ΣΥΓΧΑΡΗΤΗΡΙΑ ΣΕ ΟΣΟΥΣ ΛΑΜΒΑΝΟΥΝ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΝΘΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΜΙΚΡΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ CHIMES AND RHYMES

ΣΥΓΧΑΡΗΤΗΡΙΑ ΣΕ ΟΣΟΥΣ ΛΑΜΒΑΝΟΥΝ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΑΝΘΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΜΙΚΡΑ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΑ  ΠΑΙΔΙΑ CHIMES AND RHYMES

ΛΑΜΒΑΝΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΜΕ 3 ΠΟΙΗΜΑΤΑ 
ΤΑ ΔΥΟ ΓΙΑ ΜΙΚΡΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ ΜΕ ΤΙΤΛΟΥΣ -CHILDREN  ΣΕΛΙΔΑ 8 ΚΑΙ THE CICADA ΣΕΛΙΔΑ 81
ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΕΝΑ ΓΙΑ ΠΙΟ ΜΕΓΑΛΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ ΜΕ ΤΙΤΛΟ SWEET BEAUTY
CHIMESANDRHYMES

FORGROWN-UPS
TobeReadtoChildrenofAllAges
Publishedby
DawnMarieDiMartino
ForThePoetryUniverse
~*~
ContributingEditors:
ThaddeusHutyra
FounderofPoetryUniverse/Poet/CompilationofPoetry
DawnMarieDiMartino
Poetess/Artist/TextEditor
TanyaMiranda
Poetess/BookFormatandImageEditor
StevenM.Woods
Poet/Artist/Editor

CHIMESANDRHYMES
FORGROWN-UPS
TobeReadtoChildrenofAllAges
Publishedby
DawnMarieDiMartino
ForThePoetryUniverse
Copyright©2016byThePoetryUniverse
Coverby:AdamStodulski
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinany
formbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeansincluding
photocopying,recording,orinformationstorageandretrieval
withoutpermissioninwritingfromtheauthors.Rightsto
individualpoemsandillustrationsresidewiththeAuthorsand
Artiststhemselves.Thiscollectionofpoemscontainsworks
submittedtothePoetryUniversebyindividualAuthorsandArtists
thatconfirmthattheworkistheiroriginalcreation.Neitherthe
PoetryUniversenortheabovementionededitorsguaranteeor
assumeresponsibilityfortheverificationoftheoriginalauthorship
andartistoftheworksubmittedbysaidAuthorsandArtists.
Allrightsreserved.
ISBN:
ISBN-13:

ABOUTTHISCOLLECTION
ThePoetryUniverseisaforumforpoetsandwritersonFacebook,
createdin2014.Membersincludeexperiencedpoetsandbeginningpoets
steppingintothepoetrycommunity.Ourauthorsspantheglobe,and
somepoemsaretranslatedintoEnglishtoreachawideraudience.
Mygoal,astheforum'sfounder,wastocreateagroupwhosespirit
consistsoftotalwritingfreedomandthewidespreadwingsofthe
universeofthought.Wearealltryingtoadvanceourpoeticskills,
visitingthefurthestdimensionsofEarthandtheuniversewithourpoetic
pen,thestarshipdoingwonders.Freedomandthewingsoftheuniverse,
itsunfathomabletides,itsenchantingveils,whetheroftimeorloveor
anythingelse,arenumberoneinwhatisguidingthisgroup.
ThespiritofthePoetryUniverseforumisaptlyrepresentedinits
member'sentries.Poemsarewrittenacrossabroadrangeofsubjectsas
wellasinvariousstylesofprose,andoriginatefromallaroundtheworld.
Oneaspectoftheforumisour“challenges”,whichhavebecomevery
popular.Afterseveralchallengesspecificallydesignedtocreatepoetry
foryoungreaders,wedevisedtheideaofpublishingabookofchildren's
poemsthatwouldalsodelightparents.Andthus,“ChimesAndRhymes
ForGrownups”wasborn.
Ourpoetrybookisrichbothinexcellentpoemsandenthralling
illustrationsthatchildrenofallageswilladore.Wesincerelyhopeyou
enjoythisbookasmuchaswehaveenjoyedcreatingit.
~ ThaddeusHutyra

TableOfContents
EarlyYears 1
Angel 3
ChildrenOfTheUniverse 5
TwilightFairyAdventures 6
SummerVacation 8
Children 9
WhenFrankMetKyle 11
Daddy'sLittleCowboy 13
SpyglassEyePirate 15
MagicalRenewalPlace 17
HelloAirplanes! 19
AFather’sPride 20
SlippyTheSerpent 23
Stars 25
Choo-ChooTrainStartedItsWayToBelgium 26
Fairyland 29
“ChiChingKatieDid”,SaidHe 30
WishesForYou 35
BlackieAndSammy 37
Of‘Y’s,‘Whys’,‘Wise’And‘Otherwise’ 39
RoboticHeart 41
DidYouEverStopAndWonder? 42
TheStoryOfOohAndAha 44
Abracadabra 46
AntAndButterfly 49
Let'sHaveASmile 51
WhileYouSleep 53
JuhiAndSalman 54
TubbyTheTugboatFromSeastone-Sur-Mer 56
ToySoldier 61
WhyEveryCatHasWhiskers 62
TheSnowQueen 65
HedgehogMilan 67
RunKiteRun 69
SleepForYourMamma 70
SpaceBusNo.9! 72
AbracadabraCalamazoo 75
FlyO’Eagles 76
FrancisFrog 79
TheCicada 81
Bullied 82
GreenCrocodile 83
MagicalPen,'Abracadabra',WishesFulfilled 86
LittleMermaid 89
Birdie,Birdie 91
MyFellow 93
MidasTouch 95
MyChildhood! 96
ABedtimeStory 97
CheeseRing 101
RunInFun 102
GhostHunting 104
LullabyoftheMoon 108
TheHusher 110
RayfelZaxforus 111
GrowingUp 113
Alone(DeathOfAButterfly) 115
OnceThereWasALittleGirl 116
TheSketchOfChildhood 117
AChild’sImagination 118
CatThePoe! 122
TheQueenAwaitingHerKing 126
Encounter 127
NaughtySeysik 130
SpinningBall 132
BettyAndSammy 133
TheBalladOfMadameStitch,OldJoeAndRose 137
SheruTheJungleKing 139
LifeisTalking 141
CursedChildhood 142
SweetBeauty 143
Prince 144
Envelope 146
AJourneyOfSillyBilly-Goat 149
HauntedWood 153
ForeverYoung 155
IHaveBeenTraveling... 157
TheFuture 158
UnrulyBillyGoat,TheBusinessman 159
UnrulyBillyGoatOnATripToAmerica 160
TheFilm 163
EternalEternity... 164
Unveiled 165
ΒlossomThoughts 167
Transition:TheAdult 169
OceanicLove 171
ReligiousThoughts 173
TheMermaid 174
Dreamer 176
HonestConfession 177
Wizardry 178
We,TheKids 180
TheCunningWickedWolf 182
Spirit 185
CarpathianSkies 186
Don’tFear... 190
InnocentSin 191
TheIceQueen 194
AProudDaughter 196
StarWarsMedley 198
Kalijai,TheMaiden 200
PoetBiographies 203
IndexOfIllustratorsandPoets 209

Poetryisfinerandmorephilosophicalthanhistory;
forpoetryexpressestheuniversal,
andhistoryonlytheparticular.
~Aristotle

1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EarlyYears
Thefollowingselectionofpoemscanberead
byyoungchildrenuptotheageof12yearsold.
Filledwithchildlikeinnocenceandwonder,
thepoemsandstoriesinthissection
willstirtheimagination.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2
“Angel”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
3
Angel
byJohnAnthonyFingleton
Whenyouareinyourbedatnight,donotbeafraid;
Iknowanangelguardsyou,andkeepsyouwarmandsafe.
AlthoughI’veneverseenherface,orheardhervoiceatall;
Hershadowsometimesflickers,inthemoonlightonthewall.
Sodon’tyoueverworrywhenyou’realoneinbed,
Andneverlistentobadvoices,iftheycomeinsideyourhead.
Justthinkaboutyourangel,thensayasilentprayer;
Andatthatverysecondyouwillknowthatsheisthere.
~*~
4
“ChildrenOfTheUniverse”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
5
ChildrenOfTheUniverse
byDawnMarieDiMartino
ChildrenoftheUniverse,
Hearmycry!
Thetimeisuponus,
Toreachfortheskies.
Dancetothesound-
Thebeatofthedrums.
Poolingtogether,
Theheartbeatofone.
Groundtotheearth-
Pullnegativeenergyup.
Transferintogoodness,
Foralltheworldtosup.
Healingisrequired,
Acleansingifneedbe.
ChildrenoftheUniverse,
Timetofulfillyourdestiny.
~*~
6
TwilightFairyAdventures
byStevenM.Woods
Asallthechildrengodowntosleep,
Thefairieswaketoplayandcreep.
Outeverysingletreetheyclimb,
Tofrolicunderthenightsmoonshine.
Uptomischief,troubleandplentymore,
Astheycreepinunderthegaragedoor.
HidingDad’scarkeysandMum’snewbrolly,
Theywanderaroundwhilstgigglingalljolly.
Intothekitchencupboardstheyflee,
Rippingopenthemacaroni.
Pouringthecontentsbehindadrawer,
Theygiggleandchuckle,“onwiththetour”.
Sprinklingcatfoodacrossthetiles,
Andbreadcrumbsintolittlepiles.
Throughtothehallway,offtheyskip,
Leavingtoysuponwhichtotrip.
PlacingupturnedLegobricksgalore,
Rollerskateshiddenbehindthefrontdoor.
Toycarsreadytorollyoualong,
AndNoisydolliesthatburstintosong.
Thennippinguptothetopofthestairs,
Theygoaroundtanglinglittlegirlshairs.
Allknottedfuddledandtangledtight,
Nowquietlytiptoeingoutofsight.
Offtothelaundrybaskettheyclamber,
Tostealsomesocksandthentakeagander.
7
Atalltheperfumesandmakeupinpots,
“Theylookfunwe’lluselotsandlots”.
Nowfeelingallprettytheyrunbackdownthestairs,
Tomixuptheshoesintooddfunnypairs.
Tyingthelacesintoballedknots,
Throwingoutsoilfromtheplantpots.
Smellybananapeelsputinarucksack,
Suckingonmintsthenputtingthemback.
Lastbutnotleasttheyhideallofthehomework,
Thenwakeupthecatwithachuckleandsmirk.
Satisfactionofanightsworkalldone,
Theyskiptothetreesbeatingthesun.
Sowhenyouwakeupalldazedandconfused,
Youcanblamethenightfairiesforbeingamused.
~*~
“TwilightFairyAdventures”
DrawingbySteveM.Woods
8
SummerVacation
byDawnMarieDiMartino
Hooray!
Thesummerishere.
Nomoreschool-
Untilnextyear.
Nowisthetime,
Tosoakuptherays.
Frisbee,football,andvolleyball-
Somegamestobeplayed.
Seeingthedolphins-
Thewaythattheyplay.
Hearingthewaves-
Crashingtheshoreinmelee.
Listeningtothedrums-
Therhythmtheymake.
Watchingthebonfire-
Daydreaminginflames.
Enjoyingourtime-
Withthesandandthesurf.
Remindsusallofeverything-
Thatthislifeisworth.
~*~
9
Children
byKapardeliEftichia
Youngfaces
chatter-
Sunlight
stickstheir
cheeks.
Inchildren's
fingerspouredjoys.
Joinedcrazyday
chase
voicesdrifted.
Innocencesmell,
theglimmeringofdawnexhaustivewhisperer
beauty
newlife.
Attimetranslatetheheart,
countthestars
inyoungeyes.
~*~
10
“WhenFrankMetKyle”
DrawingbyStevenM.Woods
11
WhenFrankMetKyle
byStevenM.Woods
Onceuponabigmudpile,
TherelivedaslugandhisnamewasKyle.
Kylelivedonthewetgrassbank,
AndhemarriedanicefishwhowasnamedFrank.
Frankwasaslimy,bigslippybass,
AndheturnedKyle’seyefrommunchingongrass.
KylelovedFrankandFranklovedtoplay,
Andofcourseitwasobvioustheywerewonderfullygay.
SoFrankproposedunderachestnuttree,
AndthevicarthatwouldmarrythemwascalledSherri-Lee.
Sherri-LeecareddearlyforFrankandKyle,
Theirlovealwaysmadeherbreakintoasmile.
Thislovewasgoodandshecaredsodeep,
Soshehelpedthembothtomakethenextleap.
Shemarriedthemtogetherunderthechestnuttree,
AndKyleandFranklivedasapairhappily.
UntilonedaywhenKylesaidtoFrank,
I’msickoflivingonthisgrassybank.
Iwanttoseetheworldsobig,
SoI’llhitcharideonthebackofthispig.
Kyleleftatoncefromthegrassybank,
WavinggoodbyetohisdearestFrank.
AsthePigtrottedawaytowardthesunset,
KylewonderedifFrankcouldeverforget.
FrankwassosadtoseeKylego,
Soheshedatear;that’suntilhemetFlo.
12
Flowasafrogwholivedonaleaf,
Bydayshecroakedandbynightathief.
ShestoleFrank’sheartthensoldittoanelf,
Whostoredithighonadustyshelf.
SoonFrankstartedtowitheraway,
Well;that’suntilKylereturnedhomeoneday.
KylesawtheelfandstoletheheartbackforFrank,
AndsaidIwasafooltoeverleavethisbank.
Willyouforgivethisslimyfool?
Andlivelifewithmeontheedgeofthispool?
Frankthoughtawhilethensaidok,
Andtheyremarriedontheverysameday.
Becauseseeingtheworldisprettycool,
ButallKyleneededwasrighthereinthepool.
~*~
13
Daddy'sLittleCowboy
byWarrenMiner
Wellhowdy,
...littlebuckaroo-
Iseeyouliketoride.
Pogopony..
...standingproud-
Cappistolsonyerside.
Yourshinyboots-
Yoursilverspurs-
Yourchaps,youlookquiteslick.
Iseeyou...
...gotalasso,cowboy
Showusallsometricks.
Well,sitaspell-
Haveadrink-
Butthanyou’llhavetofly.
Acowboys'day-
Isneverdoneso.......
RIDEONCOWBOY.....
RIDE!
HEEYAW!
~*~
14
“SpyglassEyePirate”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
15
SpyglassEyePirate
byIevaRasmussen
Somewhereintherealmofworldsbetweenus,
Wheretheocean’sragingwavescankissthesky-
OnagiantmightywoodenshipcalledVenus,
Sailedanoldpiratewhohadaspyglassforaneye.
Mermaidswouldsing,thewaveswoulddancewhilehewassailing-
Andhisspyglasseyewouldsearchtheendlessseas.
Sapphirewaterswouldspraysilverfoamonrailings-
Ashe’dsailyearningforthelandshe’dneverseen.
Buthewouldneverevennoticeskiesabovehim,
Northestrikingviolentbeautyofthatworld.
Becausehisspyglasseyecouldonlyseethelongway-
Seekingrestlesslythepromisedlandsofgold.
Anwhenhefinallywouldreachtheshoreshelongedfor-
He’dneverresthisjadedheartnortroubledmind.
Becausehisspyglasseyecouldonlyseehorizontal-
He’dscream,"OHOI!"andthenjustleaveitallbehind.
~*~
16
“MagicalRenewalPlace”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
17
MagicalRenewalPlace
byDawnMarieDiMartino
Onceayear-
Theyallcome,
Totheplace-
Thathappinessruns.
Thisplaceisforchildren,
Andadultsalike.
Suchawondrousplace,
Filledwithlotsofloveanddelight.
Thisistheplace-
Madeupfromdreams.
Cottoncandytrees-
WithHiCstreams.
Intherollingfields-
Thegrassesdogrow.
Someareasblue-green-
Otherscoveredinsnow.
Thebugsdonotbite-
Flowersareinconstantbloom.
Kettlecornaroma-
Doessurroundyou.
Inthecloudspeckledsky-
Thesunblazesaway.
Breezestoblow-
Awayallyourpain.
18
Cloudsformingtheirmessages-
Inanimaldisplays.
Somegonetooquickly-
Otherstostay.
Thismagicalplace,
Isgivenfreelytoyou.
Onceayear-
Useittorenew.
~*~
19
HelloAirplanes!
byAnahitArustamyan
Helloairplanes!
Dokeepinyourearsmywordsofpraise!
Thebestworldisachairinaplane.
Thebestworldistheairinthechildhood’sfairytale.
WhocanguesswhyIsketchedmyplaneticketinmypen?
Thebestworldissomethingwithoutanyname.
Lovemightfinditsgameinaheart’sflame.
Timeneversleepsinsmallorlargebeds.
Helloairplanes!
Don’tyoulikemeorareyoufedupwithmychase?
Doknitmyroadswithyourspeedyhands!
~*~
20
AFather’sPride
byFrankPastorelli
Afteralltheseyears,
It’sstillamazingtosee-
ThattheboyIonceknew,
Nowstandsamanbeforeme.
AsIbrowsethrougholdpics,
Igetacalmfeelinginside-
Ahugesmileonmyface,
Andbecomeliftedwithpride.
Baseballwasourlife,
Alwayspracticedtogether-
Beingyourcoachwasajoy,
Beingyourfatherwasbetter.
Wewouldplayeveryday,
Oh,howyoulovedfieldinggrounders!
I’dhithundredsyourway,
Hoursuponhours.
Memoriesofyourfirsthomer,
Overthefenceittowered-
Youdemolishedthatball,
Asifsuperpowered.
Coveredingoosebumps,
Asyoucircledthebases-
Smileseartoear,
Onbothofourfaces.
Thatyearintheplayoffs,
Youbecameourplaymaker21
Youpitchedlightsout,
Rivalriescircuitbreaker.
Reporterscameout,
Yournamemakingnewspaper-
Yourmomwassoproud,
Smilingastearsescapedher.
AndIlookatyounow,
WishingIcouldrewind-
Wespentsomuchtime,
It’stoughleavingbehind.
Butasyoucontinuetogrow,
WitheachnewdayIfind-
JusthowluckyIam,
You’retrulyoneofakind.
SoImustkeepinmind,
Asyoucontinuetogrow-
Thatweraisedagoodman,
Andhavepeacelettinggo.
Justneedyoutobecertain,
Beforeyoustartyourownshow-
Iloveyoumyson,
Morethanyouwilleverknow.
~*~
22
“SlippyTheSerpent”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
23
SlippyTheSerpent
byJohnAnthonyFingleton
SlippytheSerpentlikedtosleepinthesun,
Hehadafavouriteplacedownbytheriver;
Andtherehewoulddreamofvanillaice-cream,
Andthemicehewouldhaveforhisdinner.
Hemightshakehistailifaflybotheredhim,
OrstickouthistongueatanAdder;
Andifpeoplecameby,hejustletoutasigh,
Thenintothegrasshewouldslither.
Hewasn’tthatkeenonclimbinguptrees,
Hehadfallendownonceasababy;
Sowhenpeoplewouldsetatreeclimbingcontest,
Hewouldlookon,asiftheywerecrazy.
HelikedplayingcardswithalizardnamedGeorge,
AndtheymeteveryTuesdayforpoker;
Butyouneedasharpeye,becauseGeorgecouldbesly,
AndsometimeswouldslipinaJoker.
Soifyouevergodownforawalkbytheriver,
Itmightbeonabrightsummer’sday,
YoumighthearaHis-ss,itgoessomethinglikeThi-ss-It’sjust
Slippy,slipslidingaway.
~*~
24
“Stars”
DrawingbyJanClaudineTabañag
25
Stars
byJanClaudineTabañag
Starlight,starbright-
Alwaysinmysight,
Underthemoonlight.
Starlight,starbright-
Thegalaxyislikeafountain.
Starlight,starbright-
Themommycometiscoming,
Toseeherbabiessinging.
Starlight,starbright-
Mr.Sunisshinning,
InthedaylightwhileI’mplaying.
Starlight,starbright-
Ajarofstarisflowing,
Togiveyouawonderfulevening.
Starlight,starbright-
I'mcatchingyoutomakeadream.
Starlight,starbright-
Justkeeponglowing,
Tokeepmewishing.
Starlight,starbright-
Yourmagicaldustintheevening.
Starlight,starbright-
Ihopeyoucanhearmepraying.
Starlight,starbright-
I'malittlekidwondering.
Starlight,starbright-
Myonlywishistoseeyoufalling...
~*~
26
Choo-ChooTrainStartedItsWayToBelgium
byYvettePoplawska
(TranslatedbyThaddeusHutyra)
Incarriagesbehindthegreatlocomotive,
FamiliesaretravelingfortheChildren’sDay.
TheconductoratthePolish-Belgianstation,
Cordiallyinvitesthemall.
Wholefamilies,olderandyoungergenerations,
Heinvitesonthistriplikehisownbrothers-
ForBelgiansandPolesarefellowEuropeans!
Youwillfindforyourselvesmanyattractions.
Therewillbecontests,poetry,andsinging,
inflatablecastlesandcolourfulsky-soaringkites.
Ayoungwomanwillpaintacatonyourlittleface,
Andforallthebraverkids,aclown,
Withjovialgamesshallawakenallthesenses.
Singinganddancingcompetitions-
Evenformother,fatherandlovedones.
Littlechildrenasktheirparents,
"Willourteacherbepresent,
FromthePolishSchool?"
Theyarecallingout,overjoyed!
Somanyfairytales!
Everyoneofthemwillreceiveagift-
PerhapsalreadyuponthisJunefestival!
Fatherwillfindawoodentrain,
Justthesameastheoneheusedtoplaywith-
Thetrain,thatinhismemorieswasspeedingandspeeding,
Withavastcargo,onmagicaltracks,throughallthewoods.
