Literary Revelations is thrilled to bring you the wonderful poetry of Elizabeth Barton. I hope you enjoy it.
Bio
Elizabeth Barton is a poet and artist living in New Zealand, with work featured in numerous anthologies and online journals, including Vita Brevis, Black Bough Poetry, Fevers of the Mind, Hyacinth Review, Amphora and Spillwords. Winner of the 2020 White Label Cinq Competition, she has a forthcoming Collection with Hedgehog Poetry Press. She is author of the chapbook All Revolutions Begin This Way, a mythic journey and exploration of New Zealand’s gold-mining past.
Recognition
Invisible threads bind us, knitted in the temple of long musings. Elegantly the moon sails on shifting rainbow-edged clouds, Jupiter trails behind as dreams nurse our forgetful sleep. We bind with memory, secret keys of recognition.
Past and present are nothing, merged in a sea of knowing; waves of recollection pound deep, drumming, awakening ancient worlds, currents scribing unknown futures. Synapse and tongue thread minds together, sparking thought-lit filaments of fire.
Returning to their source as compass true, remembering, widened eyes are moonlit orbs mirroring each our portraits, homing to the point, lamplit, joined in gazing, coruscating paths take us on bold journeys breaking with the tide to lift us high, holding keys to the horizon
Desert Song
If you were to tread upon the desert wind with sand in your hair catching flints of light, I would answer you with my dreams contained in the mystery of the East dark aromas of ancient wisdom. When the day empties its goblet upon gold sands let me lay red poppies at your feet and banquet in the precious depths of your eyes.
Literary Revelations – Reminders
Thank you for your wonderful submissions. We are proud to publish your work.
Please remember:
We are now open for art submission. Read more HERE.
We apologize but for the time being we do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Literary Revelations is thrilled to bring you the beutiful poetry of Mogamat Shafiek Reggiori, a South African writer. We hope you enjoy it.
Brief Bio (in the author’s words)
Mogamat Shafiek Reggiori, 4th generation South African with an Italian background. Born Cape Malay. Loves to write poetry. The kind that touches an essential part of your soul. Love ballads being one of his favorite creations. Occasionally revisits long time Fantasy Scifi novels in the throes of creation. M. S. Reggiori is a soul whisperer that enjoys indulging with creatives of all genres. Read his words and he’d kiss the day you came. Poetry book: INTO THE HUSH OF THE QUIET WINDS: Love would remain a vital part of my soul. A dream of his is to be a distributor of God’s wealth, hence he would donate parts of his book proceeds to CANSA ORG (the South African Cancer Foundation).
Poems
The soft shades Of these pale white skies Like the foam that once floated in my bath waters In its deepening I’ve soaked in. My skin was soft then Soft as the memory of your Grand Opus eyes. A symphony, playing along…
Would you greet me at my wintering When she wraps me into the earth’s chest & places her ribs at my soul’s edges?
For this I cry, as I write I could then become my own left behind memories. Perhaps I am midnight’s companion, like moss stuck to a rock’s purposes & I hold my own child’s hand Wrapped around my fingers
Until then …
I’ll wrap my dreams around These pale white skies To champion the harbingers of your smile
Sewgolum
Written in memory of my Grandma. That is what she called me, by the name of the very first person of color, Golfing champion. I would dream of her, thinking of me as her champion. We’ll meet in my dreams.
–
Barista D’ Amour Serves thee still the breaths To my silvan heart Without which I cannot live
My mind fizzles With susurrations of thee When Chopin serves me The mold of his polished ivory
Nocturne, the keys rave That clavier that casts the lot Of my days & the wind with swirling petals across the glades
Earthen tones lisp Of Autumn roses Like a wine tasting & I’m drunk on sumptuous love
& just like that you carry me My love, to lift the skirts of my gaze Onto the palette of your ravenous heart
–
Look once only they say Then divert your quiet gaze For that second scape Would carry on, far Beyond forbidden ways
So, this to you Dearest lover, I say I’d keep staring
& the second is an unbecoming The reverence of your Nascent eyes holds me To my adoration
For the rain, eyes a weeping A stare, I say & I’d never look away For every ray Of light upon your face Would be my penultimate gain
–
Only one more life my love
diD not you see it The way Monet painted Our dreams & that dress you wore
In the reflection of the pond Our lips met & an irisation was born
There must have been two Summer Suns, glazing over opposite waters
One more life my love My eyes still hold you in it
Good Morning/Good Afternoon to our readers. We invite you to rock & roll with Matt Jaffe, a young and very talented artist. We are proud to introduce him to you. Let’s give him a round of applauses. Before that here is more about Matt.
