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Préface Chers lecteurs, chères lectrices, C'est avec une sincère reconnaissance que je vous accueille dans l'univers poétique d'ÉCLATS D'ESPÉRANCE, une anthologie qui dépasse les barrières du langage pour capturer l'essence profonde de l'âme humaine. En tant qu' initiatrice du Groupe Fb: LES COMPAGNONS DES CALAMES ENGAGÉS: "CDCE" et anthologiste de cette collection exceptionnelle, je suis comblée de partager avec vous ces fragments de vie, ces éclats d'émotions qui ont trouvé leur écho au fil de ces pages. ÉCLATS D'ESPÉRANCE va au-delà d'une simple compilation de poèmes; c'est un périple à travers les pensées, les rêves et les réalités de 52 poètes engagés venant de divers horizons. Chaque poème représente une éclatante expression d'amour, d'espoir, et de la quête universelle de compréhension. Je vous convie à explorer, à ressentir et à célébrer la diversité de l'expérience humaine à travers ces pages. Que chaque poème soit une porte ouverte à la réflexion, à l'amour et à la fraternité. Avec toute la poésie de mon coeur, Saliha Ragad, also known as Khalice Jade. Foreword Dear Readers, I extend my heartfelt gratitude as I welcome you to the poetic universe of 'SHARDS OF HOPE, ' an anthology transcending language barriers to capture the profound essence of the human soul. As the founder of the Facebook Group 'THE COMPANIONS OF COMMITTED PENS: CDCE' and the anthologist of this exceptional collection, "I am delighted to share with you fragments of life and shards of emotions resonating within the pages of this anthology." "SHARDS OF HOPE" goes beyond a mere compilation of poems; it is a journey through the thoughts, dreams, and realities of 50 committed poets from diverse backgrounds. Each poem represents a radiant expression of love, hope, and the universal quest for understanding. I invite you to explore, feel, and celebrate the diversity of the human experience within these pages. May each poem be an open door to reflection, love, and fraternity." With all the poetry of my heart, Saliha Ragad, also known as Khalice Jade.

ForewordRenowned Poets: Nazım Hikmet The March 2024 issue of our international monthly book, The Year of the Poet, has its focus on the Turkish modernist poet, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, director, memoirist and activist Nazım Hikmet. As a native from Turkey-born, raised and schooled there, who independently studied the books of this "Blue-Eyed Giant" after the ban on them was lifted in 1965, I assert that his life and works demand voluminous analyses . . . a task that cannot be completed within the constraints of this text. Being acutely aware of the challenge at hand, I shall resort to your understanding for the brevity of my words. A few factual glimpses on the personal and literary phenomenon that the name Nazım Hikmet embodies will have to suffice. One three-step-fact remains unchanged; namely, that Nazım is universally acknowledged as Turkey's exceptional modern poet but also as a world poet, and has exhausted-continues to exhaust-the research venues of countless minds at home as well as abroad. Nazım Hikmet was born in 1902 as Mehmet Nazım Ran in Selânik and raised in Istanbul. When Turkey was occupied by her allies after World War I, he left for the Soviet Union [sic]. His higher education included his degree in Economics and Sociology at the Communist University of the Toilers of the East in Moscow. It is there where Russian Futurists and Symbolists, writers and visual artists, as well as Lenin's ideology influenced him. When the Turkish War of Independence resulted in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1924, Hikmet returned to Turkey. Soon after his return to his beloved motherland Turkey, Nazım started working for Aydınlık, a liberal newspaper. Having stigmatized his person and his work as "Communist", the Turkish state banned his poems. In addition, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sedition but fled to the Soviet Union, returning to Turkey in 1928 and settling in İstanbul. There, he worked at various newspapers and magazines and film studios, published his first poetry books and wrote his plays (1928-1932). In 1938, Nazım Hikmet was charged as a "traitor" for the crime of inciting the Turkish armed forces to revolt. He was sentenced to 28 years and 4 months in prison. After serving approximately 11 years of his sentence, an international campaign fought for his release. A committee that included Pablo Picasso, Paul Robeson, and Jean-Paul Sartre was formed in 1949, and in the spring of 1950, Hikmet began a hunger strike in protest of the Turkish Parliament for its failure to include an amnesty law in its agenda before it closed for the upcoming general election. He was freed under the forgiveness law of 1950 at last. As the recorded numbers and facts of history reveal, much of Nazım Hikmet's life was spent behind prison walls: 17 years in Turkish prisons and another 12 years in exile. After his death of a heart attack in Moscow in 1963, his works continued to be banned in Turkey until 1965. Multiple decades after his death, highly justified celebrations are being conducted around the world for this "Blue-Eyed Giant", as Nazım Hikmet became to be known posthumously. Knowing now that he knew to say "I lived", it seems only appropriate for us to conclude our brief visit with his own celebratory words: [...] hülya n. yılmaz, Ph.D. Professor Emerita (Liberal Arts), Penn State, U.S.A.Director of Editing Services atInner Child Press International, U.S.A.

