Poetry from Kristy Raines

White middle aged woman with reading glasses and very blond straight hair resting her head on her hand.
Kristy Raines

WAVES OF WORDS

Our emotions go so beautifully hand in hand
I am the calm in your heart, like the silent lake
You are the waves of words that bring out the excitement
and every emotion in me.. And you, like a brook that turns
into a river; creating  a strong current inside of me and
causing the beauty from within me to spill out for you 
I am the reflection of you like a mirror to your soul
And when I look in your eyes I see me looking back
You walked lightly into the beautiful garden of my life
It was so subtle that I didn't realize that you entered
my deepest dreams.. into the soul of my subconscious
So when I fall asleep, you wait there patiently for me;
Sitting on the shore of my dreams..
causing waves of words that stir the very core of my being.. .❤


**************
Jordan

My Treasure, My Jewel,  With eyes bluer than a tropical pool. 
Her heart as big as the sky.. 
She only knows love which she learned from the One above 
and hate has no room in her life. 
Her beauty is like no other which she inherited from my daughter; her mother, 
and her kindness shines clearly from her smile. 
She has crossed borders to other lands, stood side by side helping foreign hands, 
and all when she was only a young girl.  
She now is grown with a life of her own and no prouder could I be of my Pearl. 
With a servant's heart and a teacher's smarts,  and no fear of what lies ahead....  that's my girl. ❤


**************************
 THROUGH ROSY DREAMS

I lay among the blooms in a lush green glen waiting for you
under a blanket of starlight and a smiling moon
The diamond buds bloom beneath the sheer blossoms
As a golden bird sings to you the sweetest song of love
Floating on a silver cloud above me, I call to you 
and you swoop down to great me in this sky of blue
You take me where only hope remains and the petals 
of the beautiful bloom of the lotus never closes
Life on earth holds little magic for you and I
as the separation of our two hearts continues
to seek only disillusionment through rosy dreams.


*****

Bio:

Kristy Ann Raines is an American poet and author born in Oakland California, In the United States of America.  
She is an accomplished international poet and writer.  Kristy has five books which will soon be published. 
One anthology with a prominent poet from India, Dr. Prasana Kumar Dalai called, “I Cross my Heart from East to West.”
She has also written two fantasy books entitled, “Rings, Things and Butterfly Wings” and “Princess and The Lion”, a collection of poems in English,” which she intends to use for a book written together with another very prominent poet in Saudi Arabia, which all proceeds will go to charity for children,  and a book of poems, stories and thoughts on her life called, "Her Very Anomalous Life".  Kristy has received many literary awards for her unique style of writing. She also enjoys her work as an Activist and Humanitarian, for the Rohingya People in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, whom she has come to love, and also tries to raise money for an orphanage in India.  

Essay from Federico Wardal

SF Count Wardal TV Show 300 episode: the legendary Maecenas Adriano Aragozzini

Patron of the Sanremo Festival announces his film on Gina Lollobrigida

Adriano Aragozzini, a ight skinned man with a purple jacket, bowtie and white shirt stands next to Gina Lollobrigida, a light skinned woman with curly hair, earrings, and a necklace.

——-

On January 15th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, at 11pm PST (8am in Italy) on CH 29 San Francisco, for the 300th episode of #CountWardalTVShow, the special honorary guest is #AdrianoAragozzini, the legendary Maecenas, unforgettable patron of the Sanremo Festival. He was recently awarded the #ColumbusInternationalAward, is an honorary citizen of NYC and annually celebrated in Miami on December 27th on “Adriano Aragozzini Day.” Here is a quick overview of his amazing life, where names from the top of the world Olympus of song such as #TinaTurner and of cinema such as #GinaLollobrigida stand out.

Aragozzini started out as a journalist, but became one of the most important managers and talent scouts in the world, thanks to the singer-songwriter GinoPaoli, who was the first to elect him as his manager.

From then on, Aragozzini discovered #NicolaDiBari, managed #NicoFidenco, #PeppinoDiCapri and #LuigiTenco, was linked to the legend #Dalida and was for 30 years manager of Domenico Modugno, “Mr. Volare” who debuted on Broadway, thanks to Adriano.