27
Woodenlettersineachcarriage,
FromAtoZ,allweresmiling-
Andeverynamethatonecouldformfromthem,
Willbebroughttoallourfriends,
Bytheenchantingchoo-chootrain.
Welcometothefairyland,allthekidsoftheworld!
Wheremagicaltrainsbringusalltoplaceswedesire!
Jumpaboardthechoo-chootrain.
SeeyouinBelgium,let’smeetattheBrusselsAtomium!
Themoralofthispoemaboutchoo-chootrain:Getinallthecarriages,
decoratedinsidewithwhiteandred.Thelocomotiveofournativeculture
willpullustothePolishtraditionintheworldofgames,fairytalesand
fables.(TheinspirationfromthepoembyJulianTuwim“Locomotive”.)
~*~
“Choo-ChooTrain”
DrawingbyStevenM.Woods
28
“Fairyland”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
29
Fairyland
byNebulaGoth
Closeyoureyesandtakemyhand-
OffwegotoFairyland,
Anuntraceableplaceonacard.
Hereyoucandream-
Hereyoucanplay-
Herethefeardoesnotexist.
Youcanriseonadragon-
Youcanflywithamagiceagle-
Youcanspeaktoanimals.
Inthiskingdom,thereiscandyeverywhere!
Therearemagicaltrees-
Thereareflyingboats-
Therealtreasureisthepeace.
Amagicalandenchantingworld-
Amixofbeauties.
~*~
30
“ChiChingKatieDid”,SaidHe
byDouglasLeeDieter
Longagoschoolsneverkeptkids,
AwayfrombugsandKatieDid's.
Thoseinsectalwaysblamesthegirls,
Singing“Katiedid”withantennatwirls,
Whiletouchingtheirfeelerswithcare,
Tothewestwind,orsoutherlyair
Maybehidingoneintheirmouth.
AnywaythisonethinkingSouth,
Thoughtlongandhard‘Thewindisrude,
JusttellsdirectionsIconclude,
Ortheair’saromaticmood,
ButmaybeneverwhatIwant,
Someorangerootfoodtohunt.
Insteadtheytreatmelikearunt.
Theyshouldgivemecharacterstoo,
Orteachmehowtomooandmoo,
Orlikeaparrothowtocoo.
Thinkingthusflubasticatedso,
“Katiedid!”hesaidblamingwho,
ButKatiewhodidn’twearashoe-
Tosmashhimtillkidscamealong.
Andwhentheydidhedidn’tbelong,
Meddlingintheirhumanaffairs,
Hisantennathinnerthanhair!
Hethoughtnowords,stillwordsbewords-
Whenbeescamebuzzingwiththebirds,
Eachonesingingdifferenttunes,
Amongthemparrots,northernloons,
Withwailsandwhinesinhumantongue,
Somewithwisecracks,someunsung,
31
Soundingmeaninglessandfarflung-
Withnomusiclikebirdsandcows,
Sungabouttheirmanysomehow's,
Ofhowandwheretoeatlikeowls-
Wheresilentnightletsnonedisturb,
Astheychomponmeatorherb.
Katiedid,youknowwho’sgrandchild,
Azilliontimesremovedbutwild,
Irkedbyhumanstalkinglikeparrots,
Knewtheywouldgivehimnocarrots,
Sothoughcharmedwantedrevenge-
Hismeagervoicetothusavenge.
OneSundayJohnnysaid,“Katiedid”,
Whileemotionalasasquid,
Ashowheplayedwithbugshehid.
AskedwhyheskippedSundayschool,
Hisgrandmotherhecouldnotfool-
But‘Katiedid’wasnotsocool-
Usedbyboys,andtalkingparrots,
Asbadasstealinghiscarrots!
Birdsandhumanbeastsincahoots,
Someofwhom,worestompingboots.
Toomuchforhisantenna,thing,
Nowspunintoanentangling
Messtowickedtounravel,
Farandwideasthoughtcouldtravel!
Nowordsheknew;butangrystill,
Histhoughtsinfected-ifyouwill,
Somethingmorethannexttonill,
Thevastnessofthisgalaxy,
Withalienfantasy,
Ripetobefuddleyouandme!
OnealienPrincessKatie,
Toeverythinghadthekey-
Seemsthatscarceathingshedidn’tdo,
32
Goodorbadorknottinghershoe.
Thuseveryoneproclaimed,
Hercharming,astheyexclaimed,
“Katiedid”,beitgoodorbad,
Inpraiseorforsomewickedfad.
Theirword‘did’meantthesameasour’s,
Sopassingmanydizzyhours,
Understandingtheybroughtsomeflowers,
Fasterthenlightinahurry,
Forabughumanmockery,
Hadmadeasredasacherry!
Fasterthanlightnotcalculated,
Intimetravelwastranslated,
Somillionsofyearsagotheycame,
Thenslowlyherethemselvestoblame,
Backtothefuturetothebug,
Alastoolargeabugtohug.
Theygaveinsteadmysticvision,
Bytelepathicprecision,
So"Katiedid",thebug,thenknew,
Allstar-watchingthatmendon’tdo,
Isbecauseofantennastoo.
Manyandtelevangelists,
TalkofGodatNature’sexpense.
Withnoethicstoencumber,
Insweetacademicslumber-
LovingNature,nonethedumber!
AlienslovingPrincessKatie,
Showmagicwonderfullyweighty,
Tochildrenbrightenoughtosee,
Thatprincessorabumblebee,
Orevenabugcanchangethisworld,
Withpeacefulantennasalltwirled!
Finerthansadelectronics,
Thealiencurse-notonics
33
Forfeeblemen,soenvious,
Whereseasonschangeimpecunious,
Tobankingfraudimpervious.
Thevastnessofthegalaxy,
Maynotsilenceabuginneed,
Ormadmen’scrazinessexceed!
Thankabugforthemodernworld,
OrJohnny’ssisterKatie’scurledhair(herbrotherthoughttoosilly),
Oralientechnology!
Butthetruthiswearecursed,
Ormaybenot-thisstorywellrehearsed,
Bychildrenforabetterworld,
OnEarththroughthegalaxytwirled!
TrulyNatureisourMother,
Wholongagoformedanother,
MotherinourownEarthweather!
TheFather’sfeminineNature,
She,Theonewhobirthedustobefree,
Moneyused-notabuseentirely.
~*~
34
“WishesForYou”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
35
WishesForYou
byJonyFrancissen
Closeyoureyes,holdyourteddybeartight,
Thisisabedtimestory-
Asdaylightchangesintonight.
WithTeddy,youaresafeinthetwilightofyourbedlight.
Iaskyoutobelieveinmagic,
Inwishesthatmightcometrue.
Dandelions,eyelashesandbirthdaycandles.
Closeyoureyes-
I’llblowallthewishestoyou.
BecauseIloveyou,
AndIamheretostay.
I’llblowthewishesintothefuture,
Soyouwillwalkintothemoneday.
~*~
36
“BlackieAndSammy”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
37
BlackieAndSammy
byVinodSingh
Sammywasrichman’spet.
HandsomewhiteAlsatian,
Blackiewasastreetdog.
Afreedognomaster,
Noonetolookafterhim.
Hesleptinfrontofshops-
Atefromhotelwaste,dustbins,
Buthewasblackandhandsome.
Sometimeshotelpeoplefedhim.
Helivedonscrapsandroamedalloverthetown.
Hewasbraveandlookedaftertheshopsinourstreet-
Aunpaidwatchmanwashe,smart,friendly,loyaltopeoplewhofedhim.
Onedayhewasveryhungry,fortheshopswereclosed,
Hewillhavetosearchthehoteldustbinsforfood.
Onhiswayhesawadogtiedtothegate-
"Whyareyoutied?",heasked.
"Houseisbeingcleaned,thentheytakemein",wasthereply.
"Whatclothareyouwearingandwhy?",BlackieaskedSammy.
Sammysaid,"thisprotectsmefromdustandgrime,
Mymastergivesmeabathdaily
Hegivesmegoodfood,medicinewhenIfallsick,takesmeforawalkin
themorning".
"Butwhyareyouchained?"
"SothatIdonotroamalloverplace",Sammyreplied.
"MyGod",Blackiesaid."Don’tyougettired,tiedinoneplace?"
Sammyreplied,"WholenightIamfree,Iroamallovertheplace.
Watchmangivesmeaboxfullofchicken.
Ienjoywholenight.Ibark,goallovertheplace."
"Whereareyougoing?Whereisyourmaster?"
"Idonotbelongtoanyoneandroamallovertheplace.
Noonefeedsme,Ieatfromdustbins",Blackiereplied.
"Comeyoustaywithme,wewillbetogether,mymasterwilltakecare
38
ofyou",Sammyreplied.
"Youwillbefed,youarenicemymasterwillloveyou,takecareofyou",
Sammyreplied.
"Ireallyenjoy,thefamily,childrenloveme,playballwithme",Sammy
replied.
"Sitonthegate,mymasterwillseeyouhewillkeepyou",Sammy
instructedhim.
"Youwillhavenoworriesforfood,loveandcare.Mymasterwilltake
careofallyourneeds.
ButBlackie,myfriendyouwillnotbeallowedtoroamthestreet.You
willbetiedwithachainlikeme",Sammysaid.
"OH,MYGOD,IwilldieifIamnotfreetoroamthestreets.Iama
watchmanandIkeepawatchonmystreet.
IamhappyforIamfreetoloveallthepeopleonthestreet,the
shopkeepers,beggars,poorpeoplewhosharewithme".
SayingthisBlackiestartedrunningaway,
Tositinfrontofclosedshops-
Thenthehoteldustbinforfood.
~*~
39
Of‘Y’s,‘Whys’,‘Wise’And‘Otherwise’
byDouglasLeeDieter
Theletter‘Y’or‘I’eyesmayseenotspell.
Withletterstogether,alone,wespellwell,
Ormaybenotsowell,ifnospellsarecast,
Likewizardsandwisemendidinagespast,
Whootherwisecaughtnomindsveryfast,
Stuckonariddle,ornotesafloatafiddle,
Catchinglesserminds,withinthemiddle,
Ofaspellof‘Y’s,‘whys’,and‘otherwise’!
ICUfindsuchspellingalazyenterprise.
Butdomountainsskipforhillbillywine,
Whentheyplaybanjosinthemoonshine,
Anddrinktheirthunderwater,Osofine?
Don’tevenanswerthis,juststayinschool!
Don’tyouclownaround,acloneofafool,
Orotherwisebedumborevenspeechless,
Hopefullynotboth-asyourragsconfess,
That‘Y’s,‘whys’,and‘otherwise’address,
Whythewisearen’t,otherwise,using‘Y’s
Notfor‘whys’,but‘wise’and‘otherwise’!
So,a'Y'wiserwithother'whys'tothank,
Letgoodgradesupgrade,whateveryoubank,
Andmakeyouacitizen-justfirstrank!
~*~
40
“RoboticHeart”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
41
RoboticHeart
byIevaRasmussen
Insometired,oldconcretejungle-
Cagedbywallsofglassandofsteel,
Livedatinysmallcleverrobot-
Andhewastryingtolearnhowtofeel.
Butallhecouldfeelwerethewires,
Computers,phonesandtouch-screens-
Numbers,codes,lettersflying,
Intheinfiniteinternetdream..
Thenonedayhediscoveredapoem-
Vibratingwithnuclearheat,
Travelingvirtualforums...
Andhismechanicalheartskippedabeat.
~*~
42
DidYouEverStopAndWonder?
byElizabethWoods
Haveyoueverstoppedtowonder,
Justhowfaryouwouldhavetorun.
Ifyoujumpeduponasunbeam,
Thenheadedforthesun.
Didyouevergivemuchthought,
Torollingdownthathill,
YouknowtheonethatJackclimbed,
FetchingwaterwithyoungJill.
Didyoueverstopandponder,
Whypenguinsdon’thaveflight?
Howaretheytoescape,
ThePolarBearsatnight?
Andifyouwerealadybeetle,
Flyingthroughthetrees.
Wouldyoupreferthosecolors,
Tothatofabumblebee?
Ifyouwereatruthseeker
Wouldyoubareawarrior’sheart?
Tofightforultimategoodness,
Rightfromtheverystart.
Whatifyoulivedyourlife
Asananonymoustree?
Big,small,oldortall,
Whichwouldyouprefertobe?
Canyouevenimagine
Travelingasacloud,
Replenishingearth’scycle,
Roundandroundandround.
Didyoueverstoptothink,
Justwhereyourrubbishgoes?
43
Notgivingitasecondthought...
Perhapsit’stimetoknow.
Canyouimagineforaninstant,
Aquicklifeasabubble,
Tryingtojustfloataway,
Youbumpandyou’reintrouble.
Didyoueverstoptothink,
Istheresomesmallthingyoucanchange?
Justtoseeitoutintheworld,
Moreloveinarearrange.
Canyouevenbaretothink,
Ifwehadnotinventedfun,
Wewouldallbeabunchofsadsacks,
Allgloomyandallglum.
Tomethecreamuponthecake,
Isthefactthatweinventedmoney.
HowaboutIgiveyouthreeloavesofbread,
Inreturnforloveandhoney.
Itisafunnylittleworld,
Wefunnyhumanshavecreated.
Rememberitiswithourthoughts,
Thattheseconnectionsareallrelated.
Ionlyaskifyouchoosetothink,
Askifyourintentionsarerealgood,
Thenallofuscanstarttofeel-
Lovethewayweoughtandshould.
~*~
44
TheStoryOfOohAndAha
byVinodSingh
Centurieshavepassed,
Kingheldcourt.
Heenjoyedhearing
Storiesofdistantlands,people.
SometimesthecourtJester
Performedthesestories.
Helovedchildren.
Theyattendedhiscourttohear
Thesetalesofdistantland’s.
Onceheaskedtobetold
AstoryofOOHANDAHA.
Everyonewassurprised.
WhoorWhatareOOH,AHA?
Thesearejustexclamation's
Howcanastorybetold?
Kingsaid,"Igiveyouaweek.
Go,ask,createastory,
ShowmewhatisOOHANDAHA".
SocourtJesterwent
Insearchofthestory.
InthemeantimetheKing
Toldchildrenthestoriesof
Oftheoldwomanspinning
Yarnssittinginthemoon.
Atnightshewouldstepdown
Onfromstepsofmoonbeams
Puttingherhandsonheads
Ofchildren,singLullaby
Androckthemtosleep.
CourtJesteraskedthesage,
"Tellmethestory-
Ofoohandaha".
45
"Icanshowyou
Butcannottellyou.
Comewithmetothecourt.
Wewilltellthechildren.
Inthecourt,
Ineedtwoearthenpots
Onefilledhoney
Otherfilledwithbees".
Heplacedbothon
Anicetable.
HecalledOnechild,
"Removecoverand
Putyourhandinit".
Thechildputhishand
Itwascoveredwithhoney
"Tasteit",hesaid.
"Aha,sweet",saidchild.
Hecalled2ndchild,
"Removecoverand
Putyourhandinit".
Thechilddidso.
Inaflashhecried,
"Ooh,Ooh,Ooh,Ooh".
Startedrunning
Toandfroinpain-
Bittenbythethebees.
"Thisis‘OOHANDAHA",saidthesage.
Thestoryendshere.
SoLOOKBEFOREYOULEAP
Isthemoralofstory.
~*~
46
Abracadabra
byThaddeusHutyra
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
IwishtotravelacrosstheUniverse.
Nostar,noplanet,nounidentifiedobject,
Canbeunknowntome,
ForIamaGuardianoftheUniverse!
Akid,Iamyet,braveone,fiveyearsold-
MymomanddadImustlistento,
Yetwhenitcomestoadventures,
Iamthecaptain,nooneelse!
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
Mystarshipshallbeone,
Builtofthelight,ofcosmicstrings-
Transparentasmuchasthelightis,
Fueledbythecosmicenergy.
StubbornakidIam,asalwayssofar-
Joiningeveryprojectthereisatschool,
Butoncebackathome,
TheUniverseismydestination.
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
Come,friends,entermystarship.
Let’sflyacrosstheUniverse,
Andmakefriendswithaliens-
Solittleasweare,we,thekids!
Ourparentsarebusy,
Withbuildingprototypes,
Offutureselfconsciousandroids.
Theydreamofimmortalitytheirbrainstransformedtoavatars.
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
Mywandisdoingmiracles,
WhateverIwishbecomesreal.
47
Justgettingintomystarship,
Flyingthenintothestars!
O’abracadabra,abracadabra-
Let’senjoyallthosewonders,
Ofthestarrygardensinspace.
Exo-planetsaroundmultiplesuns-
Thesymphonyofthestars!
O’abracadabra,abracadabra-
Joinme,friends,inmystarrytrips.
MynameisJohnMcDantosch,
FromaBrooklynschoolinNYC,
Andyou?What’syourname?
Welcomeontheboard,myfriend!
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
Wow,enchantingistheUniverse!
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
Tonightatthebedtime,
I’llflytotheVeilandCat’sEyeNebulas.
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
Hurryup,myfriends,joinmetonight.
Abracadabra,abracadabra-
WearetheGuardiansoftheUniverse!
~*~
48
“AntAndButterfly”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
49
AntAndButterfly
byVinodSingh
Antandbeautiful
Butterflywerefriends.
Theyvisitedthesame
Flowersforfood.
Antbusywholeday
CollectingfoodforallAnts.
Shewasinchargeofkitchen.
Dutywastokeepgrainarystorefull.
NoAntshouldgohungry.
Shearranged
Differenttypesoffood.
Efficientshewas,
Noonehungry-
Grainaryfull.
Poorthing,somechild
Stampedandhurther,
Butshesurvived.
Butterflyalsovisited
Flowereveryday.
Shemissedtheant,
Waitedfortheant.
Antlimpedover,
Reachedtheflower.
Shesawafatnaughty
Boyneartheflower
Tryingtocatchand
Hurtthebutterfly.
Seeingthisshecried,
ButtheButterfly
50
Wasdeaf,busy.
Shedidnothearthecry.
So,seeingthistheantdecided
Tobitethefinger
Ofthefatboy.
Hisfingerscame
Closertobutterflieswings-
Theantbithimhard.
Hecriedinpain
Ranawayinside.
Butterflysaid,"thanks"
Totheant,andasked,"why
Areyoulimping?"
"Someonestamped,
HurtmebutIam
Nowrecovering".
"Good",saidthebutterfly
"Comesitonmyback
I’llleavewithyou.
Youdonothave
Tolimpbackto
Yourhomewiththe
Foodinyourmouth".
Butterflyandant
Becamefriends
Helpingandcaring
Foreachother
Duringwork.
~*~
51
Let'sHaveASmile
byDeepakKumarDey
Thepeculiarcrane,
Lookingattentivelyatthestillwater-
Actedlikepiousmen
Makingaprayer
Togetafishsooner.
Seeingafish,crazycranewhistled,
“HelloHoney,littleFish,Hi.
Ihavefewwordstoshare
beforeIsaybye“.
Tinyfish-,“obro’,what’sthematter?”
Craneapproachedsoclosely,
“O’fish,comenearsoIcanwhisper
inyourtinyear.”
Thecranewasclever,
Awellknownhowtoflatter.
Unluckyfish......
Hadabadluck.
Pickingitupquickly,
Cranegiggled.
bbbbbwwwwwkkkkaakkkkkkkk.
~*~
52
“WhileYouWereSleeping”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
53
WhileYouSleep
byChristopherRoberts
Whileyousleep
We,thetoysof
Youryouth,
Cometolife.
Whileyousleep
Wedowhatweweremadefor.
Whileyousleep
Wewatchoveryou.
Whileyousleep
Weguardyou
Againstthat
Whichgoesbumpinthenight.
Whileyousleep
Wearethere
Untilyouno
Longerneedus,
Thenwemove
Ontothenext
Childthatneeds
Uswhiletheysleep.
~*~
54
JuhiAndSalman
byVinodSingh
Justtwolittlechirpingbirds-
Withfluffyfeathers,beadyeyes.
Theyhoppedeverywhere-
Theirnestwascloseby.
Theirlittlesparrowshadgrown-
Madeahomeoftheirown.
SalmanandJuhiflewtoplaces-
Noonewouldsee.
Sometimestheyflewtooldhome.
Theeldersthrewsomefood,
theyenjoyed.
Theyflewtoschoolssharingfood.
Childrenbroughtintheirtiffins.
Theyvisitedtemples.
Thepriestgavethemfood,sweetprasad.
Theyenjoyedthesweettaste.
ThankingtheLord,theyflew-
Allovertheplace,
Enjoyingeachday,
Asanadventure.
Theyflew,highintheclouds,
Seeingtherainbowpassingby.
Salmanwasnotwell.
"Ineedrest.
Juhi,yougobringsomegrains.
Wewillcookameal."
Juhiflew-
Broughtahandfullofrice.
Today,theywillhavesoftrice.
55
Juhiputthericetoboil,
Addingtoomuchwater,ricenotseen.
MyGod,Salmanwillgetwild,
Seeingsomuchwaterindish.
"Heisnotwell.Iwilldrinkthewater,"
Thinking,Juhidrankthewater.
FedthericetoherSalman,
whichheenjoyed.
Salmansaying,"NowIwillrestandbewell.
Tomorrowwewillgotovisit
PeterandPaul,whoarestaying
Inthechurchtree."
Wishingthem‘AHappyChristmas’,
ShareaChristmasmeal
Hoppingandenjoyingtogether.
~*~
56
TubbyTheTugboatFromSeastone-Sur-Mer
byJohnAnthonyFingleton
TubbytheTugboatwashappythatday,
He’dbeenscrubbeddownandpaintedupnew.
Hewasofftotheharbourwithallofhisfriends,
TohelpberththebigQE2.