Bio
Matt Jaffe is an indie rock & roll singer/songwriter from San Francisco, California. Cutting his teeth on countless open mics around the Bay, Matt started taking music (a little bit) more seriously when Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads offered to produce his first record. Since then, Matt has continued to churn out more songs than he can remember the words to, perform on stages throughout the land (opening and/or touring with the likes of Mavis Staples, Wilco, Bobby Weir, Alejandro Escovedo, Jackie Greene, Chuck Prophet, Melissa Etheridge, and Blues Traveler), and collaborate with Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T’s.
Along with serving on Bread & Roses Board of Directors, Matt is at work on a musical adaptation of the celebrated Chuck Prophet album, Temple Beautiful. Matt is currently rolling out his 6th studio album, White Roses in the Snow.
Follow Matt to find more about him, his albums, and his concerts:
We recently let you know that Literary Revelations is getting ready to publish a spectacular poetry collection entitled Building Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems by C.X.Turner and James Welsh. We are delighted to work with such talented authors whose poems are breathtaking. You can read more Here.
We are pleased to let you know that the president of the Haiku Society of America Bryan Rickert read the manuscript and sent the authors an advanced praise. It’s a thrill to share it with you. Thank you for reading and for your support.
Back in my art teacher days, I used to remind students when they were having difficulties that art was fundamentally an act of play. This artistic playfulness is just what we find in Building Sandcastles. Turner and Welsh dive deep into their subjects. Exploring every angle and defining every tint and shade along the way. With both broad brushstrokes and intimate details, these two poets paint the beautiful experience of their haiku worlds.
Bryan Rickert President: The Haiku Society of America Editor: Failed Haiku Journal of Senryu
The featured art by C.X. Turner will be used to design to book cover.
Building Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems by C.X.Turner and James Welsh
Grief, perusal is compared to a tsunami, a capricious force against which we find ourselves enervated and drowning. Life seems to take an oblique course after being hit. Although if we come to the bend in the path with acceptance and pivot along, we can observe that our own inner strengths pull us through the difficult time. Sometimes letting up against the current and letting go is the way to stay afloat. Digging deeper and tapping into the calm within is a journey to realization of our inner buoyant nature.
Below are five poems titled ‘Sauvignon Night’ along with handmade illustrations. No matter the cause of our woes, the feelings of loss and grief are universal. And any road up always ferrets through within.
Sarika Jaswani
BIO
Doctor by profession, Sarika Jaswani is a crochet artist, art tutor, and writer of children’s stories. A philanthropist at heart, she runs a non-profit by selling her fiber art on Etsy. She’s an art lover, bird lover, dreamer and blogger. A published poet who passionately reads and writes poetry. Her poetry has been well-received by various online literary magazines and anthologies.
‘Tide Rises Tide Falls’, On Medium- @ACG @Scrittura @MoveMePoetry, Fever of the Mind Poetry, Silver Birch Press, The Organic Poet, SpillWords, The Women Inc, Trouvaille Review, Antonym, HeronClanPoems, Synchronized Chaos, Silent Spark Press. A frequent VSS prompt writer on Twitter, her poems run on themes of love, reflection, and philosophy of life.
