The Sounds of Spring by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid

The Sounds of

SPRING A Poetic Anthology by Eva Petropoulou Lianoy

Moumen Samir

Deema Mahmood

Zdenka Mlinar

Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar

Dr. Miltiadis Dovas

ANA STJELJA

Ljubica Katić

Nandita De nee Chatterjee

Antonis Filippeos Jyotirmaya Thakur

Amb Lovelyn P Eyo Jyoti Nair Khaled Sendyouni Vicky Anagnosti Pooneh Nedai Pavlina Behraki Marwa Nabil Pankhuri Sinha Dr Zohir Biswas Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Eduard Harents Artist: Abd Elwahab

Eva Petropoulou Lianoy Spring Spring, The flowers and trees are singing Men and women fall in love

Spring, Time became a memory All just watch a rose blossom

Spring, The moment where the truth and lie are the same The beauty of mind The beauty of a face A smile of the child make the world a better place

Spring, The war just stopped 5

The bomb The virus come to an end People start hug each other Childrens meet their parents World became as before

©®Eva Petropoulou Lianoy 6

Eva Petropoulou Lianoy was born in Xylokastro where she completed her basics studies. She loved journalism by small and attended journalism lesson at the ANT1 School. In 1994 she worked as a journalist in French newspaper "Le LIBRE JOURNAL," but her love for Greece won and returned to her sunny home. Since 2002, she lives and works in Athens. She works as a web radio producer reading fairy tales at radio logotexniko vima every Sunday. Recently she become responsible for the children literary section in Vivlio anazitiseis publications in Cyprus. She published books and ebooks: " I and my other avenger, my Skia publications Saita." "Zeraldin and The elf of the lake" in Italian and in French as well as “The daughter of the Moon” in 2 languages English and Greek. The Moon Daughter published by Ocelotos 4 times, received best reviews for author's writing and writing style. She is a member of the Unesco Logos and Art Group, of the writers of Corinth, of Panhellenic Writers Association. Also her work is mentioned in the Known Greek awarded encyclopedia for Poets and authors, Harry Patsi, page 300. Her books have been cleared by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus. Eva‟s recent work includes: "The water Amazon fairy called Myrtia" ,illustrated by Vivi Markatos, dedicated to a girl that become handicap after a sexual assault and the translation of stories of Lafcadio Hearn, "Fairytravel with stories from Far East", an idea that she worked more than 6 months illustrated by MsNtinaAnastasiadoy, very known sculptor and sumi e painter in Greece.

Blog: http://evalianou.blogspot.gr E-mail: eviepara@yahoo.fr

Deema Mahmood Becoming a Fetus

I roll over myself hoping to feed on the grass of beginnings I become a fetus And get high on the musky scent of placenta I recover that eternity which for a while was entwined with my mother Becoming one with it through orbits and spheres.

I emerge clean of all human sediment Clear of all their masks and effigies Free of gel and dyestuff. I become, and I get going, without myths and prophecies.

Deema Mahmood, Egyptian poetess. She has a bachelor degree in Computer Sciences and Statistics, and worked as Professor assistant for many years in the departments of Computer sciences, Mathematics and Statistics in both the College of Education and the College of Health Sciences in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Currebtly, she is a voiceover, an audio narrator, a storyteller and a dubbing actor. Her publications: Braids of Spirit (Poetry), Dar Al-Adham, Cairo, 2015. I Pick Quarrels with the Horizon over a Violin (Poetry), Dar Al Ain, Cairo, 2017.

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar My Poem of Spring

These are two ends of the same string Autumn season and the season of spring

Trees shed their leaves in the autumn Don’t take it negative don’t condemn

Autumn gives us lesson again to think About merchants whose ship does sink

However, change is the part of our life Says to husband, after wedding, all wife

If autumn comes, spring is not far behind Don’t get upset and let agony come in mind

Our body is just like a tree It blooms when it feels free

When spring comes on human being The couple gets their first off spring

When a butterfly kisses a flower Love climbs on the top of a tower

When you feel intoxication in eyes of your woman You must know spring has come and gone autumn

Trees enjoy spring more than any human They don’t believe in the Saving for autumn

