You’re Not The Same Man As You Were Yesterday

When you are Brave enough

to Conquer your own Soul…

there’ll be no need or reason

to ‘Prove Yourself’

to anyone else ever again.

It is a bleak trial by fire…

a need to face the Dark,

wincing through the Strain,

but refusing to look away.

To remain painfully ‘honest’

and refuse the Devil’s bait

of ‘get out of jail free’ lies

and avoidance by excuses

… takes an Inner Strength

that most cannot comprehend.

You will find an Integrity

awaiting patiently for you

at the other end of Restraint…

Dignity born of Self-Control.

Courage from shouldering

Adversity without whimper

or complaint… and rising

back up onto Determined feet.

Blend-Complete

… I have loved you longer than mountains remember…

Never stop following me away from the Light

… Spiritually, we are just… Letting Go…

of 3D Safety Bars for a Magical-Interlude

… you can experience the ‘Drop’

without actually ‘Falling’ to Destruction.

Both sides of the coin… in one decision

… that ‘Missed Opportunity’ still Burns

because you are watering it with ‘Regret’.

In the 5D you flow so BRIGHTLY

that I wince whenever I am anywhere Near

the COLOUR of your Gorgeous Emotions

… which is so often… we blend like this

(close eyes to access this part of the poem).

Your Soul tastes like something

… I have always known… over and again,

Birth and Death are just Gateways back

to Alternative methods of… Touch and Union.

Seeds

(Not) Hawk and Vole

… ‘parasites’

are no Predators

… they are viruses.

I expect ‘Courage’

from Warriors…

but, when someone

Spring-Green…

riSES UP

after falling DOwn

… and, finds

‘Bravery’ buried

(Somewhere Deep)

inside of themselves.

I smile, applaud…

and (Silently,

Respectfully) wish

them well upon that

new found Path

… of Dignity…

that they are Walking.

Here, We Do Not Succumb, We Conquer

Hell yeah, do it again…

that ‘thing’ you were

so scared of

… Excellent,

go on, once more.

Listen to her

snoring slightly,

all cute and contented

… yeah, that’s right,

she was the one

doing the cartwheels

when you first arrived.

I remember her being

the 8 Of Swords

when awake…

and the 9 Of Swords

whilst sleeping.

Now, she’s all

gritted teeth

and Determination.

Oh, you’ll just know

when you’ve broken

the back of it…

because ‘applause’

becomes a distraction

and my encouragement

will merely annoy you.

Return To Glenda

When that ‘Feeling’

apprehends (heart

collar-felt)

… and I start

Falling… again…

I RAGE (quietly)

to myself…

Fighting a Battle

with Past Trauma

and Potential…

coupled with the

URGE to ‘Abscond’.

Up A Gear

Pivot into ‘Breaking

New Ground’…

trying to ‘Outdo’

keeps you

LOCKED behind

another’s Ingenuity.

Spearhead…

and, there is no

‘Competition’ only

(Fresh) Adventure,

and ‘Dynamic’

Pathways to ‘Glory’.

Be the ‘Buzz’

and ‘Noise’… with

-out participating…

apart from with ‘Art’.

© Paul Tristram 2024

The Slipping Of The Net

Catharsis and ‘The Butterfly Effect’

… your MIND ‘Balancing’

between [Main] Chapters…

“Ah, you’ve discovered corridors

and back lanes… through…

and around… the ‘Obvious’, good

you’re both Learning and Growing.”

I could Not have done THIS

without ‘Disappointment’

… the Tenacity and Determination

was just me Fighting Onwards…

the Real Fuel was Accepting Loss

whilst Refusing to be Beaten-Final.

Hate, Vindictiveness, Bitterness

are Traps, but also Energy Blocks

… the Universe can only WORK

with You through Clear Channels!

Flow and Adapt… Sun Seeking

vines manoeuvring towards Light

… we only Progress backwards

to ‘Fix Things’ to help the machine

(us), Propel Forwards more Fluidly.

Paul Tristram is a Welsh writer who has poems and short stories published in many publications around the world, he yearns to tattoo porcelain bridesmaids instead of digging empty graves for innocence at midnight, this too may pass, yet. His novel Crazy Like Emotion was recently released upon the public by Close To The Bone Publishing.

The Clouds

Clouds float gently in the sky so high,
Soft whispers of dreams as they drift by.
They gather in clusters, then break apart,
A canvas of wonder, a work of art.
 
White and fluffy, like cotton they seem,
Or dark and heavy, with a storm's gleam.
They dance with the wind, in a graceful flight,
Changing shapes in the morning light.
 
Some bring rain, a refreshing kiss,
Others shade the earth in a moment of bliss.
They tell tales of lands far and wide,
Of mountains, oceans, and the world's great tide.
                                              

Don Bormon is a student of grade nine in Harimohan Government High School, Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh.

