FROM THE ZEN CAVE

CELEBRATING THE MOTHER WITH SOAPBOX POETS

Sat, 11 May 2013 13:47:00 -0700

Look forward to partaking at “Celebrating the Mother with SoapBox Poets” in honor of Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12TH at the renowned Beyond Baroque Poetry Center in Venice, CA. I will read a poem in honor of my mother which was the first poem I ever read in public as her eulogy as well as a couple of others including “In Honor of Woman” and work embracing the feminine spirit. Grateful for your presence. https://www.facebook.com/events/145832098930576/

"The Millions has been on Tumblr for over a year now, and in that time we’ve discovered hundreds of..."

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:08:37 -0700

“The Millions has been on Tumblr for over a year now, and in that time we’ve discovered hundreds of fellow literary blogs on the platform. A year ago, I rounded up a list of my favorite Tumblr neighbors, and due to that list’s great response, I rounded up an additional batch six months ago. My goals both times were simple: to get more eyeballs on these great pages, and also to alert Tumblr agnostics of the vibrant literary community blossoming on the site. Hopefully I achieved both.”

- The Millions : Tumblr Index: Your Guide to Artistic and Literary Tumblrs, Part III (via rachelfershleiser)

Justin Bieber on Anne Frank: "Hopefully She Would Have Been a Belieber"

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:04:14 -0700

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/justin-bieber-on-anne-frank-hopefully-she-would-have-been-a-belieber-2013144

These are the type of crass and disrespectful remarks that are induced by financially supporting commercialized soulless drivel and the ego of a pompous young man. The cutesy mentality and allowing people to spew such feeble minded nonsense and accept it as is for more PR, music sales, and live shows to feed the corporate entertainment industry till is a sad reflection of our current state in promoting such individuals with shameful acts of irresponsibility to themselves and others. However, the more this continues and becomes accepted along with many other contemporary areas of branded and marketed entertainment behavior we see the tide of society ills rise and pollute.

When I attended the House of Anne Frank in 1995 there was complete silence with the exception of a couple of loud mouth U.S.A. tourists who were stared at until they shut their trap. Mind you that included the line waiting to get in at 263 Prinsengracht Street. One of the most powerful and moving experiences. The energy presence was strong and the rooms left as is after the Nazi occupation per her father Otto Frank with a model in the center of room displaying how the room was originally set up. The whole Bieber entourage of managers, agents, PR, and corporate interest including Justin should be ashamed of themselves. These type of incidents are most definitely what we don’t need in a time of nuclear threat and other heightened international security, environment, and violence problems that are looming large in a dark cloud.

A FACE IN THE MIRROR IS ALL THAT WILL EVER LAST

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:17:39 -0700

Amanda Palmer: The art of asking

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:08:35 -0800

Amanda Palmer: The art of asking:

I resonate deeply with this talk and share with other creative souls emphasizing about connecting with other sentient beings.

ANY LOS ANGELES TUMBLR'S ???

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:30:38 -0800

Reaching out to connect with Tumblr’s in LA. Say hello.

MODERN ART ROMANCES THE CAIRO COWBOY on.fb.me/Zh8ocT A Venice...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:47:00 -0800

MODERN ART ROMANCES THE CAIRO COWBOY

on.fb.me/Zh8ocT

A Venice Art Crawl celebration of life, art, and the moment.
It’s also the second day of Spring (1st day officially March 20th ;o), World Poetry Day, and the Persian/Iranian New Year.

***FREE TO THE PUBLIC***

Location: Cairo Cowboy Mediterranean Restaurant
Address: 46 Windward Ave., Venice, CA 90291

Artistic Director: James Berkowitz

Film Screen Premiere:

***Documentary footage from Kumbh Mela 2013***
Uncut from the Ganges River to Venice Art Crawl

~Filmmaker Nina Trip will present this holy pilgrimage festival projecting on screen throughout the evening.

Artists:

~Tida Souratha
~Marjan Vayghan http://www.marjanvayghan.com/

Performance:

*Note: Times/performers subject to change. Will update as necessary. Please plan accordingly.