We don’t enjoy full of spring We live in fear of future’s savings 14

Mankind should learn about life, how is it to enjoy By coming close to nature, by leaving digital toy Copyright Reserved: Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar is an Editor in National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Ministry of Education, Government of India. He has been Principal Publication Officer in National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language. He is a famous short story writer, poet and critic from India. He is Graduate with English Honors from Ranchi University. He has topped Jawaharlal Nehru University in Masters with Literature. He was awarded Doctor of Philosophy for his Research Work from University of Delhi. He is Diploma holder in Calligraphy, Mass Media and in Book Publishing with Specialization in Editing. He has begun writing his poems in English since lock down in pandemic Covid-19 period. He has written around 50 poems and published with world‟s eminent poets in 5 International Anthologies, so far. His poems are being published in several magazines within country and abroad. His poem „The Burning Boat‟ contains mystic (Sufism) and metaphysical elements. He has bagged many States and National Awards and accolades for his literary works. He has total 12 published books, 2 each of collections of short stories and collections of poems, 4 books of criticism and 4 books of translation from other languages in his credential. His anthology entitled as “The Burning Boat” is under process for publishing, which is to be come out shortly in public domain. 15

ANA STJELJA The Mysterious Lady The Lady, mysterious like a night Whose veil is made of moonlight Appears suddenly at the door The grandiose gate of Nature's core. The birds begin dancing in the flocks fluttering their wings over sea rocks The trees garbed in the new gowns Tree canopies transform to crowns. Sun rays like the shades divine Indulging the cold soul of mine The breeze cuddles with my face Painting sky with the thread of lace. Spring is that mysterious Lady Sometimes bright sometimes shady When she drops off her veil of Green Her divine image discovers the unseen.

Ana Stjelja was born 1982 in Belgrade (Serbia). In 2005 she graduated from the Faculty of Philology from the Turkish Language and Literature Department. In 2009 she earned a Master's Degree in Sufism. In 2012 she obtained her PhD in Serbian Literature (with the thesis on the life and work of one of the first Serbian woman writers and world travelers Jelena J. Dimitrijević). She is a poet, writer, translator, journalist, researcher and editor. She published more than 30 books of different literary genres. She is the Editor-in-chief of the Alia Mundi magazine for cultural diversity and the Editor-in-chief of the online literary magazine Enheduana. She is also the founder and the editor of the Web Portal Eastern Pearl dedicated to the literature art and culture of the East. As an acclaimed and awarded writer, she has published her works in various Serbian and international print or online magazines, literary blogs and portals. In 2018 she established the Association Alia Mundi for promoting cultural diversity. She is a member of the Association of Writers of Serbia, the Association of Literary Translators of Serbia, the Association of Journalists of Serbia and the International Journalist Federation (IJF) She lives in Belgrade.

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Nandita De nee Chatterjee A Colourful Concert A heavenly stroll down the flaming flamboyant tree avenue A roseate sky overhead Spring in our steps.

Gardens bedecked in marigold Auburn and ochre vying for glory Shrubs covered with hibiscus Vermilion, pink and purple Baskets full of flowers for veneration Floral offerings abundant in temples Sweet scent of tuberoses floating in wispily.

Childhood memories of the Gulmohar Avenue Royal Poinciana with its fern-like leaves Flaming red and orange 21

A signature of an ecstatic spring.

Today carpeting our road in crimson petals Shady trees gracing every Indian city A paradise for Koels and Bulbuls A stage for the songsters Regaling the sunny days with sweet lyrics Flitting to the aromatic mango tree Now in full blossom And heavy with juicy green mangoes.

A streak of blue Kingfisher flying in to the hyacinth pond A lavender haze in the afternoon sun.

And in regal Rajasthan The magnificent peacocks dance A dazzling finale of operatic magnitude 22

Exhilarating in the end of winter Serenading the symphony of spring.

Nandita De nee Chatterjee: Writer/freelance journalist/housewife. Formerly with Economic Times. Cover stories and Feature Writer with Statesman, Illustrated Weekly, Economic Times, Telegraph, Times of India, Femina, Filmfare, Germany Today, Voix Meets Mode, UK, FrontierWeekly, Namaste Ink, Setu magazine, US, Innsaei International Journal, Plethora,Chrysanthemum Chronicles, Literatureslight Magazine, Global United Renaissance magazine. Co Author: Big Bang of Non-Fiction, Life in Reverse; 30 Best Poets; Sea; Coffee & Echos; Wrapped Up Feelings; Poetry Planet's Christmas in my Heart , Moonlight; ALS's Kaleidoscope of Asia & Bilingual Anthology of Poems; Poetry Planet's Writers' Haven; Rewrite the Stars; Love Thy Mother; The Real Hero; Heart of a Poet by innerchildpressanthologies; Ashes; Arising from the Dust; Striving for Survival & An Indian Summer by Plethora Blogazine; Poetry Planet's Lockdown Diaries, Born to Dream Winner's Anthology & Words in Motion; Gems II and Gems III by World Pictorial Poetry & Art Forum, Poetry: Best of 2020 by Innerchildpress USA; Macabre Tales by CC. 23

