writes: “My years with Margaret spanned three decades or so, from Board meetings and poetry readings at Jerry Palley's place in Irvine all the way through to our last drive up to your place in Sunland for a Board meeting. I never have to guess at what she thinks. I like the fact that she can be brutally honest, but that the quality of the art and the writing is always her first concern. During the eight years I was responsible for publishing the CQ, she came up to Yorba Linda from her home in Orange as often as she could--she was frequently not just out of town, but out of the country—to help assemble the quarterly packages for mailing. She volunteered to help because she thought doing the work alone would be ‘depressing" for me. I enjoyed sharing the time with her, as our conversations often ranged over a wide landscape of interests. I didn't discuss rocket science with her, but almost everything else—and even when we had to agree to disagree. She is a longtime and lovely friend, truly a Grand Dame of poesy and art.”</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU70Rd4I7yoRQf9jAcAame0UVpRtHcv4JBb1XSbGpm77DpQ70CBve3D7In38mU26YMH11hbkRiHVpqCcnbRWiAC93dn5EuS7mAH9rUdF_wGo7DPwSUTzV6rSksDo3IdVCiP9Ah1QSTdCY/s2048/44+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU70Rd4I7yoRQf9jAcAame0UVpRtHcv4JBb1XSbGpm77DpQ70CBve3D7In38mU26YMH11hbkRiHVpqCcnbRWiAC93dn5EuS7mAH9rUdF_wGo7DPwSUTzV6rSksDo3IdVCiP9Ah1QSTdCY/w259-h400/44+4.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cover of the <i>California Quarterly </i>44 no. 4 edited by Margaret Saine (2018)</div><br />Alice Pero, CSPS Monthly Contest Chair writes: “I know Margaret as a wonderful poet, facile in several languages. Her translations have always come as fresh breezes through a rather stagnant world and we want to stop to listen to her poems. I feel as though she has taken the time to savor the love of words, while others rush through, unhearing and unseeing. Sorry to see her talents go from CSPS, just as I am getting more involved with the society." <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TDIAfL_0zVqZGbGhFxMzPr3kPnxFYkuQ2pND2qqitn5svwyJDnAtYcUHUubWE0fTzFyYJStvbcL5GLnEtdy-3hMhqI4KzG4VT7jv-Oijt3aUsAAneFWzQbXhG5NxbB8oJ3Afh3FRJeA/s2048/CoverPinkPetals2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1375" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TDIAfL_0zVqZGbGhFxMzPr3kPnxFYkuQ2pND2qqitn5svwyJDnAtYcUHUubWE0fTzFyYJStvbcL5GLnEtdy-3hMhqI4KzG4VT7jv-Oijt3aUsAAneFWzQbXhG5NxbB8oJ3Afh3FRJeA/w269-h400/CoverPinkPetals2.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gardens of the Earth by Margaret Saine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://moonrisepress.com/gardens-of-the-earth---saine.html">http://moonrisepress.com/gardens-of-the-earth---saine.html</a></span></div><p>Ute Margaret Saine was born in Germany. After a Yale Ph.D. in French and Spanish, she taught languages, literature, and culture in California and Arizona, while writing and translating poetry in five languages. Since 1991, she has been a board member of the CSPS and a CQ editor since 1994. She also edited the CSPS Poetry Letter and served formerly as the CSPS Annual Contest Chair. Her poems have appeared in many journals here and abroad. She has published four books of poetry in English – <i>Bodyscapes, Words of Art, Lit Angels </i>and <i>Gardens of the Earth</i> – as well as six haiku chapbooks in five languages. Three books of poems and a Postwar childhood memoir appeared in Germany – <i>Das Flüchtige bleibt (The Ephemeral Remains), Das Weite suchen (A Yen to Travel), Atem der Stille (The</i> <i>Breath of Silence),</i> and <i>Das ungeschickte Kind (Awkward Child)</i>. <i>Searching for Bridges</i> is a bilingual English-Arabic collection edited by poet and critic Nizar Sartawi. In 2020, Saine was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Editors of the <i>California Quarterly.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZS3PSSsiiP3OzN3VaJejI6TPzYQD6MIPMq3L_KJy2krHNoxoui_c1N1JCrDB6EwM_1o2nACCm8LbBN-7FewN4S6NNpnWtrjHXHYL9Sgs_j30IiKhkTgUmi-laa5eIUKxhTuNR1Hy9fA/s2048/watercoverlarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZS3PSSsiiP3OzN3VaJejI6TPzYQD6MIPMq3L_KJy2krHNoxoui_c1N1JCrDB6EwM_1o2nACCm8LbBN-7FewN4S6NNpnWtrjHXHYL9Sgs_j30IiKhkTgUmi-laa5eIUKxhTuNR1Hy9fA/w265-h400/watercoverlarge.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lit Angels by Margaret Saine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://moonrisepress.com/lit-angels---saine.html">http://moonrisepress.com/lit-angels---saine.html</a></div><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-19699324626873522072020-12-25T14:32:00.011-08:002020-12-28T07:51:04.018-08:00New Year after the Winter Solstice: the End of Kali Yuga, the Start of the Age of Aquarius <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sMKPw1D73hFoNG6fzGdBtCthMFaSdH7zRyrGQMyWonss-5FIFld_9JFYCflttoOzrLIQXKziJL25DSGWjR7Hv8-Ys4n0O0cGBJ4C1qdnTfJeje0ejjl9tB0wiFcf_nQ9ddGv2dX2NqI/s2048/IMG_1391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sMKPw1D73hFoNG6fzGdBtCthMFaSdH7zRyrGQMyWonss-5FIFld_9JFYCflttoOzrLIQXKziJL25DSGWjR7Hv8-Ys4n0O0cGBJ4C1qdnTfJeje0ejjl9tB0wiFcf_nQ9ddGv2dX2NqI/w300-h400/IMG_1391.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>W<span style="font-family: georgia;">e have passed through the eye of the needle, and emerged on the other side, victorious. Congratulations to all Lovers, Lightworkers, and People of Good Will! On December 21, 2020, the planets Jupiter and Saturn entered into a conjunction that made their light appear as a bright Star of Bethlehem, last seen 800 years ago, and supposedly seen at Christmas... </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This Winter Solstice also marks a monumental cosmic event: the old era of chaos and destruction ended. We entered into the glorious waters of the Age of Aquarius. We are on our trajectory to a Thousand Years of Peace. Or so, I read, and decided to believe. Why not? Much better vision of the future than the alternative... </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I celebrated this momentous transition with a new poem:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkCEjMzBJd2Ixi26AhZxKRpQseqLP7lIRNwk1CG1nGF95piXLtZty_qTDYTR6g6Cqww_dh1UFFlpaaDTbSb2C4bWu5MCADd079m9mSxAgqHB3p0FG2K8JXUJ5w5fYe5z3wrRjDSiFjd4/s2048/IMG_1403.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkCEjMzBJd2Ixi26AhZxKRpQseqLP7lIRNwk1CG1nGF95piXLtZty_qTDYTR6g6Cqww_dh1UFFlpaaDTbSb2C4bWu5MCADd079m9mSxAgqHB3p0FG2K8JXUJ5w5fYe5z3wrRjDSiFjd4/w300-h400/IMG_1403.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">The Star of Christmas, The Way of Light</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">Jupiter and Saturn became one. Bright</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">orange gold merged with deep blue purple</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">into a diamond white Bethlehem star.</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">A solstice miracle.</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>We saw it through the telescope</i></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>in the neighbors’ driveway.</i></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">The cross on the hilltop is flooded with light.</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">A Christian beacon, a sea lantern on the shores</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">of receding darkness. The end of Kali Yuga,</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">the twisted age of chaos and destruction.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>We look at it from the safety of our bed - </i></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>limbs intertwined, after interstellar flights</i></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>through galaxies of affection.</i></span></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">The portal opens. The way back</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">irrevocably closes. From the Zero Point</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">of no return, we step into the Age of Aquarius.</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">my Winter Solstice poem comes to life. </span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>Togetherness, acceptance carry us</i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>on ultraviolet waves into </i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>the ultramarine infinity </i></span></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><i>of one true love.</i></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">Our ascent is punctuated by bursts</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">of belly laughter, flavored </span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">with the sweetness of winter tangerines, </span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">dissolving into the pure intensity </span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">of childlike joy - rediscovered </span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">at the threshold of the Golden Age, </span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">embroidered on the fabric</span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: georgia;">of the Thousand Years of Peace. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">(C) December 21 2020 </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> by Maja Trochimczyk</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">Well, technically speaking we are still deep within the Kali Yuga that lasts for 432,000 years, has begun 5,121 years ago and will end in the year 428,899. But we can end it sooner in our own lives if we want to bring peace, prosperity, happiness, kindness, gratitude, love and light into this world, ourselves and all around us... </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">According to the ancient prophecies of Srimad Bhagavata Purana, the last avatar of Lord Vishnu will descend as Kalki to destroy the effects of Kali and Satya Yuga will begin. There are four eras starting from the Golden Age, Satya Yuga, followed by Treta, Dvapara, and Kali Yugas. As we have seen so far, during the Kali Yuga, "religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength and memory will all diminish day by day" and "wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man’s good birth, proper behavior and fine qualities. And law and justice will be applied only on the basis of one’s power." In contrast, in Satya Yuga, the age of goodness, all virtues will triumph and people will live long, in peace and happiness. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 14.85px;"><a href="https://vedicfeed.com/the-symptoms-of-kaliyuga-ancient-hindu-predictions/">https://vedicfeed.com/the-symptoms-of-kaliyuga-ancient-hindu-predictions/</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>As for the Age of the Aquarius, it follows the Age of Pisces, or Christian Fish, and some say will start in 2024, while others claim it already started in 1957, or in 2000. In the hippie musical "Hair" there is a song celebrating its arrival. It all has to do with the "precession of the equinoxes" an astronomical phenomenon caused by the curious rotation of the Earth with its axis at an angle; while going through the 12 signs of the Zodiac during 25,868 years, it stays in each sign for 2,155.67 years. If the Age of the Pisces started in the year 1 of our times, we still have 135.67 years to go... In other words, nobody knows anything...</div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 14.85px;">The most important news is the most timeless. Whether in this age or the next, whether at Christmas alone or with family, we are a rain of diamond light on this planet. Let's shine! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtPCYGKkdwsWAsqvPtVScwYyXJxOvfFgkxKDXCv0tNGdtqabwdSMlCPGs3awPlQNpkIs850k7z-Sh4WQXHnMlqaPYfGasnRnLJJsFPp-qS21EoLaGEeVNcqeKEs-NVaZT2fCX6PzspHM/s2048/IMG_1156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtPCYGKkdwsWAsqvPtVScwYyXJxOvfFgkxKDXCv0tNGdtqabwdSMlCPGs3awPlQNpkIs850k7z-Sh4WQXHnMlqaPYfGasnRnLJJsFPp-qS21EoLaGEeVNcqeKEs-NVaZT2fCX6PzspHM/w400-h300/IMG_1156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A Diamond Miracle</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="ine-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">I live on a planet</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">where it rains diamonds<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">on red-gold leaves of myrtle tree<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">under the azure – sky so alive that