Itwasthefirsttimethelinerhadbeentohisport,
Andtherewasanairofexcitementall‘round;
Hiswhistlewastunedandhisfoghornwasblown,
Tomakesure,theyplayedtherightsound.
BigJocktheskipperandJohnnyhiscrew;
Hadshoneuphisbrassesandtack;
Hewascoveredinpendantswithalldifferentsigns;
Andfromhisstaff,flewabigUnionJack.
Tubbywasanxioustomeethisoldfriends,
Especiallythose,hehadn’tseenforawhile,
LiketheThomasOS,andtheQueenoftheScots,
WhohadworkedthislastyearfromCarlisle.
AndthentherewasJennyandhersisterMaeWest,
Twoseatugsriggedoutforthestorm;
Theyalwayshadstoriesandadventurestotell:
OftheirtripsmadearoundtheCapeHorn.
TubbyhadheardoftheSeamusO’Flynn,
Anewtug,fromtheEmeraldIsle;
Theysaidhecoulddanceagrandhornpipeorjig,
Whileplayinghistinwhistlewithstyle.
Alongsidehisportbow,wastheTruePearlyKing,
ACockneywhosmokedfartoomuch;
He’dgreetyou:“Allrigh’tmate?Beluckymys-”
Thenhe’dstopashestartedtocough.
ThenmooredonhisstarboardwasAngusandMay,
Theybothlikedtoworksidebyside;
57
Theyhadbeentogetherfornearlytenyears,
FromwhentheyfirstmetupnorthontheClyde.
Thenafunnelwassightednotfarfromtheland,
Thebiglinerwasonherwayin.
Johnnycastofftheropes,andtheenginewasturned;
Tubby’sdaywasabouttobegin.
SeaStone-sur-Mer,wokeupearlythatday,
TomtheMayorhadarosebeforethree,
Andhadpracticedhisspeech–onTigerhiscat–
Thatwouldwelcomethe‘QueenoftheSea’.
BillChalky,thebakerhadmadespecialbuns,
Allwithanauticalform;
Therewereanchorsandbells,ropesandseashells,
Withicingthatlookedlikeastorm.
SeaStone-sur-Mer,hadstoodthereforyears,
FromthetimeWilliam,sailed‘crossthefoam;
AtonetimetheFrenchwereallovertheplace,
Butbynow,mostofthemhadgonehome.
Herhousesarepaintedincoloursandshapes;
Somearered,somearegreen,somemaroon,
AndanoldNormancastlestandsuponherhill,
Whereacannonisfiredeverynoon.
Herstreetsarestonecobbled,andperfectlyclean,
Sweptdailyby‘Dusty’McGee.
Thenshedipswithagracetotheharbourbelow;
Withthetipsofhertoesinthesea.
WhenTubbyandfriendssteamedaroundthelastbend;
Agreatcheerroseupfromtheland,
Andalongtheseawall,ledby‘Baton’O’Boyle,
Marched,SeaStone--sur-Mer’s,ownbrassband.
Thereweresmallboatsandbargesandyachtsofallclass,
Asightallthosepresentwouldsave:
Astheyunfurledtheirflags,andblewontheirwhistles,
‘RuleBritannia’soundedoutonthewaves.
58
TheMaeWestandtheJennyhadtheirlinesforen’aft,
AndAngusandMaystarboardside.
TheQueenoftheScotsstoodofftoherport;
WiththeThomasOSalongside.
Tubbyhadnowtakenovercontrol,
Andhespokeonthetugsradio:
“Twopointstostarboard!Bringherbowintoline!
Takehersteady,letherropesfore–and-aft,readygo!”
SeamusO’FlynnandtheNewPearlyKing,
Layanchoredinsideofthebreak;
Theirjobwastowaitfortheshiptocomein,
Thenmarkoutthechannelshe’dtake.
Seamuswassaying:“Sureitwon’tbetoolongnow,
‘Tillwehavehertuckedupinherbed.
Thenwecanallsettleinwithanicecupa’tea,
AndsitdowntoregardFatherTed.”
Pearlyjustnoddedandlituphisstack;
Beforelongtherewassmokeeverywhere.
UntilSeamuscalledout:“Pearly,trimitabit!
Orshewon’tevenseethatwe’rehere.”
Onehourlater,andtwofathomstospare,
Shewasinsidethedeepwaterquay.
Andspunlikeatoponasixpence;
Withherbowpointingouttothesea.
Heranchorwaslaidandhercablessecured,
TheQE2wastuckedinforthenight.
AndTubbysteamed‘roundfromherbowtoherstern,
Tomakesureeverythingwasalright.
Hewasabouttodepartwhenheheardavoicecall:
“Tubbycanyouandyourfriendsstayonehour?”
ItwasAdmiralBeakthegrandalbatross,
Helivedintheoldlighthousetower.
TheAdmiral,hadflewoverallsevenseas,
ButnowhadretiredtoSeaStone-;
Andkneweveryvesselfromlinertotug,
Thathadsailedontheoldbrinyfoam.
59
“I’vejusthadamessage.-Nomoreacommand,”
Hesaidinhisbigformaltone.
“HerMajestywishesforyouandyourfriends,
Tocomeforsometeaandhotscones.”
Tubbywashappyandsaid:“Thankyousomuch.”
Thenracedofftolethisfriendsknow;
Theyallreactedinsomanyways,
Witheveryonegladtheycouldgo.
TheAngusandMaydidaquickHighlandJig,
AndtheTomasOSsanginWelsh,
‘LandofmyFathers’washeard‘crossthebay;
Andasfarastheoldtownitself;
SeamusO’Flynn,startedoffwithareel,
Heonceplayed,forthegrandDukeofYork,
Andsaidhehopedthepresswouldbethere;
Sothey’dallseehisphotoinCork.
QueenoftheScots,stayedtranquilthroughout;
Shewasnevermuchoneforashow.
“I’vemetherquiteoften.”Shefinallysaid,
“We’refardistantcousins,youknow.”
TheMaeWestandtheJenny,talkedwhatdressestowear,
Andthenwenttoshampootheirhair.
WhiletheTruePearlyKing,stoppedsmokingatonce,
Thensearchedforcoughdropseverywhere;
Tubbythoughnervous,keptinalltohimself,
Foraleadercan’tshowanyfear;
Buthefeltbutterfly’sinhisengine;
AndaskedBigJockwouldheoiluphisgear.
TheMasterofCeremonies,wasAdmiralBeak,
Andreadouttheirnamesfromhislist;
TheQueensmiledandnoddedaseachtugpassedby;
ExcepttheQueenoftheScots,whomshekissed;
“Weareeversopleased,withyourworkheretoday.
ThebestberthingWehadallthisyear.
60
Soonbehalfofmyselfandallofthecrew,
Wewouldliketogivethreeheartycheers.”
HipHip!HipHip!HipHip!
Whenthecheeringwasover,shecontinuedherspeech:
“I’mmostamused,asyousee.
SoIspoketothepurser–helooksaftermygongs,
AndyouallgetanewOBE”.
TheNewPearlyKing,triedhardnottocough,
Thefourladiesheldbacktearsofjoy;
AndSeamusO’Flynn,hadtostifleadance,
Astheylinedupalongsidebyherbuoy;
Thenovereachfunnelamedalwashung;
Andtheystoodthereasproudascouldasbe.
Thenafterhotscones,theyallsteamedonhome,
ThetugsofSeastone-sur-Mer(OBE)
~*~
61
ToySoldier
byJohnAnthonyFingleton
IhadatoysoldierwhenIwasaboy,
Asproudandasbraveascouldbe;
HeguardedtheQueenwhenshewentforherwalks,
Andsometimessheaskedhimfortea.
Thentheyearswentonby,likethewinkofaneye,
Mychildhood,wasleftthereafar;
Isupposemytoysoldierwithnothingtodo,
Justgotupandmarchedofftowar.
Thenonewinter’sdaywhenthesnowwastoohigh,
Mygrandchildrenwantedtoplay;
Weclimbeduptotheatticforsomethingtodo,
Aplace,whereoldlivesarestoredaway.
AndthereamongstbuntingfromChristmas’spast
Amongstboxeswithhatsofoddshapes,
Inonecobwebbedcornerbyanoldteddybear,
Laymylittletoysoldierasleep.
Andsomytoysoldierhadcomehomefromwar,
Hisbodywasriddledwithrust,
Hisbayonetwasmissingandhistunicwastorn;
Hisbootswereallcoveredwithdust.
Theremustbeaplacewhereoldsoldiersgo,
Somesaytheyjustfadeaway,
Andasfortoysoldierswhosedutyisdone-
Ihopethere’saplacetheycanplay.
~*~
62
WhyEveryCatHasWhiskers
byDouglasLeeDieter
InSundayschoolsandscienceclass,
Theydisagree-butwon’tconfess,
Bothmissthemark;unamusing--
Reasonisacat’sownchoosing!
EvolutionorGod-neither,
Winswhenitcometocatseither.
Oneisjustascharmedbycats,
Asbaseballis,inneedofbats!
Allcats,patientassleepy-time,
Canplaytheperfectsilentmime,
Preyingstatues,chimingnorhyme,
OrreasonwhyourGodforsook,
Themtotheireachdecisivenook,
Measuredinbytheirwhiskeredlook!
Knowwhy,wiseguycatsgotwhiskers?
Thosenaughtycatsandtheirsnickers,
Gototherscatstowagsadtails,
Andforgetchasingnightingales-
Havingnotcaughtbirdormouse,
Orifseencharmedbymoo-moo,cows!
SomedicinecatShaggysaid,
"Meow,meoow,grigrrriiierrredd"-
Sothoserude,rowdy,catdudesgrew,
Longhairsfromfaces,twobytwo,
Sadasamouse,caughtinashoe,
Amusingdogstobarkatthemoon,
Likelaughter-lastmeowingsoon,
Atcatsthatsnickeredoutoftune.
Sofurry,bullycatssnuckaway,
Intotightspots,inthickdismay,
Whereoncetheyfearedtoenter,
Caughtlikemolassesinwinter,
Frozenfastwheretheyslippedthecoup,
Ormaybeavarmint’scatsoup!
63
Butbestofwonders-theybouncedback,
Forgottheiruglycatattack-
Befriendingfoe-kittensagain,
Givenwhiskers,likemice,notmen!
Hencemenandmicewouldlaterlearn,
Whythewhiskersoncatscanearn,
Themmen,whilemicethosewhiskersspurn!
Catsgotchummy-micemoreyummy,
Playfullyslowerthanhoney!
Thatcatshamanwasnodummy!
~*~
“WhyEveryCatHasWhiskers”
DrawingbyDouglasLeeDieter
64
“SnowQueen”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
65
TheSnowQueen
byAnahitArustamyan
Thesnowqueenislikeasnowflake.
Howlonghasshelivedinabluefairytale?
Whoissheandwhyisshethere?
Thesnowqueenisneitherpalenorfake.
Sheisaswhiteasawinterlake.
AChristmastreeislitbesidealampshade.
Apinetreeisasgreenasjade.
She’saqueenonawinter’ssledge.
Shewouldmeltbeingasoftsnowlace.
Shewouldbeasnowdroporsomethingelse.
Thesnowwillmelttobubbleariver’sface.
Thefablewillendonitslastpage.
Thequeenwouldbekeptbyemptinessonalegendstage.
Thequeenwouldtouchnothingthoughshewassage.
~*~
66
“HedgehogMilan”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
67
HedgehogMilan
byYvettePoplawska
(TranslatedbyThaddeusHutyra)
Whatdohedgehogseatattheeveningtime,
Whengrandpamoonrisesonthesky?
Ourhedgehog,littleMilanek,alreadyateafewinsects-
Fordessert,huntedalotofbugs.
NowI’deatasliceoffreshapple,thelittleMilanekisthinking-
ButwhatshallIdrinkwith,allthehedgehog’sdelicacies?
Thereisnotadropofwaterintheinn.
Iwouldswillcow’sfreshmilk,
But...wherecanIscentoutacowinthemiddleofthenight?
AndI’dlovetohugandcuddletoherliketomymom.
Littlehedgehogisstillthinking,concerned.
Wow,Ialreadyknow!
Onthemeadow,heisthinkingwithajoy-
ThereMukachewsherlatedinner.
Heshuffledwithfreethreads,
Theywerelushgreenasthequeen.
Hegaspedeager,scaredvole,
Untilupinamoundofleaves.
Onthewayhegoneasleep,
NearbythecowMalwinka,orwasitMuka?
OurMilanbarbed,curledintheglomerulus.
Hislittlebabealikeeyesopened-
Veryworriedhelookedatthestars.
Howbeautiful,howwonderfullyshining!
Andhealsothoughtwithadelight,
Ihavetogonowandwatchformole’sden.
Howmanyofthemonthemeadow,everyoneknows-
Tofallintoit,Iratherdonotwant.
68
Iknowhowtoclimb,andIcanswim,
Notevenalargepuddleisterrifyingforme.
Ourbraveconiferoushero,
Bristledhisspikedhair-
Hestampsandsmells,muzzlesandsnaps,
LookingforMalwinka,hiddeninthegrass.
She’sthere!Icanseeheramongthedaisiesanddandelions.
Iacceleratedstamping,beforethesuniscoming.
I’llfindher,asmallriverflowingwithmilk,
ThenwithmysnoutandpawsI’llbatheinthedew.
I’llplungemysnoutfurtherandI’lldrink,
AndlaterinthedewI’llwashmyselfbriskly-
OrthebestI’llrathercompletelybathe.
Thebathinthemorningisthoughagreatthing...
...sorefreshing!
Themoralofthefairytale:
AllchildrenaftereatingwashyourfacesandhandsasourMilanek
isdoingit.(InspirationforthepoembyJulianTuwim,,
Littlecat‘’)
~*~
69
RunKiteRun
bySonaliNayak
Runkiterun,
Toduskfromdawn.
Singwiththemoon,
Anddancewiththesun.
Mysistersmiles,
Whenyoumakefun.
Intheairyoulookfair,
MyPrincesamusedtostare!
Shegigglespullingyourtail,
Don’tshoveherawaytoalley.
“Ipromise”,tomendyouagain,
Butshewouldnotbe,ifstartsrain.
~*~
70
SleepForYourMamma
byDeepakKumarDey
Ohmydarling!!,
Don’tlookback.
Forthereisacat-
Waitingtoprowl,
Hearingyourhowl.
Ohmyhoney,
Stopcrying.
Yourmamma
Isreadytocook-
Togiveyourface,
Ahappylook.
Ohmylittledoll-
Let'splayandroll.
Stopyourweeping-
Letthesleepreap,
Cometomamma’slap-
Totakesafenap.
Lookupatthesky,
Themoonhastaken
asilveryrise.
Thiswayandthat,
Shepeepsatyou.
Alwaystellingstories,
Andsmilingatyou.
Ohmydarlingprodigy71
Letthemoonmakeherstrategy.
Shemakesyourfeettickle -
Thatmakesyou,
Herloveseeker.
Ohmysweetheart,
Cherishyourmemoriesnow.
Sleepwithlittlenoiseintow-
Mammaishappyandcareful,
Forsheisawake
tomakeyoursleep
beautiful.
~*~
72
SpaceBusNo.9!
byRinoaNoaThomas
IwishIwenttospaceschool-
AndgotajobatNASA.
I’dwearafishbowlonmyhead,
JustlikeBullockandClintEastwood.
I’dbethebaddeststarman-
Thisworldhaseverseen.
Anddrivemyawesomespacebus-
Straightacrossthismilkything.
Ping!Ping!Ping!
Nextstop!themoonsofJupiter,
IoorJuno...oroneofthoseothers.
We’llfeeltheforceofgravityandwish...
ThatIwasfarlessstupider.
Ping!Ping!Ping!
Let’swave“'bye'bye”toSagan’spalebluedot-
Andtravelfasterthanthespeedoflight,
Ofsoundandsmellcombined.
Nowwe’repassingbyUranus.
Ping!Ping!Ping!
Plutolookssosadnow,
DeGrasseTysonmadeitcry.
Evenifitstilllookspretty-
Neilthinksit’sallratherkindacoy.
73
Ping!Ping!Ping!
TheregoesVoyagerwithitsgoldendisc.
Amessageofloveandpeace-
Somedayitwilltellaliens,
Wheretofindafeast.
Ping!Ping!Ping!
~*~
74
“AbracadabraCalamazoo”
DrawingbyKrystalPelfrey
75
AbracadabraCalamazoo
byJenniferHatfield
AbracadabraCalamazoo
Ihaveafairywatchingoveryou.
Shewatcheswhileyousleep-
Takingspecialcaretokeep,
Themonstersawayfromthere,
Aswelookunderthebed.
Nomonstersinthecloset-
Therearenomonstersanywhere.
AbracadabraCalamazoo
Thefairyislikeanangelwatchingyou,
Whileyouaresleepingquietlyunderthesheets-
Thefairywillbestandingguard.
I’vecastagoodspellforyou-
Sleepniceandsound,
Untilmorningawakensyou.
~*~
76
FlyO’Eagles
byThaddeusHutyra
LookO’girl,lookO’boy-
Lookatallthosepebblesofmymind.
Lookcloserandseethemarvel,
Fortheyareeagles,theeaglesofmymind!
Howtheyflyacrosstheskies-
Ofmyverymind,
Howtheyflyoutofit-
IntothefarspaceoftheUniverse!
Iamsurenouniverses,
Canhavetheirgatesunopened-
Fortheeaglesofmymind!
FortheyaretheeaglesoftheUniverse!
Howtheyflyinmajesticways-
Confidentlyaviate,flutterandflicker,
Rushandwing,fallandfloat,andsoar-
They,theeaglesofmymind!
FlyO’eaglesofmythoughts-
FlyO’eaglesofmymind.
TranscendeverythingwhoIam,
IntotheonenessofIandthespace!
Fly,O’wizardlyeagles!
Flywherenooneeverwas.
FortheinfinitenessoftheUniverse,
Istheboundlessnessofmyverymind.
77
FlyO’eaglesofmythoughts-
Bethechallengeforme,
Thesanguineone!
~*~
78
“FrancisFrog”
DrawingbyStevenM.Woods
79
FrancisFrog
byStevenM.Woods
Francislivedunderajuicywetleaf,
Francisthefrog,bornwithnoteeth.
Theotheranimalswouldallmakefun,
Micedidgiggleatthejokesowlspun.
TheCatwouldchuckleatFrancisbyday,
TheFoxdidjostleandOwlwouldsay.
“HerecomesFrancisweallbetterrun,
Orhe’llcatchusandgiveusaterriblegum.”
ThethoughtlessjokesmadeFrancisfeelbad,
Hewouldsulkandwobbleandgrowawfullymad.
Hewouldhideawayalltooshyforafriend,
Theywouldneverunderstandhissmilewaspretend.
ThencamethedayFranciswasallalone,
SittingquietlyonhisfavouriteStone.
Whenwitharustlingrummageandagreatbigpop,
AMoleappearedmakingFrancishop.
“Sorryaboutthat!”theMolethensqueaked,
“Ican’tseetoowell,sosorryyouleaped.”
“That’sOK”saidFrancismumbling,
“Iwasjustsittingherequietlygrumbling.”
“Youseealltheanimalsmakefunofmygums,
Theylaughandgiggleandfallontheirbums.
Iwasbornwithnoteethanditfeelssobad,”
TheMolesaid“Myfriendmeetingyoumakesmeglad.
ItooamlaughedatforIhavetowearglasses,
I’malwayslate,lastonetomyclasses.
80
Otheranimalsneverrealizedmyfeelingswerehurt,
Whenoutoftheirmouthsinsultswouldspurt.
SoItoldmyteacherhowitmademefeel,
Andshesetupagrouptohelpusallheal.”
FrancisdecidedtotryitMolesway,
SohespoketoMissSparrowtheverynextday,
ShelistenedpolitelytoFrancis’taleofunrest,
Andtaughttheanimalclassthatnobodyisbest.
“Weareeachamazinginourownspecialway,
Lifeisthebestwhenweremembertosay,
Nicethingstoeachother,beniceandtoplay,
Rememberingwe’redifferentandthatit’sOK.”
~*~
81
TheCicada
byKapardeliEftichia
Alldaysing
Allthecolours
Sun’slove
intreebranches
stick...........
ButIshouldintroducemyself
Iamcicada
Myheadwideandshort
Ihavefiveeyes
Looktoyouthinwings
andwalkawaytosleepin
thearmsofmybelovedplum
ButlistentohowIsing
Tzzztzzzzz.....
tzzzzzz...tzzzzzz
nothideyouthatlittleashamed
andifyoudonothearwell
Tellmeall
reassured
Wetookourears
ButI
stoponly
whentired
beginagainandagain
~*~
82
Bullied
byDawnMarieDiMartino
Iwaslabeledasa“witch”-
Backwhenchildrenplayed.
Atthetime,itreallyhurt-
Notrealizingthetruthofwhattheysay.
Iwasnottaughttheterm-
Nopowersweredisplayed.
Iwastaughttokeepitclose-
Nomannertorelay.
Criticized,Iwas-
Mydifferences,indismay.
Longbrownhairanddeepbrowneyes,
Clothedinsimpleblackarray.
CriedIdid-
Attheirhorribledisplay.
Taunts,pokes,andpullinghair-
Seemedtobetheirway.
PrayedtoGodforhelptocome-
Oratleasttoparlay.
Havingtobeonthisshuttleruntoschool-
Threwmeintheforay.
Nowlookingback-
Iseethelessonrelayedthatday.
Standstronginyourbeliefs-
Patienceandforgivenessyourmainstay.
Pleasebecarefulhowyouspeak-
Toothers,eventoday.
Layingangryhandsononeanother-
Isnevertherightway.
Parentsbecarefulwhatyoupreach-
Toyourchildreneveryday.