Amb Lovelyn P Eyo RENEWAL

In the arms of winter I lost myself After the grizzled autumn Buried my freedom, dead When shall life spring Anew to clothe me The sweet spring of zest To quench life's thirst I shall look up to spring When coldness shall cry And the joy of the flowers shall aloud ring Swaying here and thereAn embrace of new hope Hope cradled full of warmth Warmth cuddled in the core of positivity Positivity that stifles the breath of negativity

©Lovelyn P. Eyo

Amb Lovelyn P Eyo is a global multi-award winning Poetess/Writer from Nigeria. She is the Governor of Literary events and relationships with schools and Universities of The World Union of Poets, Italy and an Administrator for the League of Poets, Nigeria. Her poems have been translated into Spanish, Bengali, Greek, Portuguese, Efik and also also aired on Radio America. She can be reached via eyolovelyn1@gmail.com

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Khaled Sendyouni Radical Solutions Delayed

Radical solutions Not of so much use NOW But I insist on recording it under my name

A few dynamite sticks Attached to a fuse Close to the Tree of Eternity As soon as Adam and Eve approach It explodes Generation after generation will experience a wave of relief

It could have been possible that pain Would be a contrary to something other than happiness That Happiness would remain without opposition 29

And this would be recorded in the dictionaries of emotions

As long as every heart Good or Bad Deserves to reach its goals Why wouldn’t we givem what they want? Thus from the beginning Then the drama ensues And I shall guarantee you Tears and Sorrows for all times to come Instead of the pain that Attaches to Adam’s limbs While he in the making Tied to a seat Looking far ahead No eye lash moves I suggest chocolate in lieu of others 30

And for others Vanilla Without life having to lose its cruelty.

Shadows at night In the faint light Shadows disussing What has happened lately

Under the hanging bridge and above it Shadows remember and shadows forget I do not know if this was on purpose

By the fountain in the Public Square Where all arrows point to the right way Shadows laughing And shadows that burst in tears Here and there In this city as my best guess 31

Shadows ask questions and shadows answer

Shadows in the mist breathed in by shadows Separate While other shadows meet again In front of cafés

Troubled shadows Gathering all the poets of the end of the world And eternal shadows That have buried truth somewhere

Shadows that no one will ask Confused To the point that it forgot to catch up With those to whom they belong.

Khaled sendyoni Egyptian poet Born in Shohada – Menofia 1966 Published 4 poetic collections and many poems in different literature magazine and blogs. Many articles have been written about his works as well as press interviews

Pooneh Nedai Home

I. I am thinking of a long sleep Or resting forever Without bedsore

What is human doing In this alive body?

Creation of this earth, This horrible corner, Shouldn't be easy Creator might have cried much For his dolls.

This corner, 35

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen 36

This secure bed Is it worthy for the body?! Maybe the soul, Has bedsore.

I wish my long sleep Multiplies in short sleep of earth I wish the sore Converts to a worthy magma To be seen!

II.

In the memory of bullets, passed my soul I plant flower in my heart.

Without sun Without water Without soil 37

I am watching home

My existence Is a light spot On the edge of darkness

I will be thrown To the world Not named HOME!

Pooneh Nedai: 1974, Tehran, Iran. Poet, journalist, artist and translator. Editor in chief of Shokaran literary magazine Administrator of Amrood publishing company Administrator of Hoo gallery Vice president of Asia Journalist Association based in Seoul 7 poetry books in Persian 7 poetry books translated in English, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Armenian, German Poems published in Georgian, Italian, Bulgarian, Turkish, Russian... in foreign magazines Translation of 5 Korean books in Persian The Land of Phoenix: diary of Korea (written book)

Marwa Nabil Inquiries

I will die without knowing: How many tons of spices are there in each book? How many eyes does "Buddha" have? Why do I see but say nothing? How many waves are there in the sea, how many spits are thrown in it? Who is the man whose urine spoiled the oranges? A turning Jasmine flower smokes a hookah, to be what? What is the secret of one-sided love? When might a woman born without being jealous?