Preface The journey to Egypt was a life changing experience. Flashbacks floating down the Nile River embraced me with memories bubbling in the solitude of a river's flow. With each day I was caught in the moment of a revelation of connection through time and space. My muse challenged me to capture my visions and wrap words around what I was seeing, feeling, hearing throughout the landscape that tickled and teased my soul. I felt a wave of redemption bathe my soul in the light of humility and the blessing of an eagle's vision. This collection rides on the waves of past lives that grabbed me in the reverent walks through the temples and tombs of a regal civilization and my connection to that landscape and people of that era. This was a growth opportunity on my personal journey into a window of time. The stories on the walls gave me lights of understanding to move my learning curve forward. The recognition that every encounter is an opportunity to expand our consciousness is a gift. Enlightenment comes in subtle ways. Every breath, every step, every thought, every utterance from the temple and tomb walls sent messages to me at every moment I was ready to receive the voice of ancient tongues. I float in gratitude for the exposure to this ancient history that weighed heavily on my heart strings. I felt the load of a civilization rising from the sand in my dreams and meditations across a two-week time span of now that floated back 4000 plus years. My muse is still singing and dancing to the unveiled lyrics of ancient Egypt. The power of Spirit to call us out is available to all souls. Each of us is a messenger and a seeker on different pathways to our destination. Our experiences and reactions are individually different. Those differences are tools for learning and growth when we embrace the writing of others. May you be moved by the intensity of my time travel shapeshifting between the land of Egypt and my beloved New Mexico home. I pay homage to the eleven souls and our tour guide who shared this journey with me and the everlasting bond we made in the heat of the Egyptian Desert and the royal comfort of our Egyptian yacht. Each one of us assimilated knowledge in our own personal way. But the laughter we shared and the moments of awesome recognition of the power of what we saw melded our energy in positive memories. Teresa E. GallionBlessingsFebruary 2024

Preface Dear Readers, Poetry, like life, changes and takes on different meanings and directions as we change and grow. Each of the poems in this book demonstrates that process of change for me. From a young adult's perspective, these poems create a sense of the world I lived in and embraced. Whether it was failed romances or learning to love my body or embracing my role as a powerful woman, each poem is a symbol of that realization. I could tell you that what you read in the next 100 pages will be encouraging, uplifting, and inspirational. I could also tell you that it will be angsty, depressed, and hopeless. Both are true. This book is about a journey, specifically, my journey, though I hope to share it with all of you. I have found that life is full of beautiful surprises, but also full of challenges. It's full of love, but also heartbreak. Culture, but also ignorance. My hope for this book is that it painstakingly reflects life, from the perspective of a 19-year-old woman. One thing I expect to be noticed about this poetry book is that it is in 5 parts. I ask that you consider each part to be a stepping-stone within our journey. They are broken, but reassembled, scenes of the life I have been witness to and a part of for the past nearly two decades.

Dr. John R. Strum aka Bob is a Passionate and Avid Writer / Poet with a Professional background in Psychiatry. Bob's verse employs all aspects of his experiences and his formal education in the examination of many subjects. Within the weaving of his lines and stanzas there are some very subtle yet profound insights he lends to the reader which set them on a path of their own discovery of self. The reader will have an opportunity contemplate and reflect on Bob's subject matter and unique perspectives. All of Bob's work may appear to be borne of his own journey, however the astute reader will see pieces of themselves dancing merrily within his metaphors and adjectives. Have fun . . . may your journey be a richly rewarding as the wonderful poetry of Dr. John R. Strum.