Notwantingsomeoneelselikeme-
Innocenceremovedthatday.
~*~
83
GreenCrocodile
byYvettePoplawska
(TranslatedbyThaddeusHutyra)
IamLord,thegreencrocodile,
AndIlivealoneonadesertisland,
Wherethereisalotofwateraround.
Everyoneisafraidofme,
BecauseIhavebigteeth,
Andspinesontheback-
LiketheHenrydinosaur.
AmIsoterriblethatyou-
Donotwanttoplaywithme?!
Iliketoswiminthewinter-
Iliketoswiminthesummer-
OnlyIlackgoodfriends.
Iwouldreallyliketoknow,
Alltheinhabitantsoftheanimalworld!
WhatIsee,oh,whatIsee,?
Snakeonthebanktans.
Andherecomesthebigwave,
Aboveittheenormoushead,
ofHorace,thehippopotamus.
Irejoicedsomuch,
Becauselonelinessplaguedme.
IntheendIwillenjoyforever,
Playingwithnewfriends.
Butwhentheysawme,
84
Terriblysurprisedtheylooked.
Theygavetheirlegsintodensebushes
andloudlyshouted.
NeitheristheelephantBob,withitsgreattrunk-
OrasmallfrogSusan,
Thatcroaksnightinthecane-
Noneofthemrecognizing,
ThatsomethingbigandgreenIam,
Althoughyetanotheranimalinthefamily.
Thesnake,Florian,tooktherisk,
Andhecrawledtome.
Thenheaskedpolitely,
FromwhichcountryhaveIcome.
IhaveafamilyinAfrica,
Andmanyfriendsthere.
ButIdesiredtobeindependent!
AndsooutintotheworldIwent.
IstayedinBelgiumforawhile-
Togetanawesomerest,
ButtodayIhaveagreatdilemma,
Idonotknowwhattodowithmyself.
Iwanttobebig,Iwanttobestrong-
Self-sufficient,formidable.
Buthereinthenewcountry,
Ifeelsolonely,toolonesome,indeed.
LuckilyIhear:Donotbesad,becheerful.
Wewilltakeyoutotheschool-
Wewillteachyoudoingdrawings,writingcolorfulletters-
Todefinethetimeandmore,muchmore!
85
Youshallalsolearn,
Howtomakefriendsintheclass.
Andifyouwilldesireit,
Variousgamesweshallplay.
Hooray,howluckyIamintheend,
ThatIgothere,inthisschool.
Icangrowupandevolve
Andaboveall,meetnewfriends!
~*~
“GreenCrocodile”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
86
MagicalPen,'Abracadabra',WishesFulfilled
byRainySarmistha
Avoicecomesfrommilesaway!
Therewasaveryprettylittlegirl,
Wholivedwithherfather,alone.
Everydayshetravelsacrosstheforest,
Tofetchwaterfromthebeautifullake.
Sittingbesidethemagnificentlake-
Shewatchedthereflectionofsilvermoon,
Withawishinherdeepimaginationwild.
Herteardropsfallbesidetheshoreline-
Hermothershemissedhersomuch.
Recallingherimagetomind,
Shestaresatthetwinklingstarsallnight.
Oneday,allofasudden-
Avoicesheheard,
ABRACADABRA!
Shestartledfromhertrancesofast,
Byseeingamanallofasuddenappear-
Holdingamagical,sparklingwand.
Themanhaspromisedthelittlegirl-
Hecouldfulfillallherwonderfulwishes,
Thathavebeendwellinginhersinceages.
Soontheprettygirlbendsdown-
Askedforapenfromthemagicalman.
Themanwonderedandaskedtothegirl,
"WhyApenmysweetlittlegirl?"
Whenshecouldaskforanythingpreciousthough.
Butthelittlegirl’sanswer,
Madethemagicalmanfillupwithjoy.
Thathehasbeensearchingforthroughouthislife!
Thelittlegirl,hernameisJoy.
87
Thepenshewishedfor,
Istowritefairytalesforchildren-
Andofhappinessandloveforelders-
Thatistheonlywayshecouldfulfill,
Everybody’swishforhappilyeverafter….
BysayingABRACADABRA.
~*~
“MagicalPen”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
88
“LittleMermaid”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
89
LittleMermaid
byRainySarmistha
Onceuponatime,
Inafairytaleland-
Iwalkedtothegoldenbeach,
Tocollectsomecoralsandshells,
Fromtheseashore.
Istoodneartheshore,
Andlistenedtothesoundsofwaves.
Thetidesofthebluesea,
Touchesmybarefeet-
Mademeburstoflaughter.
FrommilesIcouldsee-
Ablueandgoldshimmer.
WhenIreachednear-
Isawamermaidsittingontherock,
Withasmilingface.
Sheheldmyhand-
Wewentdeepintothewater.
Hertailsplashedwateroverme,
Leavingadelightfulfeeling.
Together,wecollectcoralandshells-
Andsomecolorfulpebblesthatshines!
Alas!Shesaidgoodbyewithapromise,
Toreturntomesoon.
NowIgrewold-
ButstillIgototheseashore,
Forthesearchofthatbeautifulmermaid-
Withthebeliefthatshemightarrive,
Fromtheblueseaandtogetherwecouldplaythewholeday.
~*~
90
“Birdie,Birdie”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
91
Birdie,Birdie
bySinghVikas
Birdie,birdie,givemeyourwings-
Inreturntakemymilk.
Allreadytoflyfar-
FarawaytoDisneyland;
WillmeetuncleMicky,
WillmeetuncleDonald.
Justgivemeyourwings-
Inreturnwillgiveyoumycookie.
No!No!Youcan’tgo!
Askyourmommyfirst.
Also,youdon’thavenappy-
Youwillmessupthere.
Juststayhereandwait,
Iwillbebacksoon.
Willyouplease,givemeyourwings?
Inreturn,Iwillgivetheirautograph.
Iknowacting,howtoact-
Howeverycartoonwork.
HowScoobysearchforghosts,
HowFlintstonerollthewheels-
HowDexterworksinlab,
HowJohnnyflauntsthegirls.
OnedayIwillworkthere-
Heybirdie,justgivemeyourwings.
~*~
92
“MyFellow”
DrawingbyJanClaudineTabañag
93
MyFellow
byJanClaudineTabañag
Tiptoe,tiptoe-
Whereismyshoe?
Hello,hello-
It'sundermypillow!
Purple,greenoryellow-
What’sthecolorofthewindow?
I’mrunninginthemeadow,
Tofindmyfellow...
Insidethewheelbarrow,
Ifoundasackofbows-
Wheretheyarelikeapillow,
Andcolorslikeinarainbow...
Whereismyfellow?
Underthewheelbarrow,
Coveredbyapillow,
Wearingmyshoe!
~*~
94
“MidasTouch”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
95
MidasTouch
byOlaleyeGiftEmmanuel
Here’samaninhisprime,
Whosepraiseseveryonesings-
Blessedwithabeautifuldaughter,
Andacountrytoruleasking.
Surroundedbywisestofmen-
Protectedbyextra-terrestrialglads.
Livinginthebestofpalaces,
Butalwayswantedmorethanhehad.
Toearth,agod,camevisiting,
Wasprivilegedtobeofferedawish.
“LeteverythingItouchturntogold”,
Helookedaroundandtouchedadish.
Immediately,itturnedintogold!
Hetouchedtables,cups,plates,andchairs-
Everythinghetouchedturnedintogold,
Leavinggoldnuggetseverywhere.
Buthehadalittleproblem-
Hecouldnotdrinkoreat.
Forhisfoodturnsintogold,
Eithervegetables,fish,ormeat.
Hisdaughterfromthegardencame,
Admiringher,hemovedtohold-
Forgettingabouthisgiftoftouch,
Beautifulandlifeless,sheformedintogold.
Behold,ataleofkingMidas-
Blindedbythegoldentouch.
Wheneveryougogreedy,
Remember...theMidasTouch.
~*~
96
MyChildhood!
bySonaliNayak
Ilovetoroam!
Wherethemammalspeacefullyrestinsidehome!
Toplaywiththeeternalmusic;
Withthechirpingbirdshum.
Ilovetosee!
Thedrowsyqueenbee;
Inthesummerandthespring,
Howthedroneenjoysinfree!
Ilovetoswim,yesIwish!
Indulgetooverwhelm;
Toseetheantsfloatonleaves,
Tocatchthefallingpalmfromthetrees.
Ilovetohidebehindthebush,
Inthevastmangoyardtoplaywithmysis!
Afterbunkingmyschool,
Tomakemymotherbefool!
Oh!Mydaydreams!
Whyyouaresorude?
Cometome;comeagain!
Imissmychildhood.
~*~
97
ABedtimeStory
byPaulGriffiths
InthatfaroffmagicallandofInkyDink.
Wherethecloudsrollbyallskybluepink.
TherestandsanenchantedcastleandalittlePrincess.
Standingallaloneinherlittlepartydress.
Madefrompeachsatinwithivorylace.
Asingletearrollsdownherprettylittleface.
Shewalksthoselongcorridorsallalone.
Thesoundofsilencesoloudinherstatelyhome.
TheKingandQueentoobusy,herNannydoingchores.
Shedriftedlikeashadowthroughendlesssetsofdoors.
Staffbowedtoher,shewantedtoplay.
Butitwasn’ttheirplace,andwentontheirway.
Shelookedoutofawindowandsawthebaker’sboy.
Hewasonlybringingbreadtothekitchenbutherheartitleaptwithjoy.
Shebangedonthewindowandshouted,helookedherway.
Hebowedhisheadquickly,notknowingwhattosay.
Sheshoutedtohimpleasedon’twalkaway.
Iamallaloneherewouldyouliketocomeandplay.
SheaskedhimhisnameheshoutedTim.
Sherandowntothekitchenandinvitedhimin.
Hebowedsolow,hisnosealmosthithistoes.
ShegiggledthenlaughedthensaidmynameisRose.
Thenshetookthebaker’sboy,bythehand.
Showedhimthearoundthegreatestcastleintheland.
Timlookedarounddumbstruck,hecouldnotbelievehiseyes.
Hismouthwaswideopenlikeabullfrogcatchingflies.
98
TherewasTigerskincarpets,Rhinoheadsuponthewalls.
Amazingsuitsofarmorsatthedoorsofeveryhall.
Shetookhimtothenursery,itwasbiggerthanhishouse.
Hestoodthequieterthanatinychurchmouse.
Hestoodbyafullsizedrockinghorse.
CanIplayonthis,Roseshelaughedandsaidofcause.
SoonTimandRosewereplayingwithallthetoys.
Justtwochildrenhavingfun,justagirlandboy.
Jumpingonthebedhavingpillowfights.
Fallingoverlaughing,everythingwasalright.
Butthedoorburstopen,itwasNannyonthescene.
Heavenshavemercychild,wherehaveyoubeen.
TheKingislookingforyouandsoiftheQueen.
ThePalaceguardsaresearching,youknowwhatImean.
RoseaskedNannywhatdotheywantmefor..
Nannysaid,hushchildandtheyhurriedoutthedoor.
TheywalkedoffsofasttheyforgotaboutTim.
ButRoseyelledstopandsheranbackthereforhim.
Nannysaidwhoisthishecan’tcome.
Onyourwayboyoffyourun.
TimbowedtotheNannyandturnedaway.
RosesaidheismyfriendandIinvitedhimtoplay.
BeforeTimrealizedwhatwashappeninghedidn’tknowathing.
HewaswalkinghandandhandwithaPrincesstomeettheKing.
Theywalkthroughtwogiantgolddoorsthemusicplayed.
TimlookedonattheKing,buttheKinghelookedamazed.
Hewonderedwhowasthelittleoddlydressedboy.
ThenhesawhislittleRoseanditfilledhisheartwithjoy.
SherantoherFatherandgavehimabigkiss.
Helaughedandwhispered,wherehaveyoubeenMiss.
99
Hesaidwhoisthis,shesaidtheBaker’sboyTim.
TheKingsmiledkindlyandbeckonedhim.
Timhadneverfeltsonervous,hecouldfeelathousandeyes.
Allwatchinghiminsilencenowinshockedsurprise.
TimkneltbeforetheKingandgavealittlebow.
TheKingsmiledandsaidyoungTimcanwePartynow.
TheQueensheclapped,theKinghelaughedloudandhearty
WelcomeyoungTimtoPrincessRosessurprisebirthdayparty.
Roseslittlefacelitupwithpureglee.
Shehadknowideaaboutthisparty.
Shecalledallherfriendsandforthemusictobegin.
ThenshetookTimbyhandanddancedwithhim.
Justtwoyoungchildrentogetherhavingfun.
BothfromotherendsoftheInkyDinkKingdom.
Theyplayedtogethertillparty’send.
Bothremainedcloseandalwaysstayedfriends.
IntimeRosebecameagreatQueen,
AndTimhefoundGlory.
ButthatisanotherBedtimestory.
~*~
100
“CheeseRing”
DrawingByJanClaudineTabañag
101
CheeseRing
byJanClaudineTabañag
It'sraining,
Thephoneisringing-
Mamaiscalling,
WhileI'msinging.
Icamerushing,
Andstoppedsinging-
NowI'mtalking,
WhileI'mlistening.
Sheissaying,
Thatsheiscoming,
Withsomethingtobring-
AndnowI'mjumping,
It'sterrifying!
Igotsomething!
AndnowI'meating,
Mydeliciouscheesering!
~*~
102
RunInFun
bySoumenRoy
Let’scomearound,
Gettogether,
Let’sruninfun
Underthescorchingsun.
Dance,rejoicing,themerrimentun-tired,
Perspiringfacesofenlightenmentprojects,
Thedefeatedheatintheirexcitement.
O’lovelyfaces!
Youaren’tsoneatandclean-
Let’senjoytherain,
Lackingallpain.
Jump!Jumpoverthemuddywater-
Cultivateasmilewithinnocentgiggleandlaughter.
Thesillyjokes,
Andrunningnoses-
Thelovelynoise,
Hyperbolicpoise.
Thehandsofalloy,
Againstthefeartodestroy.
Really,thejumpissolovely-
Bebusy!
"Themovementsosteady,"
Shoutstheboldandveryloudly.
Theuntidyfeetanddustyhair-
Theclappinghands,
Withcourageouscommand.
Thefearlessexpand,
Uptothechaseofwonderland.
Seemslikeajoker103
Laughateachother.
Sojumplikeamonkey!
Fortheirruninfun,
Fromthistreetothattree.
~*~
104
GhostHunting
byRinoaNoaThomas
Holdmyhand-
Please,don’tletgo,
Icanseemybreath-
Itgrowssocold.
Whatifwehide,
Underneaththebed?
Coverourselves,
Withthesheets?
Maybethey’llsee,
Wearejustlikethem-
Runningaround,
Lateatnight.
Wait...
Whoturnedoutthelights?
Whojusttouchedmytoes?
Shadowsswimming,
Onthewalls.
Isitreallyjust,
Myimagination?
OrdidIjustsee
Aspectralvision?
Wewantedfun-
Wecravedexcitement,
“Anighttoremember
Atd’hótelDammes”.
105
Thisplacewasrecommended,
Inallthebrochures-
“FourstarsoutofFour”,
ButIdon’tlikethisanymore.
Justoutside,
Ourbedroomdoor-
Ghastlythudding,
Footstepsonlandingfloor.
Justthen...
Didyouhearthattoo?
Thatvoicethatcalledme.
Yes,itknewmyname-
Ohplease,sayitwasyou.
Agghhhh!
Whatwasthat?
Ohno!
Iwannagohome!
Ihateyou!
Thisisallyourfault!
Wait,didyouseethat...
Didthatbookjustfloat?
Wenevershouldhavecomehere,
OrlistenedtoPsychicSteve-
Itwashisstupididea,
ToplaywiththeOuijaboard.
106
"Spirit,Spirit-
What’syourname?
Spirit,Spirit-
Areyoualone?
Spirit,Spirit-
Please,don’tdothat.
Spirit,Spirit-
Please,letStevego.
Spirit,Spirit-
Youarescaringusnow.
Spirit,Spirit-
Please,putdownthattable,
AndSteventoo!"
"Justletmeout!"
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Thedoorwon’topen!
"No,itwasn’tlocked...
Afewsecondsago!
Oh,wearegonnadiehere!
Ijustknow."
"Don’tlookatmethatway,Steve!
Orwhoeveryouarenow!"
"I’mscaredrealbad,
IthinkI’mgonna...
Gonnahave
Aheartattack!"
"Butifyoujustholdme,Darling-
Maybethingswillturnoutallright.
Evenifwebothdieheretonight,
Frozensolid,petrifiedbyfright."
Oh,Ibelieve,
107
Ihaveseenthelight-
Ourlovewillliveon,
Intheafterlife!
So,holdmyhand,
Oh,don’tletgo-
Icanseemybreath,
Itgrowssocold.
Buthowcanyoustillsay,
'There’snosuchthingsasghosts'-
WhenPsychicSteve’seyes,
Starttoglow.
~*~
108
LullabyoftheMoon
byChristopherRoberts
Let’scloseoureyes,
Asthesunhasset.
Let’srestourhead
Onapillow,asthe
Moonriseshighin
Thenightsky.
Relaxassleep
Takesaholdofyou.
Relaxasyouslip
Intothegripofadream.
Relaxasthelight
Ofthemoonshines
Throughyourbedroomwindow.
Sleepinpeaceknowing
Thatyouareloved.
Sleepinpeaceknowing
Thatwearehereforyou.
Sleepinpeaceknowing
Thatthelightof
Themoonwillkeep
Thecreepycrawliesaway.
Thewarmthofthe
Moonwillkeep
Youwarmasyousleep.
Thewarmthof
Moonwillkeepthe
109
Beatofyourheart
Calmasyousleep.
Thewarmthofthe
Moonwillbring
Pleasantdreams
Toyouasyousleep
Everynightofyourlife.
~*~
110
TheHusher
byJohnAnthonyFingleton
SheworksinthelibrarydownTookabookMews,
Whereshehushesallpeoplewhohavesqueakyshoes,
Shehushes,ifyouturnapagethat’stooloud;
Shehushes,ifyoucomeinsidewithacrowd.
Shehushesifyoumakeanoisewithyourchair;
Andsometimesshehusheswhennooneisthere.
Shehushes,allpeoplewhocomeinfromtherain,
Andshehushesoldpeoplethatwalkwithacane.
Sheoncehushedapoliceman,butthengotashock,
Whencaughtbythecollar,andbroughtuptothedock.
~*~
111
RayfelZaxforus
byChristopherRoberts
Thereoncelived
Adwarfwho
Livedalonein
Thewoodssogreen.
Thereoncelived
Adwarfwhose
Beardwasso
Longthatitcouldtouchhistoes.
Thereoncelived
Adwarfwhose
Onlyfriends
Werethewoodlandanimals.
Thereoncelived
Adwarfwho
Livedinpeace
Withtheworldaroundhim
Thereoncelived
Adwarfknown
AsRayfel
Andhewas
Thefirst
Dwarfto
Settleinthese
Woodsthatwenowcallhome.
~*~
112
113
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GrowingUp
Thefollowingselectionofpoemsrepresentsideas
andthemesthatchildrenolderthan12andintotheteenageyears
canenjoy.Filledwithadventure,fantasy,andquestionsaboutlife
andthetransitionintoadulthood,thepoemsinthissectionwill
surelyentertainmaturingyoungminds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
114
“Alone(DeathOfAButterfly)”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
115
Alone(DeathOfAButterfly)
byIevaRasmussen
Alittlegirlwasallaloneinabiggarden,
Guardedbyaskyhighwoodenfence.
Butsheneverwasallowedbyheroldgranny-
Tocomeoutsidetoplay,ormakesomefriends.
Inthatgardenwavedbigoceansofsweetflowers-
Shecouldhearanalluringblackbird’ssong.
Shecouldsittherebyherselfforhoursandhours,
Likefragileflowerinthatgardenshebelonged.
Andherfriendswerebeesandtreesandbirdsandfairies-
Shewoulddanceahappydancewithgentlewind.
Andthensingalong,whilewindwouldcarry,
Herheart’slongingsandherdreamsfromdeepwithin.
Thenonedaysheheardthesoundofchildren’slaughter-
Farfromdistance,beyondthewoodenfence.
Thensheknewtherewasnohappyeverafter-
Andthefencebecameaprisonnotdefense.
Thelittlegirlthencaughtabutterflyhighflying,
Andsheburieditunderacoldblackstone.
Nomorebirds,nosongs,nobees,nowind,nofairies-
InthedarkandemptygardenshewasnowALONE…
~*~
116
OnceThereWasALittleGirl
byMaynardReich
OncetherewasalittleGirl,
Shehadnoname.
Whenshewenttoschool,
Theyaskedhername,butshehadnoname.
Shesaidshewasagirlandtheysaid,
“Yes,weknowbutweneedanametocallyouby.”
Shesaid,“Youcancallme,‘Ima’”
Sotheysaid,“Youhavetohavealastnametoo.”
Andshesaid,“IfIhavealastname,Icanhavenofuturename.”
Theysaid,“Wheredoyoulive?”
Shepointedoutsideandsaid,“Inyondertree.”
Theywenttothetreeassuredthatthegirlwascompletelycrazy.
Therewasaladdertoclimbthetreeandtheyclimbedneverhaving
knownofthingslikethisbefore.
Atthelastrungwasthetreehouse.
Thedoorwasopenandtheywalkedin.
AgoosedressedinIderDownwelcomedthem.
Aspiderandanalligatorandcountlessbeingswanderedin.
Iamnotevencounting
TheVampiresandghostsandstarlingshere!
Theywereallblushinginredandgold.
Theywereabitaghastbutsaid,
“Wejustneedanofficialname.”
TheSunandthemoonappearedandsaid,"thegirlhasnolastname,
Becausesheiseternal."