Marwa Nabil: Faculty of Arts - Girls College - Department of Philosophy- Ain Shams University 41

Dr Zohir Biswas No Flute is Mute

While my heart dances on the wave of the sweet bridge Black eyed long haired young lady dances wearing sharee With her killing looks and lust; I understand, the Spring has come.

The falling leaf says, bye to the cold But welcomes to the long breath of lost love How could I forget the tase of her first kiss; While I felt Spring has come.

No flute is mute now Green grass is also talking to the sky Someone says whisperingly, my heart will go on I understand, the Spring has come.

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Dr Zohir Biswas has been working as an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Film and Television at Canadian University of Bangladesh. He is a documentary film maker and his mentionable work ‘Udur Pindi Budur Ghare’ is appreciated for its benchmark quality. Dr Biswas is actor in film, radio, television and stage. He is also a poet, playwright and novelist of Bangladesh who has achieved Young Writer Project Award in 1998 for his first novel Norokbashi Purnima (The Full Moon in the Hell) by Bangla Academy (The only Literary Institution of Bangladesh Government), his poetry Prem Noy Droho (Not Love but Rebellion), and experimental play Utopian, another novel is Obhimani Flora. His popular play The Post Modern Man was staged in Bangla, English and Germen language. He has worked in Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

Eduard Harents ***

Summers are crumbling flushing, as Rodin’s «Danaide’s» membranes of brain… Autumns are weary untidy from fate, out from their hue as painter’s bra- splitted in baroque style… Winters are self-refute pistils’ pallid prolongation from green dreams of angels … But still I’m the spring of unrequited love…

(Translated from Armenian by Ani Hakobyan)

Eduard Harents graduated from Yerevan State University, the faculty of Oriental Studies, and Cairo University's Centre of Arabic Language and Culture. He is an author of 10 poetry collections, and has been published in a large number of both Armenian and foreign periodicals and anthologies. Eduard is the most translated Armenian writer of all time, with his work being translated into more than 50 languages. In 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013, he was awarded in the Best Poetical Series and Best Translation nominations, and 2013, the young poets first prize for the book “Lethargic Vigilance”. Awards also include: the International literary prize for poetry 2015 and 2019, and the Panorama International Literature Award 2020 (India-Italy). In 2016, his book “The life lives me” was published in Belgium, and in 2017, his book “Lethargic Vigilance” was published in Spain. In 2014 he participated in the Festivalul de Internaţionale “Nopţile de Poezie de la Curtea de Argeş” (Romania) and in the Festival Internazionale di Poesia di Genova (Italy).

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Moumen Samir The nap of the blind woodman

Our father Adam was sad One day He awakened Wandered in the prairie And said: Oh my God You created me like this Big And exalted I never was a child Never played with the pastries Which turn into brides And didn't box the air, to return the bang angrily My feet did not guide me to the farthest village from the sun And my father gets worried owing to my absence And I smell how much he loves me 51

More than his women More than playing cards I have a childhood at you Keep it for me And wipe me with it whenever I feel afraid of you Or whenever you spur the darkness on me It extends whenever the inspiration At last the God smiled And turned away Wandered in the prairies And said: unless it doesn't suit I would conceal my sadness to him And how I created myself like this Great And exalted No swimming at laughing No axe glows in the streams And grows whenever I grow 52

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

No nap under the far tree Nor the witch goes down To catch me from my collar Then I fly

So I really love you And elate for your sappy deeds You, who complains and complains And return to wander in the prairie Breathe deeply And sing loudly..

By Moumen Samir- Egypt Translated by Hussein Mahmoud Moumen Samir is a poet who belongs to nineties Egyptian poetic generation. Born in 15/11/1975, he published twenty seven books. From his poetry volumes: The Ultimate Ecstasy 2002, The Joy of Dying 2003, The Blind Lane of Wars 2005, Deconstruction of Happiness 2009, Overlooking the Senses 2010, A Ghost Glimpse in Afternoon 2013, The Nap of the Blind Woodman 2016 and No Bread nor Wine 2017.

Zdenka Mlinar MY GORICO (spring gift to my city)

Night’s silence is over, And broken morning smells, This heart is restless, While hand happily writes: Fragrant and floral, Like a dewdrop, This little spring song, Pearly and pure.