He is manager of #RenzoArbore and his world-famous orchestra.

He is also the manager of #GabriellaFerri, an icon of the Roman folk song.

Adriano Aragozzini, in a gray coat, stands next to a very blond Patty Prano.

Aragozzini also became the manager of #PattyPravo, whose uniqueness is unparalleled.

Aragozzini also became the manager of opera celebrities such as #MariodelMonaco and is now manager of the tenor #GiuseppeGambi.

Adriano Aragozzini introduced an orchestra of 55 elements and 12 choirs to the #FestivaldiSanremo, formed highly qualified juries, revolutionized the structure of the famous Italian Song Festival and “exports” Sanremo singers with “Sanremo in the World” to the largest capitals of the world: from #Tokyo to #Cairo, to #NYC, #LA etc. , with worldwide television coverage.

Young Tina Turner with short dark hair and a beaded necklace and tank top sits at the table with a young Italian man, Adriano Aragozinni. They are finishing a meal and food is on the table.

Aragozzini, in the singing competition, pairs an Italian singer with a foreign super star and #LizaMinnelli, #RayCharles, #SammyDavis , #charlesAznavour #EltonJohn, #EllaFitzgerald, #TinaTurner (The Best) take to the stage. Tina and Adriano were also linked by an affectionate friendship.

In the interview of the spectacular #Wardal, the volcanic energy and brilliant talent of Adriano Aragozzini is evident and he is unstoppable in continuing to give the world unprecedented cultural and artistic innovations.

The 300th episode of CWTWS (Count Wardal TV Show) rewards one of the most famous ascetic and mystical painters #PatriziaPatti and shows one of her paintings which is the cover of her latest book “Ascetic Sign” published by #VerdeChiaroEdizioni

“Count Wardal TV show”, a popular TV show from San Francisco, in its 300th episode, is animated by Wardal, an international star of theatre, cinema and TV, whose name is linked to that of #FedericoFellini, #CarloLizzani, #DarioBellezza, #MarleneDietrich #Dalida #FrankSinatra #JoanCrawford , #LindaMcCartney etc. 

Among Wardal’s guests: #AngelaAlioto (900k) #MarySteiner (700k), #ZahiHawass (950k), H.E.#MoushiraKhattab (750k), #PinoStrabioli (750k), #AnadelaSerraVisconti (700k), #JasonZavaleta (700k), #Jennifer Glee (700k) creator, on the same BAVC Media, of the popular #PlanetGlee. #BAVC (BAVC.org) awarded at the #WhiteHouse by #MichelleObama for the 40th anniversary (11/15/2016), is directed by #PaulaSmithArrigoni, first assistant to #JavanGiles TV programs.

Towards the end of the interview Aragozzini gives Wardal truly sensational news: “Just for you Wardal and your Count Wardal TV Show, great news: I’m producing a film about my dear friend Gina Lollobrigida.”

Lollobrigida is one of the cinematographic icons who has made the history of cinema.

Adriano Aragozzini, an older Italian guy, appears in a still from a Zoom call. Below him is a small Zoom window with Federico Wardal, a younger Italian man, who's got short brown hair and wears glasses.

Viewership for the 300th episode of CWTVS, available on YouTube Count Wardal on January 16, is expected to be 800k, but expected to grow considerably over time.

Poetry from Evie Petropolou

Light skinned woman with green eyes and long brown hair and pink lipstick and a white knit sweater. She's directly looking at the camera and white silhouetted words on the bottom read "Peace Now, Cease Fire"
Evie Petropolou
If i am
You are not

If i exist
You don't breathe

If i get stronger
But you become weak

What kind of humanity is this??

If you spend money 
On buying weapons
You make big gathering
To decide how many weapons 
Needed

But you don't care for the victims
You never care for what is happening to the earth

If you kill so many victims
Who is drinking the blood

If i get weak
One day Death will come
Thirsty
And hungry

Because what you have given
It was to grow
An evil world

Stay away from the Dark......

