Devour: Art & Lit Canada – Issue 007 – Mid May 2020 – Special Panku Issue #3

Devour: Art & Lit Canada is dedicated to the Canadian voice.

ISSN 2561-1321 Issue 007

Devour Art & Lit Canada

Find some of Canada’s finest authors, photographers and artists featured in every issue.

The front cover is a detail of this photograph by Ann Di Nardo

The mission of Devour Art and Lit Canada is to promote the Canadian art world by bringing world-wide readers some of the best Canadian literature, art and photography.

ISSN 2561-1321 Issue 007 April 2020 Devour: Art and Lit Canada 5 Greystone Walk Drive Unit 408 Toronto, Ontario M1K 5J5

DevourArtAndLitCanada@gmail.com Cover Photograph – Ann Di Nardo

Editor-in-Chief – Richard M. Grove Layout and Design – Richard M. Grove

A special Panku issue for The Poetry Pandemic Project.

For this project the name “Panku” comes from a cross between the words “Pandemic” and “Haiku” = Panku. It is meant to be a humourous play on words. In these strange pandemic days, I thought it was time that we lightened up a bit so I started “The Poetry Pandemic Project”. We put a call out for uplifting, fun, light, amusing, pandemic poems in the form of a Panku. – See the call for submissions on the last page of this magazine for details.

Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

Devour Content Feature Profiles: Photographer – (all photographs) – Ann Di Nardo List of Authors – p. 8 An Intro from the Editor‐in‐chief – p. 11 An Intro from Wency Rosales – p. 14 Panku Poems – p. 20 Don Gutteridge ‐ Point Taken – p. 112 Don Gutteridge, A Brief Bio – p. 113 Don Gutteridge – Poems for Anne – p. 114 Will Be Remembered ‐ Joseph Wendell "Joe" Blades – p. 124 Call for Submissions – p. 128 Photographer Statement ‐ People and Places – p. 130 Photographer Bio – p. 131 10 countries represented from around the world:

Australia, Canada,Cuba, England,Ethiopia,India, Ireland,Philippines, Romania, USA,

Devo ur : Ar t and L i t C anada

46 Authors in this Special Issue: – Adela Eugenia González‐Longoria Escalona – Gibara, Cuba – Adislenis Castro Ruiz – Gibara, Cuba – Amarilis Ricardo – Holguin, Cuba – Amy Hsieh – Ontario, Canada – Anna Yin – Ontario, Canada – Assefa Alemu – Gondar, Ethiopia – Carl Schwartz – California, USA – Christian Loid Valenzuela – Central Luzon, Philippines – David Stones – Ontario, Canada – Ed Woods – Ontario, Canada – Edward Baranosky – Ontario, Canada – Felicity Sidnell – Ontario, Canada – FJ Doucet – Ontario, Canada – Giti Tyagi – Karnal, India – Jess Walsh – Galway, Ireland – Jim Landwehr – Wisconsin, USA – John B. Lee – Ontario, Canada – John Tyndall – Ontario, Canada – Jyotirmaya Thakur – Kent, England – K Pankajam – Tamilnadu, India – K.V. Skene – Ontario, Canada – Keith Inman – Ontario, Canada – Kim Grove – Ontario, Canada – Loa Winter – New Hampshire, USA

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– Marius Chelaru, Romania – Mark Tovey – Ontario, Canada – Melanie Flores – Ontario, Canada – Miriam Estrella – Holguin, Cuba – Olive Murray – Wicklow, Irela – P. C. K. Prem – Himachal Pradesh, India – Paul Sanderson – Ontario, Canada – Raeesa Usmani – Gujarat, India – Raul Vera – Havana, Cuba – Richard M. Grove – Ontario, Canada – Robert L. Martin – Pennsylvania, USA – Robert L. Giron – Virginia, USA – Robert L. Martin – Pennsylvania, USA – Rosa Arlotto – Ontario, Canada – S. David Cope – County Kildare, Rep. of Ireland – S.L. Peeran – Bengaluru, India – Sarah Wells – Ontario, Canada – Sheila Bello – Ontario, Canada – Shelby D. Siems – Massachusetts, USA – Stefanie Bennett – Sydney, Australia – Stephen Meats – Florida, USA – Sue Crisp – California, USA – Susan Smith – Ontario, Canada

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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An Introduction from the Publisher Welcome to the third special issue of The Poetry Pandemic Project, the seventh issue of Devour: Art & Lit Canada, with another load of great Panku poems from around the world. We are already collecting submissions for the fourth special issue. Let’s hope we reach even more countries.

Metamorphosis In a way this entire Poetry Pandemic Project is about the changes that people, the population of the entire world, are going through. People, in this extraordinary time of lockdown, are bound to change even if only in subtle ways.

My friends in Cuba were referring to this lockdown period as “cocooning”. I was pleased with the term and was quick to adopt it. It has a much more positive tone than the imprisoned notion of lockdown. Cocooning has the connotation of transforming, growing, metamorphosing, from one state to another, from pupil to butterfly. This very much suits the entire upbeat, positive aspect of the entire Poetry Pandemic Project. I trust that your metamorphosis is going well and you see positive changes now and in the future. To help facilitate your positive transformation don’t count the days of cocooning , but rather you might make the days of cocooning count.