Let it fly highly By Lucia's lights followed Gilded by the sun, And land on your face. Let it touch your heart, 57

And shine in your eye, Like a pure, primordial love!

This is a spring song, My Gorico, My flowery oasis!

Zdenka Mlinarwrites poetry, prose, and miniatures (aphorisms, haiku ...). She is a member and a secretary of the Association of Artists „Spark“ Velika Gorica, and a member of other cultural associations and societies, such as „Croatian Parliament of Culture“ Zagreb, KULTura sNOVA Zagreb, the Association of Bosnian Artists Sarajevo and ULIKUM Velika Gorica. She published six independent collections of poems. She normally writes in Croatian standard but also takes on a challenge of writing in Croatian dialects. Her poetry and haiku works have been published in many domestic and international journals and anthologies, while her haiku works have been represented in the bilingual Anthology of Croatian Haiku Poetry „An Unmown Sky 2, 2008–2018“. She is a registered member of The Haiku Foundation, a world's registry of English-language haiku authors, and in 2019 and 2020 she was selected in the European top 100 most creative haiku authors. Her poems have been translated into English, Italian, Romanian, Spanish, Turkish and Romani language while a dozen of them have become lyrics for music songs. Mrs. Mlinar's work has been published in more than eighty collections and several anthologies, both in her home country and abroad, and she is publishing on a regular basis in electronic media and various guest appearances and round tables. She received many commendations, letters of thanks, recognitions, charters, plaques, certificates, medals, and trophies for her work. She is enlisted in The Lexicon of Modern Writers of Velika Gorica in 2006 and 2020, and she held a solo art exhibition in 2018. She is an active member of the social community through her participation in the work of Matica Hrvatska branch in Velika Gorica, in various exhibitions, art colonies and charity activities. 59

Dr. Miltiadis Dovas SPRING PRAYER

Spring was approaching, it was hot, unbearable heat, horrible, the birds' nests were dripping with sweat, the last carnation reappeared once more, it blossomed with the first sunbeam, and yet the cold guard, sleepless in the creation of God, did not say to leave the fight. Winter is heavy, God is angry. A winter dressed in light signs, and custodians of the lacquers. Prayer time, let us pray to the immortal goddess without faith. We pray for the coming of a resolution and we hope Some they looking for our our blood vessels. For our sacrifice!!!

Dr. Miltiadis Dovas, Poet, Greece 61

Miltiadis Ntovas or Dovas was born in Ioannina of the Greece in 1972. He studied Philosophy and Pedagogy and is a PhD of Philosophy at the University of Ioannina. He works as an Professor. He co-write essays, fairy tales and four thousand five hundred poems, nine thousand haiku and tristiches and two epics. He published nine poetry collections and one scientific study.

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen 63

Ljubica Katić Spring

I say, "Goodbye," But I don't mean it. That's what the brain wants, But, the heart's still struggling. I say, "Go away. I don't need you." The heart's slowing down, making less and less sound.

I say, "It's over," But I lie. For, with you, I want to drink wine. I say, "There is no hope for us," But I don't want to become A woman left behind. 65

I say, "Spring has fallen asleep in me," But I can't wait to see a blossomed tree. I know there's no room for lies in love; I lied to you because you lied to me.

I say…

Ljubica Katic was born in Niksic Montenegro in 1957, where she lived and worked until 2008, when she came to Split and stayed there. He has been writing since early childhood, children's, love, haiku, spiritual and social poetry. He has won many awards and recognitions. Her poems have been translated into foreign languages, and represented in over 70 joint collections, of which 7 are anthologies. In May 2020, her first independent collection was published, a bilingual edition of Croatian-English entitled "Between Love and Pain" "Also the second book is in preparation, which should see the light of day by mid2021. She lives and works in Split.

