A Psalm for your body
i tongue this hill your body o woman
this pure ground of worship is a journey to horeb
a goddess I must appease
I must wet with petals of songs
here is my voice take it:
the mower plying your sacred lawn
from your scriptures
I eat the torah of longing &
fill the desert of my bones with chapters of your dew
o woman you are genesis you are fire & rain & clouds
you are leviticus you are the storm that cannot be
you are revelation gathered in the mouth of a brook
everything beautiful and broken teeth of a knife eating the
poisonous bud of history
even God knows: when hunger
tickles a woman's heart when the molars in her song
becomes the gasp of a dying bird
silence becomes a name screeching in the dark
these hands your hands are alabsters of memories
every touch every song they make prays me into
an altar of fresh wine all shades of sweet-darkeness & honey
o sweet honey sweet shepherd of my soul
come ferry this heart to a house filled with colours
Monthly Archives: April 2022
Poetry from Chimezie Ihekuna
The Soldier's Will You can take all his weapon But you can't take from him the spirit of a champion You can take his fellow brethren But you can't take away from him his divine amen You can take away his food But you can't take away from him the knowledge of his hood You can take away his health But you can't take away from him the beauty of his eternal wealth You can take away his frivolities But you can't take away from him the fullness of his priorities You can take from him the presence of wars But you can't take away from him the ' 'eternality' of the cause You can take away from him his meal But you can't take away from him the Soldier's Will
My New Face of personality My face is burnt; Should I hurt my thought? Fire tries to end my facial physicality; Should I affect my reality? I had no idea my face with experience such; Should I negatively talk about it much? I realized beauty comes from within; My facial look is just kidding; When the need for character steps in I realized my current facial condition is to make me reach a decision; Separate the grains from the chaffs of my situation; Appreciate a true friend and frown at a false companion. Now... It has motivated to smile in the face of life's hurdles It has inspired to surmount life struggles It has courageously positioned me to always stand tall It has amazingly strengthened me to see direction, despite a standing wall It has helped me define character in a proper perspective It has shown me why focus should be my prerogative. Though my face was burnt, causing facial deformity but... My facial deformity is not up for mockery; It is a situation that makes a good story My facial deformity is not up for ridicule; It is a situation that makes a good life riddle My facial deformity is not up for caricature It is a situation that makes the building-up of an amazing creature
Synchronized Chaos April 2022: Climate Sensitivity
Climate sensitivity is a term used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to describe to what extent rising levels of greenhouse gases affect the Earth’s temperature. Specifically, it describes how much warmer the planet will get if the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere doubles.
In this issue, contributors grapple with the effects of our actions on our climates: ecological, political, social, and personal.
Note: If you’d like to make a difference for the Earth by planting trees, you may visit One Tree Planted for information on how to replenish natural forests around the world. One dollar plants one tree! Also, if you’re an artist who creates work inspired by ecology and nature, you can include your work as part of Earth Day’s campaign to showcase Artists for the Earth.
Several writers from the B Street Writing Group in Hayward, CA address ecological climate change in a collection of pieces which they will perform at the Sun Gallery at Hayward’s first annual Lit Hop, Saturday April 30th.
Leticia Garcia Bradford wonders whether her individual actions are making enough of a difference for the environment. Linda Hibbard speaks on climate through the POV of a melting snowman. Gloria Lopez and Tess Tyler outline the effects of environmental change on humans as well as the rest of the ecosystem.
Patricia Doyne’s work crashes into our consciousness, illustrating storms as an effect of our changing planet. Lisbeth Garcia-Lopez brings a poignant tale of flowers destroyed by pollution. Al Murdach depicts a green statue of Jesus and its potential significance, including stewardship for creation.
Finally, with his trademark humor, Hayward’s poet laureate Bruce Roberts encourages us to pack our bikinis for Arctic sunbathing.
Other writers take a more personal and psychological approach to writing about landscapes of various kinds.
Loretta Siegel celebrates nature in a piece inviting someone to join her out “where the rabbits run,” while Michael Hough describes a walk out at night with his dog and the screech of owls in the air. Gabriel T. Saah’s speaker contemplates his deep love for his partner while walking along the beach at sunset. He draws on nature within himself, his own body, as well as outdoor scenery for imagery.