In our cocooning life my wife, Kim, emailed me, from the other room, a photograph that she stumbled on. It is a picture that she took of me with my dear friend, brother, Jorge in the “before time” when we were in Cuba. Because

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I seem to always be in Panku mode these days I wrote these three Panku and asked Jorge to do the same. Kim also wrote a wonderful Panku about the photograph.

Because of its staller quality I put it as the very first Panku on page 20. It is the best Panku in the entire collection.

Richard Grove aka Tai Editor‐in‐chief, Publisher

Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández Gibara, Cuba

Sadness and Happiness Unlucky day for the fish Lucky day for us The table will be ready soon.

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Three Panku for the fish pic:

1– An abundance of love will feed the entire family, the community, the world.

2– The fish cost only a few pesos.

The fishing line was faith.

The hook was trust The rod was confidence.

3– Tonight we will put our feet under the table of Love at the house of Michelle and Jorge and ate abundantly.

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From Wency Rosales – Holguin Cuba Dear Panku Friends from around the world: The first news of this virus was that it was simply just like another flu but with the passing of days we learned it was something serious and sad at the same time because it was for so many, lethal. Numbers of infected and deceased were increasing every day, then all of a sudden we knew it was going to be in our country of Cuba.

I was working as a Tour Guide for Havanatour Company in Holguin, Cuba in the last week of March 2020, and the last Canadian tourists were leaving the country, all silenced, all worried.

The world started to seem like a horror movie, most countries, China, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, United States, Brazil, with a strong economy were afraid of collapsing their public health systems.

Cuba started taking precautions, but nevertheless it arrived. Almost everyone stopped their jobs and I was reallocated to an urban farm, preparing the land and planting vegetables for the near future. For me it was a difficult task since I was not used to this type of work. Working as a Tour Guide, travelling from one end of the island to the other; comfort buses with a/c, nice restaurants, fine hotels. It was a completely new and hard job under the heat of a penetrating sun.

I had to do it, not only for the nourishment of my family but because after 15 days of quarantine, a confined holiday, I was feeling like a caged bird. When I told my friends, no

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one would believe it that I was moving to the fields. Some even joked about it with me, of all people, working the fields and telling me I was going back to my roots of where I was born, which obviously was in the countryside, but to be honest is was not on my “to do” list.

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

I am planting beet seeds ten centimeters apart, Would that be enough “distance”?

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

The sun is burning my skin, One million kilometers from earth is not enough distance.

Then came this amazing project playing with Pan _ pandemic, Ku_ haiku words forming the “Panku” project uniting me and writers from all around the world with uplifting, fun short poems.

A new item has been added to our wardrobe, a mask, two may be, or even more and it came into our day‐to‐day vocabulary as is the case with these two Panku that I trans‐ lated, submitted by a friend, Amarilis, in my city of Holguin.

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Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

You left your “masked” flavour on my lips and your “distanced” silhouette over my bed covers.

Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

I remember your smile hidden behind your mask I still have you beneath my skin.

And then there are these two mask Panku from me: Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

All seems a midnight movie Until you arrive behind the mask.

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

I left the mask on purpose, so I could come back.

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We miss our family, our friends all of them close enough to visit but locked down, or in isolation. We miss shaking hands, hugging, kissing, but we have to protect ourselves and other by keeping our social distance.

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

My friends chat over the net, we can e�hug, we can e�kiss With no harm.

A group of classmates graduated as Teachers of English as a second language in 1996 and some others from different years at the Teachers Training College in Holguin, Cuba, living today in different countries. Never the less we share their experiences, mostly jokes about our past or present and for some precious moments we forget these pandemic days. We get close enough to the phone screen in an immense group where friendship is our common ground.

My grandson, Jeremy, is only 4 years old and he does not understand what is going on. He is very cheerful when I visit and wants to go with me everywhere, sadly I have to refuse and say some nonsense then leave.

We have no idea how long this lockdown is going to be, maybe many months until everything goes back to normal and we can share better experiences, meanwhile we lean on Panku poems to create, to love, to survive.

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Dear reader friends, either you are locked down or working by playing an important role in our society fighting this new virus. Take care of yourself, take care of your family, stay safe, stay home if you can. I want to touch your elbow or tap your toe. I want to see you again and give you a real hug when this is all over.

Wency Rosales

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

Today the rain poured only a few minutes keeping social distance.

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

Humans behaving like chickens.

Turn on the light. Eat. Turn o the light. Sleep

Wency Rosales Holguin Cuba

Disinfect your hands Disinfect your shoes, And why not Disinfect your mouth.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Kim Grove Ontario, Canada

A photo in these times brings a friend to mind and heart to my throat

Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

I´m travelling to Hope It seems so far Is there a short cut?

Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

Counteract The fear, anger, doom and gloom Unite in peace and Hope

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

Oh, sweet nostalgia how I wish you weren’t here

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Kimberley Grove Ontario, Canada

Called the bank Don’t have a first born Please, take my husband

Pat Connors Canada, Ontario

Apocalypse Not Sour taste of boredom the pure sweetness of knowing this is not the end

Sheila Bello Ontario, Canada

revived by sunlight after isolation under snow sage and thyme green again

Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

On Lockdown From fifth floor veranda Longingly, looking at the world so familiar

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Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

I’m painting every wall in sight Climbing up Climbing down

Rosa Arlotto Ontario, Canada

A shutter of confusion all day the mobile phone keeps ringing people forced indoors.

Jim Landwehr Wisconsin, USA

My dog wonders quizzically my cat does too “why you hoomans always hear?”

Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

I’m packing my bags for a weekend getaway to the kitchen? The dining room? the bedroom?

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Antony Di Nardo Cobourg, ON

Zoom Zoom We Zoomed your birthday Zoomed our anniversary I’m getting great mileage on the car

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

for coming too close he puts his cell mate in a head lock

Olive Murray Power Wicklow, Ireland

Virus restrictions Families peeping through windows Together apart

Rosa Arlotto Ontario, Canada

The city deserted and calm People everywhere living very strict; by the letter of the law.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

On lockdown Time with our newly born baby Mesmerized by her daily change

Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

my dust covered TV cleaned up and turned on now I understand boring inane sitcoms

Sue Crisp California, USA

days slip by slowly busy work on high mask, gloves, new dress code

K.V. Skene Ontario, Canada

hand in hand you and I are social distancing together

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K Pankajam Tamilnadu, India

Animals romp on roads Masked men indoors Books unread Out from racks.

Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

I saw an angel standing six feet away she was smiling the Sun was born

Kimberley Grove Ontario, Canada

Wow, a pj party all day!!

Where’s the popcorn and pop?

Keith Inman Ontario, Canada

April snow swarms without distancing I give chase, but it melts into the scenery

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Raeesa Usmani Gujarat, India

Hope The only asset To get through These trying times.

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

You said don’t be so late?

I thought you said isolate so I stayed at home

Sheila Bello Ontario, Canada

birthday celebration – home with father and mother son blows out candles

Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

Don’t get so attached Little one Office days will soon replace A Stay‐at‐Home

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John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

lock up your children, those criminal imps they’ve been on the swings in the park

P. C. K. Prem Himachal Pradesh, India

a weird experience you look around death smiles, it jeers and you stand to defy

K Pankajam Tamilnadu, India

Lovers locked in Pine for kisses Lips want to y

Shelby D. Siems Massachusetts, USA

A break on the rent, deferred bills, stimulus check.

Can you stay solvent?

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

spouse yelled my name hundreth time today God, I beg you make me tone deaf

Rosa Arlotto Ontario, Canada

I have to remind myself of some kind of continuity in a changing world.

Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

My back hurts Sitting all day Watching television

Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

My desires: some toilet paper or a million dollars? tough question I’ll take the toilet paper.

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C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

wine and roses alone with neither

Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

Me, a domestic goddess In all her glory Scrubbing the oors For the hundredth time

Mark Tovey Ontario, Canada

delight in hearing your voice it has been so long it has been so long

K Pankajam Tamilnadu, India

People on tenterhooks masks hide facial reactions eyes do overtime duty.

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Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

I felt a breeze Alone looked at the sky And there you were

Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

endless night‌ I hold baby’s breath waiting for dawn

Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

My eyes over my mask followed you leaving, Until you were not there.

John Tyndall Ontario, Canada

A neighbour retrieved their prescriptions from a red bag hung on their fence post

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Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

Butterflies‐ perhaps our children Join you soon Breathing spring

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

new lovers in accidental proximity commit a criminal embrace

Melanie Flores Ontario, Canada

In Hiding Cherry blossoms hid one year.

This year we’re hiding.

See you next spring?

Paul Sanderson Ontario, Canada

Techies and technology keeping us from too many zeros zooming together in cyber space

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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P. C. K. Prem Himachal Pradesh, India

a uniformed man cautions to stay in if wandering without purpose confront bug and kill

Antony Di Nardo Cobourg, ON

Pandemic Dance Picture this—dancing six feet apart like in the old days

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

I wear my mask at dinner time now just to stop myself from eating.

Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

My masked muffled voice always ready to answer, now confined with no words.

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Keith Inman Ontario, Canada

equal in isolation I wish women would put the seat up

Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

Sitting in for too long Saw I crack on the wall Hurray! Something to ďŹ x

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

this is the new abnormal my shadow kept away from the light

Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

When the social distancing is over, I can let my wife back in the house.

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Rosa Arlotto Ontario, Canada

There are so many things to do the littlest, splashing in the tub.

K Pankajam Tamilnadu, India

People help neighbours Remember forgotten funs No maids, only home foods No spending on luxuries.

Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

morning dew from forget‐me‐nots I collect first light…

K.V. Skene Ontario, Canada

nowadays I carefully choose the emptiest elevator

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Raeesa Usmani Gujarat, India

Opportunities Grabbed or missed DeďŹ nes life Many times.

Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

Spring is coming Flowers are on their way Birds are still singing

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

in fear of the handrail I fall down the stairs

Jyotirmaya Thakur Sevenoaks, England

We want healing goodly nature granted clemency unmasked God watching

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

Canada Post so slow All my books arriving in time for stores to open again

Assefa Alemu Gondar, Ethiopia

Evening walk with a friend Two meter apart Feeling like strangers

C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

ďŹ dgeting together grandson asks are you ADHD like me

Giti Tyagi Karnal, India

Smiles Spreading hope, cheer, love, Smiles on the lips, Sparkles in the eyes, Faces brightened.

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Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

Spring is cancelled?

Who sez?

The sun still rises The birds still sing

David Stones Ontario, Canada

Behind this mask no one is aware it isn’t me

K Pankajam Tamilnadu, India

Roads breathe, wars at halt Silence serenades.

Earth greener, air cleaner Birds come and tweet.

Olive Murray Power Wicklow, Ireland

The Einstein haircut It’s back in fashion guys Go wild ‐ embrace it

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FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

Lit�fests locked down too At last I can go Online for free

Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

Social distancing for Little Johnny.