100 Select Poems plus one is a collection of the Wonderful works of the Highly Celebrated Poet and Author, Martina Reisz Newberry. Ms. Newberry's perspectives she has poetically shared with the Public and her Readership over the years has left an indelible mark on all who have had the occasion or pleasure to read her offerings. The "Select" Poems here in this compilation are a sampling of her previous Poetic Publishings. We know you will enjoy them.

I was born to a small family and was loved very much as a child, youth and young adult. When on my own path, I imitated what I had learned from my mother and my father: I took responsibility for parenting. Of my inner child. But, unlike my parents, I neither acknowledged nor accepted it. Nor did I provide it with any loving - unlike what my parents had done with me. For decades, I lived aloof to the vital needs of that inner child to survive. I lived in a state of trance. Given my initial identity - my name, I thought such existence was intended for me. "Hülya," after all, translates in to such half-conscious state: dream; daydream. I don't know how and when awareness settled. Numerous experiences within the third space where I have been breathing - somewhere between the Turko-Germanic-American existence, prompted transformations in me. Some were soul-shaking, others had a passing impact. My poems reflect the nuances for you and for me, such as "before her end" and "goodbye, mom" as opposed to "Loneliness"and "the backyard circus." As you will conclude, two states of being connect them all: love and melancholy. The same two human conditions always defined my persona. In Trance, I entrust my poetic narrations the immense responsibility of tending to my inner child's elations and miseres. The urge to listen to them now has a simple reason behind it: I chose to experience a trance-like state in the direction of life through them. As for the encouragement to voice them, it came from a most treasured friend - with the following words by the American poet, Mary Oliver (b. 1935): "Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." My poems tell you about a life passed by me, at the same time - with their mere appearance in this book, they announce to you and me a life I decided to live. Whether their construct is in English, German or Turkish, I deeply hope you will recognize your own stories in them. However, I wish you will mostly relate to the poems of rejoice and not need to seek solace in those where I mirror deep sadnesses. As for me, I have long ago made a lifetime commitment to love. Better yet, one was made for my inner child before birth. And, I am not done with melancholy as of yet, either. For it, too, was predetermined. I must be confusing you right now. Allow me to explain:

Foreword Friends, Family and Readers Here we are. We have just crossed over the Hump as The Poetry Posse. In month 7 our theme is Summer Fun, Joy and all those "Feel Good" things. I wish to thank each of the Poets for their contribution of verse and perspective. I think you will enjoy this one as you embrace the words of each soul and consider how does this apply or not to your own personal journey. As we share our thoughts, there is a vicarious nature which we can embrace and thus broaden our own perspectives, dreams and visions as the possibilities manifest into being. Bottom line . . . enjoy your summer and the brightness that has been waiting for you to arrive. Be sure to check out our internationally acclaimed Feature Poets to include Christena A. V. Williams from Jamaica, Dr. John R. Strum (Bob) from Australia and Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom from Nigeria . . . they each have a unique and prolific voice. . . . enjoy Bless Up Bill

Preface We at Inner Child Press believe in the Power of the Written Word. What better use can we apply our Thoughts, Spirits and Love to than to commemorate the works of such a significant soul as Nelson Mandela aka Madiba. This man has suffered much for the parity of his people, all people which translates into the equality of all Human Beings upon the planet. Our words will preserve the Life for those yet unborne and educate those amongst us who know not of his Humanitarian efforts and impact. In this wonderful coming together of Poets and Writers we offer you our humble perspectives and hope that you find our words significant to your own consciousness, not only of Mr. Nelson Mandela aka Madiba, but that of Self and all members of Humanity. Bless Up Bill Inner Child www.iaminnerchild.com www.innerchildpress.com