~*~
117
TheSketchOfChildhood
bySoumenRoy
Bloomwithsmile,plentymoreofjoy,
Onlycryaoncewhenhungerstrikes;allinarush.
Wishtoflyhighinthesky-
Likeaneaglewithit’swings,
Andlikeakitewithit’sstrings.
Nowonder,howandwhen-
Butappearstohappen,
Allinasudden.
Noddedheads,withoutanystress-
Rejoicetogetherwithlovelylittlelegs.
Littlefingerstoclutchplentyofdreams-
Neverfailtosuccesswhenabundantenergyflowsasstreams.
Natureissmilingandtrustisforemost
Innocentlaughter,ticklingandlollingintheirdomicilecoast.
Whimsicalspeculationenamoredthesovereign,
Learnnosorrowforanyloss-
Butaptinreturns,allingross.
Withoutanycomplication,delugeofgiggles.
~*~
118
AChild’sImagination
byMirandaHolland
Ifeelfromasmallchild’sview,
IseethoughtheirlittleBeattieeyes,too.
There’sasimpleviewofbeauty-
Awonderofsilentart,
Withrawimagination.
Ihavematuredandgraduatedtoit,
ThatissimplywhyIcanseethroughit.
Somewhererightoverthere,
There’salittlelightshinning.
Ifyoulookwithagentlemind,
You’llseeaninvisiblefriendwaving.
Inafarawayland-
There’sastunningsteed,inwaitingastrustysidekick.
Acaringprincedaringenough,
Tocometoyourrescue-
WhochoosestobeFearless,
BecomingBraveenoughtosaveyou-
Alovesotrue.
SomewhereIntheair,
WhereKingdomsfloatonclouds-
There’saprincesswhocanfly,
Somewhereglidingthroughspace,
OnaPegasuswings-
Wavinghitoallthecaringhearts.
There’sabluebirdinatreenearby,
Thattalksandsings119
SheTellsyou,
Toreachforthestars-
Tochaseyourdreams!
There’sacouragethatcomesfrom,
Somewheredeepdown-
Whereyou’reabletocreate,
Yourownquietspace-
Whereyoufind,
Asacredplace,
Awayfrom-
Allthescarythings,
Lifethrowsyourway.
There’salittleballandbat,
Somewhere-
Nearasmallboysbed.
Atnighthedreamsof,
Slayingdragons-
AndbeingtheHero,
Liketheknight-
Inallthefairytalebooks.
There’salittlemermaid,
Withhairoffire-
Swimmingwiththewhales,
Flyingonthebacksofdolphins,
Lookingthroughcrystalwaters.
Theyare...
Youandme-
Fathers,mothers,sonsanddaughters,
ChildrenatHeart.
Theyare120
TheWritersDancersandPainters.
Theyare-
PeacemakersChance-takersandRule-breakers.
Theyare-
Dreamers,andBelievers,
WithaPassionatefever,
ForCreativity.
Theyaretheones-
WhoFEELLoveandEmpathy,
Tothecoreoftheirsoul
Theyare-
TheTrulyFREE,
With-
Hiddenmysteries,
MakingthemFeelwhole.
Theyare-
Abreathoffreshair.
Theyare-
Theoneswhoalwaystrulycare!!
Withenoughimaginationtospare...
Theycome-
Equippedwith,
Hugsandbestwishestoshare!
Theyknow-
Thewarmglow,
Oftheirburningimagination...
121
Willalwaysbethere!
They-
Thecloset-artists,
Smileconstantly,
Withperiodsofstrangetantrums.
Theyarewildandcuriouslyrambunctious,
THEYARETheTruedefinitionofCHILD.
~*~
Childish
MyAquamarineEyesarechildish...
and...sois...MyScarletHeart~
~*~
122
CatThePoe!
byThaddeusHutyra
HelloO’friends,myfriends,Iamacat-
Verycleverone,thinkingdayandnight,
Icallmyself,CatthePoe-
ForIamthegreatest,I,thecat!
Whenyouareawayinyourjobs,
Ifollowmyplan,finestintheworld.
Notabookisstrangetome-
NotapoetonFacebook,too!
Idohaveanenchantingplanfortheworld,
AndevenfortheUniverse,Ithink-
SimplyvisualizedasTheBellsbyMr.Poe,
ButIgoevenfurther,believeme!
Notjustsilver,golden,brazenandironbells,
AsMr.Poehaditenvisioned.
Mybellsaremuchmorethanthis-
Diamondbellsandbellsoutofthepearls.
Thebellswithkaleidoscopicpatternsofcolors,
Enablingmetocrossfromoneworldtoanotherworld-
Allthedimensionsthereare!
EvenifIentertheparallelworld,
Iwillnotbeacoward.
Notaweakling,notamilksop,notanamby-pamby-
Notascaredy-cat,yellow-belly,sissy-
Notapolecat,cravenoradastard,
And,Godforbid,notachickenoramouse!
123
Furthermore,Ialsoimagine,
Organicbellsthatcanhelpme-
Catchingmypreymoreeasily.
Mybellscanbeevenofthelight-
OneIcanseeinallitssymphony.
Iamsimplythewizard,bestintheworld-
Proudlycallingmyself,CatthePoe!
Theartofthemilitarystrategy,
ThatIamjuststudying-
Ihaveinmysmallestclaw,
Ofanyofmypaws.
Yetitisdefinitelynotenough,
ForIwanttobecomeanenthrallingpoet-
I,thecat,proudlycallingmyself,CatthePoe!
OnedayIshallwrite,
Themostenchantingversesthereeverwere-
Iwillgoevenfurtherandseek,
Myowncyberneticimmortality.
IamCatthePoe,
WhoalikeAlbertEinstein-
WillconquertheUniverse.
UnlikehimIwilltravelonastarship-
Allthewayton-dimensions,
Oftheknownandunknownuniverses.
Iwillprove,blackandwhite-
Therearemoredimensions,
Anyhumaneverimagined.
Iwillprovetotheworldwithmymindtheory,
Artandconstitutionalrightsareessential.
124
Ishallwriteitalloneday,
Inmywizardlypoetry-
I,thegreatestcat,calledthePoe!
O’friends,myfriends,
Lookatallmybewitchingbells-
Heartheirglamorousmusic,
Mostcaptivatingone!
Howtheyring,howtheysing!
Asifparadisewasone,
Withthisworldwearein!
Howtheyring,howtheysing!
Justimagineallthepearlsoftheworld,
Droppingtoallthestreams,rivers,lakesandseas!
Justimagine,hearitall,getreborninthedelight!
Heretheyare,myfriends,O’friends!
Heretheyare,allthebellsofmine-
AllthebellsIamproudsomuch,I,CatthePoe!
HearO’lovers,hearO’songsters,
Hearthebellsinthepassingwinds!
Howtheyring,howtheysing,
Withthewindsblowingacrosstheworld!
Howtheyringliketheweddingrings,
Oftwoloversfinallymarried!
Howtheyring,likethediamondrings,
Bringingusallthewaytoimmortality!
Howtheyring,howtheytinkle-
Giveacallandaclatterofhooves.
Howtheyrattle,croakandchortle,andbuzz-
Howtheyjingle,clangandsound,andsing,
AsifEarthbouncedallthewaytoparadise.
125
HereIam,myfriends,I,CatthePoe!
HereIamforyouall,O’friends,
AndIwelcomeyouall,I,CatthePoe!
~*~
“CatThePoe”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
126
TheQueenAwaitingHerKing
byRihanHassanMustapha
Theheart-shapedcloudshailthequeen,
Askingherwherehasherbeautybeen?
Thecoysunhidesinthemagicalsky.
Hermajestyroamswiththelionguards.Nolie!
Shespreadsherangelicwingsandsitonheruniqueguard.
Increatingamusicalmasterpiece,hervoicetakespart.
Withthestars’blessings,sheawaitsherextraordinarymonarch.
Hecan’twaittomeetherinthegoldenwonderpark.
~*~
127
Encounter
byThaddeusHutyra
Twobeardedwizardsmetaccidentallyinamountainvalley,
undercloudlessColoradoskieshangingnicelyfromabove.
Bothmenwereworldrecognizedsorcerersofoutmostskills,
cherishedbysomepeopleenthusiasticallylikemegastarsgreatlyfearedbyotherssuspectingthemhavinglinkswithdevil
fortheirsupernaturalpowersbecauseonlyGodcouldhavethem.
Bothmenweredressedstrangely,inquitelongscarletcoats.
Mimicsontheirfaceslookeduncommon,sortofgallowshumor.
Itwascertaintheydidn’treallyliketheirunexpectedencounter,
resemblingmoreaboxingringoftwoheavyweightchampions
thanjustafriendlymeetingoftwoguyswithenormouspowers.
Neitherofthemwasgoingtosingtheblues.Theyneverdid.
Justwithinsecondsitgotextremetensebuttheyweremastersusedtoanyswingsandroundabouts,
toevenswingingdoors.
Neitherofthemwishedtoevenlookateachother,outofcockinessthecontendersdespisingeachotherfornoreasonbuttheirconceit.
Bothdisplayedtheirenchantedwandsshiningasbrilliantlyasthe
Sunglowinglyerubescent,scintillating,luminescentlikeashootingstar.
Thenjustafearfuldisplayfollowedwhichlookedlikesomefirework.
Whatoneofthewizardsenvisionedbecamearealityonlytobe
replacedbywhatanotheroneenvisioned,adisplayofthestarsfalling
down.
Itwasnolongeramountainvalleybutnewplacesconstantly
changing.
Theyseemedtohavehadsomemagicalsetsofsilverbullets,
workingthepatternsoftheworldontotherightways,instantly.
128
Greatweatherpatternsinalltheirhuesandhoursoftheclock
onceresemblingwindyWellington,turningthenintotropicBangkok
butpollutionfree,thenBeijing,theChinesecapital,alsounpolluted
withaperfectlyblueskyasiftheChinesegovernmentdiditswork
concerningtheenvironmentalissues,thencamealltheotherplaces
oftheglobalvillage,howmuchdifferentfromwhattheyarenow!
Theplaceschanged,alwaysshiny,effervescent,onlandsandseas.
TheAmazonrainforestinitsintactstate,pristine,nature’ssymphony
biodiversityasitusedtobehundredsyearsago,atitsfinest.
BlackpeopleofAfricalivinginharmonioussocieties,undisturbed
andallotherpeopleaswellacrosstheglobesharingloveandpeacenopowerstruggle,
nowars,noruthlessruleofforeignpowers.
Whatwasmostenigmaticinthisencounteroftwobrilliantwizards,
theworldstheyencounteredweredefinitelydifferentthansofar.
Emanatingwithsoulfulness,brightwindsofchange,healingeverythingworldsinwhichmenappreciatedmen,
womenwereequal,children
happywherenothingwasmoreimportantthanwellbeingofeveryhuman
being.Theencounterlookedlikecellowarslongagoinafaraway
galaxy,indeed.
Thewoundedwerehealedinmagicalways,healthyagain
theneedywereassisted,thepoorsupported,alltreatedbrotherly.
EverysingleplaceontheplanetEarthwasequallycaredfor.
Therewasagrowing,mesmerizingevidencethesetwoenigmatic
wizardsdidn’tplayagameofthedevilagainstGodbutanangelicone,
provingwhichoneofthembroughtmoregoodnessupontheworld.
Theenchantedwandsofthewizardswerestillsetinworkmiracleshappeningaftermiracles,
allthewaystotheheavenly
skies.
PlanetEarthrecoveringfast,gettingherenergyandvitalitybackandthenfirstsignsoffullrecoverywereappearing,
amazingly.
Ourbelovedplanetwasbecomingbackahealthyone,staggeringly
freepeople,harmoniousnatureandbiodiversity,allflourishing.
129
Thetwobeardedwizardsfinallystoppedtheirsupernaturalmagics.
Theylookedwithadmirationateachother,laughedafterwards,
‘Yes,mydearfriend,Ithinkwe’rebuiltofthesamepreciousstonedoingeverythingwecandotochangethisworldforabetterone‘,
thefirstmagiciansaidandextendedhishandtohisnewfriend.
‘Yes,mydearfriend,fromnowonwe’retogetherinallofthis
enterprisemorepowerfulthanever,united.‘-Theothermagician
answeredcourtly.
~*~
“Encounter”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
130
NaughtySeysik
byOlaleyeGiftEmmanuel
Oncetherewasadisobedientboy,
Borntoawealthyfarmer.
Heneverfollowsorders,
Andhenevergetshammered.
Hegrewuptobeslothful,
Andneverdoesajob.
Wasfullofdirtytricks,
“NaughtySeysik”hewasdubbed.
Tothesurpriseofeveryone,
Hesoughttoownaland-
Thathecantillandcultivate,
Soonhisownhe’llstand.
Hisfathergavehimanadvice,
Beforehetookhisjourney-
“Avoidbuyingthelandofthegods”,
Onwhoseentranceliesthreepotsofhoney.
Twodaysintohisjourney,
Hefoundthelandofthegods.
Purchasedthespookyland,
Anddestroyedthehoneypots.
Hesettoworkimmediately,
Andastrangevoicespokefromthefarm,
“WhatareyoudoingSeysik?”,
Hereplied:“I’mtryingtoplantayam."
“Whateveryoudo,
Wecertainlywouldhelpyou",
Speedilythespiritscameout.
Withcutlassesandhoes,
Andaworkofmultiplesession,
131
Wasfinishedatasinglego.
Seysikwaspleasedwithhimself,
Anddecidedtotakearest.
Bythetimeheawoke-
Theyamswerereadyforharvest.
Hesmiledathisluck,
Anddecidedtoharvestafewyams.
“WhatareyoudoingSeysik?”...
Thespiritswerebackonthefarm.
“Don’tharvestall”,Seysikscreamed.
Buttheywouldn’thearken.
Theyharvestedeverysingleyam,
Andsoonitbegantorotten.
Hecouldn’tbelievehiseyes,
Forhecouldnowcounthisloss.
Hisfather’swordsre-echoed,
Andhewisheditwasn’tthisworse.
Hesankdownintears,
Andangrilyhithimselfonthehead.
“WhatareyoudoingSeysik?”...
Theyhithimtillhewasdead.
Ifyoudisregard,
Thesmallestofinstructions,
Thenlike'NaughtySeysik',
You’llbeheadingfordestruction.
~*~
132
SpinningBall
byOlaleyeGiftEmmanuel
Thethingthathasbeenandstillshallbe,
Istheelusivespinningball-
Presentineveryterritory.
Andconnectedtoeverycreation’sriseandfall,
Whileencroachingontherightsofothers.
Theballspins-
Whiletakingtimetorestoreorder.
Theballspins-
Whileactingasthecorrupterofallmen.
Theballspins-
Whileadmirablyguardingthepeoplefromthelion’sden.
Theballspins-
Whicheverwayyougo,
Goodorbad-
Whicheverplayyouunfold.
Happyorsad-
Bewaryfortheballspinsinacircle,
Andit’srevelationisacontinuouscycle.
Thespinningball,
Initsfascinatingmovement-
It’stheorydependentonGIGO,
Holdsnothingcontrarytoyourinstallment.
Thespinningball-
Rotatingwithemphasis-
Andeithermanrisesorfall,
It’saresultofnemesis!!
~*~
133
BettyAndSammy
byVinodSingh
Bettywasalittlepig-
Sammyalittledog.
Theylovedtheirmaster,
Followinghimalloverhouse
Masterfedthemgoodmeals.
OnedayhetoldSammyandBetty,
"Youmustearn,workforyourfood."
Hetiedthemtoaframe.
"Youbothmusttillsomesoil,daily.
Thenwewillplantseeds."
Bettywashardworking-
Shecompletedthemasterswork.
Sammy,lazyandplayful,rested.
Soonhewaslaggingbehind.
Bettycompletinghertargets-
Mastergaveherextrashare.
Sammygotascoldingeveryday.
SohepleadedtoBetty,"Helpme.
Youdoallwork,dosomeofmine."
Everydayafterherwork,Bettydidhis.
Sammygreetedhismaster.
Toldhim,"Ihavedoneallyoutold."
Bettywasverysad.
"Idoallhiswork.Sammygetsallthecredit."
134
Themasterpetshim.
Hewagshistail,andsitsonhislap.
Bettysouratthistreatmentdecidedshewillnothelphim,
Onlycompleteherwork.So,shedidherwork.
Bettythenrestedandslept.
Sammycameandpleadedhelp.
MastercamesawSammyworking,Bettyresting.
HepraisedSammyforhiswork.
Betty,rebukedforresting-
Sammyjustlazedaroundwholeday.
Bettydidhisandherwork.
Whenmasterdue,hestartedwork-
AgreatpretenderwasSammy.
Hewagedhistailandjumpedandsaid,"Seemytoday’s
work.Iamtired,Ineedrest",sleptonhismat.
BettytoldSammy,"Idoyourwork-
Whyyoulietothemaster?"
"Masterbelievesinme,lovesme-
EvenwhenIlietohim."
Bettycried,whenthefieldtilled,
Masterplantedseeds-plantsgrew.
MastercalledSammy,pettedhim.
Bettygotascolding."WheneverIcame,Isawyouresting."
Mastersaid.
"Igottired,doingSammy'sandmyworkwholeday.
Sammyrestedandenjoyedallday-
Onlyworkedwhenyoucame,
Toshowyouheishardworkingdog.
135
WhileIsloggedwholedaytired,
Doinghisandmywork.
SoIrested,youfoundmeso,hadyou?
Paidsurprisevisitstofindoutthetruth?"
ButMasterwasdeaftoherpleading.
Hetoldher,"Youarealazypig!
Notworthtostayinthehouse."
Hebeatherblackandblue,
Kickingheroutofthehouse.
Shepleaded,butstillgotkickedout.
Thus,mystoryendshereforevennow,
Thepigisnotkeptasapet.
Youfindhimrollinginslush.
Whilethedogsitsinhismasterslap-
Enjoyinghispettingandsoftlap,
Enjoyinghiscompanyallday-
Wagginghistailfollowinghim.
Loyalandlovingtohismaster,
Forallhislifeandthanksthemaster-
Forbelievingallthelieshetoldagainstthepoorpig.
~*~
136
“BalladOfMadameStitch”
DrawingbyRinoaNoaThomas
137
TheBalladOfMadameStitch,OldJoeAndRose
byRinoaNoaThomas
Attheedgeofthecrowds
Awayfromthelaughter
Andsugarcoateddelights
Inthelongcastingshadows
ofamusementrides
Indarkenedcorner,mysterieshide
Inthehomeofalady
Who’sseenmanynights.
Insidehertrailer,MadameStitchresides
Readingvisitors’fortunesfornickelsanddimes
Ignorantfolkjudgeandcallherawitch
Therumourstheyspreadaremostlylies
Ontheirpalms,shestudiesthelines
Inballsofglass,shedeterminestheirlives-
Whotheywillmarry?-whentheywilldie?
Howmanychildren–girlsorboys?
Somesaysheturnedherlover
Oldthree-leggedJoe
Intoatoad
Whenshefoundhimkissinganother
Herownstep-sister
TheonetheycalledRose
Behindcaravan
Behindtheirownhome-sweet-abode.
Now,Joesitsonherlap
Allspottyandgross
Everyonceinawhile
Hepolitelycroaks
Theylivehappilyeverafter
138
Togetheralone
AsMadamereadstealeaves
Forthepromiseofsilverandgold.
Nobodyreallyknows-
WhathappenedtoRose.
Somesayshewasmurdered,
MurderedbyJoe.
Somesayshejoinedanewtroupe
Andmovedoutoftown.
SomesaywhenStitchcaughtthemembracing-
SheturnedRoseintoabroom.
Attheedgeofthatworld
Awayfromtheliving
Farfromthelights
Wherefireworkscrackle
Andcarouselschime;
SomesayRoseisseenwalking
Hauntingthefairground
Lostandforlorn.
~*~
139
SheruTheJungleKing
byVinodSingh
Sheruwasalion,KingofJungle.
Hehadabushythickgoldenmane.
Hewasproudofhismane.
Hetoldthemonkeystocombhismane-
Theygentlycombedhismane.
Sheruwenttotheriverforadrink.
Hesawhisreflection,fellinlovewithit.
Whatabeautifulyellowshimmeringmane-
Golden,shininginthesun.
Helazedbytheriverafterhisfood.
Dozedofftosleep,monkeyssaw.
"Sheruisfastasleep,heissnoring-
Comeonlet’splaithismane.
Seethefun,whatdoeshedo?"
Soallofthemmadesmallplaits
Ofhislovelymane.
Hewenthome,thelionessasked,
"Sheru,whathaveyoudonetoyourmane?”
"Themonkeyscombeditsonicely-
Madeitfluffy,bigandbeautiful.
Ilovedit,mygoldenmane!
Butnowitisplaitedinsmallplaits."
"Lookinpondinthemorning.See,howyoulook."
Lionwentandsawhisreflectioninpond.
He,roared,roaredcallinganimals.
Alltheanimalsasked,"Sheru,whathappened?Whysoangry?",they
smiled.
"Whodidthistomymane!",heroared.
Theywerelaughing,"youlookfunny."
"Tellme,orIwilleatyou,therabbitmonkeys,rats!"
Themonkeysweresmiling,"Sorry,Sheru.Justdonotbeangry.
Weplayedaprank,withthehelpofrats,wewillopentheplaits.
140
Closeyoureyes,soonyouwillhaveyourlovelygoldenmane."
Sheruclosedhiseyes.
Themonkeysandratsun-plaitedhismane.
Themonkeyscombedit,toldhim,
"Youhavenewgolden,curlymane-
Newstyle,lookinthepond,seehowlovelyyoulookwithfluffycurly
mane.
Showthelioness,shewilllikeyournewstyle."