What a relief! No more kisses from Aunt Mildred with the big fat slobbering lips.

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

release the thief your honour, I assure you he was wearing a mask

Shelby D. Siems Massachusetts, USA

Brave health care workers, police, postmen, and cashiers.

Please, God, protect them all!

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Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

into the deep trail cherry blossoms cluster – a gateway to heaven

David Stones Ontario, Canada

Strange times when a flat line is celebrated as progress

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

I think I just saw a rat with a mask on.

Felicity Sidnell Reid Ontario Canada

Spring has sprung prisoners of winter blue, blue scilla and iris reflect clear skies

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Rosa Arlotto Ontario, Canada

To relieve the ennui I plan things that I know can’t happen.

Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

The weather is changing New life is near A new Age of hope will appear

FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

Hubbie bemoans the end of work Wakes up with the kids I sleep in

Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

Solitude is ďŹ ghting against me again, this time more calmly.

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C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

two lonely daodils by a rotting stump social distancing

Carl Bernard Schwartz California, USA

Home, where the heart is yearning for sunlight aching for delight to spread its warmth

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

two strangers meet in the park one of them wasn’t alone

Felicity Sidnell Reid Ontario Canada

Robins dive bomb defending their nest.

Why must it be right over my car?

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Jyotirmaya Thakur Sevenoaks, England

I believe in good it can stop all evil so there will be no more upheaval

David Stones Ontario, Canada

How is it that this April the daffodils seem so yellow?

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

I hate home isolation, my wife’s honey‐do list is getting longer and longer

FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

Now I’ve ordered enough new clothes to walk the runway in my own basement

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Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

Social distancing; no more showers, no more cleaning, just staying away in “Slob Heaven.”

Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

Come together But stay apart From everyone Join with all the world

Adela Eugenia González‐Longoria Escalona Gibara, Cuba

Washed hands of……... death Our hands washed………… life

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

it’s only safe here when all the jails are empty

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

Oil will not be the energy Faith will move the world to the right road

Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

through the fence calling my attention – tulip’s red bloom

P. C. K. Prem Himachal Pradesh, India

I sit in the car send a kiss through the glass window she hugs

Keith Inman Ontario, Canada

humanity can take a brief respite, as fate learns to bake

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FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

2020 fashion season Surprise interloper in Milan Masks on all the models

Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

An immense whirlwind of doubts, back to isolation.

You are not here, I am.

Absence, Hope.

David Stones Ontario, Canada

The truth is out: all these years I’ve been dyeing my hair grey

C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

spring so bright I can’t see hyacinth buds even with sunglasses

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Paul Sanderson Ontario, Canada

Put me on an island let me sail away until this is over

K.V. Skene Ontario, Canada

moonlight spills through our window so let’s put on some music and dance

John B. Lee Ontario, Canada

in the court of public opinion the doorknob refuses the door

Sarah Wells Ontario, Canada

Why stress When you can make oats into flour And bake muffins

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Giti Tyagi Karnal, India

Play Babies playing around, Their love sparkles abound, Cheering the quarantined lives.

David Stones Ontario, Canada

poetry, wine, food... a light pinot with Panku encrusted salmon

Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

Traded my kids for some toilet paper. Now I don’t have to worry about running out.

Sheila Bello Ontario, Canada

in their backyard neighbour and his dog mingling noisily – laughing and barking

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Shelby D. Siems Massachusetts, USA

Give gratitude, joy to your church community, family. Amen.

FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

Malls all closed down My husband’s Visa always open Online shopping beckons

Raul Vera Havana, Cuba

Faith is the equalizer Rich and poor staying at home we are all the same

Carl Bernard Schwartz California, USA

I set my shoes outside the door, hang my hat they call for me

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Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

party online longing for hugs ... we draw heart on screen

Jyotirmaya Thakur Sevenoaks, England

evading eviction in the soil of my conviction standing together alone

Raeesa Usmani Gujarat, India

Caged bird Reminiscing long lost emancipation Struggles yet survive.

David Stones Ontario, Canada

With every hardship we learn a little more about love

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Antony Di Nardo Cobourg, ON

Spring This Time Apple blossoms on a big bold branch barely inches apart

C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

full moonlight homeopathic remedy for the doldrums

Miriam Estrella Holguin, Cuba

May and owers rebirth of Life‌ cleansing!

S. David Cope County Kildare, Rep. of Ireland

Spider, friend or foe, washed away down the plug hole.

Locked out.

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Marius Chelaru Romania

all this fear closed behind silence – hope is the light

Jyotirmaya Thakur Kent, UK

grasses green extend helping hand to passionate weeds as gardeners are at ease

Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

It is a time Like no other A time when all the world Stands still

Loa Winter New Hampshire, USA

Each day our daily prayers For the less fortunate Make us now aware Of our priorities

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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David Stones Ontario, Canada

Without this mask my face would be naked in public

Melanie Flores Ontario, Canada

April at Home Smell the hyacinths in your own backyard.

Watch the robin tug at the worm.

FJ Doucet Ontario, Canada

One year in this house Never explored our woods Co�vid forces me in

P. C. K. Prem Himachal Pradesh, India

sounds beam in masks ďŹ lter infection and you breathe in life and thank gently

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S. David Cope County Kildare, Rep. of Ireland

Holly Blue, Orange Tip come and go where they like.

But, alas not me.