Preface to Contemplation in the High Desert I am blessed to live in a high desert sanctuary where the sun shines more than 325 days a year, where the blue vaulted sky sports the most spectacular clouds and the night sky twinkles with ecstatic brilliance. Add to that the indescribably beautiful New Mexico landscape that draws artist and writers from all over the world. Within that context, I often find my head in the clouds whether walking the city streets, a desert arroyo or a Ponderosa Pine trail. For me, the New Mexico landscape is sacred ground. To share this space with the soul of Rumi is a blessing. I became intimately acquainted with Rumi (13th century Sufi mystic and poet) over the past 12 years, sharing moments of quiet reading and reflection when one retreats from the tasks of daily living. Rumi resonates with my heart and soul as I sit in my rocking chair at home, as I sit by my morning campfire, as I sit in a natural hot spring in the mountains, as I sit by a river gently flowing past, as I sit under a Juniper Tree in the middle of the winter desert. No matter where I read Rumi, I am always inspired to write quatrains in response to the lyrics of wisdom that sing to me. He makes me laugh and cry, stand in righteous indignation, tremor with ecstatic joy and sometimes I dance, especially at home. All of these emotions flow into four line verses that respond to whatever touches me in that moment. I did not start writing quatrains with the intent of publishing a book. My dear friend and colleague, Debbi Brody, would see a few of them every year when we attended the annual writers festival at Ghost Ranch Conference and Retreat Center in Northern New Mexico. She always said, "You need to put these together in a book." So I finally listened to that gentle nudge of Spirit coming through Debbi. When I put the quatrains together as a collection, I realized the significance of what I had been doing for so many years. I was unfolding spiritually at a pace I could handle. Contemplation in the High Desert has become a love offering to all who spend time in quiet reflection, contemplation or meditation. Each quatrain stands alone and may be used to start or end your day. If you are a writer, I hope it provides prompts to jump start your writing. If you are an artist, I hope it stimulates your creative juices. Regardless, I hope these quatrains stimulate your inner journey of self. Most of all, I hope they provide a partner to sit with and simply reflect on life. I invite you to sit in a quiet space that gives you solace and taste the flavors of these quatrains. You may find some that will tickle your taste buds. The menu is diverse. Indulge yourself and may you find something that nourishes your Spirit. Teresa E. Gallion May the Blessings Be September, 2011

a few words from the Author Every epoch had its "Word" yet it was emphasized, sometimes repeated combustive to shake the dormant Man we all bear as a sleeping Giant of Creativity. Excluding nothing Human as alien- embracing all as part of the Body, recognition of Vision, Hearing and Perception, pondering on each tiny incident in Life until focusing on one point of concentration, creates a blend of "Word", that touches the most sensible Souls and the most distant Galaxies of the heart. After so many long hours of isolated work and after so many hours of active participation in Life, we bring this book in a traditional format echoing the Primordial message to the Present and Future vocabulary for our Epoch. We do hope these verses shall bring the pleasure of reading, conveying the message of Unity of the Mankind and much hope to all. Fahredin Shehu

Preface Notes from the Coffee Table appeared at my doorstep of consciousness unexpectantly. Being a Writer / Poet, i pride myself on my listening abilities. I love being observant, hoping to gather some inspiration to continue expressing, not only myself from my experiential perspectives, but in hopes to write something that is more far reaching than the "Me". I believe Notes from the Coffee Table is just that type of Creative Offering. Everyone experiences Change. Some changes are prolific and some are subtle. When life calls for us to experience more dramatic changes such as exemplified by way of Relationship, Death and a few other potential Life Altering situations, we become introspective. In Notes from the Coffee Table i was able to tap into my own experiences of having a Life Mate / Wife transition as well as having to go through the ending of other meaningful relationships. Every time i have found myself surrounded with a myriad of Questions, Thoughts and Emotions. Here in Notes from the Coffee Table, i am sharing such introspective, retrospective and circumspective pondering. Most of us either have or will experience this at times in our life. My objective and intent is but to perhaps touch something in the reader that is common to us all. In that, hopefully someone will be able to take the short cut toward self reconciliation. Blessed Be bill

Preface The basis of my book, "All Things Are Possible", started from a poem titled "My Prized Dog". Robert, the troubled young man who wanted to turn his life around, purchased a German Sheppard, who he trained to look after his baby daughter, and himself from those guys long ago who wanted to get him back into the life he was trying to get away from. But, one day one of the guys did get into Robert's house looking for money he thought Robert and some other guys had stolen from that bank. More then $500.000, was stolen. Even though Robert had no part in that robbery, he did know who did. Killing his prized dog because Robert though the dog did not protect him and the baby, although the baby was alright, Robert shot his PRIZED DOG thinking that guy had taken his baby girl, and the dog was no help in keeping that intruder out of his home. Eventually, Robert decided to leave his home which he loved, and go to live with his sister for a while until he was able to purchase a home for him and his daughter. While traveling to his sister's home which took almost 6 hours, he met the women he know he wanted to spend his life with . . . See what happens. K. Ann Crump Author