SAUVIGNON NIGHT – POETRY & ART
I cut my thumb on sharp edges of an old song
on my tongue tip I lick my bleeding colors
I ride the flow ebb and tide of a serrated knife
the irony of staying afloat in inaction
Your rock breaks me in thousand pieces each recall needles in my throat
each moon I glue my broken every starlight defines where scars have put me back together
each bloom, colors new cracks fractures, parts I had never known a kaleidoscopic art my grief of you
My words—rolls of silk fabric I look for the right colors to sew my pain
For once I want to lay flat the tapestry
that can speak volumes in colors instead it turns out to be a mess of loose phrases and unraveled utterances
So I let this throb grow on me like feathers on pigeon and wait for my ache to take the sky
As if thoughts are a chow and I, mouth of cattle the obsession of my mind’s eye for them is addictive
(This dalliance to constantly chew on them)
Not all taste like sugarcane some are wistful, most are downright bitter But the machine press behind my eyes insists to juice them
As if, by my will passing time will bend and sip the nectar of my wishes
With the sharp edge of kindred thoughts I scrape off the color of my skin
slice the fleshy fibers beneath my fears go deeper—
pry open the box of bones with beating desires bloodied hands shrewdly search
hidden behind the opacity of years of ache curled up in a corner
I find myself living an unbroken – contrasting life
‘Beautiful’ is an instinct. ‘Beautiful’ is an emotion, attributed to human instincts.”
Naoki Kimura – Creed
Naoki Kimura’s art
Naoki Kimura is an artist of high caliber. His stunning photography rewrites our world in black and white, creating new territories where objects – natural or not – become mysteries shrouded in shadows, only to partially be revealed by a diffuse light that refuses to be defined. Light and shadows are antagonistic principles. The shadow is the absence of light; light is contained in, or kept captive, by the shadow. The extraordinary art of Naoki Kimura liberates the light from shadow bringing both in a perfect equilibrium. Kimura creates a world of stillness and beauty that forces one’s train of thought to stop. The emotions conveyed by his art are deep yet quiet, infused with a meditative quality. They reflect the purity and the beauty of the beginning of the world.
The underlying theme of his photographic work is the perception, and further the expression, of “fluctuation,” which Naoki calls “calm=Lull -nagi-“. His works mainly depicted places and times of historical importance such as Italy and the Renaissance period. However, after his first solo exhibition in 2018, he started including Japanese motifs into his photography.
Naoki “creates” photography to explore beauty, and to seek its completion. One way he does it is via “calmness” and “fluctuation,” equivalent to the act of spinning flowers, birds, winds, and the moon [Ka-Cho-Fu-Getsu ][i] as “the beauty of things or pathos of things [Mono no aware][ii]“.
Awards
Naoki Kimura is the author of the book Nagi (Shinnihon Publishing) and the recipient of numerous international awards: Annual Awards 2006; Merit Award Winner, Black & White Magazine (USA); Black &White Spider Awards 2007 (Int.l.); Annual Award Nominee; Photobook “Nagi-nagi-“: YPP Graphic Arts 2014 YPP Award Winner The 56th National Catalog Poster Exhibition.
Short Bio
The artist spent his childhood in Nishijin[iii], Kyoto, Japan in a climate of mixed tradition and innovation. This is where the basis of his sensitivity to the gradation of “Qualia-texture” was formed. In the spring of his 15th year, Naoki happened to stop by a photo exhibition featuring work by impaired hearing artists. The photographs he saw impacted him profoundly. At that moment he decided to choose photography to express himself as an artist. As he puts it, to express his sensitivity.
Naoki graduated from Tokyo College of Photography. While at Tokyo College, he also entered Keio University and majored in aesthetics and art history. In 1987 he moved to the U.S. and completed his graduate studies in fine arts and urban planning at Harvard University.
In 1990 Naoki moved to New York where he signed an artist’s contract that took him to Florence, Italy. In Florence he began his career as a fine photographic artist.
After working in the Original Prints markets in Europe and the United States, Naoki’s work started being commissioned by art collectors. In addition, he provided work for domestic and international corporate branding needs.
Naoki has worked in Tokyo and New York. Since 2017, he has been based in Tokyo.
Exhibitions and Art Fairs (selected)
Naoki Kimura’s first exhibition took place in Tokyo in 1993. His first solo exhibition was also in Tokyo in 2009. He started incorporating Japanese motifs in his work after his solo exhibition in 2018.