Marius Chelaru Romania

night in the pandemic world – we will sing for the Moon a lullaby

Robert L. Martin Pennsylvania, USA

Day 15 without watching sports on the TV. Found a lady sitting on the couch. Apparently she’s my wife.

Mark Tovey Ontario, Canada

thanks to YouTube and half‐recalled cooking lessons a world in lockdown rediscovers baking

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Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

long night WeChat deferring good night

David Stones Ontario, Canada

it took a mask for me to know who you really are

C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

viral state of emergency self�isolate build a blanket fort

Giti Tyagi Karnal, India

Sky The chirps, the twitter, Sky full of hope, Streams of birds, In quarantined world.

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Amarilis Ricardo Holguin, Cuba

In Lockdown Who are we?

The truth? Still don’t know But without you, I am nothing.

Amy Hsieh Ontario, Canada

Two empty benches, side by side, keep company and watch the weather.

Shelby D. Siems Massachusetts, USA

Stay in pajamas, draw a picture, bake cupcakes.

Pause your life to help.

Jim Landwehr Wisconsin, USA

People ask what we will take away from this pandemic experience?

Compulsive hand washing

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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S. David Cope County Kildare, Rep. of Ireland

Pale blue skies not a cloud in sight.

No jet trails.

Why?

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

My friends and I chat across the internet.

I would rather chat across the table.

Keith Inman Ontario, Canada

Isolation is a writers habit though in many cases so is stir crazy

Paul Sanderson Ontario, Canada

Finding comfort in routines cleaning pots, doing dishes preparing meals at home

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Carl Bernard Schwartz California, USA

The more we watch the news very little is really new anymore

Susan Smith Ontario, Canada

Rain Envy Raindrops hang from the balcony rail, hesitate, then run together. I alone must resist gravity.

David Stones Ontario, Canada

Never has hugging a tree felt so fulďŹ lling

Adislenis Castro Ruiz Gibara, Cuba.

Hope Thunders and growls after the storm I can see the rainbow

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S. David Cope County Kildare, Rep. of Ireland

It’s Monday not Tuesday.

It’s tomorrow not today.

You forgot to put the bin out.

Sue Crisp California, USA

my calendar friend shows only the days I shelter in place

Susan Smith Ontario, Canada

Feast Freezer scrap soup, hallelujah.

Sardine sandwich, pickled whatever for salad. Supper, home with no hoarders.

Felicity Sidnell Reid Ontario Canada

Dogs and cats care little For quarantine.

They’re here.

How can you be lonely?

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Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

flatten the curve… after lockdown I worry more about my own curve

Jyotirmaya Thakur Kent, UK

symphony of beatitude in cacophony of solitude hours reflect memory of past

Miriam Estrella Holguin, Cuba

Locked up… looking through window’s great views!

Robert L Martin Pennsylvania, USA

Now since the people at the bar wash their hands, the peanuts lost their taste.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Amy Hsieh Ontario, Canada

April Park Black bin and blue bin lie back on grass enjoying the spring day like teenagers.

Susan Smith Ontario, Canada

Bucking Up Father came through the Great Depression.

Who am I to lose hope over toilet paper?

Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Misty afternoon, Unseen mushrooms lift The forest oor Along an empty highway

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S. David Cope County Kildare, Rep. of Ireland

Isolated in the country two cars went by simultaneously.

Is this rush hour?

Melanie Flores Ontario, Canada

Unbelievable No uninvited sales people knocking at the door.

I actually miss them – just a little bit.

Loa Winter New Hampshire, USA

Neighbors Finding each other again Dependent, Tolerant, Connected Making Amends.

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Adislenis Castro Ruiz Gibara, Cuba

Reborn Fly my soul looking for a new day and there I found you.

Stefanie Bennett Sydney, Australia

Bedazzled reflective store‐front mirror: don’t look back

Antony Di Nardo Cobourg, ON

Valley View Sun‐bleached dips and draws of the valley green as green gets in lock‐down mode

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Susan Smith Ontario, Canada

Sunny Sidewalk, Shared Repelled apart like magnets.

What a shock! It appears at my elbow, my own shadow.

Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Early morning tea, A ďŹ rst toast To the living After waking

Giti Tyagi Karnal, India

Applause Applaud the mighty warriors, Working tirelessly day�night, Healing, caressing, spreading love, Around the globe.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Mark Tovey Ontario, Canada

feel you ought to be doing something? sit for ten minutes the feeling will pass.

Raeesa Usmani Gujarat, India

Forget, forgive and move on A mantra for many How effective it is

Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Violet thistles Snag yesterday’s Newspapers On hidden points

Miriam Estrella Holguin, Cuba

From my porch Cross Hill in view Reassuring my faith…

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Anna Yin Ontario, Canada

waiting in silence the cure for panic – poetry and distant hope

Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

lockdown poem in creation sunshine upon page starlings loud tweets as if to cheer me on

Stefanie Bennett Sydney, Australia

there’s deep regret when the harmonica plays of its own accord

Jyotirmaya Thakur Sevenoaks, England

behind masked faces Kind eyes of selfless love salute samaritans on move

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Felicity Sidnell Reid Ontario, Canada

You need a hug?

Lucky you live with someone not everyone does.

Carl Bernard Schwartz California, USA

Got a good mask when I bought my electric chainsaw saw idle, mask helpful

Robert L Martin Pennsylvania, USA

Corona Virus, yes sir�ree.

Away from my wife, so now I’m free.