The Teacher: Beyond Intelligence  

"Mero ta  Moj cha Yaar,"- “I am having extreme fun” – my friend Ramesh replied when I asked him about his well-being over the phone. Ramesh and I had been intimate friends since childhood, growing up in the same countryside, studying together at the local college, Ramesh was always the top student; his intelligence was far superior to that of his peers, a fact reflected in his academic results as well.

After earning his bachelor's degree, he headed to Kathmandu to pursue further education and continued to shine in his academic journey. He excelled at the top of his master's degree program at a prestigious university. His academic achievements were the talk of our village, and we all celebrated his success.

However, during the conversation, Ramesh revealed another side of his life. "During the day, I teach at three different private colleges as a part-time English teacher in Kathmandu," he admitted. "But mostly on Friday nights, I spend time drinking whiskey at bars in Thamel with some students. They pay for everything since they belong to rich families."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Somewhere deep down, those words compelled me to question the ethics of his professional life, as they seemed to reflect a lack of wisdom and character despite his engaging classes, knowledge, and the success of his students under his guidance.

Some philosophers argue that wisdom is a broader term than intelligence. Wisdom includes ethical values and actions, and those who possess wisdom can distinguish between wrong and right. 

However, despite being a teacher who is supposed to be full of wisdom, Ramesh’s choice to visit bars and drink with students made me feel that he lacks such qualities. During our conversation, he also mentioned that he does not feel the positive burden of duties and responsibilities, as he is a part-time teacher and most of his fellow teachers are unfamiliar with him. 

"Who comes and goes doesn’t matter. No one knows except the person who hired you," he said. Ramesh is a clear illustration of the moral deficiencies prevalent among many teachers today. It is truly disheartening to realize that they undermine the integrity of the educational system.

The conversation made me ponder what makes a good teacher. Is intelligence the only criterion for being a good teacher? What about wisdom and character? What is the right process for selecting teachers? Do educational institutions train teachers to be honest and moral? How can they motivate teachers to be duty-bound and self-disciplined? 

In recent years, with the rise of science and technology, teachers have become more resourceful and knowledgeable than ever. 

However, it is crucial for them to also embody wisdom and good character. The role of a teacher is not only to impart academic knowledge but also to serve as a role model for students. The impact of a teacher on a student's life spreads beyond the classroom; Teachers’ values, ethics, overall personality, and character absolutely influence students.   

Therefore, the following considerations should be made during the selection process and after the selection of teachers.

Selection of Teachers

When selecting teachers, the education institutions should initiate a mechanism to evaluate candidates' ethical values, in addition to their excellent academic qualifications. The mechanism could include thorough background checks, psychological well-being assessments, and interviews focusing on ethical issues. By doing so, schools can ensure they are hiring teachers who are not only knowledgeable but also capable of serving as positive role models for their students.


Teachers’ Trainings beyond Curriculum and Methodology
 
Educational institutions often focus teacher training solely on curriculum, syllabus, and teaching methodologies. However, training should encompass more than these aspects. It should also cover ethics, self-discipline, and teachers' roles and responsibilities.


The cushioning role of the principal

The principal should create an environment where teachers feel that the institution is their second home by bridging the communication gap among staff members. Rewarding good behavior can motivate teachers to strive for excellence in all aspects of their roles. Additionally, the principal should make teachers feel like the school's true foundation by recognizing them as valuable employees. Fostering a sense of permanence and belonging will encourage teachers to dedicate both their hearts and minds to the organization.

This can be achieved through regular meetings, team-building activities, and, if needed, one-on-one positive counseling.
In a nutshell, the role of a teacher goes beyond imparting academic knowledge. Teachers should serve as role models embodying wisdom, good character, and ethical values. 

Therefore, educational institutions should prioritize selecting teachers who possess these qualities and provide professional as well as ethical training to help them grow in all aspects of their profession. Thus, schools can ensure that teachers are highly motivated, duty-bound, and self-disciplined. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on pupils. Over time, students will grow into individuals with strong moral values and ethical standards.

[Sushant Kumar B.K. is a Nepali poet, translator, educator, and freelance writer from Gulariya, Bardiya, Nepal. He holds two degrees: an MA in English Literature and Political Science. He primarily writes poems in English and Nepali. His poems have been featured in national and international anthologies, magazines, newspapers, and online portals. He can be reached at sushantacademia@gmail.com.".]

Howie Good, Frowny Face and all

The patron saint of Shopping Mall Santas.

If only wishes had the impact of bullets!

The Lord has showed us His glory but also His great big ass.

I might not have the shadows of carrion crows tattooed on

            my eyeballs.

Children on their hands and knees peck at the ground for seeds

            and insects and adults sniff around like dogs.

…love means teaching  a child not to step on a caterpillar.