~Poetry - Antonieta Villamil 6:50-7:00
http://www.anonietavillamil.blogspot.com/

~Poetry - Mark Lipman 7:00-7:10
http://www.vagabondbooks.net/

~Music - For My Supernatural Maker 7:15-7:45
https://www.facebook.com/pages/For-My-Supernatural-Maker-FMSM/237132473010691?ref=ts&fref=ts

~Poetry - Jessica Wilson 7:50-8:00
http://www.europawynd.blogspot.com/

~Poetry - James Berkowitz 8:00-8:10
http://www.jamesberkowitz.com/

~Music - Gandarvas 8:15-8:45

~Poetry - Maryam Mottahedeh 8:50-9:00

~Comedy - Betsy Salkind 9:00-9:20
http://www.betsysalkind.com/

~Music - Tim Geracoulis 9:30-10:00

***The Cairo Cowboy serves delicious Mediterranean food***

***Vegetarian offerings available***
***BYOB with each meal***

Afternoon tea and poetry before heading to the The Talking Stick...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:45:57 -0800

Afternoon tea and poetry before heading to the The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge tonight! Men in the Company of Women
http://amzn.to/XSIsl5

Upright Citizens Brigade Grows by Not Paying Performers | NY Times

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:06:32 -0800

Upright Citizens Brigade Grows by Not Paying Performers | NY Times:

popculturebrain:

Isn’t the Times a little late to this considering a deal has already been struck? Regardless, yikes.

Pathetic business paradigm and work relation model.

"WITNESS" The Collected Poems of Mario Benedetti

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:42:36 -0800

A former colleague from Mexico introduced me to Mario Benedetti during a literary chat while working together. She spoke of him with highest praise and respect stating that her favorite poem from his collection is “A la Izquierda del roble ~ To the left of the oak tree” and that I must read this poem along with his other works. She followed up the day after by presenting me a CD of audio recordings from Benedetti which I listened and did my best to comprehend since English is my primary language.

I looked online and discovered White Pine Press released a selected poems edition called “Witness” translated by Louise B. Popkin http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13236959-witness and then contacted the wonderful indie bookstore Small World Books in Venice, CA to order directly from the publisher. I shared with my friend about the order then picked up the book and started with “To the left of the oak tree” after reading the preface. I was totally enraptured by this piece of writing then reread a few more times in both English and Spanish. I went further bringing it to work and surprising my colleague by pulling it out and reading it to her in Spanish. Reading aloud made me love it even more so I carried on to read a shorter poem called “Angelus” from the Office Poems section with imagery unfolding in the visual sense and rhythm of a cinematic piece projecting on a screen.

Each poem is like digesting a literary meal of words and language. Rereading each one three, four, five times, then switching to reading in Spanish I’ve been spending great moments with this book during the past eight months at many intervals. The translation flows superbly and the informative notes provide wonderful insight to the culture and how Benedetti was drawing from inspiration using words within the context of each notable poem. Props to Louise B. Popkin for her word choices that could not be put into English.

This collection is relentless from youth until the year within in his death displaying his poignant gift of the poetic and written word. Benedetti’s soul sings from beginning to end and with age continues to delve deeper within the wells of his soul. I’m delighted to have connected with such brilliant writing and highly suggest this book for anyone interested in discovering the work of a poetic titan.

Valley Poets East Presents "MEN IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN": Book Launch

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:37:34 -0800

Welcoming you to join in the celebration of the book launch. I will be reading a selection chosen for the anthology and honor your presence. https://www.facebook.com/events/348980745217217/

A VISION OF POETRY

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:24:00 -0800

Exciting and busy time reading, writing, and interviewing.

Grateful for this interview exm.nr/11Flo19 Thank you for taking the time to read and share.

Ties my roots, journey, Venice Art Crawl, poem “The Deep Wet Cafe Kiss”, essay on Valentine’s Day, and anthology “Men in the Company of Women” altogether.

Essay: Reflecting on Valentine's Day

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:56:00 -0800

My first guest editor essay is now published http://bit.ly/TRmGBv Thank you for taking the time to read and share with friends.

"MEN IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN" NOW AVAILABLE

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:21:29 -0800

Grateful to be selected as part of this creative endeavor exm.nr/WQHxCM now available via Amazon amzn.to/XSIsl5 Thank you very much for your support.