Naoki Kimura Exhibition the tranquility as lullscape -Nagikei- “nagi” In praise of shadows” Sho+1 Gallery 2023 “Naoki Kimura “nagi” on the edge of Milestone – Exhibition” Fireking Café 2022 “Reality and Virtuality-Reality and Virtuality-Exhibition” Sho+1 Gallery 2021 “Architecture and Light -Six Photographers Interacting with Architecture-“Emon Photo Gallery 2019 “‘Naoki Kimura Exhibition’ – Nagi Gaiden – nagi – anecdote – (Special Exhibition)” Ginza Soei Gallery 2018 “Naoki Kimura ‘through the window -falling light-‘ Exhibition” Emon Photo Gallery 2015 “Naoki Kimura ‘Nagi’ Photobook Publication Commemorative Exhibition” Emon Photo Gallery 2014 “Director’s Choice Vol.3 B&W Exhibition” Emon Photo Gallery 2013 “Director’s Choice Vol.2” Emon Photo Gallery 2012 “PORTRAIT” Emon Photo Gallery 2011 “Silent monochrome” Emon Photo Gallery 2010 “Nagi/NAGI”-Standing up, Tamayura’s time-Naoki Kimura Exhibition Emon Photo Gallery 2009 “ML Collaboration Project: Photography as Interior” Cassina IXC Aoyama 2005 “3 days in ChinaTown” Exposure (Shibuya PARCO) 1993
Art fairs:
Art Stage Osaka 2022, 2022 Art Fair Tokyo 2022, 2022 Daikanyama Photo Fair 2017 Tokyo Photo 2012, 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair 1993
Photography
lo_specchiolull lighthozukiglint of the dragon
[i] “Ka-cho-fu-getsu” is a Japanese expression that represents the four seasons of nature: “ka” (花) for flowers in spring, “cho” (鳥) for birds in summer, “fu” (風) for wind in autumn, and “getsu” (月) for the moon in winter. This expression encapsulates the beauty and symbolism associated with each season in Japanese culture.
The concept of “Ka-cho-fu-getsu” embodies the traditional Japanese aesthetic of appreciating nature’s beauty and finding inspiration in the ever-changing natural cycles. It reflects the deep cultural values of harmony, transience, and the appreciation of the present moment.
[ii] “Mono no aware” is a Japanese term that can be translated as “the pathos of things” or “the sensitivity to the ephemeral nature of existence.” It is a concept deeply rooted in Japanese culture and aesthetics.The concept originated from the Heian period (AC794-1185) in Japan and is associated with the literature of that time, particularly in works such as “The Tale of Genji.” It emphasizes the fleeting and fragile nature of human experiences, as well as the inherent sadness that accompanies the passing of time.
[iii] Nishijin is a district located in Kyoto, Japan, and is renowned as a traditional weaving center. Nishijin flourished as a city during the Heian period (AC.794-1185) and became a hub for textile production. Skilled artisans and weavers gathered in the area, carrying on traditional techniques and designs that continue to be used in the production of textiles to this day.
Literary Revelations is proud to feature Cassondra Windwalker, an impactful and talented writer, and one of her novels Idle Hands.Idle Hands is our recommendation for this week. The novel is “Heartbreaking, harrowing…brilliantly done.” [Isabella, NetGalley Reviewer]
Bio
Cassondra Windwalker is a poet, essayist, and novelist who presently writes full-time from the southern Alaskan coast. She keeps company with navigationally-challenged ghosts, chatty books, querulous corvids, and her tolerant husband. You can find her on Twitter @WindwalkerWrite.
Cassondra’s poetic work on social justice and the effects of the pandemic, THE BENCH, was awarded the Helen Kay Chapbook Award by Evening Street Press. Her full-length poetry collection TIDE TABLES AND TEA WITH GOD earned the Cinnabar Moth Press Excellence in Poetry Award, and she currently serves as their poet-in-residence. She has a total of five published novels and three poetic works currently available in bookstores and online.