it breathes <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">and vibrates in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"><i>Look up! See the cosmic sigh?</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">I live on a planet <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">where it rains diamonds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">Water droplets shine in sunlight<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">scattered on pine needles and broad
leaves<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">of the bird of paradise,
stretching, stretching,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">growing until orange blossoms
alight amidst the foliage <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">like a flock of birds, copper
flames in jade. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">On my planet, western bluebirds, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">Finches, and doves drink from the
fountain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">They fly away when the scrub jay
comes to take a bath,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">dip his head into the crystal pool
and shake diamond droplets <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">down his back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">On my planet, hummingbirds hum<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">suspended in the air by red hibiscus
flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">Mockingbirds mock the tune of my
alarm clock <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">at four a.m. and sing the songs of
red wing blackbirds <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">that pass through on the way to
Mexico or Canada<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">resting in the garden, then moving
on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">My planet, where it rains diamonds,
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">breathes and vibrates with wave
after wave <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">of energy that spins into life
forms, growing, decaying, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">returning – the endless ocean of live
diamonds <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;">that multiply and sparkle in the
sun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Would you like to be a diamond with
me? </i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 14.85px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p>(C) November 2020 by Maja Trochimczyk</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><o:p><b></b></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYW7G5F4nsasEBYyyS9Dl2zbvzhJUgyOKT8DpL8qlBrRp9VvWdN1uUEbgR7tNOOpJhUp-8sxEn998FmNhe38ziftj2FtnpXygfxETqa4xQWYqjLI3l5BHtdQ4Sca0yRS0EHzqnb_jVbU/s2048/IMG_1409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYW7G5F4nsasEBYyyS9Dl2zbvzhJUgyOKT8DpL8qlBrRp9VvWdN1uUEbgR7tNOOpJhUp-8sxEn998FmNhe38ziftj2FtnpXygfxETqa4xQWYqjLI3l5BHtdQ4Sca0yRS0EHzqnb_jVbU/w400-h300/IMG_1409.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span><b><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Happy New Year of Peace, Prosperity and Diamond Light! </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoDlvWzUZM_Az8jgnY-WaIvIwUEPlw4seTe0x5gO6RUGouxjPrLBz_hpJve-i6c62oGt0_J3pSZq1v86HPSrtWF-j7_EqNvuUOY5HV_yTmc5dd8Vn9OzsY6-aTI_CWY-h5KKCCkGuD1s/s2048/IMG_2110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoDlvWzUZM_Az8jgnY-WaIvIwUEPlw4seTe0x5gO6RUGouxjPrLBz_hpJve-i6c62oGt0_J3pSZq1v86HPSrtWF-j7_EqNvuUOY5HV_yTmc5dd8Vn9OzsY6-aTI_CWY-h5KKCCkGuD1s/w400-h300/IMG_2110.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"></span></span></div></div></div></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-64378418471685221932020-12-06T20:29:00.004-08:002020-12-08T18:05:58.379-08:002021 Pushcart Prize Nominations from "We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6PCmCm9HvBbXlwGNzqecjKyh1z1DxrX1XactCYD94ADGey2hOeKuKKaNuVCLQc0XuYOI_R3duFCmPGJPBm1is-ZXGbWx-pfoiiX-ifjWwbL5e7qZSpoPOrAENWn1tgnCAbSm5vHh0Ss/s500/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6PCmCm9HvBbXlwGNzqecjKyh1z1DxrX1XactCYD94ADGey2hOeKuKKaNuVCLQc0XuYOI_R3duFCmPGJPBm1is-ZXGbWx-pfoiiX-ifjWwbL5e7qZSpoPOrAENWn1tgnCAbSm5vHh0Ss/w266-h400/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p>Moonrise Press is pleased to inform you that the editors of "We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology" - Maja Trochimczyk and Marlene Hitt - nominated to the Pushcart Prize 2021 the following poems included in the anthology: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Sharon Alexander, “Wheatfield with Crows” -p.8</b></li><li><b>Katerina Canyon, “Feet” -p. 171</b></li><li><b>Joe DeCenzo, “Conversing with Shadows” p. 181</b></li><li><b>Georgia Jones Davis, “Monumental Dog” – p. 63</b></li><li><b>Rick Lupert, “Heat” – p. 87</b></li><li><b>Mariano Zaro, “Synapse” – p. 157</b></li></ul><p></p><div>Given the choice of 80 poets included in the anthology and the incredibly high artistic level of all their creations, the editor decided to follow their hearts and select poems that "resonated" with their personal artistic preferences, and represented the diversity of poems and poets in the volume. Congratulations to all nominated poets! </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Marlene Hitt writes about her choices: "No one knows whether a poem is 'good.' The response of the reader is the important judgement. I chose <i>Wheatfield With Crows</i> because, at first, I was reminded, with emotion, of my own father's death. Upon reading I found enjoyment the dreamlike inward journey of the author. Sharon Alexander's language is more than pleasing and her images inspiring. Rick Lupert in <i>Heat</i> brings the reader into his world on a hot, hot day as he exaggerates a bit, then teases and pleases us as with a tall tale. Joe DeCenzo, with <i>Conversing With the Shadows</i> points toward the mystery of one woman' state of frailty in a memoir of her life as it has encapsulized in her failing memory as that memory then failed. It renders a kind and loving tribute to all life as it begins to end. Poetry is for the poet, yes, but more for the reader and the connection of thought and emotion between the two. A poem speaks to each person with the beauty and passion which only words can do."</div><div><br /></div><div>Maja Trochimczyk explains her selections: "I was really perplexed about the nominations from our anthology. I know it is a service to poets, and should be done, but in <i>We Are Here</i> there are so many amazing poems by incredibly talented poets that I was at a loss, wondering, what to do? In poetry, I am not interested in competitions and awards, but rather in expressing the infinity of human experience. When Marlene sent me her three titles, I realized I could simply pick poems that I love and that resonate with me at this particular time. I've always loved Georgia Jones Davis's <i>Monumental Dog</i> - the compassion for the hapless animal, sent by her trusted caretaker into the orbit, to certain death; the vivid portrait of a communist country, where life is not valued at all. I'm from Poland and I remember stories about this dog on our national news; though, back then, nobody eulogized her sacrifice. There was just praise for the technological triumph of Soviets over Americans in the space race... Katerina Canyon's <i>Feet</i> is another perennial favorite, perhaps because my Mom had not washed my feet like that, and neither did I wash hers. There was something profoundly amiss in our relationship that I only understood after my Mom died and I found my desperate letters to her written when I was six years old. I learned to write in order to tell her how much I loved her when she abandoned us for some mysterious lover and was gone for almost two years. I completely blocked that memory and I only know it happened because I now have those letters. I guess it was through the longing of an abandoned child that found such intense beauty in filial love and devotion, captured so vividly by Canyon. Finally, Mariano Zaro's <i>Synapse</i> about the poignant last days of his father, expertly weaves personal emotion with scientific descriptions of the mystery of the brain at the end of life." </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NylkJr93bEKEdpA8G4Z5pAGylNTrXLYUJ-zPtyTZUxKH1eS8nGK6R0jJbZcUn90c_DBkT5l5O9UHsx8uVrSf3UFl9GuvtvQ9vwJ_m7rgZqmj9i-_Ox6HqmGPtgtX3kTzBnmT_h7APrA/s400/2017+04+23+poet+laureate+8869b+BEST+small_opt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="400" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NylkJr93bEKEdpA8G4Z5pAGylNTrXLYUJ-zPtyTZUxKH1eS8nGK6R0jJbZcUn90c_DBkT5l5O9UHsx8uVrSf3UFl9GuvtvQ9vwJ_m7rgZqmj9i-_Ox6HqmGPtgtX3kTzBnmT_h7APrA/w400-h295/2017+04+23+poet+laureate+8869b+BEST+small_opt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Village Poets at the Passing of the Laurels Ceremony in 2017.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Edited by Marlene Hitt and Maja Trochimczyk, and entitled <i>We Are Here: Village Poetry Anthology, </i>this collection celebrates the 10th anniversary of Village Poets Monthly Poetry Readings. The volume presents 80 poets featured during the monthly readings at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga, CA as well as the group of current and former Poets Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga who organize the readings. </div><div> </div><div> In addition to its home base at the Bolton Hall Museum, the Village Poets have also had occasional visits to the McGroarty Arts Center, the former home of the California Poet-Laureate in 1933-1944, John Steven McGroarty. His Poet-Laureate title inspired the local Poet-Laureate program, established in 1999. The anthology's editors are both former Poets-Laureate of SunlandTujunga: Marlene Hitt was the First, in 1999-2001 and Dr. Maja Trochimczyk served as the Sixth in 2010-2012 when the readings were initiated. </div><div><br /></div><div>The volume includes work by: 15 Poets Laureate from California; 20 Pushcart Prize nominees – Accardi, Askew, Byrne, Canyon, Collins, Dobreer, Dove, Ford, Fancher, Luza, Leland-St. John, O’Brien, Jones, Pero, Reyna, Rinne, Rogers, Rummel, Skiles, and Terzi; 12 current and former college professors – Campbell, Kirby, Dove, Lipkin, Lummis, Peterson, Rummel, Rizk, Talwar, Trochimczyk, Saine, and Zaro; and eight poets with doctoral degrees – Dove, Lipkin, Mataric, Meyer (honorary), Peterson, Reyna, Saine, and Trochimczyk. Poets from the states of California, Illinois, New York, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington are represented along with those who have roots in 18 different countries: Argentina, Armenia, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, the U.K., the U.S. and Vietnam. </div><div><br /></div><div>The colorful cover, designed by Maja Trochimczyk, features artwork by Polish American poet and painter, Andrew Kolo, who appeared at the readings to present both his art and his poetry. The painting, entitled “Landscape with the Palm Tree” (oil on canvas), is a mosaic of vivid, saturated colors, contrasting, yet somehow in harmony with each other. This is a great metaphor for a poetry reading filled with numerous, distinct poetic voices. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book consists of two parts: Guests and Featured Poets, represented by 1-3 poems each; and PoetsLaureate, with 10 local poets, represented by 6-8 poems each. A list of Village Poets Readings, a brief history of the program, and biographies of the poets are included as well. The 290-page anthology is published in two versions, as a paperback and an e-book in ePub format. moonrisepress.com/village-poets-anthology.html </div><div> </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBdLpg27S4m8PiHS-dZOv-P3GoAf2G0bWsF8GvUCNL7ldXMAf01zBQ2Pc8A1dLr2OxgZWd_RbOnbQLnZHbnPNSLbJKkXOii1fhsc6TbDpvvQl_rNsxYuxICnETtuM-Tp2_1s9MGu8iwA/s499/pushcart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBdLpg27S4m8PiHS-dZOv-P3GoAf2G0bWsF8GvUCNL7ldXMAf01zBQ2Pc8A1dLr2OxgZWd_RbOnbQLnZHbnPNSLbJKkXOii1fhsc6TbDpvvQl_rNsxYuxICnETtuM-Tp2_1s9MGu8iwA/s320/pushcart.