Adislenis Castro Ruiz Gibara, Cuba

Happiness Sound of large tambourines angels of victory, calm have arrived

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Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Kyoshu’s kite Flying poems Above an empty Meadow

K.V. Skene Ontario, Canada

Staying home with you beats staying home alone

Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

midnight and awake isolation allows for naps new Circadian Rythm helps poetic rhythm

S.L Peeran Bengaluru, India

Love making A liability?

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Carl Bernard Schwartz California, USA

Knock at the door delivery, at last! plain, brown wrapper open it fast

Jyotirmaya Thakur Kent, UK

isolation with poems joy multiplied in the globe words are blessed

Loa Winter New Hampshire, USA

Housework undone Escape to book The ďŹ lm, the art, the garden The love to hold

Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Deserted playground, The creaking Shadows Of empty swings

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Keith Inman Ontario, Canada

Is it Tuesday all day

Raeesa Usmani Gujarat, India

Celebrating solitude With the self Seems viable option To rejuvenate.

Sheila Bello Ontario, Canada

working outdoors – sunset is my deadline to ďŹ nish gardening

Jyotirmaya Thakur Sevenoaks, England

my mind wandering through the silent open window a bird sings loudly

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Robert L. Giron Virginia, USA

Seeing a new order of stand far apart, don’t come near, knowing this won’t be forever

Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

squirrels and birds upon window sill I am now their entertainment a syndicated quarantine show

Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Smoldering On springtime’s Hazy hills, Sleeping in

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Paul Sanderson Ontario, Canada

Is this what it’s like to be retired?

Adislenis Castro Ruiz Gibara, Cuba

Dawn We watch together the light of the rising sun I open my door

Antony Di Nardo Cobourg, ON

Distancing All that separates us— a curtain I can see right through

Jim Landwehr Wisconsin, USA

three a day two alone, one with dog neighbors getting used to me walking by

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Adela Eugenia González‐Longoria Escalona Gibara, Cuba

The sun bathes the streets again the silence is broken loneliness leaves our footsteps

Sarah Wells Ontario, Canada

Birds flying higher, cleaner expanded air It’s time, Breathe. Rise. Fly.

Giti Tyagi Karnal, India

Love Wishes galore, From far and wide, Spreading love, cheer abound.

Melanie Flores Ontario, Canada

In Abundance Hair growth, grocery lines, masks, vinyl gloves, TV sing‐a‐longs, facetime, home cooking, distance.

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Stephen Meats Florida, USA

Lock Down The new normal Getting old too fast

Loa Winter New Hampshire, USA

Gratitude For community and family This state, this country This faith

Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

deer in yard under no vigilance caged humans look out reversal of creature role play

K.V. Skene Ontario, Canada

twenty twenty and this is the year we can see spring blossoming 2 meters apart

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Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

Our unswept Promises Must keep For another day

Jim Landwehr Wisconsin, USA

Every morning I kiss my wife “I’m off to work,” I say and head upstairs

Felicity Sidnell Reid Ontario Canada

dog and I walk empty streets swerve to keep a proper distance greet neighbors gardening

Jyotirmaya Thakur Kent, UK

spring loving touch forbidden in quarantine days cupid’s playful games

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Loa Winter New Hampshire, USA

Outside the spring Tulips and Daodils Can crowd together in groups Close as we used to.

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

For now I have to blow you a kiss or tap your toes.

Keith Inman Ontario, Canada

dear Mr. Elliot I prefer crueler as a donut not endless spring

Giti Tyagi Karnal, India

Victory United we ďŹ ght, together we stand, Emerging an enlightened illumined, Victorious humankind.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Jess Walsh Galway Ireland

A cry from my heart Please unzoom me Set me free Take away my phone

Edward Baranosky Ontario, Canada

All day long A forgotten tiger Paces in The deserted zoo

S.L Peeran Bengaluru, India

Social distancing Newly married couple Barred from kissing

Adela Eugenia Gonzålez�Longoria Escalona Gibara, Cuba

In this isolation My lips do not reach you I kiss you with my look

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Ed Woods Ontario, Canada

radio comedian hit the perfect target I stroll outside in hysterical laughter neighbor’s cautiously watch

Jim Landwehr Wisconsin, USA

I’ve never worn a mask to a gas station before I’m a Kwik Trip desperado

C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

in time of plague dandelions bloom

Mark Tovey Ontario, Canada

unthinkingly, the clerk hands the requested basket of cherry tomatoes which must be politely declined

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Jess Walsh Galway, Ireland

A thought for the day Quit the never ending Skype Just contemplate this

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

My wife knocked at our own front door just so I would put on my pants.

Loa Winter New Hampshire, USA

No need to travel Happy at home UnďŹ nished business Time at last

Sue Crisp California, USA

while we wait the curve it creates new curves in learning patience

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C.J. Prince, Washington, USA

wearing a mask saunter with no place to go

P. C. K. Prem Himachal Pradesh, India

smiles greet and he walks out as white aprons bless the future

Paul Sanderson Ontario, Canada

Driving in the car listening to music on CDs like visiting old friends

Richard Grove Ontario, Canada

Some have turned their ubiquitous electronic devices into their only friends during these lockdown days.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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600 pages of some of Canada’s best poetry!

Don Gutteridge’s poetry has been described as: exceptional, magical, powerful and personal, breathtaking, powerful, poignant and whimsical, absolutely stunningly beautiful, profound, wise and consoling. Simply put, Gutteridge is one of Canada’s finest poets.