Preface It is not just because i have children and i have concerns for their safety and welfare, but the fact of the matter is you may have children too. Actually we are all children of this wonder filled Creation who inhabit this Awe Inspiring Planet we call Earth. When i think in terms of World Healing World Peace, like most of us there is much about us that needs our attention, adjustment and resolution. I like most of us could sit and complain the remainder of our lives away about all that is wrong. The predominant aspect of what i would like to ultimately transfer in the way of energy to every on i can, is that we have the ability to effectuate the changes we desire. We have the power to reconcile our existence to that of our Dreams of Utopia. "Our World" is inherently one of abundance and i believe there is enough for all of us to coexist in a peaceful, loving manner. For too long we have allowed the few to control the many. This would include most of our institutions from Religion, Politics, Education, Business, Food, Medicine, Media and Finance. Our desires for "Things" along with the rampant Greed we witness has gone just about as far as we should allow. However, in order to make the much needed equitable adjustments for parity, we must first examine and correct the archaic consciousness' we hold to unwittingly. The depth of our indoctrination fed to us by the controlling class is a tangled web filled with deceits and ulterior motives and agendas that do not serve the masses of people who have need for such basic things as Drinking Water, Food, Medical Attention and the lack of War and Strife. Many may ask, "How can we achieve this end?" . . . well, i have always been told that "every journey begins with the first step". Many have already taken that initial step, while some are waiting for the right motivation. We have chosen the medium of Poetry and Prose to relay our messages from around the world. In this our second effort to evoke a higher level of participatory consciousness we hope that you find the words that moves you to care enough to be moved to a certifiable action that contributes to the good of us all. Our aspiration here with this effort of World Healing World Peace Poetry 2014, is not only to just produce a book, but to distribute the book and get it into the hands of our World's Policymakers. We have a campaign to deliver copies to every member Country of the United Nations as well as every voting member of The United States Congress. we can not do this alone. There is a Fund Raising Campaig still active to achieve this goal. If you can not contribute, please do take the time to share the message! Funding Campaign http: //www.gofundme.com/3gvqks The Video http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MMttNrig4I World Healing World Peace Poetry 2014 www.worldhealingworldpeacepoetry.com World Healing World Peace Now William S. Peters, Sr. Inner Child Enterprises, ltd. www.iaminnerchild.com

Preface Like the flowing river, that does not give up even in the midst of greatest storms and bellowing winds, each one of us has an invincible reservoir of strength and persistence. This book is an ode to that consistent spirit in you and me, which makes us move ahead, looks over our faltering steps and lets us discover the joy and pain of evolution. It is an accumulation of my journeys within and without: the journey of a child wishing on stars, of an adult trying to come to terms with adulthood, of a woman long lost in the societal maze of norms and her defiance, of a man's indefatigable quest to understand his own drives, of lost dreams and earned hearts, of missed chances and lucky charms, of success stories and failed thoughts, of love and lust, of gratefulness and thoughtful nights, of lost hearts and unbroken threads, of completions and abandonments, of being and becoming...it is about 'you' and 'me'.. Being a poet, I trust that poetry is a sensitive appreciation and observation of the life processes and the continuous transformations that occur in inner and outer worlds. It is a way, a medium to channelize one's unreleased and pent-up emotions in the creative direction. Every poet knows that what makes his/ her poetry readable, are not mere words but the fact that it can resonate with countless hearts across time and space. This book 'Web of Lights' primarily deals with the twin themes of construing love as an infallible light of the cosmos as well as a kind of web that fixates us to this world of senses and its relationships. The attempt here is to highlight that it is only by immersing oneself into this deep web that one can transcend it and undo its illusion. For a poet, everything is real as long as it is lived on the plane of experience. Most of the poems have been created in different ways of being and thus each of them represents a different aspect of human life: Contradictory and Ambivalent. Such then is the texture of this book... my life...and the cosmos...always changing and evolving. The idea of this book germinated in an acute desire of a little girl to be heard... a little girl who grew up ...to tell the world that even though it might hurt to love and let go, it is in the empty spaces between these two processes that we become the highest versions of ourselves. It is the I-ness that makes me understand you, we and they. Through my words, I desire to spread the message of myth of individualism and to allude how all our differences are but a matter of mere illusionary perceptions. My words are intended for the one in despair, the one who has given up, the one who is about to recover his/ her faith and the one, who like me has not bowed before the vagaries of time and nature. I write to 'become' and to understand my being and perhaps others could also feel some happiness in shared words, spaces and visions. I invite you to share this journey with me...to make me your friend...to walk beside me...and to remember that you are never alone! You are never ever alone!! Sakshi Chanana

