His poems have appeared for nearly 40 years in literary publications across Canada, as well as a number of other countries around the world, also translated into Albanian, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Turkish, Italian, Czech, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Hungarian.
In October 2016 he was invited by the Nordic Assn. for Canadian Studies to give talks on Canadian Poetry and read from his books at Borupgaard Gym in Copenhagen, and Risskov Gym in Aarhus, as well as other readings in both cities, and Malmo, Sweden. Because of that tour Norman started the manuscript, Counting Coins In Denmark And Sweden.
In October of 2017 he read at various Eastern Canada venues in Kingston, Ottawa, and Montreal, reading poems from his Selected and New collection, published by Mosaic Press (Oakville, ON).
In October of 2018 he read at various types of venues from universities to cafes to pubs throughout Ireland, Scotland, Wales, while there he visited Swansea and slept three nights in the room where Dylan Thomas was born. A celebration of Canadian Poetry took place during this tour too.
His most recent books are a children’s picture book, B And Boy, 2023, Cyberwit. Net (India), and a new collection, Parental Forest, out with AOS publications (Montreal).
Finally, Norman’s poem, The Shoulds, has been selected to be included in the Vagabond Lunar Collection, part of the time capsule scheduled for a Fall launch to the moon.
He is currently a member of The Writers Union Of Canada, PEN Canada, and a volunteers for 12 local crow families.
Critical Analytical Reading of “Voices” by Eva Lianou Petropoulou – Greece .
By : Kareem Abdullah – Iraq .
Introduction: Eva Lianou Petropoulou’s poem “Voices” offers a profound exploration of the paradoxical nature of human emotions and responses in different situations. The poem presents a series of thought-provoking questions, drawing attention to the complexities of human behavior in the face of both joy and suffering. Through its introspective tone and concise structure, the poem challenges the reader to reflect on the deep connections between emotional expression, the human mind, and the concept of free will.
Analysis:
Title – “Voices”: The title immediately introduces the theme of communication and internal dialogue. “Voices” can be interpreted as a reference to the various calls for help, freedom, and peace that people make, but also to the internal voices that dictate how we react to different emotional states. The plural form of “Voices” suggests the multiplicity of perspectives and experiences, implying that the poem is not only about individual experiences but also about collective human emotions and struggles.
Theme of Contradiction in Human Emotion: The central theme of the poem revolves around the contradiction in human emotional responses. The poet asks, “But why we cry in our happy moments / And laugh…..when we are in a very difficult situations?” This rhetorical question serves as a powerful paradox that challenges the reader’s assumptions about the nature of human emotions. Typically, crying is associated with sadness, and laughter with joy; however, the poet disrupts these associations to point out how human beings sometimes react in unexpected ways. This highlights the complexity of human psychology and the ways in which people navigate their emotional landscapes.
Self-Defense and Human Instincts: The poet suggests that perhaps this contradictory emotional behavior is a form of self-defense. The line, “Maybe this is the self defense of our organism,” introduces an interesting psychological concept: the idea that our emotions, even in their paradoxical forms, may serve as protective mechanisms. This idea evokes the notion of the fight-or-flight response and the instinctual ways in which humans protect themselves from stress, trauma, or emotional overwhelm. The reference to “self-defense” could imply that emotions such as crying or laughing in inappropriate contexts might be subconscious ways of coping with internal or external pressures.
Exploration of the Human Brain: The line, “Still discovering the human brain,” reveals the poet’s awareness of the ongoing research into human cognition and emotion. The statement highlights the mystery of the human mind, which is still being explored by science. It suggests that despite our advancements in understanding the brain and human behavior, there is still much to uncover about the complex mechanisms that govern our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
The Concept of Free Will: The closing line, “What is certain… / It is that we have free will,” serves as a pivotal moment in the poem. After exploring the unpredictability of human emotions, the poet affirms the certainty of free will. Despite the paradoxical nature of human emotional responses, the poet suggests that we still retain the power to make choices and exert control over our actions. This line introduces an element of empowerment, emphasizing that, regardless of how complex or contradictory our emotions may be, we are not entirely at their mercy. The affirmation of free will serves as a reminder of human agency in a world that can often feel chaotic and uncontrollable.
Conclusion: Eva Lianou Petropoulou’s “Voices” offers a rich and thought-provoking meditation on the complexity of human emotions, the mysteries of the brain, and the role of free will in shaping our responses to life’s challenges. Through its paradoxical statements and rhetorical questions, the poem invites the reader to reflect on the deeper, often contradictory, nature of human behavior. The poem’s ultimate message—despite the uncertainty and unpredictability of human emotions—is that we, as individuals, have the capacity for free will and can exercise control over how we respond to the world around us. In doing so, the poem not only engages with deep psychological and philosophical questions but also affirms the resilience and agency of the human spirit.
Voices
So many people cry for help
Cry for freedom
Cry for peace
But why we cry in our happy moments
And
Laugh…..when we are in a very difficult situations?
Maybe this is the self defense of our organism
Still discovering the human brain
What is certain…
It is that we have free will
Eva Lianou Petropoulou ( Greece )
She is an awarded author and poet from Greece with more than 25 years in the Literary field published more that 10 books.
Her poems are translated in more than 25 languages. She is President of creativity and art of Mil Mentes Por Mexico Association
At thirteen he decided to become a prophet. By nineteen he had died & been reborn five times. Nobody took him seriously. Youth is a hard barrier to overcome.
He then decided to emulate the form of regeneration that seemed to have been most successful for generating prophet recognition & had himself crucified. Unfortunately, one of the nails was rusty, & during the transition period he contracted tetanus. He came back unable to speak, & essentially illiterate since so certain had he been of his destiny he had neglected to acquire much of an education.
Nobody wants a prophet who cannot communicate his prophesies. He spent the rest of his allotted three-score & ten in silence. Alone.