Sarika Jaswani highlights the solitude that gives her the space for creative thought, which she finds in rural, urban, and literary landscapes. Jelvin Gibson evokes the rich beauty of nature while mourning a lost love, and Mahbub waxes poetic on the delicate embrace of birdsong, sprouting grass, and pastureland.
Mamadee Kanneh probes the inner landscape of his moods, often as complex and out of his control as the weather. The sun, and its mythological connotations, illustrate Isabella Hansen’s speaker’s grief over the loss of her brother. Hazel Fry stares into the ocean and muses on evolution, ecology, fluidity, and femininity.
Geoff Sawers paints European urban landscapes with language evoking their complex, rich, and sometimes dark pasts. Do Toan Dien draws on the spiritual, natural, and architectural heritage of Vietnam in his bilingual poetry. Federico Wardal covers a talk from archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass on how researchers located Cleopatra’s tomb in a piece that celebrates ancient Egyptian culture.
Nadja Moore depicts various miscommunications: a humorous disconnect over dinner and a more poignant tale of a child ghost trying to get her family’s attention. Doug Hawley’s flash fiction explores through humor the dangers we face in the wild: age, declining health, animal and human predators.
Stephen House looks in on others with compassion – a man with mental challenges, animals bred and destined for slaughter – and also speculates on how we might bring different perspectives to the same circumstances.
Sheila Murphy probes human nature with a mix of short pieces and character sketches that explore both our fragility and our resilience. John Grey writes of the imperfect human experience: bumbling dancers, drinkers with bad breath, marital disillusionment after a flood. J.J. Campbell conveys the awkwardness, hope, and cynicism of love at midlife, while Emmanuel G.G. Yamba vows not to let death take him without a fight.
Ivan S. Fiske’s speaker draws upon various religious images to describe his profound connection with the person he loves. Michael Robinson presents calm odes to the spiritual nourishment found through instances of beauty in urban environments.
Christopher Bernard contributes a poetic piece on history and memory and speculates that becoming a poet might be a calling as much as a professional identity.
Still other writers play with mixed media and language.
Jerome Berglund pairs nighttime urban shots through a car window with haikus, while Heller Levinson fragments concepts, definitions and ultimately words into thought pieces. Mark Young’s first piece harks back to Ezra Pound’s style while his other poems reflect on political communication.
Other writers address the global sociopolitical climate.
Patricia Doyne mourns the invasion of Ukraine in a piece from the point of view of a little boy who loses his mother. Steven Croft addresses war in Ukraine as well as Iraq from a more panoramic perspective, while commenting on Bolivia’s economic growth.
Chimezie Ihekuna urges humanity to abandon war as a means to solve differences. Christopher Bernard depicts the Ukrainian tragedy through the trauma of a young refugee boy, while David Dephy’s work honors the beauty of Ukraine and issues strident calls for chaos to depart. Ike Boat shares his service as the master of ceremonies during a Christian university’s graduation in Ghana.
We hope that this issue adds a bit of inspiration to your day while challenging your heart and mind and imagination.
As a reminder, we encourage the readers and writers who enjoy our publication to write letters of support to be included in care packages to be delivered to refugees around the world by the nonprofit New Beginnings. Click here to write a letter online (anonymously if you wish) that will support and encourage a refugee family in their new home.
Also, PEN America campaigns on behalf of writers facing persecution for their nonviolent work. Click here to read and sign online petitions for different writers at risk. Also, the organization Free Women Writers is looking for volunteer editors for pieces they are collecting and publishing from women and girls in Afghanistan.