EVA Petropoulou Eva Lianou Petropoulou 

Greek national, author of children's books, poetry, and literary fiction
 

Poetry from Christina Chin/Uchechukwu Onyedikam


deep dark depth

below earth —

an alien world

pockets of ultra 

green spews



Uchechukwu Onyedikam/Christina Chin






silence in space 

a boom

in abysmal section —

where they are condemned

death with no tomb



— Christina Chin/Uchechukwu Onyedikam







old beauty

of eerie silhouette

red mask covers the eyes

children hide 


in the blankets 



— Uchechukwu Onyedikam/Christina Chin

Story from Jim Meirose

Sure, I’ll take it, what’s the worst that can happen?

Wha’— no-nope hands clasp hard up o’er face and Top-mayor la mayor royam oya y {in any case zink!} gut gone down     e         e   dark ee         dar’       ‘k n’         no never no’        ‘o, ‘t zink      zink down back      Go.      Go        go                d   s  a  o     go         go        how     when       the truth is was once     ‘t       did seem       seme that    back no further and farther to where its so far the black’s not  bl’     why the h’   what’s the worst that can happen   ak’s not black     did things       come    to        ‘ome   ‘t  c’ ‘o this this  n  n n n n n n n n n n n go

—child, what                Sure, I’ll take it, what’s                        child           car        e        di     n’t  car;                                                                ukelele

p                                                            ppp

plump       you ought to be wanting to make something of your life     you I did I don’t matter no did I or not, matter DON’T!   N’ don’ MATTER don’t do as told boy in the field out that side throwing pretend  spear out’s s’ far as possible run over mark run over turn mark back boy ‘d pretty  next contestant Sure, I’ll next contestant    up comes our very next contestant     there’s the window where she’ll be mother will be Mommy Oh Mommy there’s the window where she’ll be okay there they are step’d up back the spear psych up and Throw  there we are back the property line here we’re back in the earliest rock-hard truth we know, b-but NO maybe no hands – what’s the worst that can happen what’s wrong what’s wrong let me help you let us help yo SLAP the hands hot up the face back-snap the head maybe yes maybe no No I am not really here any more how can you help me its a lie you can help me ‘cause no I am not no more here any more I am over there now or maybe back there too but certainly most certainly not here any more can’t you see can’t you see God it’s not even the same now every new now’s every new; G’ how stupid are you see my face see my face   —   b’b the spear’s been thrown no she’s not calling from the window not yet no not yet run there mark the spot and yes yah contestant two is now in the lead GOD its a ‘ow game of competing with myself no no no no no no no there are various selves involved don’t you see no no spear one has been thrown there see it there and then with spear two I have beaten myself no no NO no no NO each spear’s very different if each’s thrown by you and your same the distances would be IDENTICAL would they not be IDENTICAL no no no take your questions away who are you you are spoiling my game bu’ but NO you cannot play a game made for many with just you and yourself yes I can no you can’t {Is mom in the back house shed window to save me (as she saves me out the end ‘f every Hot ‘ummer ‘fternoon +is she or+ is she not or) maybe she is and can’t just be “seen”) oh ma ma Gimi, here I am down here under where in the Ground what the Ground no no rise from the ground get your ass in that window to save me as at the end of all summer afternoons crickets and mice no no no be there but no you are living a lie no no no no NO! I ! won  eoki !!  WON EOKI does not exist! Why’d you lie what’s the worst that can happen why you be always lying no no no no NO! I ! kmer  sdUnnehb sdUNNEHB does not exist! Either stop lying stop lying into me there she is she’s there calling lying into me last she’s calling into me at last cut the damned lying where’s the dinner yet mommy can I escape into the dinner what dinner that dinner every day there’s dinners to put on hide inside of grow fatly all over meistercheives meistercheived he he ha ha don’t blame me blame yourselves, was YOU brought the World Books ‘ Sklyklupedias  in here said read your fill Gimi, read read read up your damned Greed-swillie fill like you do get fat read more Gimi, Uh! read more Sure, I’ll get m’ fatter Uh Uh ! !!!!!!   @crysyalline’s shit-marine’s great bug back’d leatherneck of a Nora-class         GREAT BIG DEMOLITION   charge there that grey barrel  there’s more than one in there too soldier so be doubly aware PING poor    the sun look the Sun is still high but who’s saying