Thelioncaughtthemonkeyandgavehimashakingandaslapas
punishment."NAUGHTYMONKEYS",hesaid,touchinghismane.
~*~
141
LifeisTalking
byDawnMarieDiMartino
Hello,child-
Itisme,life.
Youaremorethanjustanimage-
Brushedinblackandwhite.
Useyourtraining-
Thethingsthataretold.
Foronlywiththem-
Beauty,youwillbehold.
TakewhatIhavegiven-
Onedayatatime.
Abusenotthetemple-
Keepclear,yourstateofmind.
Preciousitis-
Whatisgiventoyou.
Fewdoappreciate-
Thesemoments,it’strue!
Yourlife’spath-
Willhaveupsanddowns.
Yourchoiceswilldetermine-
Ifyoufloatordrown.
Takemeinlove-
Withallthatyoudo.
Pushthroughthesubterfuge-
Goodthingswillcometoyou.
Doyouwanthappiness-
Forgedinsecurityrefute?
WhywastewhatIhavegiven-
Thelight,thatisyou?
Timingiseverything-
Whatwillyoudo?
Thenewdayishere-
Whatwillyouchoose?
~*~
142
CursedChildhood
bySoumenRoy
Theyarelovely,
Withahandfulofwinsomedesire.
Ambitionswon’tbedrainedasifinsomesatire.
Theyarelostinthecrowdsofhunger.
Theywishedtolearntoplayfootball-
Buttimehassnatchedtherosydreamsfromtheireyeball.
Theywishtoenteraschoolgate-
Aah!Neverhavegottenalearnedmate.
Theirparentshadkeptlovelynames,
Nowthosewerelostinprofessionalgames.
Howcouldbesomanychotus?
Makingtea,polishingboots,orsomebegginginqueue.
Nooneseemstobetheirnear-
Can’tanyoneseethoserollingtears?
Theyarealsosomeone’sdear,
Todaynobodywiththemtocheer,
Compassionhasturnedintoqueer,
Stilltheyaresinceretotheirmaster -
Destinyintheattireofasneer.
Thoughit’shardtobearthosetears-
Theyareusedtorender.
Theyhavelosttheirnamesandambition,
Inthewoundsofhunger.
Theyhavenomorewishesinthissphere-
Allchotushavegivenuptheirdesires.
Inthestruggleofcruellife,
Theydon’twishtobeateacher,
Evenadoctororanengineer-
TheyareonlythestrugglersincreationoftheSuper
Master!
~*~
143
SweetBeauty
byKapardeliEftichia
Intranquillook
Closesthecircle
Thesweetlittlevillagelife
Withrubycheeks
Withbigeyes
Shininglike
Candleslit
Handseagerly
Haircurlyroses
Sweetdelightconfusing
Intheteethof
Inthesugarymouth
Sweetbeauty
~*~
144
Prince
byThaddeusHutyra
Therewasonceaunearthlyhandsomeprince.
Nobodyreallyknewwherehewasfrom.
Somesworethathewasthebestfriend,
OfCyrustheGreat,thePersianemperor.
Someotherssworejustasfiercely-
ThathewasseentalkingtoAbrahamLincoln.
Nobodyknewwhatwerehisrealqualities.
Womendescribedhimasagreatlover-
Sanglovesongswhichtheyattributedtohim.
Butwhenaskedbytheirjealoushusbands-
Whatreallywasitsogreatinhim,
Theysimplystayedsilent,withMonaLisaalikemimics.
Hewascapabletotravelthroughtime-
Asifhewerearealtimevehicle.
Throughspacedimensionsasmuch,
Andnospeedwasabarriertohim.
Hewasawelcomeguestinalluniverses-
Alltheirdimensionalcircles.
Hewasatrueprinceof"dualityofreality"-
Ofreverseofreality,ofparallelworlds,
Ofdimensionsweneverknew,
Ofcrossingfromdimensiontodimension.
AvagabondtravelingacrossEarthandastar-
manenjoyinghisadventures,
InvastspacesoftheUniverse.
Somesaidhewasaguardianofthegalaxy.
Someother,morethanthat,aguardianofuniverses.
Whateverwassaidabouthim145
Wasamazingtruthandonlytruth,
‘causehewasamaranthinemagicianofalltimes-
Thecelestialguardianoftheuniverses.
Yethewasmostenigmatic,brotherlyfriendly.
Peoplelovedhimforhishelpfulhand,
Andifyou’reatraveleracrosstheworld,
Youshallbebewilderedbythemanymonuments,
Builtinthecitiesoftheworldforthisunknownprince.
Bewarnedyoumightseehimoneday,
Whilepassingastrangerstandinginthecrowd.
~*~
146
Envelope
bySoumenRoy
Missingthoseleftbeyond-
Wanderinginmemoriespond.
Abandonedheartrecallsmemories-
Sweetestofallstories.
Thosealleysveryown-
Thestumbleuponstone.
Thelovelymockingfaces-
Cutearethosemates.
Theraceonstreets-
Throwingstonesovertrees.
Slipped,mis-aimed,fallingdown-
FriendslaughedasifIwereaclown.
Playingslidingcutecheeks-
Somehidebeyondbricks.
Chasingbetweenthealleys-
Peepingbeyondthetrees.
Everyonerunningasmice-
Flyingalikecolourfulkites.
Clothesturnstoodirty-
Everyonewereequallynaughty.
Colourfulfacesplayholi-
Losingtheoriginalidentity.
Rubbingsoap,erasingcolour-
Spendinghoursinwater.
Everyoneisincompetition-
Noneisinopposition.
147
Whetherit’sculturalfunction-
Mightbeotherparticipation.
Theparticularlovelyplace-
Friendsgathersingrace.
Starringtheprettyface-
Funofschooldays.
Smilingateachother,
Whenexaminationgetsover.
Curiouslyhauntingothersnumber-
Alltalented,allsuffer.
Picnicduringthewinter,
Bringstheterribledisaster.
Everyonebecomesanextraordinarycook-
Enjoysawesomesaltyfood.
Leavingthecollegegates-
Lostincarriersrace.
Closefriendsveryown-
Weleaveourhometown.
Preciousarethosememories-
Bondofreliablestories.
Envelopetale,myveryown-
Nexuswithmyhometown.
~*~
148
“SillyBillyGoat”
DrawingbyDawidWojtalewicz
149
AJourneyOfSillyBilly-Goat
byYvettePoplawska
(TranslatedbyThaddeusHutyra)
AnewjourneyofSillyBilly-Goat,
ThetalebeginsinPacanówPoland.
Thesmartorrathernitwitbabe-goatthoughttohimself,
"IfIcrossedtoNorway,overtheBalticSea-
IwilltravelsouthtoBelgium."
Hearingthisgoat,somegirlssheepishlylookedatthemap,
andseriouslythought:alongway,ourdearfriendanditwillbehardtoreachyourgoal.
Theycountedkilometers..
O!Wow!Howmuchitis?Fourdigits!
One,four,three,one.Itis… 1,431kilometerstoBelgium.
Babeboy,thestubbornunrulybilly-goatthought,
"HowwillIgettoBelgiumwithabundle?
Mystickisnotamagicbroom
andIhavenotanuncleAladdinwithaflyingcarpet.
PerhapswithabikeI’llovercometheroute,
ButhowwillIgetovermountainsandrivers?
Perhapswithaballoonisthebestway,
ThroughoutthewholeofEurope?
Andifmybabe-goats,thegirlsshowed
metheBalticSeaontheworldmap.
Iwouldbuildontheway,forchildrenpalacesofsandonallthebeaches.
Ohmy,whatasillymoronIam!
Yetmyfrienddrivesatruck.
HeknowsthefreewayfromPolandtoBelgium,whichiscalledE40."
150
Andherequietlycriesbabe-goat,agirl.
"Bebebebe,myboy,youthemoron.
Whyhavethesebeautifulhornsgrownonyourunrulyhead?
Whyareyouworryingandthinkingforhours?
JustgotomorrowfromourPacanówtotheAirportinWarsaw."
Ourbraveboy,theunrulybilly-goat,
Playedamomentwithhispairofbraces,
Strokedhisbeardandthenchuckledinagreement.
HowcouldIbesofullofworryandponderso,
WhenIhavesuchsharp-wittedfriends?!
Satisfied,hestoodupandwasalreadyrunning,
Untilsuddenlyheisthinkingwhethertheyknow,
InBelgium,thefamiliartohimMs.Winter?
WouldIgetadoubletintomybundle?
Wouldshoeswithwhitefurfit,andperhapsaparachute?
BecauseitiscertainlysaferwhenI’llgettiredofthistrip.
I’llsimplysoarinthecloudsandtalkwiththebirds.
Butoooo!Bebebebe!Shalltheplanetakesomuchweight?
Myhornsarethoughsoveryheavy!
"Yes,youarethehero,ourhero!"
Allthegoatsintheherdareshoutingwiththeirbebebebe.
"Withyourideas,wewillbecomenitwits,also.
Justpackyourticketandboldlymove,
BecausethewholeofBelgiumiswaitingforPolishfairytales,
Andwhoknows,perhapsAmericatoo,someday!"
Ourunrulybilly-goat,thenitwit,
Hasfinallylandedinanewhomeland.
Hereadstheinscription:“TheheartofEurope!”
AndwhereisthisfamousAtomium?
IhavetoclimbyettotheverytopofBelgium!
HetraveledtothecenterofBrussels,
151
ThenboughtatickettovisitthefamousAtomiumninespheres.
Hewasinvitedtoahigh-speedelevatorshootingallthewaytothetop103metershigh,
Andtherehesees,wow!-
ThefamousDavid,apainterandadraftsman,
Whoisalwayswalkingwithapencilandpaper.
Listen,dearartist,sketchadrawingforme,
AndIknowJurek,afriendofminefromSilesia-
Whowilladdallthecolorstoit.
Oh!Wellmyfriend,agirladvisedme,
'Don’tforgettogetamementoofyourselfandbringittoPacanow'.
Hesatcomfortably,bristledhisears,strokedhorns,
Flippedwithhistailandsupportedhischin.
"Well,I’malreadyready!"
Andsoanimageofourhero,thesillybilly-goat,
Becametheworldfamousunrulybilly-goat-
EmergedforthechildrenfromBelgiumandPoland,
Andasfortheirparents,thememoriesoftheirownyouth.
Sotheybegantodrawsketchesandwritepoems,
Andournitwit,thegoatbecametheinternationalhero.
Ohyes,yesterdayPoland,nowBelgium,tomorrowAmerica!
~*~
152
“HauntedWood”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
153
HauntedWood
byAnahitArustamyan
Whoareweinthehauntedwood?
Shouldwegivethisquestiontothemoon?
Ourdreamstalkinanunlockedroom.
Time’sstreamsflowinaphantommood.
HauntingMoon!
Whatisbadorgood?
Ourdreamsbeingseagullswillfindtheirfood.
Thebranchesofthetreesmaybedressedornude.
Whosetsafiretoburnawind’sbroom?
Time’sstreamsflowoverthiswrittenbook.
Whatisstillfloatinginahauntedbrook?
Itswatermayjumptocaptureaboot.
Hauntedwood!
Ourdreamsaredancingonyourgreenhood.
~*~
154
155
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ForeverYoung
Thefollowingselectionofpoemsareintendedtobereadbyyoung
adultsfromtheageof18andup.Thisisaneclecticcollectionwith
differentstylesofwritingandincludespiecesthatcomefromall
overtheworld.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
156
“IHaveBeenTraveling”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
157
IHaveBeenTraveling...
byJohnRestrepo
IhavebeentravelingacrossdifferenttimeErasandepochstofindyou,
IcarrywithmethesphereoftheVictoriannewworldweonceknew,
IcryonizedthefirstflowerIgaveyoualongwithyourblackandwhite
picture,
Tosaveourfuture.....
DaytodayIridetheNebulaexpress,dreaming....writingaboutmy
journeytothestars,
WhereRetro-futurismismydailynostalgiaandinspiration,
AsIcontinuetoescapefromtheendlessDystopianMetropolisthat
continuestochangeandconvert,
DaytodayIseethecitiesfloatingintheskies....waitingforme,
ThingsreallystartedtochangeafterthefirstMechanicalworld
War,
Somewentdeepunderground,
WhileotherscontinuedtobeIconoclastsandreinventhistory,
Iwasbornastrangerinastrangeworld,
HerewehaveAutomatonspoweredbysphericalAmethystspheres
foraheart,
Bewitchedandgivenaconsciencebyalchemicalpermutations,
Theyguardourhomesandabodesbynight..justbeforetheAcidrains
falloutsidearoundtheeleventhhour,
Icouldhearthelocomotiveshowlingintheprimaldistance,shattering
thewindowsofourlongforlorninnocence.
~*~
158
TheFuture
byOlaleyeGiftEmmanuel
Thedistancebetweenthepresentandthefuture,
Isnothingbutasecond-
Itcomesandgoeswithoutwarning,
Asthefuturebeckons.
Todaywasonceanexpectedtomorrow,
Thatsoonwillbeaforgottenyesterday-
Tomorrowisthereforeclose-by,
Astimeflieswithoutdelay.
Thepresentmoldsintothefuture,
Thefuturecomplementsthepresent-
Makethebestuseoftime,
Forthehumanlifeistransient.
Thywatchwordshouldcertainlybe"caution",
Topreventpainsinthemarrow-
Asmanliveswithpassion,
Hopingforabettertomorrow.
Treadthepathtogreatness,
Livefortoday-
Forwhenthecockshallcrow,
Yemayfearnotthedoom’sday.
~*~
159
UnrulyBillyGoat,TheBusinessman
byYvettePoplawska
(TranslatedbyThaddeusHutyra)
Unrulybillygoat,
WalkeduponhisfarminBrukselkowo.
HecountedeachpatchofBrusselssprouts.
Onetrucktrailerisnotenough-
Fourtrailerswouldworkbetter!
ItshallnotbeanEasyTask!
Butitwillbeworththeeffort!
Oh,MouseLillifrisksaroundinthefield,
AndTomcatLeostakingguardthere-
IthinktheycanhelpmetocountBrusselssprouts;
Hereinthiskingdomofrodents,
Whogathergrainsforthewinter.
Iamalreadythinkingearnestly,
ToexportmyBrusselssproutstoNewYork!
Withthisthoughtinhislittlemind,
Unrulybillygoatreallygotpeaceofmind!
~*~
“UnrulyBillyGoat”
DrawingByKazimierzWieczorek
160
UnrulyBillyGoatOnATripToAmerica
byYvettePoplawska
(TranslatedbyThaddeusHutyra)
Oneshouldsparinglyplanforthefuture,
GoatKikiteachesherfriends.
Aseverewinterisalreadycoming-
Judgingfromthewizardlycalendar,
Anditlooksthatitisquicklystridingtowardsus.
Veryalertandenterprisingarefieldanimals-
Little,largerandthelargest.
Coben,yetanotherbillygoat,
Shookwithhislittlehoof,
"Knowit,dearfriends,
Thatourpantriesintheforestburrows,
WillgiveachanceofsurvivalinEuropeandAmerica!"
Businessplanweresuccessfullyconcluded,
Thankstocooperationamongthemall.
TheysparedmanygiftsofNature,
InordertodelivermostofittoNewYork-
AndevenasfarawayasChicago.
WheresomanyAmericansoriginatingfromPolandlive!
And...perhapssomegoatstoo!
Theytastedalloftheseason’snutritiousvegetables,
Aswellasvariousfruitsandcereals.
Thenfinallysatinacircle,
Andbegantoplanhowtogetthemtoanothercontinent...America!
Wealreadyknowhowwe'llgetthere,
Andwhatwillwepackontotheship!
Ourunrulybillygoatgotintohisrowing-boat,
Quitebig,almostalargeship-
AndbravelypaddledacrosstheAtlantic.
Hebecameenormouslysurprisedontheway-
Therecanbesuchagreatlakeinthisworld!
Wow,whatalake!
161
Finallyhesawafabuloustown-
Reachingtheskywithitsskyscrapers,
Andheknewitwas… NewYork!
Butthefirstimpressionofseeingthelady-
EverybodycalledStatueofLiberty,
Wassounexpected,
Thatourunrulybillygoatgotwoundup-
Andalmostfelloverboard,
RiskingbeingswallowedupbytheAtlanticsharks.
Theyallheartilylaughed,
Abouttheadventuroustripofthehornedhero-
Andhismomentarypanic.
HowcouldhefearAmerica,
WhensheissofriendlytoallEuropeans.
~*~
“UnrulyBillyGoatinAmerica”
DrawingByKazimierzWieczorek
162
“TheFilm”
DrawingbyIevaRasmussen
163
TheFilm
byAnahitArustamyan
Anightingalemaysingforaleaf.
Itmaykissarose’scheeks.
Arushingstreammaysingbeneaththesky’seyelids.
Icanfeelthestream.
Iletitflowinmybubbleddream.
What’strueonablanksheet?
Ican’treadthisunwrittenscript.
Isthetruthinastreamingfilm?
Anightingalesingsforaleaftomakeitsheartbeat.
Theleafwon’tsleepasthesongseemstobeintheeverlastingfilm.
Theleafmightnotknowthatthefilmisshortandslim.
Whatcouldbeonthelipsofanyrunningstream?
Iletthestreamrunthroughtheveinsofmywearydream.
Thenightingalesingsfortheleafinthestreamingfilm.
~*~
164
EternalEternity...
byDeepakKumarDey
Enteringtheetherealsphere-
Enlargingthegodlylove-
Exitingtheunwantedselfishness-
Expandingthesolemnpurity-
Engulfingtheblossomingloveliness-
Encroachingthegoodtemptations-
Endingtheneverendingmanifestationofperfection-
Expoundinginnermostgladnessandgratification-
Exploringthehelpinghand-
Enhancingunendingmeeknessandforgiveness-
Executingfaithfulprudence-
Endeavouraccomplishedvictory-
Exchangingsmilingwithdarkness -
Exchangingexceptionalshiningbrightness-
Entertainingmindswithdivineexcellence.
~*~
165
Unveiled
byJohnRestrepo
UnveiledbythebloomingAcaciaofyourdreams,
OpeningtheceruleanskieswithyourstepsofIvory-
YouarecrownedintheFloraofyourcrepuscularwords,
Astheetherealrainsgavebirthtoyourimaginationandwishes.
OpenyourAmethystEyestotheilluminationofyourtomorrow,
LightupthegreencarnationsofallyouwishtobeoncetheSunArises.
PlanttheseedsofAmaranthinsidethewingsoftheempyreanlandscapes
Throughyourvioletwhispers,Ifollowyourmuseandeternalinspiration.
AsyoudanceinthewindsbeyondtheSonataAllegroofyournewday,
OpentheCrystalGardensofyourdewingmind-
DriftbeyondtheArmsoftheforestsintoyourmoonstonethrone,
Asyouwriteyourwordsinsidethecanvasofthesoil,theleaves,andthe
trees.
Forgetmenotasyoublesstheendlessgalleriesofthenight,
WhisperingyourLullabiesofilluminationandetherealnewdaysofbirth.
YouaretheChrysanthemumcradledbetweentheMoonandtheStars-
LeavingbehindthegreenWillowsofdaysandtimesforlorn,
Wherelongago,youplantedJasmineSeedstohelpyouwalkawayfrom
theshadows.
Helpingthosewhoarealwayssearchingbutwillneverfindwhattheyare
lookingfor-
Healingtheporcelainsorrowsofthosenowtoofartosee.
LettheAmbrosiaofyourmemorywitherawaythecallsofwinter,
LikeAgateconstellationsharmonizingthetouchofconstellations.
AsAngelitestreamsstartencirclingyou,showingyouwhoyouare,
Halosofcelestitemarrowopeningthetearsofeternityjustoncemore.
WhenIamgone...Whowillwriteyourwordswithinthepagesofyour
life?
PleasewatchovermewhenIbecomelostamongstthetidesofemptiness,
AsIhearyourcrepuscularvoicebecomingtheCarnelianpromisethat
longagoImadetoyou.
166
OpeningtheIrisofAquamarinedreamingdeepbeneaththeseasof
eternity,
UnveilingthebloomingofAmaryllissoulsatthefirsthoursofthenew
dawn.
LikeCelandinepyresafireinthelightshowingyouthepath,
Cherryblossomsopeninginsolemnunisonbeyondthemountains-
Openingthecuspbetweentheearthandthelabyrinthineskies,
Liketheimpermanenceoftimeandspaceetchedinthelinesinyour
palm;
TheLacrimaererumthatnolongerflowsfromthebasinofyourheart,
WalkingintheendlessfieldsofHeliotropesearchingforyouranswers-
AwaitingfortheAnemoneclustersoffatetofallinsidethemirrorof
infinity,
Iamgratefulforyourremembranceandspiritualtokensyouhaveleftfor
meamongstthetrailsofshade.
*ForAmani
~*~
167
ΒlossomThoughts
byKapardeliEftichia
Inbirds,thewindkissing
Toofaraway
Wherechildren
InthearmsofAngels
Isleep
Travel
Oh!youwhovigilantly
Myheart
Withtender
FlowersofParadise
Thevelvetpetals
Lightandwarmth
Inoldage
Itsrootslaytheflower
Andtheeyesofchildren
Redgoldenthreadsdream
Floodedwith...
Nightsarefullofstarstales
Oh!whatcelebration,countlessbirths
Beautyfillshands
Littlevoicechattering
Children’ssouls
Crossing
Blossomthoughts
Ah!Childrenourown
Alltheworld’schildren
Likecoloniesgrowingimpatient
Thesunskissing
Forlongjourneys
168
Butkidsarehungry
Andbare
Childreninwar
Bloodycolors
Insidethefire
Incelebrationofflowers
Beautifullightblueblossoms
Likestarsas
Thebreezeasthesoul
~*~
169
Transition:TheAdult
byOlaleyeGiftEmmanuel
Ababyisborn,ajourneykicksoff…
Toendeitherinmiseryorinecstasy...