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>ABOUT PUSHCART PRIZE XLV</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Edited by Bill Henderson, with the Pushcart Prize Editors, "the 45th edition of the most celebrated literary series in America, Pushcart Prize XLV is continuing evidence that much of today’s vibrant writing appears only in small journals and book presses. The series has been selected for Publishers Weekly Carey Thomas Award, the National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof citation, and the Poets and Writers/Barnes and Noble “Writers For Writers” award among others. The current issue includes 70 authors from more than 50 presses, selected from the nominations of 220 distinguished Contributing Editors and 800 participating presses."</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZBZ0wWfy2Gq_b9PsfuittSHTtkNJxint5HR8FocA8-ONuMMYbNOSN5NvqUKooHMd9phtcKSRCfWprd3Y4CznUXaNVp_qgg8vRU2DEh3otlGeW7CRQVUrX1b5TJ6CfPir-8fIbmlfa00/s640/Sharon+Alexander.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZBZ0wWfy2Gq_b9PsfuittSHTtkNJxint5HR8FocA8-ONuMMYbNOSN5NvqUKooHMd9phtcKSRCfWprd3Y4CznUXaNVp_qgg8vRU2DEh3otlGeW7CRQVUrX1b5TJ6CfPir-8fIbmlfa00/w400-h300/Sharon+Alexander.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">SHARON ALEXANDER - Nominated for "Wheatfield with Crows"</div><div><br /></div><div>SHARON ALEXANDER recently relocated to Benissa Costa, Spain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Her chapbook, Instructions in My Absence, won first place in the Palettes & Quills 5th Biennial Chapbook Contest and was released May 2017. Voodoo Trombone, Sharon’s previous chapbook, was published by Finishing Line Press, 2014. Her poetry appears in several publications including<i> Barbaric Yawp; Caliban On-line; Idyllwild Life Magazine; Naugatuck River Review; Pearl; Pinyon; Redheaded Stepchild; Santa Ana River Review; Slipstream; Subprimal Poetry Art; </i>and <i>Tiger’s Eye.</i> You can also find her work in the following anthologies: <i>Beyond the Lyric Moment</i> (Tebot Bach, 2014); <i>In the News </i>(The Poetry Box, Summer 2018); <i>Poeming Pigeons</i> (The Poetry Box, 2015); and<i> Spectrum: 140 SoCal </i>Poets ( 2015). </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMMh6BEKV1Tj3U-Vhcy3KszJUDUbzuWDp9QN1Q7UnzdODU7AllOxf_w-W5l6xHjXh7NsN4pPr2oIQSMIYrxG_DzazqY6tPIPy0WgtjI4ULPwrkCd1QDiDj4dT-wcFSbPu5eCHJRnCXmc/s320/canyon_400x400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMMh6BEKV1Tj3U-Vhcy3KszJUDUbzuWDp9QN1Q7UnzdODU7AllOxf_w-W5l6xHjXh7NsN4pPr2oIQSMIYrxG_DzazqY6tPIPy0WgtjI4ULPwrkCd1QDiDj4dT-wcFSbPu5eCHJRnCXmc/s0/canyon_400x400.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">KATERINA CANYON - Nominated for "Feet"</div><div><br /></div><div>KATERINA CANYON is a 2020 Pushcart Prize Nominee. Her stories have been published in <i>New York Times </i>and <i>Huffington Post. </i>From 2000 to 2003, she served as the Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga. During that time, she started a poetry festival called “Shouting Coyote Poetry Festival” and ran several poetry readings. She was featured in the Los Angeles Times and was awarded the Montesi Award from Saint Louis University in 2011, 2012, and 2013. She has published multiple chapbooks and an album. Her recent books include <i>Changing the Lines, </i>a volume of poetry, and <i>Los Angeles Nomad</i>, a novel. She hosts weekly readings on Zoom, called Canyon Poets. You can find more information about her on her website, poetickat.com. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMZXIbQ6R4nhd0LdfeC3RLZ9EtN1gOOo9Fe5KlWVzl_-VsFM-bMkpVf9Tg7ENPKANYJpoDIL9QYgZNY7Q9NlBlU90MmIJwz0xlnCv8lfV05eLPdPKZRmWtwgAZzy8zwu_kvlFYgcfuMg/s600/Joe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMZXIbQ6R4nhd0LdfeC3RLZ9EtN1gOOo9Fe5KlWVzl_-VsFM-bMkpVf9Tg7ENPKANYJpoDIL9QYgZNY7Q9NlBlU90MmIJwz0xlnCv8lfV05eLPdPKZRmWtwgAZzy8zwu_kvlFYgcfuMg/s320/Joe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">JOE DECENZO - Nominated for "Conversing with Shadows"</div><div><br /></div><div>JOE DECENZO grew up in Los Angeles and majored in theater and English Literature. From 2004-06 he served as the poet laureate of Sunland-Tujunga. He produced the “Shouting Coyote” Performing Arts Festival and was a Department of Cultural Affairs grant recipient. His published works include <i>The Ballad of Alley and Hawk</i> and the <i>Study Guide and Poetry Primer</i> for the same collection. His poetry appeared also in <i>Meditations on Divine Names</i> anthology (Moonrise Press, 2012). He currently serves on the planning committee for the Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga, as Chair of the Poet Laureate Search Committee, and as Chair of the Arts and Recreation Committee of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTV-kvKExcx__5hpI6OVYJgXbUV4jPl_9HRDgd4mjLa5copcrj-2F925IrYD9_73UBMiUOO6b-7EEVOMpMOTH3Mwp9CwTBFS5xRbL_fWRfb-sBf-vjQBYOak6crGjaQ9CywEGLnoT_OE/s2048/IMG_6688.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTV-kvKExcx__5hpI6OVYJgXbUV4jPl_9HRDgd4mjLa5copcrj-2F925IrYD9_73UBMiUOO6b-7EEVOMpMOTH3Mwp9CwTBFS5xRbL_fWRfb-sBf-vjQBYOak6crGjaQ9CywEGLnoT_OE/w300-h400/IMG_6688.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">GEORGIA JONES DAVIS - Nominated for "Monumental Dog"</div><div><br /></div><div>GEORGIA JONES-DAVIS grew up in Northern New Mexico and Southern California. A former <i>Los Angeles Herald Examiner</i> editor, <i>Los Angeles Times</i> Assistant Book Editor and former free-lance journalist, Georgia’s poetry has appeared in various publications including <i>West Wind, The California Quarterly, Brevities, The Bicycle Review, Nebo, Eclipse, poethicdiversity, Ascend Aspiration </i>and <i>South Bank Poetry,</i> London. She served as a board member of Valley Contemporary Poets for three years. Georgia was honored as one of the 2010 Newer Poets by the Los Angeles Poetry Festival and the Los Angeles Public Library ALOUD series. She is the author of two chapbooks, <i>Blue Poodle </i>(2011) and <i>Night School </i>(2015), by Finishing Line Press. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRCxAGpAaUc75UkddNkLeZLeFPDEXcWsPwHrnEYfvpB7IYmvmQgDDvFX7e_jxnDXwvcPYP2C9g7w3cFCR-l20nrDnhj5N1l508jAjyajJcN8FCKA4fdofnGxs3Pm3M_rdpoeisEyJqs8/s400/lupert.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRCxAGpAaUc75UkddNkLeZLeFPDEXcWsPwHrnEYfvpB7IYmvmQgDDvFX7e_jxnDXwvcPYP2C9g7w3cFCR-l20nrDnhj5N1l508jAjyajJcN8FCKA4fdofnGxs3Pm3M_rdpoeisEyJqs8/s320/lupert.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">RICK LUPERT - Nominated for "Heat"</div><div><br /></div><div>RICK LUPERT has been involved in the Los Angeles poetry community since 1990. He served for two years as a co-director of the Valley Contemporary Poets. He created the Poetry Super Highway ( http://poetrysuperhighway.com ) and hosted the Cobalt Cafe reading for almost 21 years. He’s authored 25 collections of poetry, including “God Wrestler” and “ The Tokyo-Van Nuys Express!”, and edited “A Poet’s Siddur”, “A Poet’ s Haggadah”, the Noir anthology “ The Night Goes on All Night.” and “Ekphrastia Gone Wild” under his imprint Ain’t Got No Press. His poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and literary journals, including<i> The Los Angeles Times, Rattle, Chiron Review, Zuzu’s Petals, Caffeine Magazine, Blue Satellite </i>and others. He edited <i>A Poet’s Haggadah: Passover through the Eyes of Poets</i> anthology and is the author of thirteen books:<i> Sinzibuckwud!, We Put Things In Our Mouths, Paris: It’s The Cheese, I Am My Own Orange County, Mowing Fargo, I’m a Jew. Are You?, Feeding Holy Cats, Stolen Mummies, I’d Like to Bake Your Goods, A Man With No Teeth Serves Us Breakfast </i>(Ain’t Got No Press), <i>Lizard King of the Laundromat, Brendan Constantine is My Kind of Town</i> (Inevitable Press) and <i>Up Liberty’s Skirt </i>(Cassowary Press). . He is regularly featured at venues throughout Southern California and works as a music teacher and graphic designer for anyone who would like to help pay his mortgage.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3Tx_mdRrPiKsOOJSDfISptU0ENDNPA0i1PMYWkIMhyphenhypheniLy7rsUBibq4tSpuKYYq7DEtZljCRanEFWHTEC3YQE8Ll8OH4RjkGR53KgfcS637a_cSGiGPdmsAiXaVYNoZur_n0n8bE1ZlM/s512/marianozaro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3Tx_mdRrPiKsOOJSDfISptU0ENDNPA0i1PMYWkIMhyphenhypheniLy7rsUBibq4tSpuKYYq7DEtZljCRanEFWHTEC3YQE8Ll8OH4RjkGR53KgfcS637a_cSGiGPdmsAiXaVYNoZur_n0n8bE1ZlM/s320/marianozaro.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">MARIANO ZARO - Nominated for "Synapse"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>MARIANO ZARO is the author of six books of poetry, most recently <i>Decoding Sparrows</i> (What Books Press, Los Angeles, CA) and <i>Padre Tierra </i>(Olifante, Zaragoza, Spain). His poems have been published in anthologies and literary journals in USA, Mexico and Spain. His translations into Spanish include <i>Poemas de las Misiones de California </i>by Philomene Long, <i>Buda en llamas </i>by Tony Barnstone and <i>Cómo escribir una canción de amor </i>by Sholeh Wolpé. He is the winner of the 2004 Roanoke Review Short Fiction Prize and the 2018 Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Short Fiction Prize. Since 2010, he has been hosting a series of video-interviews with prominent American poets as part of the literary project Poetry.LA. (More information here: www.Poetry.LA). He is a professor of Spanish at Rio Hondo Community College (Whittier, California). Website: www.marianozaro.com. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-81564340973559184952020-11-09T15:26:00.005-08:002020-12-07T11:00:14.847-08:00An Alphabet of Birds by Toti O'Brien - Zoom Reading, Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 3 pm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc2r-e-PydZ7sVkOnd0e3H0YdplTAZR4Vav3c2zFyLM2g7839JWVijh5tR94NN7illSqA4t7TMXuNruOX4pjOMMkcelf-nQhgbz_VB7FpTNkK4oOXpk0THFHFaTapi21yxUqm914E-q0/s1800/AlphabetCoverFront.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc2r-e-PydZ7sVkOnd0e3H0YdplTAZR4Vav3c2zFyLM2g7839JWVijh5tR94NN7illSqA4t7TMXuNruOX4pjOMMkcelf-nQhgbz_VB7FpTNkK4oOXpk0THFHFaTapi21yxUqm914E-q0/w266-h400/AlphabetCoverFront.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 27.6px;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 27.6px;">N </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 27.6px;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 27.6px;">LPHABET OF </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 27.6px;">B</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 27.6px;">IRDS</span></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">≈≈≈☼≈≈≈</span></p><p>Topic: Moonrise Press Presents Toti O'Brien's An Alphabet of Birds</p><p>Time: Dec 5, 2020 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</p><p>Recording on YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/RYti3hBLs1Q">https://youtu.be/RYti3hBLs1Q</a></p><p>This presentation is partly sponsored by the Dignity Health Foundation, through a grant for "Close to Nature" Project for Phoenix Houses of Los Angeles, with the California State Poetry as one of the collaborating partners. </p><p>Link to the recording: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYti3hBLs1Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYti3hBLs1Q</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYhN7lbB19Y8qlQ4SPOxSL2UUdCT8FhBpIwGQqAMMfZfIjMtD13P5HfmgVkszgKkTocPpcPQLjnSD8dIST5mMPWaZVnb4Z9ng7sri-EUJd_2Ok2K24I3XTwWYeEZaRE7g0iyoj5tuv9M/s1147/Group1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1147" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYhN7lbB19Y8qlQ4SPOxSL2UUdCT8FhBpIwGQqAMMfZfIjMtD13P5HfmgVkszgKkTocPpcPQLjnSD8dIST5mMPWaZVnb4Z9ng7sri-EUJd_2Ok2K24I3XTwWYeEZaRE7g0iyoj5tuv9M/w400-h294/Group1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">ABOUT THIS BOOK</b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moonrisepress.com/alphabet-of-birds.html" style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">http://www.moonrisepress.com/alphabet-of-birds.html</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Buy it now: <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/toti-obrien/an-alphabet-of-birds/paperback/product-m5gjm7.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-41-2,</a> paperback, 184 pages, $15.00</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Buy it now: <a href=" https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/toti-obrien/an-alphabet-of-birds/ebook/product-8jm67y.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISBN </a></span><span style="color: #0a101a; font-family: georgia;"><a href=" https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/toti-obrien/an-alphabet-of-birds/ebook/product-8jm67y.