Preface One of the methods back in 2012 other than print I chose to publish this book of poems, sayings, and more was online without charge over the internet, using a flip-book technology. My goal was to have as many people as possible take advantage of the freely accessible way I've communicated my thoughts. I offer those who choose to read my words the opportunity to hear my call to action regarding the survival of humankind. I also waited until the last part of 2012 to promote the distribution of Nature IQ: "Let's Survive, Not Die" in PDF format (free download) to demonstrate a positive voice that focuses on the most vital needs and issues of the people. 2012 was a year filled with the hype of doomsday prophesy and the campaign for election of the president of the United States. It was another election where our choices between candidates were once again devoid of timely concepts and practices that would help the people with immediate and long-term circumstances. Unlike those candidates for president, I've suggested a more cooperative, forward thinking, transitional and adaptive approach to established and new concepts and practices to be used not only by those who represent the people in government, but by We the people as well. Concepts and practices if more fully implemented will improve the people's lot in life and will create an environment that will make the people more self-reliant, more resilient, and less susceptible to disruptive conditions. In other words, we will create a support system that will help the people help themselves, no matter the issue or earth changes we may have to face. As a concerned citizen, being a part of We the people, I've expressed in the best manner humanly possible, a nonpartisan voice echoing common sense and reason while doing so in the midst of all the 2012 commotion. It is a voice, if combined with the many, may over time possess greater value for all humanity. In addition to my sayings and prose, I have chosen to use poetry, with its inherent capability to bring forth and express, to make more palatable the full flavor of any intelligently perceptive insight embedded in its words. Within the beat of poetry, the people can enjoy the insight and then hunger after the thoughts that make up the integral fabric of its character. The experience of such a creative process may inspire the people themselves to add more tasty ingredients or seasonings to the overall mix. Hopefully this process will help to create a recipe more palatable to all humanity. Although, some may suggest I've reduced the recipe for poetry into more of a prose-like mix. I feel my everyday free verse style, with its empathic twists and turns of perception, will be more satisfying to the taste buds of a broader spectrum of people. Words such as these may cause the use of a more multi-dimensional perspective when thinking about what is presented within this book, rather than the more traditional approach to poetry. We'll see. This book is the introduction, the first in a series of books covering various topics highlighted in the prose, sayings and poems that follow. Don't hesitate to share it with as many people as you can - especially, if you feel it embodies a message spirited with hope and direction needing to be heard by We the people. More importantly, distribute it widely for the sake of our children, Keith Alan Hamilton