You will cherish this 600 page book for years to come.

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You can find this book and more by Don Gutteridge at: www.HiddenBrookPress.com

Don Gutteridge A Brief Bio Don Gutteridge was born in Sarnia, Ontario and raised in the nearby village of Point Edward. In 1948 the family moved to the Fourth Line of Sarnia Township and Don attended a one-room country school for grades 6 to 8.

(His 1992 novel, Winter’s Descent, focusses on that experience) In 1952 the family moved to Chatham, Ontario, where Don attended Chatham Collegiate Institute. In 1956 he enrolled at Western University and graduated in 1960 with a degree in English Language and Literature. He began to write poetry in earnest there. Upon graduation, Don taught high school English for seven years, continuing to write poetr y and an unpublished novel. In 1968 his first book of poetr y appeared, Riel: A Poem For Voices. By 1976 he had completed a tetralogy of historical poems and published his first of twenty-two novels, Bus-Ride. In 1968 he joined Western’s Faculty of Education, where he taught English Methods to prospective High School English teachers for the next twenty-five years, retiring a professor emeritus in 1993. During that time he continued to publish both poetry and fiction. Of particular note is his twelvevolume series of Marc Edwards mystery novels. He and his wife Anne (now deceased) welcomed two children and six grandchildren. Don’s hobbies were golf, bridge and curling. Even at the age of eighty-one he continues to write poetry. In all he has produced seventy books: poetry, fiction and scholarly works in educational theory and practice. He lives in London Ontario.

On the following pages are some of Don’s recent poems for his late wife Anne.

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POEMS FOR ANNE In loving memory

GALAHAD For fifty-seven years we rode the same rail, shared a bed and breakfast and woke afloat in one another’s arms, and you made me feel like Galahad going for the Grail or Abelard pursuing Heloise with billet-doux or St. George slaying dragons for his lady, and even now with you asleep somewhere above Heaven’s halo, I dream you alive and thriving, your face forever in the mirror of my mind, aglow with the gift of your irreplaceable, leavening love.

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MOONLESS I wake from a troubled sleep into the delicate dome of the dark, and outside the window of this room the night is moonless in a sky stippled with stars, and I reach out for the warm wealth of you and find you gone into a deeper darkness, and I long to hear once again the low lilt of your voice and rejoice in the tender tilt of your glance and know that somewhere beyond the heft of Heaven you have found a home

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IN THE BONE I wake from a dream of you and know you are no longer with me in the irredeemable dark of the room we once loved in, and I feel the moon looming and the shudder of shadow across the counterpane, and I try to bring your face once again into view, smiling for me alone, and I yearn for the soothing bruise of your embrace to ease the brittle breaking of my heart and the unrenounceable ache buried in the bone.

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RANDOM I miss you most at dawn when morning light silvers the sill of the room where we loved in imperturbable tandem all those years and where I wakened to watch you sleep with the ease of the innocent, your breathing unflawed by dream, but there will be no more sun-silvered mornings, for Death has intervened as he always does, raw and random.

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INSIDE Whenever I feel your absence, I close my eyes and remember the long linger of our loving and those days we spent in splendid amity, communing with the ease of breathing, and I think too of your abrupt demise and the grief that still abides, then let my soul be softened by the thought of you, singing inside.

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GIMLET October 1960

When you pulled up to the curb in your silver Volks with the sunroof jauntily open, I was smitten with a smile festooned with freckles and framed by locks as flowing as Rapunzel’s in her fairy tower and as you stepped out into the autumn air in your lemonperfect frock, I was moonstruck, willing to trade a dozen cousins for one of your gimlet glances, and knowing at last what love was.

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GOLDEN How many nights did I fall asleep in your harbouring arms, where we breathed one another’s dreams, and our love was as lithe and lightsome as a lark in the clear air, and when morning broke golden over the counterpane, I woke to find you there.

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TOUCH We lie in the lee of the dark and let moonlight flow molten over us, and thigh to thigh we tingle with touch, and I want so much to hold you till doomsday dawns, to watch your bedizening eyes open to me like a slowblooming rose, to canonize you whole and feel you singing in my soul.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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Will Be Remembered Joseph Wendell "Joe" Blades Age 58, Fredericton, N.B., passed away April 22, 2020. Joe was the son of Wendell and Phyllis (Pieroway) Blades. He is survived by his mother; and sisters, Carol and Ruth (Mike Daye), and was predeceased by his father, just one month ago.

He was born in Halifax, and was based in Fredericton, N.B., since 1990. He grew up in Elmsdale and Dartmouth, and also lived, studied, and/or worked in Delhaven, Halifax, and Port Hawksbury; Toronto, Ont.; Montréal, Que.; Banff, Alta.; New York, N.Y.; Dumfries, Scotland; Senta, Serbia; and Pale, Republik Srpska. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Art (1988) from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, a Certificate in Film and Television (2008) from the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative, and a Master of Education (2012) from the University of New Brunswick. Joe was a writer, artist, and publisher-president of independent literary publishing houses. He travelled extensively throughout Canada and Europe conducting poetry readings and creative writing workshops and took great joy from working with children and instilling in them a love of art and creativity through words.