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">978-1-945938-42-9</a>, ebook in ePub format, $10.00</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z4N-UmvBQFjiowwsLhqZSMCBKYbjvdAu-qM3Y0VcR2y-pTggZDUR9PSuk1vuEYOnpOo9-hVmq1be_0ZEZv2q-3fF6u0NVUd67hwge_PP0zPmeknG644m7HY10HOW-n5UpuHImdyreO0/s1080/Maja1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1080" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z4N-UmvBQFjiowwsLhqZSMCBKYbjvdAu-qM3Y0VcR2y-pTggZDUR9PSuk1vuEYOnpOo9-hVmq1be_0ZEZv2q-3fF6u0NVUd67hwge_PP0zPmeknG644m7HY10HOW-n5UpuHImdyreO0/w400-h221/Maja1.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk with Toti's book</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Not quite hard to decipher… on the contrary, friendly and familiar sounding, </span><i style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">An Alphabet of Birds</i><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"> is a prose collection inspired by “daily nature,” by those kerchiefs of landscape gracing us through a kitchen door, a car window, in the middle of our urban, busy life. They are glimpses and fragments, fugitive and yet poignant, loaded with surprise, magic, lessons to learn or else mysteries for the heart to treasure in secret, in awe. </span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Toti O’Brien, author</span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCBMVDJbH5E-Rchhfk5LEinTuszY5KXLPOt0waCOuSXWQ0vW1gMeBSsEFqkjX8Vbpx1OcrTYPNWdB1WAHxbx_8mEtKKjILeXy53acaVs9yvrn9J5hqVGTmI9fyilWFFL491SeXmz8-9w/s1084/Toti1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1084" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCBMVDJbH5E-Rchhfk5LEinTuszY5KXLPOt0waCOuSXWQ0vW1gMeBSsEFqkjX8Vbpx1OcrTYPNWdB1WAHxbx_8mEtKKjILeXy53acaVs9yvrn9J5hqVGTmI9fyilWFFL491SeXmz8-9w/w400-h220/Toti1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Toti O'Brien during her reading, Dec 5, 2020</div><span style="color: #0a101a; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><i>An Alphabet of Birds</i> encompasses an entire bestiary, from </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">its namesake birds to the squirrel that owns the narrator’s </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">backyard to the bears that own the salmon streams. The </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">ground of these short prose pieces is everyday life, the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">“daily display of splendor.” Toti O’Brien invokes a world </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">where what is wry and wise meets what is whimsical and </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">surreal. Questions tumble, pile on top of one another, full of </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">possibilities and speculation. O’Brien’s language has a </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">rolling rhythm that unspools like an incantation. Fall under </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">her spell and journey with her into the mysteries of the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">quotidian.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Cynthia Anderson, author of <i>Now Voyager</i> and <i>Route</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This prose collection of 34 short stories describes the vagaries of birds, animals, plants, seen and described by a keen and talented observer. The author has patience, a gift of attentive focus on their behaviors and transformation, and a talent to write down the reflections on the meaning of these behaviors and transformation in the constant flow of daily life. Toti O'Brien author is a multi-talented poet, writer, artist, musician, and a friend of all living beings, the whole Earth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Maja Trochimczyk, Ph.D., Moonrise Press </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJPLTfs2BxT1nx3j9FsINa2QoZGPvv0UTFHqzZswHUnW71NSY_gtS4m9YlB6KZgp-nV6OA3leVFzcG-YQWTvEUaAWN-nZg6Xl8abC77SdvSbH2PlYb7PbfmSeRibr8Qiaq2Kst9auSjs/s300/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJPLTfs2BxT1nx3j9FsINa2QoZGPvv0UTFHqzZswHUnW71NSY_gtS4m9YlB6KZgp-nV6OA3leVFzcG-YQWTvEUaAWN-nZg6Xl8abC77SdvSbH2PlYb7PbfmSeRibr8Qiaq2Kst9auSjs/w320-h320/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>TOTI O’BRIEN</b> is the Italian Accordionist with the Irish last name. She was born in Rome, Italy, raised in Sicily and France. After touring Europe and Brazil with her itinerant theater, in the early nineties, she established herself in Los Angeles where she makes a living as a self-employed artist, performing musician and professional dancer. O’Brien’s first book of stories, <i>Africa</i>, was published in 1990. It was followed by another short story collection, <i>Reversed Memories</i>, two illustrated children books and an essay collection, <i>Lanterna Magica,</i> gathering selected work out of her long-term collaboration with Italian journals and magazines. O’Brien started writing in the English language in 2004. Since then, her poetry, fiction and non-fiction were published in hundreds of journals and anthologies in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, India, Australia, and all over the world.<i> </i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her most recent appearances include <i>The Moth, The Hamilton Stone, The Los Angeles Review of Books, </i>and<i> World Literature Today.</i> Her poetry collection <i>Other Maidens (</i>BlazeVOX, 2020) and a prose collection, <i>Pages of a Broken Diary </i>(Pskj’s Porch, 2021), are about to be released. Her work was nominated for Best of the Net, Best Small Fiction, Best American Essay, the Pushcart, and various other prizes. Her memoir ‘Nicotine’ won a nonfiction prose award in 2018. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her essay ‘Blur In The Front Line’ won the Anthony Award in 2016. Besides her creative writing, she contributes articles and reviews about art, music, film, literature and civilization to several magazines. She also translates poetry and prose from the Italian, the Spanish, and the French. O’Brien’s multimedia artwork was exhibited in group and solo shows in Europe and the US, since the early nineties. Her paintings, sculptures, collages and textiles were featured in many publications, and she has produced book covers and illustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAx0ec7glucXStnrHK_e0oYC8fjP9fQQ7xx_ij2xtgUd1hVIJdPrcOx1bA1506ZD6nzhP4Yap57ZnhTNsrWP0RHsnGeDE84bib4fPjy9rw9WyzsclGexKsztgqsaL9JCSQo-y34HChyI/s1584/AlphabetCoverEbook+9.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1224" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAx0ec7glucXStnrHK_e0oYC8fjP9fQQ7xx_ij2xtgUd1hVIJdPrcOx1bA1506ZD6nzhP4Yap57ZnhTNsrWP0RHsnGeDE84bib4fPjy9rw9WyzsclGexKsztgqsaL9JCSQo-y34HChyI/w309-h400/AlphabetCoverEbook+9.17.jpg" width="309" /></a></b></div><p><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 18.4px;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"></span><b><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Table of Contents</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Moonlight — 3 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Lawn — 4 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Staircase — 9 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Leaf and the Butterfly — 14 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Darwin —17 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pavo Regina — 21 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Terra Firma — 29 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speculum — 33 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Milagros — 37 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sunset Walk — 39 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Doves — 42</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Precious — 47 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Decadence of Grapefruit —49 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Spectrum — 58 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dog Days — 61 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Salmon and the Bear — 64 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beautiful Bones — 69 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Creation — 72 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Garden — 81 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lunacy — 84 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">September — 93 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">November — 99 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Peacocks — 102 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Engraved — 105 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Five Senses — 109 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At Risk — 127 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Statue —129 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Augur — 134 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Flowers — 139 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Fountain — 141 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part Out — 158 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">An Alphabet of Birds —164</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Volvo and the Bike —168 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gardener’s Companion — 172 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Author — 174</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-32137530285815271232020-10-19T14:02:00.004-07:002020-11-16T11:43:37.004-08:00We Are Here: Village Poets Anthology Zoom Reading, October 25, 2020 at 4:30 pm<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOxHZ_2NHd25dZ0QFSZFhUwytXPNArGiU_NXGxF_QvxNMfLnAyAhWOdexyYP2_FUEB0dEwegDwpLc0IoCKkgiYNSuEUKAK-B8GiYZoxx1qmyjTblHyrI5hpIdkqUCvvZ4HkMhWUoNRD0/s500/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOxHZ_2NHd25dZ0QFSZFhUwytXPNArGiU_NXGxF_QvxNMfLnAyAhWOdexyYP2_FUEB0dEwegDwpLc0IoCKkgiYNSuEUKAK-B8GiYZoxx1qmyjTblHyrI5hpIdkqUCvvZ4HkMhWUoNRD0/w266-h400/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" width="266" /></a></p><p><b> WE ARE HERE: VILLAGE POETS ANTHOLOGY</b></p><p><b> ZOOM READING FOR THE VILLAGE POETS MONTHLY READING</b></p><p><b> Topic: WE ARE HERE: VILLAGE POETS ANTHOLOGY</b></p><p><b> Time: Oct 25, 2020 04:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</b></p><p><b>Join Zoom Meeting</b></p><p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2gmguUgajDu0kALR9Pe48JTcFagvrp5zcDTrMDL3GGPaorQlmZD2dP6Fjrybrq11Msp09iVYGfyFMvno2JKKJ8RQcfpxLhn4gKm-ZZdnlsE8-TQa1UfXin-9-bFmQIfCe8XSV8cf7Bg/s624/Picture2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2gmguUgajDu0kALR9Pe48JTcFagvrp5zcDTrMDL3GGPaorQlmZD2dP6Fjrybrq11Msp09iVYGfyFMvno2JKKJ8RQcfpxLhn4gKm-ZZdnlsE8-TQa1UfXin-9-bFmQIfCe8XSV8cf7Bg/w400-h225/Picture2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>HOW TO BUY THIS BOOK</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The anthology is available to poets at a discounted price of $15 with mailing (please include your mailing address in the message) or $12 for in person pickup, from Maja Trochimczyk, publisher of Moonrise Press. Send your checks to Maja Trochimczyk, PO Box 4288 Sunland CA 91040 or use paypal, maja.trochimczyk@gmail.com. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For all others, the books can be ordered online from the distributor, click on the ISBN number to go to the site and place your order: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/marlene-hitt-and-maja-trochimczyk/we-are-here-village-poets-anthology/paperback/product-rjzy6j.html" style="color: #b41708; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-39-9</a><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"> (paperback) , $22 plus $3.99 shipping and handling</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span face=""><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/marlene-hitt-and-maja-trochimczyk/we-are-here-village-poets-anthology/ebook/product-6jv64e.html" style="color: #b41708; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-40-5</a> (eBook, ePub), $10 </span><span face=""> </span></b></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4dS1qA6WCWwcurGzvYPMQPiTTuV3JUF5mbVAJMxfZ77xY52nHF-DhYMnb_Ddqj8HS1oYdnSRd_OQqiMRnEO3ZWxqFrDvB6cj3WFtszQa7sbaNmHHBpGlY-96kDQHejl7hur873Ujf4k/s1366/121054817_3558553970873390_6252942388308124419_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4dS1qA6WCWwcurGzvYPMQPiTTuV3JUF5mbVAJMxfZ77xY52nHF-DhYMnb_Ddqj8HS1oYdnSRd_OQqiMRnEO3ZWxqFrDvB6cj3WFtszQa7sbaNmHHBpGlY-96kDQHejl7hur873Ujf4k/w400-h225/121054817_3558553970873390_6252942388308124419_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk with Cile Borman</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Edited by Marlene Hitt and Maja Trochimczyk, and entitled We Are Here: Village Poetry Anthology, this collection presents 80 poets featured during the monthly readings at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga, CA as well as the group of current and former Poets Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga who organize the readings. In addition to its home base at the Bolton Hall Museum, the Village Poets have also had occasional visits to the McGroarty Arts Center, the former home of the California Poet-Laureate in 1933-1944, John Steven McGroarty. His Poet-Laureate title inspired the local Poet-Laureate program, established in 1999. The anthology's editors are both former Poets-Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga: Marlene Hitt was the First, in 1999-2001 and Dr. Maja Trochimczyk served as the Sixth in 2010-2012 when the readings were initiated. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KtKyKNcJG0G2q5anEBfzZq1bVUwxNc2mSD2Ev4J6dxS6zV4_1gGRr0nCYP50fcoFx7pzm3IrQN_egPIZeF1cUpOr31P282A3T5rdyc9qCfTfV2CEJ5-gD-FRMSmvWBea6RQp0dN68cs/s624/Picture4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KtKyKNcJG0G2q5anEBfzZq1bVUwxNc2mSD2Ev4J6dxS6zV4_1gGRr0nCYP50fcoFx7pzm3IrQN_egPIZeF1cUpOr31P282A3T5rdyc9qCfTfV2CEJ5-gD-FRMSmvWBea6RQp0dN68cs/w400-h225/Picture4.png" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THIS BOOK</b></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">"The busy poetry circles of mountain communities cohabiting the threatened southern rim of our forests, has produced a series, celebrated in this gorgeous anthology which artfully embraces power of place. These are the precious words of lyrical poets from everywhere, who joined the Valley Poets inside the halls of the pioneer settlers of Tujunga, joining in a decades-long tribute to and embodiment of the democratic community practices of the founding ancestors, gathered within the walls of monumental Bolton Hall."</p><p>~ Ed Rosenthal, author of <i>Salvation Canyon</i> and <i>The Desert Hat</i>, survivor www.poetbroker.com </p><p style="text-align: justify;">"This anthology is a treasure and I'm honored to be part of it! Over the last ten years, the Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga, along with the faithful support of the Little Landers Historical Society and the McGroarty Arts Center, provided a place, not only for local poets to gather, but for poets from well beyond our town to come together as a community and enjoy conversation and share their work. This anthology is a wonderful tribute to all who participated over the years."</p><p>~ Dorothy Skiles, Seventh Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"This is a lovely anthology, my fellow Americans! We are all Village Poets, in one way or another. And we are all Little Landers, also called “los terrenitos,” the utopian colony of collective agriculture established in and around Bolton Hall Museum in the early 20th century. Let us cultivate our poetic land!"</p><p>~ Margaret Saine, author of Lit Angels and Gardens of the World (Moonrise Press) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGX4hhrCWMFbwYcKGQNnManiGe5YaaNj72AY1J3gWokxg7Bnt6GclV-yO1-9nfsWRvQYXgXB8S8LySAV-OHYei6NL_ot27P9z0v6SUcaG0vQVR_UuAKJTzz7XiJMKZ3ex-hxpCI5oN64/s1366/121453311_3558573437538110_1155195006108183862_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGX4hhrCWMFbwYcKGQNnManiGe5YaaNj72AY1J3gWokxg7Bnt6GclV-yO1-9nfsWRvQYXgXB8S8LySAV-OHYei6NL_ot27P9z0v6SUcaG0vQVR_UuAKJTzz7XiJMKZ3ex-hxpCI5oN64/w400-h225/121453311_3558573437538110_1155195006108183862_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>MORE DETAILS</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The volume includes work by: 15 Poets Laureate from California; 20 Pushcart Prize nominees – Accardi, Askew, Byrne, Canyon, Collins, Dobreer, Dove, Ford, Fancher, Luza, Leland-St. John, O’Brien, Jones, Pero, Reyna, Rinne, Rogers, Rummel, Skiles, and Terzi; 12 current and former college professors – Campbell, Kirby, Dove, Lipkin, Lummis, Peterson, Rummel, Rizk, Talwar, Trochimczyk, Saine, and Zaro; and eight poets with doctoral degrees – Dove, Lipkin, Mataric, Meyer (honorary), Peterson, Reyna, Saine, and Trochimczyk. Poets from the states of California, Illinois, New York, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington are represented along with those who have roots in 18 different countries: Argentina, Armenia, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, the U.K., the U.S. and Vietnam. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> The colorful cover, designed by Maja Trochimczyk, features artwork by Polish American poet and painter, Andrew Kolo, who appeared at the readings to present both his art and his poetry. The painting, entitled “Landscape with the Palm Tree” (oil on canvas), is a mosaic of vivid, saturated colors, contrasting, yet somehow in harmony with each other. This is a great metaphor for a poetry reading filled with numerous, distinct poetic voices. The book consists of two parts: Guests and Featured Poets, represented by 1-3 poems each; and Poets-Laureate, with 10 local poets, represented by 6-8 poems each. A list of Village Poets Readings, a brief history of the program, and biographies of the poets are included as well. The 290-page anthology is published in two versions, as a paperback and an e-book in ePub format. <a href="http://moonrisepress.com/village-poets-anthology.html">moonrisepress.com/village-poets-anthology.html</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6OGf4SlYRxQUBuVTL_oTNOY7YJDkR5AbUAFAj8fzeuXgS_cApwEBA6rniu4Bn-TU6wilEruShkCkAdBeVHyM_NgvwxuuTT_Q96Ett031d8r5Z3XZHaO78gd_cdLUG4ZalKtfOKyKGGc/s1366/121055742_3558560304206090_1013957597305528556_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6OGf4SlYRxQUBuVTL_oTNOY7YJDkR5AbUAFAj8fzeuXgS_cApwEBA6rniu4Bn-TU6wilEruShkCkAdBeVHyM_NgvwxuuTT_Q96Ett031d8r5Z3XZHaO78gd_cdLUG4ZalKtfOKyKGGc/w400-h225/121055742_3558560304206090_1013957597305528556_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beverly M. Collins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>TABLE OF CONTENTS </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Preface – vii, Table of Contents - viii, Poetry in the Foothills – A Look Back - x, Listing of Featured Poets and Artists – xii. PART 1. Featured and Guest Poets - 1: Lida Abramian - 3; Millicent Borges Accardi – 5; Sharon Alexander – 8; Eliécer Almaguer – 10; Christopher Askew – 12; Beth Baird – 14; Judy Barrat – 16; Cile Borman – 18; Madeleine Swift Butcher – 20; Elena Karina Byrne – 22; Don Kingfisher Campbell – 23; Ross Canton – 25; Gloriana Casey – 27; Jackie Chou – 29; Teresa Mei Chuc – 31; Jeanette Clough – 33; Beverly M. Collins – 35; Brendan Constantine – 37; Bill Cushing – 39; Marsha De La O – 41; Peggy Dobreer – 42; Linda Dove – 44; Alexis Rhone Fancher – 45; Mary Fitzpatrick – 47; Michael C. Ford – 49; Joyce Futa – 50; William Scott Galasso – 52; Jerry Garcia – 54; John Guzlowski – 55; Charles Harmon – 57; Lloyd Hitt – 59; Lois P. Jones – 62; Georgia Jones-Davis – 63; C.E. Jordan – 65; Mandy Kahn – 67; Mina Kirby – 69; Andrew Kolo – 72; Deborah P Kolodji – 74; Mariko Kitakubo – 76; Sharmagne Leland-St. John – 78; James Levin – 80; Wayne Allen LeVine – 81; Stephen Lindsteadt – 83; Elline Lipkin – 84; B.D. Love – 86; Rick Lupert – 87; Radomir Vojtech Luza – 89; Suzanne Lummis – 91; Shahe Mankerian – 96; Mirjana N. Radovanov Matarić – 97; Maria Elena Mahler – 99; Gabriel Meyer – 100; Naia – 102; Toti O’Brien – 104; Cece Peri – 106; A.R. Peterson – 108; Thelma T. Reyna – 110; Cindy Rinne – 112; Susan Rogers – 114; Sharon Rizk – 116; Ed Rosenthal – 118; Mary Kay Rummel – 120; Sonya Sabanac – 122; Margaret Saine – 124; Shaymaa – 126; Param Sharma – 128; Rick Smith – 130; Kathi Stafford – 131; Julia Stein – 133; Melissa Studdard – 134; Konrad Tademar Wilk – 136; Ambika Talwar - 138; Judith Terzi – 140; Bory Thach – 142; G. Murray Thomas – 144; Mary Torregrossa – 145; Yun Wang – 147; Mari Werner – 149; Kath Abela Wilson – 152; Mariano Zaro – 155. PART 2. Poets Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga - 157: John Steven McGroarty –159; Marlene Hitt – 161; Katerina Canyon – 170; Joe DeCenzo – 179; Damien Stednitz –188; Ursula T. Gibson – 197; Maja Trochimczyk – 204; Dorothy Skiles - 212; Elsa Samkow-Frausto – 219; Pamela Shea – 225; Alice Pero - 233. Biographical Notes – 239.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzSmTU6acgNH-adE4tOrfyynwmqKxgM6vCbC3G7YTh15Fu9JzI2kLfWMq-N3mxmKi4WSB1RDWxcD3kv_mp0R3qai_uFgWAFz3VPSBM0W4InFCGyar_NTFcnW_FuCXLWORb6nE_cfjcK0/s1097/P5231640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1097" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzSmTU6acgNH-adE4tOrfyynwmqKxgM6vCbC3G7YTh15Fu9JzI2kLfWMq-N3mxmKi4WSB1RDWxcD3kv_mp0R3qai_uFgWAFz3VPSBM0W4InFCGyar_NTFcnW_FuCXLWORb6nE_cfjcK0/w400-h286/P5231640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">MARLENE HITT was the first Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (1999-2001). She has been a member of the Chupa Rosa Writers of Sunland-Tujunga and the Foothills since its inception in 1985. In addition to publishing numerous poetry chapbooks, she has authored a non-fiction book Sunland-Tujunga, from Village to City. Her poems appeared in Psychopoetica (UK), Chupa Rosa Diaries of the Chupa Rosa Writers, Sunland (2001-2003), Glendale College’s Eclipse anthologies, two Moonrise Press anthologies, Sometimes in the Open, a collection of verse by California Poets Laureate, and The Coiled Serpent, anthology of Los Angeles poets, edited by Luis Rodriguez (2016). She served at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga as Museum Director and docent for many years. Ms. Hitt was the history writer for the Foothill Leader, Glendale News Press, North Valley Reporter, and Voice of the Village newspapers. She has been honored as the Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women's Club, and Woman of the Year by the U.S. Congress. Her critically-acclaimed poetry collection Clocks and Water Drops was published in 2015. In 2019, after retiring from active participation in Village Poets Readings, Marlene was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, shared with her husband, Lloyd.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qi5SeBIGYo0aJqQgTebDfXBR-awg3Hd50OhFz7_HVcY-nlxXeEE5Btmcss8wLlZ_Bl9qt3i7AXxvT-VqQv8NCSiGHUKWdvB0T-CqBo5a21LIdRAr1EQou_0C0fPOAHrnSJ-KunMo-80/s1280/megardens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qi5SeBIGYo0aJqQgTebDfXBR-awg3Hd50OhFz7_HVcY-nlxXeEE5Btmcss8wLlZ_Bl9qt3i7AXxvT-VqQv8NCSiGHUKWdvB0T-CqBo5a21LIdRAr1EQou_0C0fPOAHrnSJ-KunMo-80/w400-h300/megardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">DR. MAJA TROCHIMCZYK, the sixth Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (2010-2012), is a poet, music historian, photographer, and non-profit director born in Poland and living in California (www.trochimczyk.net). She selects and invites poets to feature at the Village Poets series. She published seven books on music, five volumes of poetry, and three other anthologies (<i>Chopin with Cherries, Meditations on Divine Names and Grateful Conversations</i>). The venues for her poetry included: <i>Altadena Poetry Review, Loch Raven Review, Epiphany Magazine, Lily Review, Ekphrasis Journal, Quill and Parchment, Magnapoets, The Cosmopolitan Review, The Scream Online, The Original Van Gogh’s Ear Anthology, Lummox Journal, Phantom Seed, Spectrum, Poezja Dzisiaj, OccuPoetry, Pisarze.pl</i>, as well as anthologies by Poets on Site, Southern California Haiku Study Group, and others. Trochimczyk presented papers at over 90 national and international conferences in Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, U.K., Canada, and the U.S. She received awards and fellowships from ACLS, SSHRCC, USC, McGill University, MPE Fraternity, Polish American Historical Association, City and County of Los Angeles, and Poland’s Ministry of Culture. The Senior Director of Planning and Development at Phoenix Houses of California, she serves as the President of the California State Poetry Society and the President of Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>PHOTOS FROM FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE ZOOM READING</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SnFQjXanHtlL3r-ILUwZOJF9yu2I0iK59bNxoltgYAERuBvfCYgfpLO8Uafj9yVk8osVqfSo1Mng3sl4VA3HlJC3mpb9Oe47mYzSunkvSClhu8sAnqVK31QR-9GTiKWaElhvbkszV8c/s1280/IMG_1740.