Preface It is not just because i have children and i have concerns for their safety and welfare, but the fact of the matter is you may have children too. Actually we are all children of this wonder filled Creation who inhabit this Awe Inspiring Planet we call Earth. When i think in terms of World Healing World Peace, like most of us there is much about us that needs our attention, adjustment and resolution. I like most of us could sit and complain the remainder of our lives away about all that is wrong. The predominant aspect of what i would like to ultimately transfer in the way of energy to every on i can, is that we have the ability to effectuate the changes we desire. We have the power to reconcile our existence to that of our Dreams of Utopia. "Our World" is inherently one of abundance and i believe there is enough for all of us to coexist in a peaceful, loving manner. For too long we have allowed the few to control the many. This would include most of our institutions from Religion, Politics, Education, Business, Food, Medicine, Media and Finance. Our desires for "Things" along with the rampant Greed we witness has gone just about as far as we should allow. However, in order to make the much needed equitable adjustments for parity, we must first examine and correct the archaic consciousness' we hold to unwittingly. The depth of our indoctrination fed to us by the controlling class is a tangled web filled with deceits and ulterior motives and agendas that do not serve the masses of people who have need for such basic things as Drinking Water, Food, Medical Attention and the lack of War and Strife. Many may ask, "How can we achieve this end?" . . . well, i have always been told that "every journey begins with the first step". Many have already taken that initial step, while some are waiting for the right motivation. We have chosen the medium of Poetry and Prose to relay our messages from around the world. In this our second effort to evoke a higher level of participatory consciousness we hope that you find the words that moves you to care enough to be moved to a certifiable action that contributes to the good of us all. Our aspiration here with this effort of World Healing World Peace Poetry 2014, is not only to just produce a book, but to distribute the book and get it into the hands of our World's Policymakers. We have a campaign to deliver copies to every member Country of the United Nations as well as every voting member of The United States Congress. we can not do this alone. There is a Fund Raising Campaig still active to achieve this goal. If you can not contribute, please do take the time to share the message! Funding Campaign http: //www.gofundme.com/3gvqks The Video http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MMttNrig4I World Healing World Peace Poetry 2014 www.worldhealingworldpeacepoetry.com World Healing World Peace Now William S. Peters, Sr. Inner Child Enterprises, ltd. www.iaminnerchild.com

Preface Well . . . here we go again, another episode where the writers have "come" together to express their desires, fantasies and experiences pertaining Erotica. There are many souls about us who are still yet uncomfortable with their lusts and dreams about such things. We will pray for them . . . some day. In the mean time we are busy attempting to discover our deepest self by peeling back the "sheets" of pretense that Society says are acceptable. After all, this is the 21st century is it not? The dark ages were a long time ago . . . for some, but still exists for many in the form of Indoctrinations and other Taboos. Erotica skirts somewhere between our Passions, Sensuality and all out . . . well . . . let's call it Porn for now. But as we truthfully know, many of us do have pornographic thoughts . . . yes ? This offering is not about bringing those type of words to you, for that can be acquired anywhere on the internet. No, what we are attempting to do is couple our creative writing gifts and talents with our Verse, Prose and Short Story to provide you with an inspiring reading companion during those Hot Summer Nights of 2014 . . . . enjoy. Blessed Be Bill

Foreword Dear Friend, I am the Father of 11 Children, and the Grand Father of 8 more, so when i consider the plight of our children in our world today, i am deeply concerned about not only their well being, but their happiness. I think the world today steals the precious moments of childhood in so many ways with all the Social Issues, Abuse, and Molestation that can potentially affect our treasures. This for me is very saddening, for i had the opportunity to be a Child in the purest of senses. Perhaps we can attribute our own awareness to the instantaneousness of our modern day world system of communication with such things as the Internet, Tablets and Smart Phone. If nothing else our awareness of the challenges that face our children and that of the future generations to come becomes that more poignant. This month we at The Year of the Poet, for the first time selected a theme for our monthly offering of May 2014. Our theme is simply Our Children. We are addressing via our individual perspectives the challenges they face in our 'modern' day society. Our aim si simply to elevate the awareness and perhaps motivate others to action. Yes, we must change, and that is the focus of our works as conscious Human Beings and Conscious Poets. There are some great minds contained in this month's offering and we do hope not only do you enjoy our work, but that you pass it on. All of our Books are available for a Free Download at the Inner Child Press Web Site. http: //www.innerchildpress.com/the-year-of-the-poet.php Feel free to share our works and "Pay It Forward" Print copies are available direct for just $5.00. Thank you Bless Up bill