Poetry from Emmanuel G.G. Yamba
~ When I See Death ~ When we cross paths I won't even be scared Rolling up my sleeves And preparing my fist I'll join him into a fight When death comes for me I won't beg on my knees Crying for a chance For a life he didn't give But hit him in the face For the hurt that he caused me Taking my loved ones from me Emptying my house of family Leaving my life lonely And ending all my gravy I'm gonna unleash my anger against him Knowing fully well I will not win But for him to taste small pain That is experienced by mortal beings Before taking me with him
Essay from Ike Boat
Arti-Blog Title: WTS 4th Graduation Ceremony
On 10th March 2022, around 3 pm, we were on a journey to the West as part of in-land missions to my birthplace of Takoradi, where most of my creative skills and abilities started in my teenage years. Unusually, there are close to five stoppages by the commercial mini-buses, which take several hours on the road before reaching the West-Side destination. They didn’t care appropriately about us as passengers, and my traveling bag was not so durable. All other happenings brought about mixed emotions, but in all of that, Thanks To God #TTG, we arrived safely at the destination. By the way, let’s proceed to the subject-matter title as far as this Arti-Blog is concerned.
On Saturday, 19th March 2022, at 10 am, I arrived at the venue of the 4th Graduation Ceremony of the International Christian Worship Centre in West Fijai, Western Region of Ghana, West Africa. I served as an MC there and did Voice-Over work on the Ad-Jingle Wisdom Theological Seminary – WTS program, recorded in Kasoa, Central Region of Ghana. Here’s the program outline in the brochure of the Wisdom Theological Seminary – WTS 4th Graduation Ceremony, which took place on the above date and venue.
- Musical Interlude
- Procession Hymn
- Opening Prayer
- Welcome Address
- Purpose Of Gathering
- Introduction Of Dignitaries
- Chairperson’s Response
- Scripture Reading By Three Graduates
- SRC’s Speech
- Offering
- Song Ministration
- Chancellor’s Speech
- Guest Speaker’s Speech (Rev. John D. Boone – USA)
- Student’s Vows
- Charge To The Students
- Student’s Pledge
- Presentation Of Certificates & Awards
- Prayer For Students
- Special Offering
- Chairperson’s Response
- Vote Of Thanks
- Announcement
The Musical Interlude was made possible by the invited ministers and choir as well as the Procession Hymn, led by one of the music ministers present. The Opening Prayer was led by Pastor Hope Graham, the Welcome Address led by Pastor David Arku, and the Purpose Of Gathering was led by Pastor Maxwell Amo-Ntsiful. Afterwards,the Introduction Of Dignitaries was led by the Founder/Chancellor Rev. Dr. Evans Ankomah. The Chairperson was Honourable Isaac Adjei Mensah, a Christian political figure and a Member of Parliament for the Wassa East Constituency, Western Region of Ghana. Indeed, two of the outstanding moments of the event were when the Guest from the USA, Reverend John D. Boone, was given an Ordination Certificate courtesy Rev. Dr. Evans Ankomah. And, when the Chairperson Honourable Isaac Adjei Mensah requested special prayers as he knelt in front of the altar in absolute humility. The Chancellor Reverend Dr. Evans Ankomah delivered a speech and special guest Reverend John D. Boone (USA) also delivered a sermonlike speech for which dialect translation became somewhat like a hard-nut to crack by yours truly, Ike Boat. Interpretation and translation brought wisdom and understanding to the audience. To God be the glory, Hallelujah!
Student Vows was also led by Reverend Kingsley A. Prempeh, whilst Charge Of Student/Graduates was led by Apostle Dr. Isaac Odenyame. The Student Pledge was led by the Chancellor/Founder Reverend Dr. Evans Ankomah and the Presentation of Certificates & Awards was also done by the church elders and leaders on the podium.
Amongst other things, the new school anthem was also made known to the audience as a means to ensure fund-raising and generous support in order to record it in the studio and make it useful as the official WTS Anthem composed by Ike Boat. There was a total of Sixteen (16) Graduates, viz Four (4) being females and Twelve (12) being males in the 4th Graduation Ceremony of Wisdom Theological Seminary – WTS in the Western Region of Ghana, WA.
Different Addition To The Program Outline
Play of the WTS Ad-Jingle to the audience as a means of publicity and popularity.
Spoken-Word poetry infusion performance by Ike Boat
Aftermath shoot of Time With Ike Boat #TWIB – Guest On Set: Rev. Dr. Evans Ankomah
Please, if you sense the call of God to embark on missions in south-western Ghana, I hereby beseech and recommend you kindly send Email via: pastorevansonline@gmail.com , Direct Call or Whats-App: +233209445627, +233242613081 Also, you can get in touch concerning Ministry Partnership, Sponsorship or Missions Affiliation. Thank You.