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SnFQjXanHtlL3r-ILUwZOJF9yu2I0iK59bNxoltgYAERuBvfCYgfpLO8Uafj9yVk8osVqfSo1Mng3sl4VA3HlJC3mpb9Oe47mYzSunkvSClhu8sAnqVK31QR-9GTiKWaElhvbkszV8c/w400-h300/IMG_1740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk with Cile Borman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2KinV3ZFi89z0aiMVMvNfbBYJK3lbSJOD2DMmqk16b08sM_ro5veKgWJUgEnLtuWGqbpPFwQRfbVs1C7pIr_OgIXaHaDLcYbZTadM1xNNkv6-MtuFDsG7dWve3Pu-TyxY1Hvn4GaF8U/s624/Picture4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2KinV3ZFi89z0aiMVMvNfbBYJK3lbSJOD2DMmqk16b08sM_ro5veKgWJUgEnLtuWGqbpPFwQRfbVs1C7pIr_OgIXaHaDLcYbZTadM1xNNkv6-MtuFDsG7dWve3Pu-TyxY1Hvn4GaF8U/w400-h225/Picture4.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXrckRECMOr2ojWeX_WyWG1FG_ZnDcWOWNqCd3efH2bd_0-0uBk9O7IDA_i8TSGQEUJzWV8kBRM8XUELHel8dIXa90hLoYcsxALAukJHXJ-SAEKRLkutja263gOvz9NX9Ee8uXpIn_kg/s624/Picture5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXrckRECMOr2ojWeX_WyWG1FG_ZnDcWOWNqCd3efH2bd_0-0uBk9O7IDA_i8TSGQEUJzWV8kBRM8XUELHel8dIXa90hLoYcsxALAukJHXJ-SAEKRLkutja263gOvz9NX9Ee8uXpIn_kg/w400-h225/Picture5.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katerina Canyon </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNireMbewh4FBHm2xsk_ZEcTlwYTgAg19sPFc3A33jGkxPli2JtTbFNbABnH27a4NY_cj1uy35v5bUS2YnkRsUSzI8EZIbfFOyoPzSax3f-ZjuwXrWRNvV9WKRT7TzFUJCP2-O82Em8PA/s624/Picture6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNireMbewh4FBHm2xsk_ZEcTlwYTgAg19sPFc3A33jGkxPli2JtTbFNbABnH27a4NY_cj1uy35v5bUS2YnkRsUSzI8EZIbfFOyoPzSax3f-ZjuwXrWRNvV9WKRT7TzFUJCP2-O82Em8PA/w400-h225/Picture6.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cindy Rinne</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5VNxsWJ0TWfEA-QENtSSfR7FUjoNg7nNgoXK_pi7c3tw30W1wvSRsn_Wc3dveSsu2-MBuRYfadzLcA3CiQHFzDWJXd1zm1TV0n7EsZ0MQeuIIWaLBcE0r5O7vau0rAJ7DcqQ6uR0QXQ/s624/Picture7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5VNxsWJ0TWfEA-QENtSSfR7FUjoNg7nNgoXK_pi7c3tw30W1wvSRsn_Wc3dveSsu2-MBuRYfadzLcA3CiQHFzDWJXd1zm1TV0n7EsZ0MQeuIIWaLBcE0r5O7vau0rAJ7DcqQ6uR0QXQ/w400-h225/Picture7.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBwa_1NVmXQ/X434Sy1k37I/AAAAAAABD78/vZ9067GYBe47218FyZ_jIlaNp8ztMQLlACNcBGAsYHQ/s624/Picture8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBwa_1NVmXQ/X434Sy1k37I/AAAAAAABD78/vZ9067GYBe47218FyZ_jIlaNp8ztMQLlACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Picture8.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mari Werner</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZBpiB_6WxqlEoyx3xKp2I2oHLXJL1LrIOhY0-ib6BE-Q_f4GlIHpbmmIP-CVgjlbsUPqRlwBEbZMn4lxKtWug_JA3FQhhiXqmsgDNTJQVy6A7qGHjqnMr5lzgiKi-zNEypn6_Ois-1Q/s1315/susan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZBpiB_6WxqlEoyx3xKp2I2oHLXJL1LrIOhY0-ib6BE-Q_f4GlIHpbmmIP-CVgjlbsUPqRlwBEbZMn4lxKtWug_JA3FQhhiXqmsgDNTJQVy6A7qGHjqnMr5lzgiKi-zNEypn6_Ois-1Q/w195-h400/susan.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan Rogers, Gail Mishkin, Maja Trochimczyk and Ela Trybus</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHS-HJIfNNXKBLGlUuOHKIHuOIy22j9GhPoNQx0SIv3VUcRR3IscFarDJqMDHXWHu_10YJDvSNgweonUdJuQMdQ37D1PaYrCHVVvTbsAhYMb1O1D0R0CgM7MYCKvQGDD_czNusuKcAgI/s1366/121066318_3558563047539149_2307268296597040282_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHS-HJIfNNXKBLGlUuOHKIHuOIy22j9GhPoNQx0SIv3VUcRR3IscFarDJqMDHXWHu_10YJDvSNgweonUdJuQMdQ37D1PaYrCHVVvTbsAhYMb1O1D0R0CgM7MYCKvQGDD_czNusuKcAgI/w400-h225/121066318_3558563047539149_2307268296597040282_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katerina Canyon</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkufppXf5G6SM-mYE8_Y2gpU6Oj20vOAuoJ6gcLBCf2WtRcd8jlxGzfqbACCao9XnY8Tg9rHnQXgiVD_g5FaUEHUa6qODQBUjMWvgmF9fZgx96qC_AgX33j3CbVjGOZKjtKLkJgFQUR4A/s1366/121071378_3558559620872825_7659166924574935735_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkufppXf5G6SM-mYE8_Y2gpU6Oj20vOAuoJ6gcLBCf2WtRcd8jlxGzfqbACCao9XnY8Tg9rHnQXgiVD_g5FaUEHUa6qODQBUjMWvgmF9fZgx96qC_AgX33j3CbVjGOZKjtKLkJgFQUR4A/w400-h225/121071378_3558559620872825_7659166924574935735_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marlene Hitt</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aM6_8RRdxZ6qXEoHUqDr014PrULF5g1Ds0L7DTHXix5qkvDZqpO0REJ6A6Vfd5IQTq8iAmYWoNDUINlyeShyphenhyphenoXB-nIQMmiZ03fXzh2BAHcRvY1T013qdCO4pH6yG5ffVH5XYqz1yXps/s1366/121074979_3558572730871514_414949598937629993_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aM6_8RRdxZ6qXEoHUqDr014PrULF5g1Ds0L7DTHXix5qkvDZqpO0REJ6A6Vfd5IQTq8iAmYWoNDUINlyeShyphenhyphenoXB-nIQMmiZ03fXzh2BAHcRvY1T013qdCO4pH6yG5ffVH5XYqz1yXps/w400-h225/121074979_3558572730871514_414949598937629993_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maja Trochimczyk </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-bfOFsS5VXPxVVGsw94x2GpWOfkPrUrtG4eVQ__BvGXSBbBLzcG1UOpbzxOJmn4DlVTOjpGUoeh7CEvTQ6wTVhbRx8Z_isLjxJh5dUpgm8RkY3a9HRCCXICZqeugbzxAI23UlQzoXaw/s1366/121103608_3558566344205486_4375835820623876102_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-bfOFsS5VXPxVVGsw94x2GpWOfkPrUrtG4eVQ__BvGXSBbBLzcG1UOpbzxOJmn4DlVTOjpGUoeh7CEvTQ6wTVhbRx8Z_isLjxJh5dUpgm8RkY3a9HRCCXICZqeugbzxAI23UlQzoXaw/w400-h225/121103608_3558566344205486_4375835820623876102_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ambika Talwar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD2tT-T5t_fmQUqTcQlpMyNPjo4ZxO1Wl1YuZIdjm1QLfY1Rtj66ZZBISg5ScYCXH7nds1CFlPLv__x1xHSQx22gjF4dG_SUeFCrBVC5LYOQBXkdZW0fu9hXamlvuczFJSeQbmKeiV6Y/s1366/121511126_3558556370873150_6953821439870548324_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSD2tT-T5t_fmQUqTcQlpMyNPjo4ZxO1Wl1YuZIdjm1QLfY1Rtj66ZZBISg5ScYCXH7nds1CFlPLv__x1xHSQx22gjF4dG_SUeFCrBVC5LYOQBXkdZW0fu9hXamlvuczFJSeQbmKeiV6Y/w400-h225/121511126_3558556370873150_6953821439870548324_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gail Mishkin</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YB1tkWY-koaqwYXefk9b-WnbVptLaLzmW-qtbdlAO2Iy2VmjW9nqorLTNiE24L_5oN5ebuWqG854BTvBL4X5rW3QjCL7utrb0mQLKYKGtRuGuuRMyMvKuLOhS2xRpwoDyS2v1clzHkA/s1366/121260542_3558570030871784_6108444838838829951_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YB1tkWY-koaqwYXefk9b-WnbVptLaLzmW-qtbdlAO2Iy2VmjW9nqorLTNiE24L_5oN5ebuWqG854BTvBL4X5rW3QjCL7utrb0mQLKYKGtRuGuuRMyMvKuLOhS2xRpwoDyS2v1clzHkA/w400-h225/121260542_3558570030871784_6108444838838829951_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dorothy Skiles</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1y6hS80zsYR_HLyEhHCwuHnkUTqOzj5EZ6XYKSwsGyDvex2CYtYGOgbkUQeDn0BdkVMjftQOAlP3mEl8inht07IVlhPkrKgTEU_r-eQf1zHJqzUTmTGvrY6dQP6eKOwlk3k1MlhpCxI/s209/121256278_3558654977529956_6523478153418775191_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="209" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1y6hS80zsYR_HLyEhHCwuHnkUTqOzj5EZ6XYKSwsGyDvex2CYtYGOgbkUQeDn0BdkVMjftQOAlP3mEl8inht07IVlhPkrKgTEU_r-eQf1zHJqzUTmTGvrY6dQP6eKOwlk3k1MlhpCxI/w400-h364/121256278_3558654977529956_6523478153418775191_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mariko Kitakubo, she also took most photos from the reading</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRap4kBHvotLW_sNjHUynVHigYiD3jRCPmpHbGpgVa1HgJ50ZJwjk8QCgUsjFI7Q-FvxbAFlxKwEF78aCImAoke452wVlGqpJOwMT21QXlFNq6TGa1cdbLT89L53x7zEaFiU1yKNc2lg/s1366/121227518_3558561197539334_1042252356699912303_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRap4kBHvotLW_sNjHUynVHigYiD3jRCPmpHbGpgVa1HgJ50ZJwjk8QCgUsjFI7Q-FvxbAFlxKwEF78aCImAoke452wVlGqpJOwMT21QXlFNq6TGa1cdbLT89L53x7zEaFiU1yKNc2lg/w400-h225/121227518_3558561197539334_1042252356699912303_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Deborah P Kolodji</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn73e9hdHZ-to1BBPFh_PD65ABn1Lc-32qjT5MDUHVL47cubyztjRSxW8WYPyasl1dgTjjC-4EiRnsHM8kZ_HDVG1XW1FlCGUZOgs92FyECRyErG6GCPCIC_s9EEzrizc3LEHGa5ryo0/s1366/121204769_3558571750871612_1966008508218710985_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn73e9hdHZ-to1BBPFh_PD65ABn1Lc-32qjT5MDUHVL47cubyztjRSxW8WYPyasl1dgTjjC-4EiRnsHM8kZ_HDVG1XW1FlCGUZOgs92FyECRyErG6GCPCIC_s9EEzrizc3LEHGa5ryo0/w400-h225/121204769_3558571750871612_1966008508218710985_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mariano Zaro</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt0HdoBAjs2tFu1e73lt4wLXbHigTm_fxKlY3vf7QXsN1IYR-tpPf1ZhU5tPDEqEs8twmXCvkj30ADElm8wzKTFXXbtpUbKd18p7sKqG_YblBXgw5G4-6OJ-uAyJV5X3zw57FpdiW7Jo/s1366/121196739_3558568067538647_2195272142860033852_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt0HdoBAjs2tFu1e73lt4wLXbHigTm_fxKlY3vf7QXsN1IYR-tpPf1ZhU5tPDEqEs8twmXCvkj30ADElm8wzKTFXXbtpUbKd18p7sKqG_YblBXgw5G4-6OJ-uAyJV5X3zw57FpdiW7Jo/w400-h225/121196739_3558568067538647_2195272142860033852_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Suzanne Lummis</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps9a5rAxrAhcTnxL5Sssgf8vCNxl65O5FP_-WgsNULvHwcxUsfa58o6mrrMrlPKeTPLLf3bWy555aIOBpaQKF3QVNw2wP51ZABWsYXNcKcDbncIOMYUm5tCxDCttF-eFV7R6xooEV9D0/s1366/121171281_3558570534205067_6442140485802741858_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps9a5rAxrAhcTnxL5Sssgf8vCNxl65O5FP_-WgsNULvHwcxUsfa58o6mrrMrlPKeTPLLf3bWy555aIOBpaQKF3QVNw2wP51ZABWsYXNcKcDbncIOMYUm5tCxDCttF-eFV7R6xooEV9D0/w400-h225/121171281_3558570534205067_6442140485802741858_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elsa Samkow Frausto</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT3JF-oWyQPeBb4cgVuiwl1SN6ij1KG4X9aihFUyORLRXCG5JflZyvp33CLNkCu4SE_fTMkgW8tOAQ3Tkxa8zroXZNGgrRfi7vea3liH1ktIjiw3jVMHdF3yfaWYctH58MLsfu5JJC-E/s960/121157620_3558655017529952_6441759302171703984_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT3JF-oWyQPeBb4cgVuiwl1SN6ij1KG4X9aihFUyORLRXCG5JflZyvp33CLNkCu4SE_fTMkgW8tOAQ3Tkxa8zroXZNGgrRfi7vea3liH1ktIjiw3jVMHdF3yfaWYctH58MLsfu5JJC-E/w400-h225/121157620_3558655017529952_6441759302171703984_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw4hEEHmfYpJusHxA1QLhaT3ib96POMXer2G_snjzvhcL8cNr1q6Wg3f7JamPn3MvjxcnTt7VQNNq15zNtgp3mTJXQrVjhY7JJfoNnRsOc9qg955gDHOiElFUas7wZ-tr1aZ0z4vk2Z0/s1366/121156281_3558567184205402_8771453761604159999_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw4hEEHmfYpJusHxA1QLhaT3ib96POMXer2G_snjzvhcL8cNr1q6Wg3f7JamPn3MvjxcnTt7VQNNq15zNtgp3mTJXQrVjhY7JJfoNnRsOc9qg955gDHOiElFUas7wZ-tr1aZ0z4vk2Z0/w400-h225/121156281_3558567184205402_8771453761604159999_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mary Torregrossa</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY2ibzFyzMRZ7mGQKLyrnPaHqoyPGqCxnp8h_gI-7z7D5GqQ0lns25Ewmt1SpRdhQ4Ip4Ch_Jmr5wWt1yfTz9zogDKH599CNB4pYe9UyXYMr0GX7rqLjbXXa4Wdc_V7j31u6jceVlJXk/s1366/121133075_3558558917539562_3680911886123131936_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY2ibzFyzMRZ7mGQKLyrnPaHqoyPGqCxnp8h_gI-7z7D5GqQ0lns25Ewmt1SpRdhQ4Ip4Ch_Jmr5wWt1yfTz9zogDKH599CNB4pYe9UyXYMr0GX7rqLjbXXa4Wdc_V7j31u6jceVlJXk/w400-h225/121133075_3558558917539562_3680911886123131936_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jackie Chou</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsz49hYWZtQ9lGhil3LUJ49fg8gNU6GJIbmZngc3F-RXpyC3ayzqt9Yb9ksDY_ebr6LNzh-daI_zSWLClj395YADSe_DiN2DZA5jifEQS9WKblwjpWecM7utiKhtfQD3tKbEB0FG3FWs/s1366/120959574_3558564700872317_739796485802562185_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsz49hYWZtQ9lGhil3LUJ49fg8gNU6GJIbmZngc3F-RXpyC3ayzqt9Yb9ksDY_ebr6LNzh-daI_zSWLClj395YADSe_DiN2DZA5jifEQS9WKblwjpWecM7utiKhtfQD3tKbEB0FG3FWs/w400-h225/120959574_3558564700872317_739796485802562185_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ed Rosenthal</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQqPsLTCfZFO5cjC8jBVloSovpIiFzz3LJYSMGeeRARc6xIoupue24M2eNTYssm1KsJKB0uZn_DcVRtEBus5KXOGL8d52qNgHGjLJvrroHjo1ATRYkYdvh2IQgD3fbDuneKZU9vG5KSk/s1366/121061684_3558572194204901_7709078064971732284_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQqPsLTCfZFO5cjC8jBVloSovpIiFzz3LJYSMGeeRARc6xIoupue24M2eNTYssm1KsJKB0uZn_DcVRtEBus5KXOGL8d52qNgHGjLJvrroHjo1ATRYkYdvh2IQgD3fbDuneKZU9vG5KSk/w400-h225/121061684_3558572194204901_7709078064971732284_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pamela Shea</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyI025TVTHYVDg49NKMbW1QSGzueemo-px6dPFTYBsQfjDp7zNumaWTCA2JKdAQrLJlZ6JY1Y5dX3ZPDOtyxwzelHft7h5qHFoM-4RW4ieJB00qqeD0wRc-wpLc9zzWZZY4AiP15as_Y/s1366/121058972_3558571400871647_4671336991938613364_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyI025TVTHYVDg49NKMbW1QSGzueemo-px6dPFTYBsQfjDp7zNumaWTCA2JKdAQrLJlZ6JY1Y5dX3ZPDOtyxwzelHft7h5qHFoM-4RW4ieJB00qqeD0wRc-wpLc9zzWZZY4AiP15as_Y/w400-h225/121058972_3558571400871647_4671336991938613364_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mari Werner</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0qrrZ7HiYZ4vvskP-0X6TYs7ZGVoWIWQo20NZkJT5ArIZyQ61x0DYdhGQU4uvrUSFnrBBemUNVij8W6oLmUh34HWSClCcXUhmK18vx1tcbC_x4cM-q-cDxwJYf3nsqMnv6JX0VFp-i4/s1366/121047104_3558565524205568_6918094998474508825_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0qrrZ7HiYZ4vvskP-0X6TYs7ZGVoWIWQo20NZkJT5ArIZyQ61x0DYdhGQU4uvrUSFnrBBemUNVij8W6oLmUh34HWSClCcXUhmK18vx1tcbC_x4cM-q-cDxwJYf3nsqMnv6JX0VFp-i4/w400-h225/121047104_3558565524205568_6918094998474508825_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Joe DeCenzo</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDHbFjTLn_Gbum3MFTe84EmtilSJ-jLuco2XfIybDfLTXGjDrgBI-B0IuZh-NOJ0hM5-328uPYi_PkHKuT0d0wK6uueK9Nl_-Y2t0cenuSEKQkJTSEC2xRhnwgDhy42i-ixdJE9TUvas/s1366/121040297_3558557350873052_1547954013158114801_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDHbFjTLn_Gbum3MFTe84EmtilSJ-jLuco2XfIybDfLTXGjDrgBI-B0IuZh-NOJ0hM5-328uPYi_PkHKuT0d0wK6uueK9Nl_-Y2t0cenuSEKQkJTSEC2xRhnwgDhy42i-ixdJE9TUvas/w400-h225/121040297_3558557350873052_1547954013158114801_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beth Baird</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdIZop3vmrUZveOjB82g8CAhyphenhyphenz_0pSlAWhTgZqRaeo_OKGZWE5W0GxWeSgYBy74k_XVJHbaoy9iYojnNbcejiCCl4-F8B7D4RT4o6BhRMFSjhGGcaiL-0zX3bDiTQzEcyZyW6Ry5rnMQ/s624/Picture11.