Antonis Filippeos ALLURE

I can’t reach you, you are miles away, but those cool leaves from lambent lotuses that penetrate you are mine. I want to capture them for ever in the overcast sky and give them my name. When I feel lonely, to take heart of your smile, to create in my mind two sacred worlds. When I hear you, to become a river of molten brass and flow with the words that jump out of your lips; to gather them turning them to sweet arrival 69

to dedicate it to you at night just before I fall asleep with you figure gravened on the maps of mind that magnetizes the poles of soul. A beam of light I become for you that I desire, impetuous passion, and if you ever come to touch me, then I will surrender without a fight, without hesitation…

Antonis Filippeos was born in Athens in 1980. He had been to Italy for two years for studies in the University of Rome. Returning to Greece, he completed his studies in International and European Relations in Athens and he obtained his degree in Italian Literature at university of Athens in 2012. With his inexhaustible creativity, he managed to set in the field of poetry. His first book, “Animus Nudus”(Cactus publications), was well reviewed and hewon a lot of international awards. Some of his poems were set to music and translated in English, Italian and Russian. Lots of his poems have been included in various poetic anthologies and famous magazines. His promising second brand-new book “Silentium” (Cactus publications) has been recently published.

Jyotirmaya Thakur SPRING

Spring has come to roses spread, Back are birds from far and wide , Awakens the dark world lying dead, Seeds are saplings,flowers go wild. Gorgeous green with red and white Cuckoo's melody for their mate Birds on tree tops sway in might Lovers racing not to be late. Fair maids dance around in rings Searching for reasons to overstay In a quest for a pleasant prince To rule their hearts night and day. Vast fields filled with youthful fest Harvest cut made ready for beds Flora fauna at their formal best Winds blowing trumpets from the west.

Sky blues clear from morning to night, Celestial moonlit feasts at midnight, Old and infants are shining bright, Spring has spread it's glorious light.

@copyright Jyotirmaya Thakur.

Jyotirmaya Thakur is an internationally renowned poet and writer of twenty five books . She has won numerous awards, for both her literature and humanitarian efforts. She serves on various prestigious Committees as Ambassador in many literary and humanitarian organisations. Her work has been published in more than 500 anthologies, magazines , internationally and translated in many languages. She exemplifies the ideal that writing is more than just words on paper, it is a means of creating positive change in the world.

Jyoti Nair Spring Silhouettes

Spring: when Ocherous mirrors reflect sunflower smiles and swirls. Spring Silhouettes: serene-smouldering ribbons on our wrists, Cajoling us to open the windows, let rusted hinges of our languid veins exhale...

Spring: detouring daffodils, on their way to our palpitating porticos. Spring Sprawling: Hyacinths that switch on, the stifled hues of our homes, Now scampering as fireflies, in our doorways...

Spring Succumbing: An amalgamation of knelling, Shores across the feet of Lord Shiva, awashed by our yearnings. Spring Stirring: Starlit tresses of Ostara, cuddling the parched creases of our skies, skins and sinews... 77

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Spring Sun Dance: Tulip air gathers our withered dream-petals, Clasps our palms, says ‘Carpe Diem’. Spring Sauntering: Coloured arias beckoning our minds, Moulding us into lilting Lotuses...

©jyotinair

The quintessential transformation evangelist, Jyoti Nair has acquired professional prowess, in the capability development and project management gamut, incessantly catering to rapidly diversifying business needs. She currently spearheads multiple operations for L & D and Quality Assurance, spanning across HR and Recruitment, while being employed at an Indian Multinational Technology Company, acclaimed as global leaders in IT services, Digital and business solutions. She finds the process of writing therapeutic and nurtures the poetry raiment as her second skin. Her works feature in numerous, global poetry anthologies and distinguished poetry journals, has won many laurels for her literary pursuits, however she inherently cherishes her solitary quill and fervently whets her pen in stoic resilience. In her modest opinion, our rusted souls are beckoned; hearts feel more alive, if we engage in some literary tilling, day in and day out. 79

Vicky Anagnosti Libation in the Champaign I limited the safety distance from the ridges and I have just arrived at the melodious kennels of the spring of the Champaign under the legendary bridge.

Here in the center of the world, in the purgatory of nature, now that they are breathing with the river song the lemongrass and the acacias, here where the libation from the orange flowers, in an erotic dance tightly holding our hands. It will always be spring for us, 81

you told me, in the eternal journey of our love.

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Vicky Anagnosti was born in Arta. The monuments and the history of the city were the first stimuli that pushed her to accomplish further spiritual concerns. When she was young, her family moved to Athens, where she completed her studies up to higher education. As a graduate of the Historical-Archaeological Department of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Athens, she participated in archaeological excavations in Eretria, as well as in other archeological sites. She served as a philologist in secondary education for many years and left in 2012. Since then she has been involved in literature and other art forms. Poetry is her great love and she has been writing since a very young age. She was awarded in the World Competition by the Amphictyon of Hellenism B Prize for 2019 and A Prize for 2020. Her first published poetry collection is "Ryta kai Arrita" by Fildisi publications, while her poems are also in anthologies and literary magazines.