Idle Hands: The devil is in the details in this haunting novel about the choices we make
You can call me Ella. You generally assign me a whole host of other preposterous monikers. I think the least imaginative name I’ve heard is “the devil”, but I’ll answer to it if I must.
After making the courageous decision to leave her abusive husband, Perdie and her three young children start over and finally find the safety and love they deserve. But years later, when tragedy strikes, Perdie is left wondering if the choice she made to leave has led them to this moment.
If she were given the opportunity to take it all back and stay, would she?
In a frantic bid to protect her family, Perdie makes a deal to do just that. But in a world where the devil pulls the strings, can Perdie really change the past? * Brimming with enlightened observations and brilliant voice, Idle Hands is a haunting examination of grief, resilience, and what we’d give to spend another moment with the ones we love. * PRAISE FOR IDLE HANDS
‘Brilliantly engaging.’ —Marie, NetGalley Reviewer ‘Both haunting and inspirational.’ —Lindy, NetGalley Reviewer ‘Compelling and gripping…You will NOT be disappointed.’ —Suzanne, NetGalley Reviewer ‘A book to make you think.’ —Angela, NetGalley Reviewer
Literary Revelations welcomes you to our first French feature: Virginia Mateias – an exceptional writer.
I hope you enjoy her outstanding poetry.
Bio
Virginia Mateias est une écrivaine internationalement publiée. Son œuvre littéraire est parue en roumain, anglais, français, albanais et espagnol. Poète et journaliste, titulaire d’un diplôme universitaire en art dramatique et d’un diplôme post-universitaire en psychologie et pédagogie, Virginia se passionne pour l’éducation des enfants par l’art. Récemment, elle a finalisé son premier roman pour enfants “Greenlandos”. Écrit en français, le livre promet des valeurs écologiques et morales telles que le courage, la loyauté et la connaissance. Présentement, Virginie écrit un livre sur des légendes de plusieurs cultures.
Je regarde la Seine couler À chaque seconde elle crée Une autre vague, un nouveau souvenir.
Et toi, Ma première question Restée sans réponse, Tu m’accompagnes comme une ombre.
J’écris sur le sable; La connaissance est-elle une erreur? Et si elle ne l’est pas Pourquoi goûte-t-elle le poison?
Les arbres se taisent Mais la rivière chuchote : Change de peau encore une fois Et oublie!
Sous le soleil du sud
Avec du sable et de l’eau de mer je lave ma solitude Et elle revient au rivage en écume dentelée …
Sous le soleil du sud Le vent ramasse le sable en dunes Comme une meute de chiens les souvenirs nous chassent! Un fragment du sourire de ma mère, un cri d’enfant, Ta main sur mon front… Il est plus facile de décrire la vie que de la vivre! Peut-être tu crois t’en sortir, devenir libre comme le vent…
Regarde nos pieds superposés, mon amour Ma chemise de nuit couverte de sable et pudeur, La mer qui reprend ses eaux Et nos âmes en train d’y nager. La jeunesse se croit immortelle Et sous le soleil, en pleine lumière, la mort perd son pouvoir. Même si le rivage est de plus en plus loin, Mon amour, les chiens resteront là-bas!
Une mélodie
Les livres brûlés dans les marchés publics Les idées étranglées par le temps Les fontaines déversent leurs eaux Dans la toison d’or du crépuscule Moi cherchant des sens Rêvant à l’arbre de la vie Toi fuyant les choses concrètes, Et les petites vérités de la vie La clef du savoir Je te dis Elle était cachée dans une mélodie Que je n’ai pas écoutée jusqu’au bout Parce que nous nous sommes rencontrés Dans le délire du sang Il sentait le gel, la terre et le trèfle Mais il fait nuit Et je sens venir vers nous Une mélodie qui porte en elle La clef du savoir…
Literary Revelations is proud to bring you the poetry of Dr. Shailja Sharma, a poet that we deeply admire.
I hope everyone will enjoy this feature.