Kids are warned, “Don’t ever talk to strangers” but strangers

            have the best candy.

There is always a superannuated star of 1980’s action movies

            exposing his mummified balls.

Do cows get excited: The parable

One night the chalk outline of the body mysteriously disappeared.

Extreme (Art) Materials at the Memorial Art Gallery (2012)

Breakfast cereal on wood panel

Insects, wax, and mixed media

Condoms and fabric

Taxidermied animals and crochet fabric

Breastplate #6: Lead and American .233 military ammo

Rainbow: Dry dog food and silicone

Coyote Juggles His Eyes: coyote skull, enamel, and glycerin

Organized Knowledge in Story and Picture: an altered set

            of encyclopedias

Fireworks Drawing: lit fireworks residue on fibrous paper

Centipedes: Bundt cake pans, bicycle brake liners, found objects

            and cold cathode tubes

Plaster infused marble, steel wool and lead

Inkjet prints on used coffee filters: a set of six

Post Extinction Fossil Grotto: bones and mixed media

Orthoptera: Grasshoppers, antique brass, steel watch parts (gears

            and springs) glass dome, walnut base, and sueded mat

Wheatfields: Udon, squid ink, spaghetti, and porcini mushroom

            spaghetti on wood

Pulled Tooth Drawing with reclaimed gold fillings.

Liquid Asset: Discarded plastic bottles, tinted polyacrylic mice

            powder and rivets

Human hair, steel wire, fiberglass screens, thread and wooden

            beads

Before Something Else Happens: Rose petals, synthetic hair and

            glass beads

Chemical Balance II: prescription bottles, mirror, and epoxy

Tampon Cake: layered tampons and applicators

Corpus Regis: Blood, resin, and clay on board

Albion Dream: Glass, bacteria water, vinegar, and epoxy

Lynsey Addario’s: It’s What I Do: Photographing Love

            and War

Troops firing at government helicopter as it sprays area

            with machine gun fire

Afghan women shield their faces at woman’s hospital

Rebel fighters and drivers look into sky anticipating a bomb

Anti-American demonstration in Peshawar

My shoe without laces where we were tied up

Transgender prostitutes in the Meatpacking District of New York

Women of Jihad Afghanistan

Young Afghanis listen to music in public for the first time

Civilians carry the body of a severely wounded comrade after a

            car bombing

Indian man bathing in the street: Calcutta at dawn

Kurdish soldiers deface a picture of Saddam Hussein

Children swimming in artificial lake at Saddam’s palace

Rows of the remains of bodies found in mass graves South

            of Bagdad

Scene in front of British Consulate minutes after a car bomb

            exploded

Soldiers with 173^rd Airborne Battle Company react to incoming

            mortar round

Afghan woman stands in labor on the side of a mountain

Death of a U.S. marine in Soth Afghanistan

Iraqis watch a 3-D movie in Bagdad

(The Defenestration of) Francesca Woodman: On Being

            an Angel

Self Portrait in sheer nightwear in attic loft with hanging

            sheer curtains, Rome

Black paint splatter on graffiti wall with disappearing woman

Dramatic pose in darkness with white gloves highlighted

Posed as a naked angel highlighted in derelict loft

Self Portrait at 13 with piano, already among shadows, Rome

Double exposed crawling through a headstone, Boulder, CO

Easter lily with headless nude

Naked bodies in and on glass museum display cabinet

Escaping naked and exposed from natural history exhibit

            with taxidermed animals

Disappearing as if blending into partially peeling flowered

            wallpaper

Naked body, time exposed

Time exposure of FW in polka dot dress with pocked bare walls

Lightning Legs: FW’s bare legs beneath raised polka dot dress with

            jagged piece of torn wallpaper

Supine on a Victorian settee facing a wall wearing several layers

            of black lingerie

Three kinds of melons, four kinds of light: FW naked holding

            cantaloupes and a picture of a melon

Pinched sitting: headless nude with clothes pins attached to

            nipples, stomach, and belly button

Face: Headless nude sitting on a couch with a plaster face mask

            covering her pudenda

Suspended: gripping a door frame with face averted

“Sometimes things are really dark.”

Crouched, naked, facing a wall hands pressing against it:

            “Then at one point I did not need to translate notes:

            they went directly to my hands.”