Pavlina Behraki WHEN SPRING HAS ARRIVED

When Spring arrives, I bathe in joy, as if I were standing and I notice how fast the swallows are running to find rubbish, to set up a nest, somewhere in one corner. With sweet tweets, they carry straw in their mouths and feathers, seeds and petroleum, to house life, to welcome it.This or the image the admirer she always accompanies me, even in the Winter, and the heavy Winter. I keep her as an amulet, and she protects me. When I am cowardly, I am scared from the days events I return back home, I m looking for the nest, and stared this beautiful family, in the corner, on the veranda of my paternal home.

[Pavlina Behraki] 2007.

PAVLINA Behraki was born in Corinth, where she lives and breathes art - especially poetry - and adores writing. She has written and published across a wide variety of topics including poetry, essays, narratives, monographs, and critical notes, and for many years has written for a number of newspapers and magazines connected with the world of art and literature. Her biggest love is poetry, and her poems have been published in magazines including Spiritual Life and New Ariadne, but she still has a large body of yet-unpublished work. Titles of her poetic collections are: My small Eternity, Ode to Truth, Clay Gods, With a Flower in Hand, A Stream in Light my Motherland, At the Top of the Wounds, Overgrown Unfenced Our Garden, Ode to the Birthland Corinthian Earth, Sounds and Pebbles of Memory, In the Years of Need, Autumn’s Paths, Anticipations and Un-anticipations, One Polity Divine and Humane, and more.

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

Pankhuri Sinha The Festival of Spring

Vasantpanchami, translating quiet literally into the festival of spring Is today, two days further from Valentine’s, this year And for the first time, has struck me Like lightening, like thunder There is no Goddess or God of Spring in Indian mythology Like Brigid, the presiding deity of spring in Irish folklores Or Persephone, the Greek mythical figure overseeing the arrival of spring Queen of the underworld, from where so much of the growth and sprouts come Wife of Haides, daughter of Zeus and Demeter, inspiration behind agricultural cults Promising blessed passage into afterlife too! She certainly makes the present flowerful Youthful, fanciful, fragrant like Brigid and other gods! Here, on the banks of the Indus 89

Ages ago, when they wrote the Vedas, they personified nature and worshipped it directly Thus, dawn, Usha, was that lovely, magical lady, who never repeated the beauty of daybreak Each was different, new, better than the other, poets still write paeans to her! She brings the eternal, immortal gift of another day and only then comes the Sun As they told us, most powerful, all curing, as painters had been painting Sunrises, ushering in new eras, marking time, the sages told us to worship the sun First and foremost, before winters, fasting for four days, standing in water flowing Of the river to the ocean, the sun had to be pleased, for it could kill if angry With its absence and presence! They also said, there was a god for the rains Two actually, for it was monsoon country, and before it began to alternate between

Season of flood and drought, there was a rainy season most picturesque Was called the queen of seasons, and romanced with spring, the King! But the festival of spring, greeting its footsteps as it begins to dance on tree tops first In fleshy buds of fruit-flowers, kissing the air, cheeks blushing As a mild heat rises from the clay of the earth, already baking Grassless, leafless in winter chill, set foot, O blessings of the spring! Your festival is not Godless! Saraswati, the goddess of learning is worshipped on this day! In pomp and show, vigour and strength, celebration in awe of discipline and wisdom So the spring doesn’t get rowdy, air doesn’t intoxicate, petal scented Pollen laden, they, the ancient writers, also allotted a god to monitor the powers of wind For ours was storm country! Romantically described by Kipling’s pen

The storm could rage in tempers fierce! Saraswati, urged calmness Assured shelter and a book, music too, for she played the sitar! All gods were artists, taught to practice, each had an instrument Perfection in temperament, rode an animal vehicle, Saraswati flew on white swan!

Her own love story though, mired slightly by father’s dark affections She peaches restraint, teaches calmness, controlling the creator! Taming the elements, the goddess talks to nature! And all of its seducing powers!