Introduction: Art is a divine prism that reflects the true colors of life. Poetry has been one of the most beautiful colors as it continues reflecting on the horizon of life and imaginations. The rainbow of poetry is spread on the eternal canvas of life; not only blooming in the true colors of life but also as an authentic and divine color that highlights the grey and murky patches of life. William Wordsworth said, "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of strong feelings" but it doesn't always take "its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility." Sometimes it takes its origin from grievous distress. In the words of Abdul Kalam, "poetry comes from the highest happiness or the deepest sorrow", and those of Lenard Cohen, "poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash." While reading Sidra Sahar Imran, we come across such a situation that we cannot choose what a great poetry is: the one that takes its origin from tranquility, or the one that takes its origin from deepest distress.Reading Sidra Sahar Imran was one such great experiences of surprise and awe. In Sidra's work, metamorphism and symbolism are flourishing at their best. With her unique words, terminologies and phrases, she demonstrates the gray and murky images of life using metamorphism. She uses unique and strong metaphors to reflect the life that is being lived around her. Metaphors like 'red color', to describe the blood of innocent people flowing in street; 'white color', to describe the coffins of people who are being killed in wars and explosions; 'black color', to describe unnatural death - which is being forced on innocent people, and 'barking dogs', to designate people whose uncontrolled and uncensored words are responsible for all the misfortunes of the world and its poor and helpless people. When I read her work for the first time three years ago, I not only was astonished but also witnessed the unique and diverse colors of life with infinite shades of gray. I have discovered novel and innovate expressions and definitions of happiness, sadness, pain and life.This book has been originally written in Urdu through which Sidra penned down unfortunate stories of life from the streets and cities around her. She presents an account of the pain of life in her unique writing style with her grieving words and lamenting phrases to expose the real face of the world - a world that is full of injustice, pain, miseries, misfortunes, power and control, ammunition, explosions, rapes, and deaths. Her poems are metaphorically overflowing with the blood of innocent people, tears of unfortunate mothers, and unnatural deaths in streets. She laments the way how the life is being handled around her in particular, and throughout the world in general.When I first read her astonishing verses, phrased in extraordinary words, exceptional and stinging terminologies, and unique phrases in her free-flowing thoughts, I wished to offer her literary talent to English-speaking readers. In my translation of her poetry, I have tried my best to preserve the spirit, flow and rhythm of the original work alive.Muhammad AzramPoet, Writer, Translator

Preface Throughout my Creative Writing and Speaking journey, i have always had a special place in my psyche for messages. When it comes to Poetry, it, Messages along with Love are the predominant topics of my expressions. I have always felt that understanding things was essential to the lowering of my "Angst Index". This collection of work found in The Vine Keeper is such a work. My intent is that it will assist the reader in their own journey. It is not that i proclaim to provide the answers another may be seeking, but perhaps you will find the questions that help you recognize that you already possess all that you need within you. I too am a Seeker, and i have been since the formative years of my thinking and the acknowledgment of the structure of this world with it's Rite and Rote and various other Dogmas and Indoctrination that does not necessarily provide me any particular insight to the questions we all ask at one time or another. Bill

Preface The year of the poet is a collectable collaboration of distinguished artists personally selected to write and publish every month affection ally donned as the poetry posse. We are honored to have such an elite spectrum of "Pen Mates" along with spotlights of monthly features that you may not have otherwise been introduced to. The books are all free downloads at inner child press for only 5 dollars for the physical copy. We have made these books affordable to the public, struggling artists, friends, fans and family. We are proud to present this for your reading pleasure. Enjoy, Jamie Bond

Foreword Love's recipe is not something you will find in anyone's cookbook. It's a tradition passed down from one generation to the next, from parents to children through displays of affection, working together to achieve like goals, supporting one another's passions, child-rearing and discipline. Love is a mixture of family game nights, dinner conversations, help with homework, and vacations. WE watch and emulate what we've seen, remove what may not be to our particular tastes, and, when it's time, prepare it in our own homes, with our own families. Love is a tradition, habitual and genetic. In this collection, Terry Ware takes love and breaks it down to its core elements: the good and the bad. He stirs up memories of what we've seen and heard from childhood on into our own present existences. He makes you smile, blush, cry, and pause, even if briefly, to consider what can be done differently. This collection shows that good times can become great and bad times can get better. He also gives the harsh reminder that there is a very thin line between bliss and misery. Terry makes you acknowledge that the scales can be tipped at any given moment. I urge you to read this collection at least three times. Once for enjoyment, twice for education, and three times for edification. Take in every word. The seamless flow of the writing, and the lessons it provides, respectively. Though all poets begin writing for themselves, it is proven, in this work that the universal purpose of poetic creation is to serve us all. After your third ingestion, sit back with a pen and pad, and document your own recipe. Jamesha Miner Henderson Poetic Advisory, LLC