I’ll be writing a blog on the creation of the poem next.

"MEN IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN" Available Worldwide January 30, 2013

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 07:27:43 -0800

I’m grateful to be part of this creative accomplishment. Thank you for your support and sharing with others.

Word from publisher Alicia Winski:

“Gentlemen, Apryl and I would like to thank you for your infinite patience and your breathtaking contributions to this endeavor.

The book has long been a work in process but Edgar & Lenore’s Publishing House is now pleased to announce that this book, YOUR book, OUR book, will see its official publication date of January 30, 2013.

Please make sure to check your email regularly as we will be sending out information as to how you can assist in promoting your work in order that it may match the sister collection, In The Company of Women, as Amazon’s #1 Bestseller in poetry collections. In addition, we will have pricing information. That being said, we will also announce shortly how the books can be preordered so that you can inform friends and family about your contributions to this anthology.

Once again, we thank you. This has been a long, arduous process but worth every gray hair, every nano second of effort. In the meantime if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at eapbooksubmissions@gmail.com.

***

Gentlemen, if you could please share this post, it would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!”

Featured Artist: James Berkowitz The Artistic Blog Express Yourself Through Multimedia

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:38:23 -0800

Featured Artist: James Berkowitz The Artistic Blog Express Yourself Through Multimedia:

The Artistic Blog Express Yourself Through Multimedia is ready for viewing http://www.theartisticblog.com/ArtisticBlog/?p=10662

Deepest thanks and appreciation to The Art Blogger, Joie Schmidt for her recommendation of my work, and to everyone for your support. Please like, comment, and help get the work out there by sharing the link with others. Grateful.

“New York City Streets” is a List Poem created on Garage Band via Mac written in a moleskine book and composed literally underground (that’s below the basement apartment where I was living) on the Upper West Side of NYC after surviving a horrific apartment fire in Washington Heights.

A very Happy New Year to all as we Move into 2013!

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:05:36 -0800

A very Happy New Year to all as we move into 2013! The creative journey, adventure, and exploration of artistic expression will continue to unfold in a special and unique manner. Grateful as always for your support as we experience the journey together.

Christmas Eve

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:01:55 -0800

Christmas eve at The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge Venice, CA was a well spent evening amongst talented musicians and kind people. Thank you Nickie Black for the welcome to the stage and the warm receptive audience for which I received nice compliments as I read four poems in honor of the holiday.

“A Christmas Prayer” - Robert Louis Stevenson
“Ring Out, Wild Bells” - Alfred Lord Tennyson
“Some Children See Him” - Alfred Burt
“Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” - Robert Frost

~ I CANNOT FATHOM THE TRIGGER BEING PULLED I have an aversion to...

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:24:00 -0800

~ I CANNOT FATHOM THE TRIGGER BEING PULLED

I have an aversion to guns, weaponry, and destructive life tools. I have been held up at gunpoint three times in my life particularly during my teen years while working for a family business that was located in Roxbury, MA. Those familiar with the Boston area during the 1970’s-80’s know that it was hardcore. Each time was in a different manner. One time in my mouth while the suspect was shaking in a violent manner with dilated eyes and slurred speech. Another time amidst hard labor in a scrap metal pile from behind with a gun to the back of my head. A third time as a robbery ambush in the office with a gun pressed between my eyes. There were other hold up situations with knives pulled that I handled. Knowing this experience I cannot fathom the trigger being pulled or having a loved one taken from such scenarios that have taken place in America during the past year. I’m going to walk to the ocean and cry.

Robert F. Kennedy Speech ~ Mindless Menace of Violence Says...

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:03:00 -0800

Robert F. Kennedy Speech

~ Mindless Menace of Violence

Says it all. Forty four years later and here we are dealing with the same horrific circumstances on a frequent basis. A trigger finger crying for love. How many times will the suffering of sentient beings from violent acts have to take place before awareness can take root? A mirror of our society staring at us displaying a lack of unconditional love, compassion, understanding, kindness, forgiveness, and non-judgment with entrenched illness of the mind, body, and spirit accompanied by emotional imbalance and a weapon of destructive life killing force. Sending healing thoughts and prayers to all.