The kings when they were writing love poems in stone, etching million poses In the temples and caves of this primeval land, were captivated perhaps By this seducing aroma of spring! The kamasutra too was written here! 92

Yet, neither the words, nor the images capture the eluding, the mesmerizing Smile of spring! Its around, and so often, no where to be found! Pankhuri Sinha: Bilingual young poet and story writer from India. Two books of poems published in English, two collections of stories published in Hindi, and five collections of poetries published in Hindi, and many more are lined up. Has been published in many journals, anthologies, home and abroad. Has won many prestigious, nationalinternational awards, has been translated in over twenty two languages. Her writing is dominated by themes of exile, immigration, gender equality and environmental concerns. After doing her BA from Delhi University, and PG diploma in Journalism, from Symbiosis Pune, Pankhuri did her Master’s in history from SUNY Buffalo, and has an unfinished Phd from the University of Calgary, Canada. She has worked in various positions as a journalist, lecturer and a content editor.

Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Thirteen Love Letters for her

1 It is difficult to give things their names, It is difficult that LOVE is only Four letters in the flock of alphabet.

2 I did not see the cotton pieces of ice On the glass of the window On Christmas. I did not collect the berries In their far away farms. I did not know the number of Wild narcissus petals. So how could I describe our hug as 95

Melting icy cotton on the The glass of the window Where water flooded into the Fields of the berries To grow the leaves of the narcissus, Is it the necessity of poetry? Or is it love?

3 I do not care about changing history I am not interested in replacing old testaments, Nor modifying them. I came to you for writing or being another history.

4 On the way leading to you, I fought one thousand and one battles, 96

Artist : Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

The land fighting for kisses of the rain, The search of the cattle for grass, Remembering the painful memories.. But all of these battles were, My little ones!

5 The heavenly words of the holy texts, Are formed by the same letters Of insults being exchanged by Thieves and liars, Street sellers, Corrupted and corrupting people. As if we were the only prophets Given the revelation, Leaving the lost words for the rest of them. 98

6 In the world of chaos I am trying to be a true destroyer To put it back in order.

7 There is no stronger than The presence of charm, But the charm of the effect left.

8 I do not care If am in exile, As long I have a home, In the heart of a lonely woman.

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We do not need Kalashnikovs, Tanks, Rockets, Mines, And nuclear weapons. It is enough to delete the word of Fear From the dictionary of the human beings.

10 I do not like the image in the mirror. Would I change the lifeless item? Or should I change myself?

11 You are free to fall in love and lose everything, 100

Except your woman. You are free to give your heart for rent, And gain everything, Except her.

12 He shouted on the borders of struggles, How could I identify you, While you are stealing my ID?

13 Defining the kiss: A drop of water Drinks from the face of the river.

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Ashraf Aboul-Yazid is an Egyptian poet, novelist and journalist born in 1963. He is the Editor-in-Chief, THE SILK ROAD LITERATURE SERIES. He has been working in Cultural Journalism for more than 30 years. He authored and translated 35 books. Some of his novels and poetry volumes have been translated into English, Spanish, Turkish, Persian, Korean, Malayalam, Sindhi and German books and anthologies. He was chosen the Man of Culture for the Year, 2012, Tatarstan, Russia. He won Manhae Prize in Literature, 2014, the Republic of Korea. He won the Arab Journalism Award in Culture, 2015, UAE. Currently he is the president of Asia Journalist Association (since April 2016). Poetry | Arabic 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Washwashat Al Bahr, (the Whisper of the Sea), Cairo, 1989. Al Asdaf, (the Shells), Cairo, 1996. Zakirat Al Samt, (the Memory of Silence), Beirut, 2000. FawqaSirat Al Mawt , (On the Passage of Death), Cairo, 2001. Zakirat Al Farashat, (the Memory of Butterflies), Cairo, 2005.

Poetry | Non-Arabic 6. Una calleen el Cairo, (A street in Cairo), (Spanish), Casa de Poesa – Editorial UCR, Costa Rica, 2010. 7. YaraliGÜvercinlerIrmaği, (Turkish), Artshop, Istanbul, Turkey, 2012. 8. The memory of Butterflies , (Persian), Afraz, Tehran, 2013 9. The Memory of Silence, English, Poetrywala, Mumbai, 2016 10. (The Whisper of the Sea), (Spanish), Casa de Poesa – Editorial UCR, Costa Rica, 2018. 11. A Street in Cairo (Sindhi), Dareen, Germany, 2020 12. A Street in Cairo (German), Dareen, Germany, 2020

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All Paintings are gifted to the Silk Road Literature Series by The Egyptian Iconic Artist Dr. Abd Elwahab Abd Mohsen

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