Theodysseywithjoysetsoff...
Asaprivilegetobuildalegacy...
Suchpurity,suchessence...
Andasmilesopleasant...
Suchbeauty,suchinnocence...
Radiatingfromthisinfant...
Innotimethestageisset...
Yesterday’schildisgrownintoanadult...
Withorwithoutregret...
Today’sadultportraysaninfant’sresult...
Butwhowouldhavethought...
Thattheinfantofyesterday...
Withsuchagentleandcalmspirit...
Wouldbecometheautocratoftoday...
Thedictatorofbondage...
Tocausesuchpainandsorrow...
Onewhoseapparentattributes...
Fallsshortthestandardtofollow...
Thus,theonusliesontheparents...
Tofillintheblankvoid...
Andlettheyouthbethought...
Ofbadfriendstoavoid...
Havingthechildrenseeclearly...
Goodexamplestocopy...
Fromtheiraffairsregularly...
Byavoidingbeingsloppy...
170
Soallpartiesconcerned...
Wouldhaveavoidedbeenblown...
Bysighsofdisappointment...
Andcriesof,“HadIknown”.
~*~
171
OceanicLove
bySoumenRoy
Oceanflowsmilesaftermiles,
Transparentreflectivewaterquenchesallthirst-
Beyondbarriersovercomesallmeanders.
Sunisabouttoset,
Thescarletblushspreadsitssilverallover-
Ladymoonnourisheseveryone’spain.
Theflowersspreadsinhalingfragrance-
Butterfliesofvariouscoloursgatheronnectar-
Beautifulsmileofnatureisfoundallover.
Sunrisespreadsit’shappinessallover-
Multiplecoloursofhopeineachcorner-
Glitteringsundefeatsdarkness.
Red,pink,andwhitecolouredroses,
Thesacredstringinshapeofgarland-
Singharmonywithoutregrets.
Gentleairbringsthemerriness-
Theshootingbreezeserveseachwearytravelers,
Airincoloursoflove.
Thenaturemakeslovelymakeover,
Shecareseveryonewithsameaffection-
Rainbringsshowersofaffection.
Waveofoceannevercomplains,
Shatterswithcalmnessalloverbeyondbarriers-
Positivevibescomesfromtheocean.
Thetremorcomeswithanearthquake,
Readilycrackstheearthcrustbringingagony172
Motherearthshowsherrage.
Singingthebetrayalsongofnature,
Innocent,undividednevergiveuplaughter-
Smilecultivatestoprosper.
~*~
173
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ReligiousThoughts
Thefollowingselectionofpoemsareofareligiousandspiritual
nature.Alsostemmingfromaroundtheworldandfromdifferent
cultures,eachpoemreflectsupontheauthor'sbeliefs,viewsand
opinions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
174
TheMermaid
byChristopherRoberts
Thereonce
Livedone
Ofthe
Lord’smost
Beautiful
Creations.
Hewasmost
Pleasedwith
Herandher
Loveforall
Thecreatures
ThatHehad
Createdand
Thatlivedinthe
Manyseas
Aroundtheworld.
Shelivedin
Peacewith
Themany
Creaturesoftheseas.
Sheloved
Themall
Andthey
Inturnedlovedher.
Shelivedin
Theseasof
Theworldfor
Thousandsof
Yearstaking
Careofherfriends.
Thenmantook
Totheseas.
Atfirstthey
Traveledher
Seasinpeace
Lookingfor
Othersof
Theirkind.
Butthen
Theychanged
Theirways
Astimewenton.
Theystarted
Tokillherfriends.
Shewasnot
Afighter
Andknewnot
Howtostopman.
Shepleaded
WithGodto
Helpher
Andherfriends.
Godhadtold
Herthatman
Wasalsoone
OfHiscreations
Andthathunting
Waspartofhisnature.
Shepleaded
Notonlyfor
Thesafety
Ofthecreatures
Oftheseas
Thatwere
Herfriends,
TheLord
Thought
Longand
175
Hardaboutthisproblem.
Themermaid
Wasoneof
Akindand
Hedidnot
Wantanything
Tohappentoher.
Thenitcame
ToHim,away
Tosaveher
Andherfriends
Andtoleave
Manaloneforthetimebeing.
Onenight
Whilesheslept,
Godreached
Downfromthe
Heavensabove
Andtookthe
Mermaidand
Herfriendsin
Hisholy
Handsand
Movedher
Farfrom
Hertroubles
Withman.
Whensheawoke
Thefollowingday,
Shefoundherself
Inaseathat
Wasunknown
Toherandherfriends.
ThentheLord
Spoketoher
AndHetold
HerthatHe
Hadcreated
Asmallocean
Worldforher
Andherfriends
Toliveon
Inpeace.
Healso
Toldher
ThatHe
Hadplaced
Herfar
Fromthe
Threats
Ofman.
Hepromised
Hislittle
Mermaid
Thatnothing
Wouldever
Botherheragain.
Andshelived
Inpeacefor
Thousandsof
Yearsmore
Untilthe
Daythat
TheLord
Calledherhome.
~*~
176
Dreamer
byDeepakKumarDey
Beaneagle,flyabovethecloud-
Scanyourstrengthasmuchasyoucould.
Keepondoing,lookatforthebest-
Nevergettiredonthewayofconquest.
Reciteyoursoul’spersuasionaloud-
Evenhardshipanduneasinessmaycausewound.
Don'tbeafraidofwhenyoufallonground-
SingandpraytoGOD,Heisprofound.
Forgetandforgiveisbetterthantocontrive-
Loveandhappinessisutmostneedtogive.
Understandingandagreementleadstolive-
Youmustfightforrealityisalive.
Beanachiever,wishforthelight-
Whetheryouareindarkenedsight.
Cultivateyourheart,becourageoustofight-
Putyourabilitywithallmight.
Sinceyouarethecaptainofyoursoul-
Bethemasterofdreams,playyourvitalrole.
Enforceyourstrength,thatisboldandvalid-
ActlikeaWarrior,fightonyourhistoricfield.
~*~
177
HonestConfession
bySoumenRoy
TodayIaminclassnine-
Youshowedmetheway,totherouteofshine.
Yoursconstantefforts,leadsmetotheshiningresort-
Iwillbegratefultoyouforyourkindsupport.
Ioffermytributestoyourholyfeetrespectedteacher-
Alsowishtomakeaprayerwithabunchofflower,
Toyourholyfeet,ohmydearTeacher.
Istillrememberthedayofignorance-
WhenIwasdisturbingandteachersloosetheirpatience.
Yousteppedinmylifethattime-
Yourhumbleaffectionandendurancewassoveryprime.
Yourskindnessandaffection,
Nourishedmeshowersofinspiration.
Youpersuademeinsuchawayasnobodyhasdone-
Wheneveryoufindsomethinggoodinme,
Youmakemesitwiththefirstboyandleteveryonesee.
Youinspiredmyvoicetonourishmysinging-
WithoutyourencouragementIcoulddonothing.
OhdearTeacher,Iamgratefultoyou-
Wordsarelimitedtoexpressmygratitude.
Youaremydevotionallinrealization-
Youaremypridetothewayofperfection.
~*~
178
Wizardry
byDawnMarieDiMartino
Theartofwizardry-
Islosttosome.
Thismagiclivesinus-
Throughourveins,itdothrun.
Tapintothewell,
Ifknowledgeyouseek.
Lookintothefire-
Tohearothersspeak.
Sit,enjoynature-
Inthis,powerisfound.
Lifeistheenergy-
Usedproperly,astounds!
Spaceandtime,
Wedonotchase.
Sayyourwordsproperly-
Nolinetoerase.
Aswithall,
Therearerules.
Harmyenone-
Donotabusethistool.
Universallaw-
Dothapplytothee.
Ifevilisdone,
Backtoyou,timesthree.
179
HonortheOne-
Whohascreatedusall.
Heedimmediately,
Whenyouarecalled.
Takecareofthat-
Allwhichyousee.
Usethispowerwisely-
Trulyhappyyouwillbe.
~*~
“Wizardry”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
180
We,TheKids
byThaddeusHutyra
We,thekidsaresparksoflight,
IntheLord’scosmicreign.
Sparksanchoredinthelabyrinth,
Ofthespider’sgossameroflight.
Inmyenchantingbedtimehours,
IcanseeHarryPotter,MonkeyKingz
EvenAliceinherWonderland!
Allarefeasting,allarelaughing-
Invitingkidsfromacrosstheworld!
Oh,abracadabra,abracadabra!
Whatanenchantinggloryitis!
AlltheUniverseanditsriches-
Alltheplanetsandstars-
Alltheinfiniteness,
Inthecobwebsoflight.
TheLordistheconductor-
Theultimateone,oflight.
Hisphilharmonicmusic,
IsthesymphonyoftheUniverse.
O’Lord,myLord,myonlyLord-
You,theConductorofLight!
OfallthetidesoftheUniverse-
Itsoceansupontheshores,
Thatyouonlyknow,O’Lord!
WeareguardiansoftheUniverse,
Althoughbutsparksoflight-
Thoughbravekidshavingdreams181
Neverabandoningthem,
Forwearebutpartofyou-
Andyouareusall,O’Lord,
You,theConductorofLight!
Inthemidstofitall,
We,thekidsofourbelovedEarth-
Aretravelingonourstarships,
ToallthecornersoftheUniverse.
Oursshipsarefancyvehicles,
Enablingussmoothtravels,
Onalltheinterstellarhighways.
Allthoselovelycreaturesontheway,
Arebecomingourfriendsforlife!
Thereamongthestars,
Kidslikeusattendclasses,
Intheirwonderfulschools.
Theyplayfootball,
Lovetheirmomsanddads,
Somuchaswedo!
Thereinthefarandnearspace,
YouaretheChoreographerofLife.
ElvisPresleyisyourelegantsongster,
Withhissublimevoice,
Vibratinginaseductiveway-
Throughoutthecosmictides.
Thereyouare,O’Lord-
You,theConductorofLight-
You,theWizardofalltimes
Formingnewgalaxies,newuniverses,
Entwinedindimensionsupondimensions.
~*~
182
TheCunningWickedWolf
byVinodSingh
ShantaRam,atemplepriest,
Wasasoftspoken,kindhearted.
Heneverkilledanantinhislife!
Lovedchildrenandgavethemsweets,
Childrenlovedhim.Hetoldthem,
"Respectyourelders,loveanimals.
Birds,donotkill,hurtthem".
Hetoldthemstoriesbasedonkinddeeds.
Onedayhehadtogotown.
Hehadtopassabigjungle-
Earlyhestarted.
Onthewayhesawabigbag
Asheapproached,
"Helpme",saidavoiceinthebag.
"Whatdoyouwant,howshallIhelp?"
"Pleasetakemeoutofthisbag
Iamsuffocating".
"Whoareyou?",Priestasked.
"Iamawolf.PleaseletmeoutorIwilldie.
Ican’tbreath!Please,help!",wolfbegged.
Priestaskedhim,"Promiseme
Youwillnotharmme,thenonly
Iwillhelpyou."Thewolfsaid,
"Ipromise,todoyounoharm.
Begging,pleaseletmeout
Kindheartedman,helpme!"
Thepriestopenedthebag,
said,"comeoutmyfriend."
Thewolfcameout,relaxinghisarchedback,
Said,"Thanksforlettingmeout.
Askedwhereareyougoing?"
183
"Totown",saidthepriest.
"Haveyousomethingtoeat?Iamhungry."
"No,IhadmymealsbeforeIstarted.
NowImustproceed,toreachtown."
Wolfasked,"Givemesomethingtoeat-
IamHungry,veryHungry,Ifangry-
Iwilleatyou!Getmesomefoodor
Iwilleatyou,quickrunfastbringfood!"
Thepriestsaid,"Letmego,yousearch
Andeatyourfood,Ihavetoreachtown."
"No,IamhungrysoIwilleatyou!"
Thepriestsaid,"Youpromisedme,
YouwilldonoharmifIletyououtofbag-
Sohowcanyoueatme?"
"WhynotIamhungrysoIwilleatyou",saidthewolf.
Pouncingonhim,barringhisteeth-
Scarringthepriest.Priestsaid,"Isavedyou,
So,Godwillpunishyouifyoueatme.
Letusasksomeoneifitisrightifyoueatme."
"Okay",saidthewolf,butwhomtoask.
"Okay,wewillaskthetree.OhtreecanthiswolfeatmeIsavedhislife
Savemetree!"
TheTreewasdreaming,itwasfulloffruit.
Thechildrenjumpingandbreakingfruit-
Eating,jumpingandenjoyingtastyfruit.
Treesaidindream,"EatEat".
Thepriestsaid,"Isavedyouitiswrong".
"Letusasksomeoneelse",wolfagreed.
"Come,let’saskthecow".Theywenttothecow.
"Cow,canthiswolfeatme?Isavedhislife."
Cowhadeatenalotwasdreaming,
Shehadborneacalf,uddersfullofmilk.
Sheurged,hercalf,eat,drinkgrowstrong-
"Eatgrass,eat.", toldhercalf,inherdream.
Thewolfsaid,”Seeshetoldtoeat.Iwilleatyouup!"
184
"Waitwewillaskaman.Seeheiscomingtowardsus,
let'sask.
Priesttoldhimthewholestoryandsaid,
"Hewantstoeatme,Isavedhislife."
Themansaid,"Howwasheinthisbag?
Suchabigwolf,Suchasmallbag.
Youarelying,howcanhefitinthisbag?
Showme,youwerereallyinthisbag?
Icannotbelieveit!Smartwolf,how?
Youwentinthebag,showme."
Hetookthebagandsaid,
“Comenowandshowme".
Thewolfjumpedintothebagsaid,"SeeIwasinthebag".
Themantiedthebag,lethimbethere.
"Neverbekindtothewickedandcunning",
Hetoldthepriest,"Goyourway,becareful".
~*~
185
Spirit
byDeepakKumarDey
Pursuelifesofar,
Fartherawayforever,
Andblendwithlovetostay.
Hearthevoiceoflove-
Singthegloryofheavenfromabove.
Showthetruthoflife-
Bringtheduskingsunalive.
Learnfromallwanderings,
Andputthemoonasadiamondring.
Whisper“loveandpeace”....
Likethereliabilityofprayerwillnevermiss-
Liftupitthroughadivinepath,
Juststandup,walkandrun!
Liketheearththatrotatesaroundthesun.
Breakalldisagreementsandrules-
Comeforward,walkhandandhand,
Dispelthedarkness,
ShowtotheUniverse,thewaytodivineland.
Bringhappinessandmeekness-
Singtherhapsodyonceagain.
Lighttheilluminatingflame-
Windupalldarkness,lightupagain.
Talkwiselyandhealthy,stayhealthy.
Spreadyourloveeverywhere-
Innowhereandintosomewhere!
~*~
186
CarpathianSkies
byThaddeusHutyra
ThedaybelongedtothemajesticCarpathianmountains,
And,themarvelousskiesembracingthem,theCarpathianskies.
Mesmerizingandenigmaticbeyondanythingtosay-
Fabuloustoahighestdegree,God’sphenomenalcreation.
Theskieswereazureblue,notoneevengreycloudtobeseen.
Thisvastoceanofblueexpanseswasembracedbrotherly,
BycountlesssymphonicraysfromthegodlikeSun.
DevinemusicoftheskiesabovetheCarpathianmountains-
Breathtaking,aheavenlymusicofthePhantomoftheDay.
Iwastrampingthroughmountainrangesthewholeday-
Feelingunitedwiththenatureandhergodlikeproximity.
Itwasaworldinitself,abewilderingwildernessofthenature-
Allthosemountainlakes,flowersonecouldneverseeelsewhere,
Wildanimalsseenfromtimetotime,eventhebrownbearsamazing
displayofthedivineCarpathiansinalltheirroyaldominion.
FromtimetotimeIlookedaroundcuriouslyforsomethingelsesomethingwhatIheardfromthejoviallocalmountaineers,
Towhom,nothingherewasalien,everythingwasintheirscriptures.
AnytimesoonIshouldfindacastlehiddeninthosemountains-
Deepintheirshadow,thecastleofDraculaVladŢepeşhimself;
Theenormouslybloodthirstykingofallvampiresinoneperson.
Thestoriesweretheprince,turnedvampire,wasstillpresentandactive
atnightsascenturiesago,moresowithpassingtime.
Theprincewholosthisbelovedprincesssomecenturiesago-
Insuspiciousandverygruesomecircumstances.
Circumstances,whichenragedhimtosuchadegree,
Heturnedintoavampireinasupernaturalway.
Eversincethen,hewasonakillingspree,outofasheerrage-
Nevertobesatisfiedenough,fallingforfreshblood.
187
Ihavereturnedtomycampingquitelate,feelingabitter,acolderair.
Astarlitnightwasalreadyfullyblownlikesomeangelicbeauty,
OrevenlikeMarilynMonroeinherdressblownupinthewind
Beforeacrowdoffrenzyphotographers,dancinglikesomedevils-
Luckilywithoutatraceofthemhere,onthebosomofnature.
Whatanightitpromisedtobe,undertheCarpathianskies,
WithalltheluminouslyshimmeringstarsonthecurtainofHeavens-
Ingentlegustofwarmwinds,wolvesandbearshiddenfromsight,
Inthedarknessofthequietnight,sometimesperhapsseenghostly.
Withmytent,mytablewithcandles,asmallcampfirenext-
WhatelsedidIneed?Yes,awoman,amuseofthesemountains!
IhadadeliciouslatesupperonthetablewhichIconsumed-
LikeifIwereanenormouslyexcessivegourmand,
Whilethesmallflamesofmycandlesdancedinthesoftwind-
Notstrongenoughtogetthemsnuffedout,adanceoftheflames.
Idon’tknowwhathappenedthen,therewasamomentarydarkness-
AsifIhadlostmyconsciousnessorwerekeptinblackness.
Thenextsequencewassimplythrillinglyunearthly,
Supernaturaltheresatboth,SatanhimselfandGodAlmightyatthetable.
Satan’seyesshowedendlessabysswithwildfires-
Tenthousandsmorepowerfulthannuclearexplosions,
OrevenBigBangsupernovasatvastgalacticspaces!
ThishorroralikeabyssmustcertainlyhavebeentheHell.
God’seyesshowedtheHeavens-
OfinfinitecalmnessandinfinitespacesofallUniverses,
KnownandunknownthoughgatheredcompletelywithinHim.
GodAlmightytheCreatorofalltheUniverses,ofInfinitiesupon
Infinities.
WhydidhethentoleratedSatan,thedevilofdevils?
Well,perhapsHehadHisunfathomabledesign,Hisplan.
"You’remine.",Satansaidwrylytome.
AggressivelyIfeltinstantlyburningmyselfmadlyoutoffearoffears.
WhathaveIdonethat Satanwantedme?Iwasadecentperson.
I’veneverharmedanyone,nevercheated,whythen?
188
"Notinmylife!Neverever!",Isuddenlyheardashout.
IwasstunnedbutasmuchGodandSatanthemselves.
Anintensivesourceoflight,tennisballshaped,
Jumpedoutofmychestandbouncedontothetable.
Irealizedthisneutronalikeballofintensivelightwasnothingelse,
Asmysoul,mybelovedsoul,mydefender!
"You’renottodecidethis!",Satanrepostedangrily.
Bundleofhellishfiresflushedoutofhiseyes,nearlycatchingmysoul.
Butthenunexpectedly,hemanagedtohitmysoul.
Whichbouncedallthewaytowardstheneighboringmountains,
OnlytobecaughtbyGod’sinvisiblestringsaliketheonesusedby
Spidermanandbroughtbackontothetable.
"Neitheryou",GodAlmightysaidcalmly.
NotevenlookingatSatan,extendedHishandtomysoul.
ShebouncedhappilyonGod’shand.
"Youthinkso?!",Satanrepostedyetagain,
Butonecouldseehewasn’tsosureofhimselfwhendealingwithGod.
"Yes,Ithinkso",wasGod’sfirmanddefinitiveanswer.
Heletmysoultobouncebackontothetable,somehowrejuvenated.
"Idon’tunderstand,whatisitallabout?",Imurmuredfearfully,
AfraidtobelookingstraightatGodandHisadversary.
Whatwasmostsurprising?WasthatGodAlmightyjustlaughed,
AndallthestarsontheHeavens’skiesscintillatedatthesametime.
"It’snothingtodowithyou,Thaddeus,onmyside.",Godsaid.
"IjustlovetobepresentinthissceneryoftheCarpathians."
"WhythenSatan’shere,atthistable?",mysoulasked.
ShediditcourageouslyknowingGodwasherlovingFather.
"Yes,Iknowhehadbadintentions.Thisiswhyheishere.",
Godansweredmysoulandthenturnedpatientlytome-
"Yousee,Thaddeus,youwerelookingforDracula,
Atleastyou’vebeenthinkingofhim.Satan’shisbestfriend."
189
WhatcouldIansweraboutthisrevelation,soclearnowtome?
"Thankyou,GodAlmighty.",Ijustsaidbutfeltrelieved.
GodallowedmetosmiletoHimandevengiftedmewithHissmile.
Thenextthing,ofwhatIremembered,weremycandlessnuffingout-
Oneafteranotheronewhilethestarswereshimmeringasalways,
ThistimeitwasthesymphonyofthePhantomoftheNight.
~*~
“CarpathianSkies”
DrawingbyDawnMarieDiMartino
190
Don’tFear...
byDeepakKumarDey
Inthecityoflight-
Ontheroadsofblackandwhite-
Walkontherightlines,
Stepforward,followingthelight.
Don'tbeabsentinsight-
Getridofunfertilemight-
Shadowmanmaycomeatnight.