Lying naked face down on a floor with a curled eel in a white

            enamel basin

Self portrait talking to Vince with “bubbles” escaping from her

            mouth

Self deceit #1, crawling, naked around a stone wall and seeing

            herself reflected in a broken mirror

Self deceit #4 standing naked against a stone wall face covered by

            the piece of broken mirror

About being my model: three naked women holding three different

            faces of FW over their own

Francesca’s head on an oriental rug runner: pigment-based inkjet

            print (reddish)

Last view from a loft window: no note 

Lustmord 1920-2020 : A Centennial Celebration

Morbid Curiosity: The art work, the underground sensation,

            the headlines

“I don’t particularly want to chop up women but it seems

            to work.” Said Brian DePalma

George Grosz as Jack the Ripper: a self-portrait with Eva Peter in

            the artist’s studio

Otto Dix “Sex Murder a self portrait

“A boy’s best friend is his mother.” Norman Bates

Nosferatu peers out of the ship’s hold carrying him: a movie still

“Everywhere the mystery of the corpse” Max Beckman

Case Studies:

Otto Dix: Walpurgisnacht, the orgiastic witches Sabbath

            Flares: skeletal dead bodies of soldiers with fireworks

            Metropolis: garish excesses: a triptych like Bosch

            The Seven deadly Sins-personified

            Shell hole with flowers

            With corpses

            Self-Portrait with Muse: sensual, otherworldly, threatening

George Grosz: Double Murder in Rue Morgue

            When it was over (the axe murder) they played cards

            For the fatherland-This way to toe Slaughterhouse

            Homunculus: A Frankenstein monster gone radically wrong

            John the Lady Killer: figuratively and literally

            Pimps of death aka military officers

Fritz Lang’s M

The Corpse Vanishes

Trapped Like a Caged Animal: the child murderer frozen with fear

Reinventions: Murder in the name of Art

The Third Man: Harry Lime observing the people below from a

            Ferris wheel: “Would you really feel any pity if one of those

            dots stopped moving-forever.”

Dark Souvenirs

The Year in Review in Pictures: an abridged selection

                        from the New York Times

“Every war is ironic because every war is worse

than expected.” Paul Fussell 1924-2012

American sailors with captured Somali pirates

Thousands of people return home after ten years of war, Darfur

Frozen child, refugee camp, Afghanistan

Man on fire running, New Delhi

Nik Wallenda highwire walking over Niagara Falls Gorge

Kim Jong-Un reviewing the troops, May Day, North Korea

Human skull and bones mass grave, Mazar I Sharif, Afghanistan

Pussy Riot in Moscow Courtroom cage

Wendy Maritza Rodriguez after seeing the corpse of a relative

Forty-six new graves cut in a field, Krymsk, Russia

Statue of Blessed Virgin Mary after the fire, Breezy Point, Queens

Aerial View of Manhattan showing blackout of the city after Sandy

Israeli family braced for incoming rockets near Ashdod

Palestine residents clearing debris, Gaza City, the next day

Night in Syria after airstrike in Aleppo

26 killed, 20 children, 6 adults, Newton, Connecticut elementary

            school massacre (not shown)

            Published in New Verse News 2012

Who Am I?


[Originally published in the Somerville Times & Fleury’s book You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self]

if you peel layer 
                  upon layer
                           upon layer
maybe then and only then
you will find me...
for i am a multilayered entity...
a building block of heterogeneity 
i can be fierce and unflinching
              apathetic and also doting
                    docile and also volatile
                            lovable and also irritable
                                      compulsive and also discernible
I am a man
I am a “black” man
I am an American
I am a “black” American
I am a DNA test from
Ancestry dot com’s family tree
And twenty-three and me
I am African ancestry
I am Afro Haitian ancestry
I am European ancestry
I am the legacy of a middle class family in Haiti
I am the legacy of America’s social and economic disparity
I am the story of Horatio Alger’s characters thriving over adversity

I am a malady
I am a remedy
i am a rainbow
i am a shadow
I am a son
I am a brother
I am an uncle
I am an author
I am an educator
And pervasive human valor coconspirator
           I am in attrition
             I am in progression
               I am an amalgamation
I am perfectly imperfect
And imperfect perfectly
I am a thesis of social injustice
I am a vision of personal apotheosis
                  I am all this and more...

I am            ME!

Jacques Fleury is a Haitian-American poet, author, educator and literary arts student at Harvard University online. His book “You Are Enough: The Journey to Accepting Your Authentic Self”  & other titles are available at public libraries, The Harvard Book Store, The Grolier Poetry Bookshop, Amazon etc…

Manner of Human

Nothing is permanent.

Don’t stress yourself too much.

Because no matter how bad the situation is,

it will be changed.

Satisfied life is better than successful life.

Because our success is measured by others.

But our satisfaction is measured by our own soul,

Mind and heart.

You’re strong when you know

Your weakness.

You’re beautiful when you appreciate your flows.

You are wise when you learn from your mistakes.

Never regret being a good person to the wrong people.

Your manners says everything about you.

And their manner says

Enough about them.

Ranjan Sagar is an Indian poet in Guderpali Bargarh district of Odisha. He is a comedy script writer, multilingual poet, lyricist and an active social activist who has won numerous awards and recognitions. His work has been published in several foreign literary magazines and newspapers. He is a member and ambassador of international literary associations. The purpose of his writing is bringing about progressive change in society.