ping

ping

ping

ping

baby  Sure, I’ll take it, what’s the worst that can happen? Come on in, Gimi, it   what where no—the window is empty  no no no it is not time to run throw that spear find the winner got to get to the winner before getting called in why’s that so important oh it is it just is {like don’t step on the cracks (up that long hill up Washington + even when gagging up Coke foam drunk too quick much too [from that machine {in the police station | and do not bounce balls on the way on up Washington : while gagging up Coke foam & not stepping on cracks ‘! cause “ the ball may bounce wild = run you out in the road  <off balance got to get it ^ but off balance Go Down ‘fore > go down ‘fore = go down ‘fore “  the car Great big Dodge eh ‘ great *come on in Gimi* big black blunt old school Dodge bullnose : too late hit the brakes | too late screech the brakes Sure, I’ll *it is time to eat Gimi come* ] too late eh + too late eh eh he hee to ) too two late – Pinc-nez poooo*on*oooooooooooo*in now*oo } out from under there way out from under there all the way what’s the worst that can happen *Gimi come on* out of there Gimi! oh Gimi!  I lost the spear game again God damn it God Come hell in I been calling!       *its time*

God!         

 Why the hell’ve I lost the spear game again God !!

Why the hell you not come in when called by me, Gimi?

I did not believe it was you calling, Ma. I was—

No? Why the hell you not believe it was me, Gimi? Did you not hear someone yell, Come on in, Gimi?  You were back there. I saw you. There’s no way you did not hear it, Gimi. No way!

I did not think it was you Ma.

No—why not? Who else would it be?

I I don’t know Ma someone tricking me ma ma now who ma would be please no ma be lying ‘bout being no no no Ma being Me, Gimi?

Why you lie to me Gimi?

‘aheeeeeeeeee  (0)

Tell me now answer it why the hell dare you lie?

Oke. = Sure, I’ll take it, what’s the worst that can happen? ‘re s i ts in ets in sets in twa’, walls, ellll, lick = mamago, hessss, ARK; gell-ding, nag th’ allereg Canada!  ennacer n’ lipronancer, eh, What? MA! ‘s, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ lipronancer, eh, What? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennar MA! n’ lipronancer, eh, what? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregnacer MA! n’ lipronancer, eh, What? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ lip MA! nancer, Canada!  eh, What? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ lipronancer, eh, What? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ allere MA! nnacer n’ lipronancer, eh, what? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ lipronancer, eh, What? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ lipronancer, eh, Canada!  What? Yes, gel- MA! ing, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ lipronancer, eh, What? Yes, gell-ding, n MA! alleregennacer n’ li MA! onancer, eh, what? Yes, gell-ding, nag th’ alleregennacer n’ li MA! onancer, eh, What? Yes, MA! ding, nag th’ allere MA! er n’ l MA! e MA! t p MA! ‘a MA! an pl MA! ast MA! e MA! MA! r MA! Sure, I’ll  Wishes? what’s the worst that can happen MA! Yup,    Yes, wishes.  Plasterdna-uno wishes. Com wishes. Com wishes, Com-wishes com com com com com Canada Canada Canada Canada comma com-wishes! Plasterdna-uno wishes. anada Canad  anada Canad Done wished for. And wished for.   Plasterdna-uno wishes.  anada ana  anda-a ana B’ never. Bu’ ‘ever. But ‘eve’ never.  Never on never on never on never up-so up-so uo-so nandabunne down’d, no. NO! Always a nope from them from them always a nope on my wishes  Canada!  {Brigg’s Peter}

Bring that here now.

Do as you’re told,

Brung that there them those over here now!

What no three hands? Bah!

Dancer? Just do as you’re told bring all those ones o’er there here top me yes right now!