Bio
Dr. Shailja Sharma (Ph.D.), USA, has dedicated her career to the field of psychology and mental health. Apart from scholarly publication and editorial service, her literary writings have been nationally and internationally published. Her poetry book, “Dear Mama: An Immigrant’s Secret Cry,” has been critically acclaimed. Dr. Sharma’s writings have appeared in #1 Best Selling anthologies published nationally and internationally. She is currently serving on the editing panel of a UK-based journal of poetry and artwork related to themes of mental health, health, illness, the mind, the brain, and the body. Dr. Sharma’s publications have appeared in many literary journals/forums of repute across USA, Canada, UK, and Asia. In addition to writing in English, Dr. Sharma is a widely published multi-lingual author. She was awarded special literary honor for her writing contributions in international languages.
It’s Him
A walk in the snow Some sunlight in hand The whole of the sky from her Head to toe It’s him.
In the mirror And in the glean of her untucked hair In her dream And in the branch with a sparrow-pair It’s him. It’s him.
In the sigh within And the breath going out In the quite dew drop And the gushy rain shower In the naughty cloud catching The baby sunflower It’s him. It’s him. It’s him.
(Written exclusively for Literary Revelations)
Remains
The cottage remains The myth of love still lives in the heap of straw and amongst the beads of a broken necklace The footsteps cutting through woods are deep, solid despite the rain through years Life is walking on them rather slowly due to a tangled “Scarf”
(Published in Indian Periodical, June, 2021; Piker Press, November 2021; Setu, February 2022)
Wild Night
Night’s wild locks are open Stars like sparkling hairpins Trying to tuck them in Youthful night will end Into a clear day Clear of mystery Clear of the night’s beauty and charm Naked to stark reality The day pure like death Will stand and stare through No matter how much the sky Sparkles all night
Literary Revelations is thrilled to let you know that we have a new book in the making. It is a spectacular book entitled Building Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems by C.X.Turner and James Welsh. We are delighted to work with such talented authors whose poems are breathtaking.
Please watch this space for more info.
We are pleased to introduce you to C.X.Turner and James Welsh.
C.X. Turner – Bio
C.X. Turner (pen name) is a poet living in the UK, and working as a registered social worker. She writes short-form poems, on a daily basis, and she has been widely published in various journals and anthologies.
C.X.Turner is an active member of the British Haiku Society, always feeling there is more to learn. She enjoys working collaboratively with other poets, doing solo projects, and exploring different art mediums to bring added depth to her writing.
In 2023 she had one of her haiku chosen for the global Golden Haiku Poetry Contest. There were 3,100 haiku received, written by 1,600 people, from 75 countries, and hers was one of the 200 that were selected and printed on colorful signs displayed along some of Washington DC’s most iconic streets in the Golden Triangle neighborhood and posted on the BID website. You can find more info at: GLOBAL HAIKU CONTEST ATTRACTS POEMS FROM DC TO AUSTRALIA AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN – Golden Triangle and Golden Haiku Poetry Contest –Golden Triangle.
In 2022 C.X. Turner had three individual short-form poems nominated by three different Journal editors for The Touchstone Awards for Individual Poems, The Haiku Foundation.
You can find C.X. Turner on Twitter @lover_poetic
Short poems by C.X. Turner
wearing a little of your summer daisy chain
(first published in Frogpond 45:3, Autumn 2022)
*
in the bend above a river of sky clouds pause
(first published in British Haiku Society Water Anthology 2022)
James Welsh – Bio
James Welsh (pen name) is a writer and poet living in central England.
His short form poetry began as an effort to learn to create vivid imagery in just a few words, and, while it helped to improved all types of writings – James has fallen in love with this quiet form of poetry.
James Welsh’s poems are an attempt to discover simplicity in complexity, and to allow both his mind, and that of his readers to wonder. He continues to write daily.
Short poems by James Welsh
I recall that day your hand guiding mine building sandcastles
*
the breath in my lungs given delicate form -dandelion seeds
You can find James on Twitter @JamesWelsh35
All featured poems are included in the upcoming book Building Sandcastles: A Book of Short Poems by C.X.Turner and James Welsh
The featured art is done by C.X.Turner and will be used by Literary Revelations in the creation of the cover.