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="624" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdIZop3vmrUZveOjB82g8CAhyphenhyphenz_0pSlAWhTgZqRaeo_OKGZWE5W0GxWeSgYBy74k_XVJHbaoy9iYojnNbcejiCCl4-F8B7D4RT4o6BhRMFSjhGGcaiL-0zX3bDiTQzEcyZyW6Ry5rnMQ/w400-h225/Picture11.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The last guests to leave, with Joe DeCenzo's heart...</div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-21122407044543412552020-10-01T20:59:00.002-07:002020-10-17T09:13:05.711-07:00We Are Here Anthology at Flintridge Bookstore Virtual Reading, Oct 11 at 4:30 pm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xD76O6D7t5lQsWAHqOWNoeaBS9SFkUvXp-qYOUdeUNE9ZH2uA-qFDde0lvzflEwAjNXGjrIzRzDSJAT-IEd_37pbf8OaTJHNlfrt95Wi8r2fDNt67zqqbts2Av5xEZCjo0yPEBAkXp8/s1650/Village+Poets+Flyer-page-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xD76O6D7t5lQsWAHqOWNoeaBS9SFkUvXp-qYOUdeUNE9ZH2uA-qFDde0lvzflEwAjNXGjrIzRzDSJAT-IEd_37pbf8OaTJHNlfrt95Wi8r2fDNt67zqqbts2Av5xEZCjo0yPEBAkXp8/w309-h400/Village+Poets+Flyer-page-001.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">FLINTRIDGE BOOKSTORE PRESENTS VIRTUAL CELEBRATION</p><p style="text-align: center;">OF 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF VILLAGE POETS READINGS</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sun., Oct. 11, 2020 4:30 PM</p><p style="text-align: center;">ZOOM Link: <a href="https://zoom.us/j/96258987514">https://zoom.us/j/96258987514</a> </p><p style="text-align: center;">WE ARE HERE: VILLAGE POETS ANTHOLOGY</p><p style="text-align: center;">MAJA TROCHIMCZYK & MARLENE HITT, EDITORS</p><p style="text-align: center;">ISBN 978-1-945938-39-9 (paperback), $22</p><p style="text-align: center;">ISBN 978-1-945938-40-5 (eBook, ePub), $10</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Edited by Marlene Hitt and Maja Trochimczyk, and entitled We Are Here: Village Poetry Anthology, this collection presents 80 poets featured during the monthly readings at Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga, CA as well as the group of current and former Poets Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga who organize the readings. In addition to its home base at the Bolton Hall Museum, the Village Poets have also had occasional visits to the McGroarty Arts Center, the former home of the California Poet-Laureate in 1933-1944, John Steven McGroarty. His Poet-Laureate title inspired the local Poet-Laureate program, established in 1999. The anthology's editors are both former Poets-Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga: Marlene Hitt was the First, in 1999-2001 and Dr. Maja Trochimczyk served as the Sixth in 2010-2012 when the readings were initiated. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKO-I6sMU1zfTxsz0k-W1jJ0u0hUXEyetZhvqJNbVWhj_2PtVXLv2QgmfPWCAjRc3gXoKJq1Z9ugCD1wdpOxlbIk_IOfaLj0rARTjIf34stiz4F0MUMHaFhMabsMqVAEc1VyWZ_m_KxA/s2048/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKO-I6sMU1zfTxsz0k-W1jJ0u0hUXEyetZhvqJNbVWhj_2PtVXLv2QgmfPWCAjRc3gXoKJq1Z9ugCD1wdpOxlbIk_IOfaLj0rARTjIf34stiz4F0MUMHaFhMabsMqVAEc1VyWZ_m_KxA/w266-h400/VillagePoetsCover3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The volume includes work by: 15 Poets Laureate from California; 20 Pushcart Prize nominees – Accardi, Askew, Byrne, Canyon, Collins, Dobreer, Dove, Ford, Fancher, Luza, Leland-St. John, O’Brien, Jones, Pero, Reyna, Rinne, Rogers, Rummel, Skiles, and Terzi; 12 current and former college professors – Campbell, Kirby, Dove, Lipkin, Lummis, Peterson, Rummel, Rizk, Talwar, Trochimczyk, Saine, and Zaro; and eight poets with doctoral degrees – Dove, Lipkin, Mataric, Meyer (honorary), Peterson, Reyna, Saine, and Trochimczyk. Poets from the states of California, Illinois, New York, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington are represented along with those who have roots in 18 different countries: Argentina, Armenia, Chile, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, the U.K., the U.S. and Vietnam. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> The colorful cover, designed by Maja Trochimczyk, features artwork by Polish American poet and painter, Andrew Kolo, who appeared at the readings to present both his art and his poetry. The painting, entitled “Landscape with the Palm Tree” (oil on canvas), is a mosaic of vivid, saturated colors, contrasting, yet somehow in harmony with each other. This is a great metaphor for a poetry reading filled with numerous, distinct poetic voices. The book consists of two parts: Guests and Featured Poets, represented by 1-3 poems each; and Poets-Laureate, with 10 local poets, represented by 6-8 poems each. A list of Village Poets Readings, a brief history of the program, and biographies of the poets are included as well. The 290-page anthology is published in two versions, as a paperback and an e-book in ePub format. <a href="http://moonrisepress.com/village-poets-anthology.html">moonrisepress.com/village-poets-anthology.html</a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WFuNrDwssatUgvZ2M40UTcYVAsU4ymM85v7YFKYk8tqN-BJWGO8s8lU9C3xWi_ubFqtOp0RYmMf9iYjuX1j3hItNUlhIflws0bCCGY0nMgmrMs2m2EqQs8Y-LaOxkeSJVu5UI4lifJo/s2048/IMG_3549.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WFuNrDwssatUgvZ2M40UTcYVAsU4ymM85v7YFKYk8tqN-BJWGO8s8lU9C3xWi_ubFqtOp0RYmMf9iYjuX1j3hItNUlhIflws0bCCGY0nMgmrMs2m2EqQs8Y-LaOxkeSJVu5UI4lifJo/w400-h300/IMG_3549.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>ABOUT THIS BOOK</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"This anthology is a treasure and I'm honored to be part of it! Over the last ten years, the Village Poets of Sunland-Tujunga, along with the faithful support of the Little Landers Historical Society and the McGroarty Arts Center, provided a place, not only for local poets to gather, but for poets from well beyond our town to come together as a community and enjoy conversation and share their work. This anthology is a wonderful tribute to all who participated over the years."</p><p>~ Dorothy Skiles, Seventh Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"This is a lovely anthology, my fellow Americans! We are all Village Poets, in one way or another. And we are all Little Landers, also called “los terrenitos,” the utopian colony of collective agriculture established in and around Bolton Hall Museum in the early 20th century. Let us cultivate our poetic land!"</p><p>~ Margaret Saine, author of <i>Lit Angels </i>and <i>Gardens of the World</i> (Moonrise Press)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"The busy poetry circles of mountain communities cohabiting the threatened southern rim of our forests, has produced a series, celebrated in this gorgeous anthology which artfully embraces power of place. These are the precious words of lyrical poets from everywhere, who joined the Valley Poets inside the halls of the pioneer settlers of Tujunga, joining in a decades-long tribute to and embodiment of the democratic community practices of the founding ancestors, gathered within the walls of monumental Bolton Hall."</p><p>~ Ed Rosenthal, author of <i>Salvation Canyon</i> and <i>The Desert Hat</i>, survivor www.poetbroker.com </p><p style="text-align: justify;">TABLE OF CONTENTS: Preface – vii, Table of Contents - viii, Poetry in the Foothills – A Look Back - x, Listing of Featured Poets and Artists – xii. PART 1. Featured and Guest Poets - 1: Lida Abramian - 3; Millicent Borges Accardi – 5; Sharon Alexander – 8; Eliécer Almaguer – 10; Christopher Askew – 12; Beth Baird – 14; Judy Barrat – 16; Cile Borman – 18; Madeleine Swift Butcher – 20; Elena Karina Byrne – 22; Don Kingfisher Campbell – 23; Ross Canton – 25; Gloriana Casey – 27; Jackie Chou – 29; Teresa Mei Chuc – 31; Jeanette Clough – 33; Beverly M. Collins – 35; Brendan Constantine – 37; Bill Cushing – 39; Marsha De La O – 41; Peggy Dobreer – 42; Linda Dove – 44; Alexis Rhone Fancher – 45; Mary Fitzpatrick – 47; Michael C. Ford – 49; Joyce Futa – 50; William Scott Galasso – 52; Jerry Garcia – 54; John Guzlowski – 55; Charles Harmon – 57; Lloyd Hitt – 59; Lois P. Jones – 62; Georgia Jones-Davis – 63; C.E. Jordan – 65; Mandy Kahn – 67; Mina Kirby – 69; Andrew Kolo – 72; Deborah P Kolodji – 74; Mariko Kitakubo – 76; Sharmagne Leland-St. John – 78; James Levin – 80; Wayne Allen LeVine – 81; Stephen Lindsteadt – 83; Elline Lipkin – 84; B.D. Love – 86; Rick Lupert – 87; Radomir Vojtech Luza – 89; Suzanne Lummis – 91; Shahe Mankerian – 96; Mirjana N. Radovanov Matarić – 97; Maria Elena Mahler – 99; Gabriel Meyer – 100; Naia – 102; Toti O’Brien – 104; Cece Peri – 106; A.R. Peterson – 108; Thelma T. Reyna – 110; Cindy Rinne – 112; Susan Rogers – 114; Sharon Rizk – 116; Ed Rosenthal – 118; Mary Kay Rummel – 120; Sonya Sabanac – 122; Margaret Saine – 124; Shaymaa – 126; Param Sharma – 128; Rick Smith – 130; Kathi Stafford – 131; Julia Stein – 133; Melissa Studdard – 134; Konrad Tademar Wilk – 136; Ambika Talwar - 138; Judith Terzi – 140; Bory Thach – 142; G. Murray Thomas – 144; Mary Torregrossa – 145; Yun Wang – 147; Mari Werner – 149; Kath Abela Wilson – 152; Mariano Zaro – 155. PART 2. Poets Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga - 157: John Steven McGroarty –159; Marlene Hitt – 161; Katerina Canyon – 170; Joe DeCenzo – 179; Damien Stednitz –188; Ursula T. Gibson – 197; Maja Trochimczyk – 204; Dorothy Skiles - 212; Elsa Samkow-Frausto – 219; Pamela Shea – 225; Alice Pero - 233. Biographical Notes – 239.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzSmTU6acgNH-adE4tOrfyynwmqKxgM6vCbC3G7YTh15Fu9JzI2kLfWMq-N3mxmKi4WSB1RDWxcD3kv_mp0R3qai_uFgWAFz3VPSBM0W4InFCGyar_NTFcnW_FuCXLWORb6nE_cfjcK0/s1097/P5231640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1097" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzSmTU6acgNH-adE4tOrfyynwmqKxgM6vCbC3G7YTh15Fu9JzI2kLfWMq-N3mxmKi4WSB1RDWxcD3kv_mp0R3qai_uFgWAFz3VPSBM0W4InFCGyar_NTFcnW_FuCXLWORb6nE_cfjcK0/w400-h286/P5231640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">MARLENE HITT was the first Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (1999-2001). She has been a member of the Chupa Rosa Writers of Sunland-Tujunga and the Foothills since its inception in 1985. In addition to publishing numerous poetry chapbooks, she has authored a non-fiction book Sunland-Tujunga, from Village to City. Her poems appeared in Psychopoetica (UK), Chupa Rosa Diaries of the Chupa Rosa Writers, Sunland (2001-2003), Glendale College’s Eclipse anthologies, two Moonrise Press anthologies, Sometimes in the Open, a collection of verse by California Poets Laureate, and The Coiled Serpent, anthology of Los Angeles poets, edited by Luis Rodriguez (2016). She served at the Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga as Museum Director and docent for many years. Ms. Hitt was the history writer for the Foothill Leader, Glendale News Press, North Valley Reporter, and Voice of the Village newspapers. She has been honored as the Woman of Achievement by the Business and Professional Women's Club, and Woman of the Year by the U.S. Congress. Her critically-acclaimed poetry collection Clocks and Water Drops was published in 2015. In 2019, after retiring from active participation in Village Poets Readings, Marlene was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, shared with her husband, Lloyd.