Yah big Dancer. the worst that can happen? Here’s the real nut of it = problemninmanialle’d up, steam sighhhhhhhhhhhh ook. (Burns) ‘roblemninmanialle’d up, steam sighhhhhhhhhhhh oo’. (Burns) ‘roblem0inmanialle’d ‘p, steam sigh=0=hhhhhhhh ‘o’. (Burns) church parklot’s cellar ahhhhhh! ‘robl=m0inmanial=’d ‘p, st=m sigh=0=hhhhhhh ‘o’. (Burns) up the badmen call the cops! ‘rbl=m0inmanil=’d ‘p, t=m sih=0=hhhhhh. (Burns) yup yup yup planners what we need’s seed some planners seed planners got to seed us down some great big planners what ‘nners? yes right now! whip? No! Th’ Spanish pers near yurk city playce-taaaaaaa B! place t’ be that’s the God damn big best darn-tootin’ place to be ‘f ask me my and that register on the table over there ain’t she a beauty WOW ain’t she a beauty WOW beauty AH beauty AH ain’t she some PAN PAN PAN PAN terrain pull UP terrain pull Up pull UP terrain PAN PAN PAN sort of beauty? Now that’s what we call a beauty herele dish spaces {know ye what ye mean, Pilgrim?} No don’t ye know what ye mean never no, Bimbo! Pilgrim? what the hell’s wrong Bimbo! Pilgrim? wrong with you can’t make up Bimbo! Pilgrim? make up your mind why Bimbo! why the hell can you never make up your mind GIMI Pilgrim? GIMI oh Gimi, why the hell for Bimbo! Pilgrim? for old aunt Petunia even you never seem to Bimbo! Pilgrim? to be able to ever finally what’s the worst that can happen? and Bimbo! and o’ finally make up Pilgrim? Bimbo! make up yer hoooooooooot’n mind, Pilgrim?

Why’s that?

No don’t lie!

Why’s that?

No Don’t lie!

Don’t lie!

Don’t lie!

Never l’

AH!

yes right now! yes right now! yes right now! yes right now!

what?

Wake up you were dreaming = you were dreaming so wake up oh oh

RIGHT THE HELL NOW! sop askin stop asking please stop ploose oh stop all the asking!

MA!

No

Party

Party

Party!

Ah.

Poetry from AG Davis

HOLES

Black holes, 
More holes arise
Your face reversed, a tripwire
Universal effigy, blanket sky of fear
Black holes, blackened tears
In corridors of sunken mirrors
Black holes,
More holes arise
Your face reversed, a tripwire

As you sink into yourself,
The harrowing altar near its tinned denial
Bleeds forth, a faint gospel groaning,
Feebly sowing its half-dripping gourds of 
Dead banquets, questing for loans, 
Boiled and fractally conjoined, icicles of
Ancient guards, umbilical froth
Bursts placards of tired, lost suns
Whipped clean of their ancient morgues:
The bottomed firmaments in the day’s Sickly half-glow

Ripened holes of black,
Denied castellated frequencies,
Unredeemed attics of multiverses seep Disloyal broth,
Animated fugues within horns of rotted Plaster
Wreath the bones of 
Gangrenous gossamer,
As unripe Crowns
Are led down the ladders of gelid stone

They are entombed within spinning gyratory eyes,
To see no further light,
As the black holes eclipse
Themselves
Fully tied

And to your face reversed, a tripwire

More holes arise

Black holes

Black holes arise


Born in Lubbock, Texas in 1984, AG Davis is a sound poet, author, performance artist and composer who resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Davis began his career as a Division I football recruit, having attended West Point for a brief period of time. After dropping out, he earned his degree in English Literature at the University of Florida (2006).

He has written four books of highly experimental poetry, his most recent being published in 2023 through mOnocle-Lash Anti-Press. 
His work often delves into the darker side of the human psyche, exploring the multifaceted realms of psychosis.



Poetry from Priscilla Bettis

weep beneath white mums
you lilies of the valley
and salve the sorrow

–

silent tears descend
grief lingers in solemn hearts
farewell's bitter chill

–

shadows cast by breath
whispers weep and moans entwine
graves devoid of light

–

in stygian soil
fungus creeps and worms whisper
secrets unshackled

–

viscous memories 
haunt like spirits whispering
stories in my ear

–

sun illuminates
my broken glass heart and light
remembers rainbows