Satanmaymakeyoudemonic-
Draggingintopanic,
Hidinginthedark,faroffsight.
Don'tscareathisblankstare-
Hemayknockyoudownbuttrytodare-
Heisnotahuman,awildanimal,anightmare.
Youhavethepower,youcandefend,
Hishorriblethreat.
Saveyourselffromdemon’splight-
Justwakeandbebrave,
Toseeanotherawaitedmorninglight.
~*~
191
InnocentSin
bySinghVikas
Lyinginthearmsofmom-
Iseeherinfaintlight.
Hereyesareclosed,
Asshebreatheslightly.
Icansensehersmell,
Andherbeautifulface.
Sheopenshereyes
AndIclosemine.
Shekissesmeonmycheeks-
Ibehaveasifunaware.
Shecallsmyname,
ButIdon’trespond.
Ibehavedlikethis,
Toavoidgoingschool.
Afterlotofefforts,
Shegotme.
Shesmilesatme,
AndIgigglecoyly.
Shetakesmetochurch,
AndIwatchherpraying.
Imumblethewords,
Andcopyher.
Lightupthecandle-
Igetupforprayer.
Iseeonefly,
Sittingonmyfinger.
Ishakemyhand,
Butitdidn’tflyoff.
Iwhiffedatit,
192
Butthecandlegoesoff.
Mymomseesallthis,
Shelooksamazed.
Shesmilesatme,
AndIgigglecoyly.
Iwalkonafootpath,
Seeoneblackguy.
Lookslikeacreambiscuit,
Ashe’sinwhite.
Somestepsforward-
Iseeonewhiteguy.
Looksboring,
Ashe’salsoinwhite.
Itellthistomom.
Sheseemsastonished,
Butshesmilesatme-
AndIgigglecoyly.
Backathome,
Itakeoutmyspecs.
Iholdittight,
Andplaceinthelight.
Afterfewattempts,
Igetafocus.
Iplacedit,
Onmypet’stail.
Thepetfeelstheheat,
Andrunsaway.
Mymomwatchesthis,
Shelooksshocked.
Againshesmilesatme,
AndIgigglecoyly.
Lateatnight,
Iaskheraquestion,
"Whydidshesmile,
193
WhenIerredfrequently?"
Shehugsme,
Andholdsmetight.
Placingherlips,
Neartomeandsays,
“Theworldismature,
Youarenot.
Yourdeedswerebad,
Youarenot.
Worldteachesconscience,
Youteachinnocence.
WorldsearchesforGod,
IseeGodinyou.”
Shesaysthistome,
AsIsleepinherarms.
~*~
194
TheIceQueen
byChristopherRoberts
Thereonceliveda
Womanwhosebeauty
Wasunmatchedby
Anyotherintheworld.
Thereonceliveda
Womanwholoved
Thesnowandice
Sothatshemade
Herhomeatthe
Topoftheworld.
Herbrightblueeyes
Sparkledlikethe
Starsinthenightsky.
Hersilverhairflowed
Downtothebackofherknees.
Sheworethemost
Beautifulsilverand
Whitedressthat
Floweddownto
Theflooraroundherfeet.
Sheworeacrown
Oficethatshe
Hadsculptedherself.
Shehadalsocrafted
Apairofthemost
Beautifulwingsout
Oficeaswellthat
195
Allowedhertoflyhigh
Intotheheavensabove.
Duringthenights
Shespenthertime
Readingbedtime
Storiestothe
Childrenoftheworld.
Shereadstoriesinto
Theweehoursof
Themorningsas
Thechildrenslept
Anddreameddreams
Ofcreaturesnever
Beforeseenbyman–
Unicorns,pegasi
Andfriendlydragons.
Thesedreamsstayed
Withthechildren
Untilthemoonfaded
Belowthehorizon.
Shelivedinapalace
Madeoutofsnowand
Icethatshehadalsocreated.
Shelivedinapalace
Thatisstilltheretoday,
Alltheseyearsafter
ShelefttheEarth
Toreturnhometo
TheLordourGod.
~*~
196
AProudDaughter
byDeepakKumarDey
Asmallgirlranacrossthebattlefield,
Seeingher,botharmiesstoodstand-still.
Bothcommander-in-chiefsstoppedwarcries-
Bombardmentwasstoppedforherbabble,
Andallstoodstaringathersobbingeyes.
Quenchingheartofhersstartedtomurmur,
“Whyyoubringsomuchhorror?”
“Whyyouseekandlongfordisaster,
Makingusorphan,homelessthroughoutfear?”.
"Whocansay,wherecanIfindmylostfather?
IwishIcouldsearchforhimeverycorner."
Onecommandercamenearer,“Olittledaughter.Yourfather
isnomore."
Hearingthis,shefellontheground,
Likeashotbirdfallswithabrokenwing.
Shewasmoaning,thinkingnevercouldsing.
Shefeltlikeshewastrappedinthehell,
Butshewashopefultoliveverywell.
HavingmuchmoretrustinHim-
Shemustnotbefragile.
Withfoldedhandssheusedtopray,
“OhAlmighty,leadme,showmetherightway.
“OhGod,Savemefrommelancholictidalsway."
Shecouldn’tforgetthehappeningsofthebattleground.
ShewasfaithfultoHim,soshecouldhavefoundherfather.
Shehadcoveredthehills,mountainsandriver,
Acrossthelandoceansofeverycorner.
197
EachmomentshefeltthatHewasbesideher,
Soshedidn’tlosehope,Aprouddaughter.
Neverhadsheforgottenhersincereduties.
Shehadtopassovermanydifficulties,
Inthewayofpossibilities.
Dayspassed,monthsgoneby-
Neverdidshestophersearching.
Onedayshefoundherfather,
Whomwasburiedinthehill.
Asshefoundherfather,
Sittingaloneholdingthegravestone,
Shebegantoutter,”Ifoundyoufather..
Salutetoyou,thebravestfighter."
Therecameunstoppabletears.
Andshewhispered,”Iamproudofyoufather,
IamthedaughteroftheRoyalFighter.
Loveyoumore,OhmyFather,
Loveyoumore,OhmyFather”
~*~
198
StarWarsMedley
byThaddeusHutyra
Thereyouare,myangel-
Playingawe-inspiringmusic,
Onyourharp.
Thereyouare,myangel-
Inthealleyofstars,
Contradictingstarwars.
Perhapsthereistheeternalrivalry-
Betweentheevilandgoodness,
Intheforce,theheartofitall.
Perhapstheystruggletothebitterend-
Noneabletowin,
somehowadoomsday.
Alwayscirclingaroundeachother-
LiketheSunandEarth,
Nonetornapart.
Guardiansofthestars,theJedi's-
Contraraidersofthestars,
Theeternalstruggle!
TheForceAwakens,indeed-
IntheGalacticEmpire,
Tousall!
Thereyouare,myangel199
Withyourharp,
Andthepowerofthestars.
Witnessingthebirthofstarswithyourmusic-
Sayingfarewelltothedyingstars,
Holdingthebalance.
Findingyetanotherlife-givingEarth-
AmongsomanycosmicEarths,
TheblessingoftheLord!
Oimmensegalaxyclusters-
Withvibrantheart,
Burstingwithnewstars!
Owhoppinggalaxyclusters-
Thepetalsofthecosmos,
Swarmedbycomets!
Ostarburstgalaxyclusters-
Withstar-birthpartynowandthen,
You,thesymphony!
Thereyouare,myangel-
Withyourstarwarsmedley
Captivatingme!
Oplay,play,myangel-
Playthemedleyonyourharp,
Stayinmyheart!
~*~
200
Kalijai,TheMaiden
bySonaliNayak
Itisbelievedthatthebride,whenonherwaytosailtoherfather-in-laws,
anaturalcalamityoccurredandthebridenamedKALIJAIdisappeared
orkissedthelapofdeath.Sincethen,everynight,thatplacewas
decoratednaturallyandbridalmusiccanbeheardbythenatives.Later
thatparticularplacefamedasKALIJAItempleandbecamethefamous
touristplaceandasacredplaceofODISHA....Oryoucansaythe
KanyakumariofOdisha.
Sheworehergoldenbangles,
ToallureherGod.
Decoratedherheart,
Withdreamsofrosebuds.
Shecolouredherface
Withpinkblushes.
Andornamentedherneck
Withtears,astimeflashes.
Themastsailed.
Shesteppedin,
Andshiedindreams-
Asshewasgoingtoherinternalking.
Tomakehisworld,
Blossomwithlovelotus-
Togiveherfather,
Afortuneofceremonialstatus.
Theshipwalkedwithnospecialeffort,
Thetidessangsongsofthebride’sheart.
201
Thewindgaveharmonytothemusic-
ThesunsprinkledonherHisblessings.
But...
TheNaturechangedsuddenlyhersoftheart-
Sentthedevilsofblackwindandwhitemist.
Themastbrokehisfriendshipwiththeship-
She(ship)turnedhopelessandweak.
Shecrashedherheadwiththeunluckystoneedge,
Andtheskyturnedblackunlikethesage.
Thewavesbecamestrongandwild-
Thebridedisappearedinthemonsterebb.
Sincethen!
Herdreamsgotanewlife-
Eachnightdecoratesherwithmoonandstarlight.
Shecriesinpainbutinvain-
Hersoulbecomesthegoddess,
Andherdreams...
"dropsofsearain".
~*~
202
203
PoetBiographies
ThaddeusHutyra
MyactualnameisTadeuszHutyra,thoughfortheEnglishworldIhave
adoptedthenameThaddeusHutyra.Iamthefounderof“ThePoetry
Universe”theFacebookgroupresponsibleforthisbook.Bornin
mountainousRajcza,Poland.Ispentmychildhoodandteenageyears
herestudyingandIalsoparticipatedinthe“Solidaritymovement”
againstthecommunistregime.EmigratingtoNewZealandwhenPoland
wasstillintheSovietthawIbecameacitizenwithinfiveyears,livingin
thecapitalcityWellington,oftencalled“WindyWellington”.Afterwards
Itravelledworldwide,IhavebeentoamongstotherplacesChina,though
IfinallysettleddowninAntwerp,Belgium.TheUSAhadalwaysbeen
myintendedfinaldestinationaftermydeparturefromPoland.America,
especiallyNewYorkCitywithitsStatueofLibertystillremainmy
dream.ThefreedomscherishedbyAmericaareanunstoppabletrendthat
Iamfullybehind,wishingthesametoallindividualsacrosstheworld,
freedom,humanrightsandlove.InthemeantimeIamfeelingquite
comfortablelivingintheEuropeanUnion,agreatprojectofall
Europeanswhichcametrue.
DawnDiMartino
DawnDiMartinolivedmostofheryouthinNewYork,buthasbeena
nativeofFloridaforover20+years.Amotherof4adultchildrenanda
retiredanalyst,herpassionforwritingstartedataveryearlyageandshe
hascontinuedthroughheradultlifetakingapentohandandcompiling
herinnermostthoughts,feelingsandexpressionsonpaper.Herwriting
keepsherinacalmingframeofmindwhensheisputtingitalldown.
Some/Mostofherwritingscantellyouaboutherownpersonalstory.
TanyaMiranda
204
TanyaMirandaisaprogrammer,writer,dreamer,andintergalactic
superherocurrentlylivinginNewJerseywithherhusbandandtwo
aliensposingashumanchildren.Inbetweeninterstellarmissions,she
writesfantasy,sci-fi,andromanticfictionaswellaspoetry.Youcanfind
herworksatwww.tanyamiranda.com.
StevenM.Woods
StevenWoodsstartedwritingafterabriefperiodintheRoyalAirForce
helpedhimtodecidethatworkinghardforalivingwaspossiblybestleft
toothers.Hisinspirationcomesfromtheinnocenteyesofhistwo
daughterswhoshowhimeverydaythatthisworldisanamazingplace.
JonyFrancissen
I'm27andfromtheNetherlands.I'vebeenwritingfrommyown
experiencesforyears,butsince2015,Iallowtheworldtoreadmy
feelings.It'sbeautifulwhenIcantouchotherpeople'ssouls.Intheend,
we'reallinthistogetherandneveralone.Youcanfindmypoetryon
FacebookorInstagramatwww.facebook.com/jonyfrancissenpoetryand
www.instagram.com/jonyfrancissen.
RinoaThomas
RinoaThomaswasbornandraisedintheseasidetownofGalway,
Ireland.Atherchristening:itwasordainedthatshewouldonedaybea
studentofthe"Word".Aprophecywhichwasobviouslylostin
translationtoher,astimewouldprove.Sheenjoyswritingandbelievesit
istheonlythingshehasevenbeenanygoodat.Shestilldesperately
clingstothefadingideaofsomedaymakingalivingfromit.
JenniferHatfield
205
JenniferHatfieldhasspentmostofheryearsbeingamotherandwife.
Shegraduatedfromhighschoolandworkedinthemedicalfieldpriorto
herbeingdiagnosedwithepilepsy.Shehaswithinthelasttenyearsbeen
dealingwithherepilepsyandhasfoundherabilitytowriteasawayto
expressherfeelings.
RainySarmistha
RainySarmisthaisahotelierbyprofessionandalsoacontentandblog
writer.ShewasbornandbroughtupinOrissa(Cuttack)butherwork
broughtheruptosettleinNewDelhi,India.Herpassiontowardswriting
makesherwanttowritemoreandmore. Shebelieveswithloveanyone
cantouchtheskyandflyhighlikeafreebird.Rainyisapublished
poetess.Herreleasedbooksare“Redballoons”,“Cupidsheart”and
“Anthologyforworldpeaceandharmony”.Herforthcomingpoemswill
appearinthebook“Whisperoflove,Betrayal”.Shehasalsopublished
poemsin“Randompoemtree”,“Emagazine(HallofPoets)”andan
AnthologypublishedonworldEarthday.
RihanHassanMustapha(RiHM)
IwasbornandraisedinRiyadh.IamanEnglishteacherandtranslator.
MyfriendscallmeSnowWhitebecauseIhavelovedfairytalessinceI
wasachild.Istillenjoytoreadsuchstoriesastheyinspiremetowrite
lovepoems.
VinodSingh
Basicallyahomelyperson,whennotworkingIlazeandwritestories,
poetry,jokesandrecipes.I’mawhimsicalwriter,Iwriteanywhereon
buses,trainsoratstations.Mybestfriendsaremypenandpaper,Ilove
andcarrythemeverywherewithmeinmypurse.
VikasSingh
206
VikasSinghisanengineerworkinginthepublicsectorforthe
GovernmentOfIndia.Heloveswritingpoemsandshortstories.Hehas
publishedmanypoemsinvariouse-bookandwebsites.Healsohasone
bookunderhisnametitledSHABDANJALIwhichcompromisesof
poemswrittenbyhim.Accordingtohim,poetryrunsinhisbloodandhe
expresseshimselfthroughhisworks.
SoumenRoy
IwasBornandraisedinKharagpur,India.Aftercompletingschoolat
theIndianInstituteofTechnologyImovedontoMidnaporecollege
beforeworkingwithHDFCbank.Soonaftermy2ndbrothersdeathI
gaveupworkingandmovedtoKolkatatostartwriting,thishasbeenmy
passionforever.
JanClaudineA.Tabañag
JanClaudineA.TabañagwasbornandgrewupinPhilippines.Sheisthe
onlygirlwithfourbrothers.Sheloveswritingrandomthoughtsandher
upbeatemotions.Shekeepherwritingsashermostpreciouscollection.
FrankPastorelli
Iwasbornin1975andraisedinQueensNYwithtwooldersisters.Iwas
veryfortunatetohavetwolovingdependableparents.Startedwritingin
myteenswhenIfirstfeltbeinginlove.However,Ionlystartedsharing
mywritingsrecently.InowresideinFloridaandhavetwochildren.My
sonFrankiewastheinspirationbehindmycontributiontothis
publication.
JohnFingleton
207
JohnFingletonwasBorninCork,Ireland,livedinmanyplaces,at
presentinFrance,waitingforthewind.
IevaRasmussen
I'ma41yearoldLithuanianlivinginDenmarkandamotheroftwoboys,
17and4yearsold.Imakingmylivingasacosmetologistandamanager
ofabeautysaloninasmalltowninthenorthernpartofthecountry.
Poetryformeisamagicalalchemyofwords,soul,spiritandhuman
experience.IwritepoetryinDanish,EnglishandLithuanianandalso
enjoydrawingillustrationsforthepoemstoo.
YvettePopławska
YvettePopławskawasborninWroclaw,Poland.In1991sheemigrated
toBelgium.ShefoundedandispresidentoftheInternationalAssociation
ofArtists,Authors,JournalistsandLawyersVirtualiaART(2013),She
organizedthefirstWorldLiteratureunisonpoetryinBelgium2014.She
isapoetess,fabulist,essayist,prosewriter,reporter,journalist,
photographerandanimatorofculture.
~*~
208
209
IndexOfIllustratorsandPoets
Illustration
DawidWojtalewicz
SillyBillyGoat 148
DawnMarieDiMartino
AntAndButterfly 48
Birdie,Birdie 90
BlackieAndSammy 36
CarpathianSkies 189
ChildrenOfTheUniverse 4
HauntedWood 152
IHaveBeenTraveling 156
LittleMermaid 88
MagicalPen 87
MagicalRenewalPlace 16
MidasTouch 94
WishesForYou 34
Wizardry 179
DouglasLeeDieter
WhyEveryCatHasWhiskers 63
IevaRasmussen
Alone(DeathOfAButterfly) 114
Angel 2
CatThePoe 125
Encounter 129
Fairyland 28
GreenCrocodile 85
HedgehogMilan 66
RoboticHeart 40
SlippyTheSerpent 22
SnowQueen 64
SpyglassEyePirate 14
TheFilm 162
WhileYouWereSleeping 52
JanClaudineTabanag
CheeseRing 100
MyFellow 92
Stars 24
KazimierzWieczorek
UnrulyBillyGoat 159
210
UnrulyBillyGoatinAmerica 161
KrystalPelfrey
AbracadabraCalamazoo 74
RinoaNoaThomas
BalladOfMadameStitch 136
StevenM.Woods
Choo-ChooTrain 27
FrancisFrog 78
TwilightFairyAdventures 7
WhenFrankMetKyle 10
Poetry
AnahitArustamyan
HauntedWood 153
HelloAirplanes! 19
TheFilm 163
TheSnowQueen 65
ChristopherRoberts
LullabyoftheMoon 108
RayfelZaxforus 111
TheIceQueen 194
TheMermaid 174
WhileYouSleep 53
DawnMarieDiMartino
Bullied 82
ChildrenOfTheUniverse 5
LifeisTalking 141
MagicalRenewalPlace 17
SummerVacation 8
Wizardry 178
DeepakKumarDey
AProudDaughter 196
Don’tFear... 190
Dreamer 176
EternalEternity... 164
Let'sHaveASmile 51
SleepForYourMamma 70
Spirit 185
DouglasLeeDieter
Of‘Y’s,‘Whys’,‘Wise’And‘Otherwise’ 39
WhyEveryCatHasWhiskers 62
211
“ChiChingKatieDid”,SaidHe 30
ElizabethWoods
DidYouEverStopAndWonder? 42
FrankPastorelli
AFather’sPride 20
IevaRasmussen
Alone(DeathOfAButterfly) 115
RoboticHeart 41
SpyglassEyePirate 15
JanClaudineTabanag
CheeseRing 101
MyFellow 93
Stars 25
JenniferHatfield
AbracadabraCalamazoo 75
JohnAnthonyFingleton
Angel 3
SlippyTheSerpent 23
TheHusher 110
ToySoldier 61
TubbyTheTugboatFromSeastone-Sur-Mer 56
JohnRestrepo
IHaveBeenTraveling... 157
Unveiled 165
JonyFrancissen
WishesForYou 35
KapardeliEftichia
Children 9
SweetBeauty 143
TheCicada 81
ΒlossomThoughts 167
MaynardReich
OnceThereWasALittleGirl 116
MirandaHolland
AChild’sImagination 118
NebulaGoth
Fairyland 29
OlaleyeGiftEmmanuel
MidasTouch 95
NaughtySeysik 130
SpinningBall 132
TheFuture 158
212
Transition:TheAdult 169
PaulGriffiths
ABedtimeStory 97
RainySarmistha
LittleMermaid 89
MagicalPen,'Abracadabra',WishesFulfilled 86
RihanHassanMustapha
TheQueenAwaitingHerKing 126
RinoaNoaThomas
GhostHunting 104
SpaceBusNo.9! 72
TheBalladOfMadameStitch,OldJoeAndRose 137
SinghVikas
Birdie,Birdie 91
InnocentSin 191
SonaliNayak
Kalijai,TheMaiden 200
MyChildhood! 96
RunKiteRun 69
SoumenRoy
CursedChildhood 142
Envelope 146
HonestConfession 177
OceanicLove 171
RunInFun 102
TheSketchOfChildhood 117
StevenM.Woods
FrancisFrog 79
TwilightFairyAdventures 6
WhenFrankMetKyle 11
ThaddeusHutyra
Abracadabra 46
CarpathianSkies 186
CatThePoe! 122
Encounter 127
FlyO’Eagles 76
Prince 144
StarWarsMedley 198
We,TheKids 180
VinodSingh
AntAndButterfly 49
BettyAndSammy 133
213
BlackieAndSammy 37
JuhiAndSalman 54
SheruTheJungleKing 139
TheCunningWickedWolf 182
TheStoryOfOohAndAha 44
WarrenMiner
Daddy'sLittleCowboy 13
YvettePoplawska
AJourneyOfSillyBilly-Goat 149
Choo-ChooTrainStartedItsWayToBelgium 26
GreenCrocodile 83
HedgehogMilan 67
UnrulyBillyGoatOnATripToAmerica 160
UnrulyBillyGoat,TheBusinessman 159