Submission By Yours Truly Ike Boat – Synchronized Chaos International Magazine #SCIM – Regular Contributor & Regional Representative. Email: ikeboatofficial@gmail.com , Phone: +233 267117700, +233 552477676 Thank You.
Poetry from Ivan S. Fiske
Scriptures today, i'm plaiting these words with the hands of affection & rooting it in the palms of love frankly, i miss you from the day you accepted my citizenship in your heart every part of me has always thirsted for you like a baby i'm still learning how to speak for my lips holds the memory of our first kiss every time your presence resides in the chest of mine the glances of your smile fill my heart with joy truth be told, i have painted your smile all over my heart to shimmer my many scars i wish i could clay myself into a wind sail over to you & wrap you in warmness whenever you are far away from me that i may always be nearer to you if loving you becomes a sin i will nail our bond to God's Word clay you like a rib & place you back into me for eternity is our bond
Poetry from Christopher Bernard
Knock Knock: A Poem for Ukraine Knock knock. Who’s there? Ukrainian boy. I have walked from far, Over fields of snow And ice of roads And cities at war. I don’t know you. Are there any with you? My family is gone, I don’t know where. I’m here all alone. May I come in? I have a number On my hand. Can I call? Not on my land! There’s a country Down the road. Try them there. It’s far, and I’m cold. Knock knock. Who’s there? Ukrainian boy. Can I come in? I’m so tired, And the wind is so cold. . . . Why are you here? What is that In your eyes? Is it tears? Is it sadness or fear? No, it is ice, It is melting there. Go down the road. There is nothing for you here. Knock knock. Who’s there? Ukrainian boy. Can you say where I am? I saw ghosts on the road, They looked like my papa, My mama, my sister, My brother at home. Has anything happened to them? Will you please let me in? I’m so tired, I don’t think I can walk any more. I can’t feel my hands. May I come in here? What is that number Written out on your hand? When I call, there is silence At the other end. Come in and rest On my bed. No, it’s snow . . . When you sleep you will never Fear war again. No, no, I must go, How will I get home If now I don’t go? Come in and rest, Come in and rest, Come in and rest Until you must go . . . Knock knock. Who’s there? Who knocked at our door? Show yourself if you’re there! But there was no one there, Only the sound of the wind, And the snow in the air. The Sunken Palace The curlew calls in the sycamore tree. Do you hear it? A boy’s laugh follows. A rustle of gold flickers over the lake. The sky is cold and on fire. Do you see the fair one, the kind one, the holy? She is not to be seen on the tower. There is only a shadow to be seen in the arch And an iron gate as it closes. He is gone now, and she is not here. Their story, our story, is over. The palace of love was a fable. The rain Fell for long on the meadow. At the season when the moon was a song in the snow And the wind was a shout in the mountains, The ghosts of the palace where the ballroom had drowned Danced in a lake of shadows. The Sound of Falling Trees “There’s no such thing as ‘being a poet.’” —T. S. Eliot It used to be an almost embarrassing compliment. If someone called you that, you skipped a heartbeat of secret bliss, as if the most beautiful girl in class had just blown you a kiss. Now it is almost an embarrassment. “Writers in San Francisco,” New York and L.A. smile to each other with a wink and a nudge. “Aren’t they all poets? They can be safely ignored, left to PEN and AWP, unless you go in for the penniest of penny stocks. They can’t even make themselves any money, let alone the likes of you and me; they’re famous only if they die (I know it sounds bold, but it’s so true) by a monumentally gaudy suicide.” It’s not much of a compliment anymore, yet it is still a kind of destiny, a kind of fate: a compulsive need to find new words for old emotions, old and raw, and make them ring like bells in the winter air— clear and true and fading into oblivion— the crash of trees falling deep in the forest even when there is no one to hear. _____ Christopher Bernard’s latest collection of poems, A Socialist’s Garden of Verses, won a 2021 PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award and was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ “Top 100 Indie Books of 2021.”