Joe will be sadly missed by family and friends across Canada and around the world. https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/obituaries/joseph-wendell-joe-blades-38273/

Face Book – https://www.facebook.com/joe.blades.10 WFNS – https://www.writers.ns.ca/blog/remembering-joe-blades.html JoeBlades.com – http://www.joeblades.com/ Rob Mclennan’s Blog – http://robmclennan.blogspot.com/2020/04/joe-blades-1961-april-22-2020.html Canadian Poetry Online - U of T – https://canpoetry.library.utoronto.ca/blades/index.htm

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https://canpoetry.library.utoronto.ca/blades/poem1.htm

bone etchings skeletons driftwood now beach dry land in summer's low tide We skirt bone etching of a first-year doe crossing ice she broke through : floundered and caught in hidden currents was pulled under ice wild staring eyes at the end of frozen ocean lake we watch the sundew plants trap buzzing insects swallow in tightly clasped hands alms of food i want to wait : : weeks until these hands unfold and dew again but no

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driftwood skeletons the shore Bones of fires we build in the morning we drift through echoes of pine

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https://canpoetry.library.utoronto.ca/blades/poem2.htm

River suite VI beside the river (again) huge orange globe in pink-orange sky air damp with condensation sitting on prophecy stone back one with solidness feeling earth her firmness watching people on foot or joined to motors/wheels watching spiders weave in crevices hair breaths loose over shoulders and back popping overworks tension this river is life—spirit of this land—this imposed city this in-formation object of quest communication consumes: most never know what a poet does if the world is bettered down on the mosquito trail with its lotions and perfumes arms and legs are punctured

low bass bubbling reggae rolls across from connexion under speckled indigo night buddha body knee shadows floating on river edge where grass breaks and tumbles red collecting 300 things for his haystack climbs and sits beside almost 11 pm: after then being on prophecy stone can be fined —here two artists talk

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https://canpoetry.library.utoronto.ca/blades/poem3.htm

re:call morning sky unmoving grey not still not calm but heavy weighted waiting for too much saturation cooler air dusty black silk morning black socks grey shorts underwear sneakers waiting to climb regent hill ugly yellow bruise clouds inside punctured elbow waiting aching waiting for what new day? what end? coffee made in mug lips have not opened not parted for air sound food damn words few birds sing the only sounds after trash mafia rattled bins grey yellow skin shadows unsettled eyes staring

See more poems at – https://canpoetry.library.utoronto.ca/blades/index.htm

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The Poetry Pandemic Project Call for Panku Poem Submissions for a future issue of Devour: Art and Lit Canada

hope, fun, light, amusing, uplifting, NO poems with the theme of fear, sex, drugs, anger, doom and gloom, will be considered.

For this project the name “Panku” comes from a cross between the words “Pandemic” and “Haiku” = Panku. It is meant to be a humourous play on words. In these strange Pandemic Days, I thought it was time that we lightened up a bit and start The Poetry Pandemic Project. Send us your uplifting, fun, light, amusing, pandemic poems in the form of a Panku – See descriptions below. Your Panku can be ironic, sarcastic, satirical and even sardonic but NO poems with the theme of fear, anger, doom and gloom, will be considered.

A Pandemic of Poetry: Our goal is to make this a worldwide pandemic book so help us reach as many countries as possible. Send this call for Panku to your worldwide list. Let’s see what happens. Let’s see if we can create a poetry pandemic.

The working title of the book is: In These Strange Pandemic Days. We have no idea how many Panku Poems we will receive. We don’t know if this will become a tree book or an e‐book. At the very least it will be an e‐book and everyone that submits will receive a free download. We will stay in touch with further details. For now we will publish as special issues of Devour: Art & Lit Canada. Later we will combine all of the special issues into one book.

Deadline: For now there is no deadline. Just sent your Panku in ASAP. We are planning on publishing as many special issues of Devour: Art & Lit Canada as we can. As soon as we have enough for a special issue we will publish but will continue to receive submissions for the next special issue.

This will be a Hidden Brook Press project but please send your Panku Poems to this email address only – pankupoems@gmail.com. It will help us keep the Panku submissions separate from our other HBP projects.

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Submission Details: 1 – Send a maximum of 10 Panku Poems.

2 – Each Panku Poem can be no more than 15 words.

3 – Each Panku Poem can be no more than 4 lines long.

4 – Your Panku Poem does not have to have a title but if it does the title will be no longer than 15 characters including spaces.

5 – Above EACH Panku Poem include your name in italics.

6 – Above EACH poem below your name include your Province / State and Country 7 – Do Not send as an attachment – send in the body of email only.

8 – Do Not send resume, bio, CV or other personal info.

9 – At the top of your email include your name, Province/State, and email address. Please all 3.

10 – Do Not put any numbers listing your poems.

Thank you.

We will stay in touch after we receive your submission.

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People and Places In my life I have been fortunate to have visited and lived in a number of different countries and with that comes the privilege of meeting many people.

At this time, when Covid‐19 has forced world‐wide isolation upon each and every one of us, I’m particularly happy to have a wonderful pictorial collection of faces and characters to remind me of our larger global family. It is my unique pleasure to share with you but a few of these beautiful faces.

Ann Di Nardo Cobourg, ON

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Thank you Anna for all of your magical photographs.

Ann Di Nardo trained as a visual artist at The Ontario Collage of Art and Bishop’s University. She is a passionate gardener who frequently carries her camera along with the rest of her gardening tools and most often the camera does the brunt of the work. She divides her time between Cobourg, Ontario and her garden in Sutton, Quebec.

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Photograph by Ann Di Nardo

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