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qi5SeBIGYo0aJqQgTebDfXBR-awg3Hd50OhFz7_HVcY-nlxXeEE5Btmcss8wLlZ_Bl9qt3i7AXxvT-VqQv8NCSiGHUKWdvB0T-CqBo5a21LIdRAr1EQou_0C0fPOAHrnSJ-KunMo-80/s1280/megardens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qi5SeBIGYo0aJqQgTebDfXBR-awg3Hd50OhFz7_HVcY-nlxXeEE5Btmcss8wLlZ_Bl9qt3i7AXxvT-VqQv8NCSiGHUKWdvB0T-CqBo5a21LIdRAr1EQou_0C0fPOAHrnSJ-KunMo-80/w400-h300/megardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">DR. MAJA TROCHIMCZYK, the sixth Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga (2010-2012), is a poet, music historian, photographer, and non-profit director born in Poland and living in California (www.trochimczyk.net). She selects and invites poets to feature at the Village Poets series. She published seven books on music, five volumes of poetry, and three other anthologies (Chopin with Cherries, Meditations on Divine Names and Grateful Conversations). The venues for her poetry included: Altadena Poetry Review, Loch Raven Review, Epiphany Magazine, Lily Review, Ekphrasis Journal, Quill and Parchment, Magnapoets, The Cosmopolitan Review, The Scream Online, The Original Van Gogh’s Ear Anthology, Lummox Journal, Phantom Seed, Spectrum, Poezja Dzisiaj, OccuPoetry, Pisarze.pl, as well as anthologies by Poets on Site, Southern California Haiku Study Group, and others. Trochimczyk presented papers at over 90 national and international conferences in Poland, France, Germany, Hungary, U.K., Canada, and the U.S. She received awards and fellowships from ACLS, SSHRCC, USC, McGill University, MPE Fraternity, Polish American Historical Association, City and County of Los Angeles, and Poland’s Ministry of Culture. The Senior Director of Planning and Development at Phoenix Houses of California, she serves as the President of the California State Poetry Society and the President of Helena Modjeska Art and Culture Club.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQBAAKXw5VOr7GwtrmDqyOqQIx-XbcOJV2uNzLHAVwAz-9BQjTJyX1KwQF2ZctxTQSckvcvj2vlM0A0J7xwIIWPk6Qifx3p04MN54XiiqtlP44NwmKEC_R3soKLcmF-KjGRtGbqQUuEk/s1600/DSC04262.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQBAAKXw5VOr7GwtrmDqyOqQIx-XbcOJV2uNzLHAVwAz-9BQjTJyX1KwQF2ZctxTQSckvcvj2vlM0A0J7xwIIWPk6Qifx3p04MN54XiiqtlP44NwmKEC_R3soKLcmF-KjGRtGbqQUuEk/w400-h300/DSC04262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176316813484707250.post-64131014343506224922020-09-20T19:38:00.003-07:002020-10-17T08:51:00.341-07:00"An Alphabet of Birds" - Stories from Home and Garden by Toti O'Brien (October 2020)<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc2r-e-PydZ7sVkOnd0e3H0YdplTAZR4Vav3c2zFyLM2g7839JWVijh5tR94NN7illSqA4t7TMXuNruOX4pjOMMkcelf-nQhgbz_VB7FpTNkK4oOXpk0THFHFaTapi21yxUqm914E-q0/s1800/AlphabetCoverFront.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc2r-e-PydZ7sVkOnd0e3H0YdplTAZR4Vav3c2zFyLM2g7839JWVijh5tR94NN7illSqA4t7TMXuNruOX4pjOMMkcelf-nQhgbz_VB7FpTNkK4oOXpk0THFHFaTapi21yxUqm914E-q0/w266-h400/AlphabetCoverFront.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;">N </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;">LPHABET
OF </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;">B</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;">IRDS</span></span></div></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; font-size: large;">≈≈≈☼≈≈≈</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moonrisepress.com/alphabet-of-birds.html" style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">http://www.moonrisepress.com/alphabet-of-birds.html</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Buy it now: <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/toti-obrien/an-alphabet-of-birds/paperback/product-m5gjm7.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISBN 978-1-945938-41-2,</a> paperback, 184 pages, $15.00</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Buy it now: <a href=" https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/toti-obrien/an-alphabet-of-birds/ebook/product-8jm67y.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISBN </a></span><span style="color: #0a101a; font-family: georgia;"><a href=" https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/toti-obrien/an-alphabet-of-birds/ebook/product-8jm67y.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">978-1-945938-42-9</a>, ebook in ePub format, $10.00</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">ABOUT THIS BOOK</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not quite hard to decipher… on the contrary, friendly and familiar sounding, </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">An Alphabet of Birds</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> is a prose collection inspired by “daily nature,” by those kerchiefs of landscape gracing us through a kitchen door, a car window, in the middle of our urban, busy life. They are glimpses and fragments, fugitive and yet poignant, loaded with surprise, magic, lessons to learn or else mysteries for the heart to treasure in secret, in awe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Toti O’Brien, author</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><i>An Alphabet of Birds</i> encompasses an entire bestiary, from </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">its namesake birds to the squirrel that owns the narrator’s </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">backyard to the bears that own the salmon streams. The </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">ground of these short prose pieces is everyday life, the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">“daily display of splendor.” Toti O’Brien invokes a world </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">where what is wry and wise meets what is whimsical and </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">surreal. Questions tumble, pile on top of one another, full of </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">possibilities and speculation. O’Brien’s language has a </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">rolling rhythm that unspools like an incantation. Fall under </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">her spell and journey with her into the mysteries of the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">quotidian.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Cynthia Anderson, author of <i>Now Voyager</i> and <i>Route</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This prose collection of 34 short stories describes the vagaries of birds, animals, plants, seen and described by a keen and talented observer. The author has patience, a gift of attentive focus on their behaviors and transformation, and a talent to write down the reflections on the meaning of these behaviors and transformation in the constant flow of daily life. Toti O'Brien author is a multi-talented poet, writer, artist, musician, and a friend of all living beings, the whole Earth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">~ Maja Trochimczyk, Ph.D., Moonrise Press </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJPLTfs2BxT1nx3j9FsINa2QoZGPvv0UTFHqzZswHUnW71NSY_gtS4m9YlB6KZgp-nV6OA3leVFzcG-YQWTvEUaAWN-nZg6Xl8abC77SdvSbH2PlYb7PbfmSeRibr8Qiaq2Kst9auSjs/s300/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJPLTfs2BxT1nx3j9FsINa2QoZGPvv0UTFHqzZswHUnW71NSY_gtS4m9YlB6KZgp-nV6OA3leVFzcG-YQWTvEUaAWN-nZg6Xl8abC77SdvSbH2PlYb7PbfmSeRibr8Qiaq2Kst9auSjs/w320-h320/TotiOBrien300x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;"><p><b style="font-weight: bold;">TOTI O’BRIEN</b> is the Italian
Accordionist with the Irish last name. She was born in Rome, Italy, raised in
Sicily and France. After touring Europe and Brazil with her itinerant theater,
in the early nineties, she established herself in Los Angeles where she makes a
living as a self-employed artist, performing musician and professional dancer.
O’Brien’s first book of stories, <i>Africa</i>, was published in 1990. It was
followed by another short story collection, <i>Reversed Memories</i>, two
illustrated children books and an essay collection, <i>Lanterna Magica,</i>
gathering selected work out of her long-term collaboration with Italian
journals and magazines. O’Brien started writing in the English language in
2004. Since then, her poetry, fiction and non-fiction were published in
hundreds of journals and anthologies in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, India,
Australia, and all over the world.<i> </i></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her
most recent appearances include <i>The Moth,
The Hamilton Stone, The Los Angeles Review of Books, </i>and<i> World Literature Today.</i> Her poetry
collection <i>Other Maidens (</i>BlazeVOX,
2020) and a prose collection, <i>Pages of a
Broken Diary </i>(Pskj’s Porch, 2021), are about to be released. Her work was
nominated for Best of the Net, Best Small Fiction, Best American Essay, the
Pushcart, and various other prizes. Her memoir ‘Nicotine’ won a nonfiction
prose award in 2018. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her essay ‘Blur In The Front Line’ won the Anthony Award
in 2016. Besides her creative writing, she contributes articles and reviews
about art, music, film, literature and civilization to several magazines. She
also translates poetry and prose from the Italian, the Spanish, and the French.
O’Brien’s multimedia artwork was exhibited in group and solo shows in Europe
and the US, since the early nineties. Her paintings, sculptures, collages and
textiles were featured in many publications, and she has produced book covers
and illustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAx0ec7glucXStnrHK_e0oYC8fjP9fQQ7xx_ij2xtgUd1hVIJdPrcOx1bA1506ZD6nzhP4Yap57ZnhTNsrWP0RHsnGeDE84bib4fPjy9rw9WyzsclGexKsztgqsaL9JCSQo-y34HChyI/s1584/AlphabetCoverEbook+9.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1224" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAx0ec7glucXStnrHK_e0oYC8fjP9fQQ7xx_ij2xtgUd1hVIJdPrcOx1bA1506ZD6nzhP4Yap57ZnhTNsrWP0RHsnGeDE84bib4fPjy9rw9WyzsclGexKsztgqsaL9JCSQo-y34HChyI/w309-h400/AlphabetCoverEbook+9.17.jpg" width="309" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Table of Contents</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Moonlight — 3 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Lawn — 4 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Staircase — 9 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Leaf and the Butterfly — 14 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Darwin —17 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pavo Regina — 21 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Terra Firma — 29 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speculum — 33 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Milagros — 37 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sunset Walk — 39 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Doves — 42</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Precious — 47 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Decadence of Grapefruit —49 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Spectrum — 58 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dog Days — 61 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Salmon and the Bear — 64 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beautiful Bones — 69 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Creation — 72 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Garden — 81 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lunacy — 84 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">September — 93 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">November — 99 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Peacocks — 102 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Engraved — 105 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Five Senses — 109 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At Risk — 127 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Statue —129 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Augur — 134 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Flowers — 139 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Fountain — 141 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part Out — 158 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">An Alphabet of Birds —164</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Volvo and the Bike —168 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gardener’s Companion — 172 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">About the Author — 174</span></p><p><br /></p>Maja Trochimczykhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07070404303173790701noreply@blogger.com0