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Advisory Board Chairman Brian Wrixon (USA) Members Angie Blake (USA) Elizabeth E Castillo (Philippines) Marilyn R. CaĂąete (Philippines) Sharique Jamal (India) Charles Darnell (USA) Editorial Board Editor In Chief Iram Fatima 'Ashi' (NRI, Saudi Arabia)
Editor Vasanthi Papu (India) Associate Editors Dr. Ruchida Barman (India) Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee (India) Dr. Indira Babbellapati (India) Dr. Ram Sharma (India) Jonali Karmakar (India) Dr. Sahab Uddin (India) Arnab Neogi (India)
Research Director Ruchi Chopra (NRI, USA) Art Section Art Director Raj Verma (India) Associate Art Directors Neelam (India) Piyush Kumar (India)
Research Editor & Magazine Coordinator Dr. Priyanka Mathur (India)
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Dear Readers, Firstly I apologize unreservedly to all our writers and readers for releasing this issue late due to some unavoidable reasons. Please accept my sincere apology on the delay of Reflection’s issue on spirituality. As we all know, spirituality is a broad concept which differs because of perspectives. It is something which involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience—something that touches us all. I am sharing different concepts of poets, writers and artists on this globally. An inspiring interview of Mr. Ashok Bhargava (Vancouver, British Columbia), poems from Ms. Jen walls (US), Dr. Ram, Ms. Aparna Moon Mukherjee, Dr. Sunil, Dr. Diwakar Pokhriyal (India), In under fifteen zone we can enjoy remarkable work of 11 year old Mauli, art section has fascinating arts of young and experienced artists to please our art lovers. I am sure that our new and regular readers would like this and give your valuable feedback to inspire our creative team. My heartfelt humble thanks to Chairman of advisory board Mr. Brian Wrixon and other members, Editor Ms Vasanthi Papu and all associate editors, Art head Mr. Raj Verma and all artists, research director Ms. Ruchi Chopra, research director and magazine coordinator Ms. Priyanka Mathur, page layout makers Mr. Kumar Vikrant and his team for their complete support. Love and blessings
Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’
Saudi Arabia (NRI)
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Poems By Alicia Minjarej Ramirez Poet, Singer, Translator and Broadcast locution of Radio and Televion. She was born in Tijuana Baja, California, Mexico. She studied her Masters Degree in Computer Science with her specialization in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Montpellier II in France. She volunteered at the Football cup, France in 1998. She has done a lot of Translation work in French and Spanish Language. She was the Coordinator and Simultaneously the Translator of French, Spanish and English at CUPHIIII in the Congress of Universal Hispano American Poetry in Los Angeles, California, 2014. She has also participated in 34th World Congress of Poets at Peru in 2014. She has been a part of various Poetic Anthologies published at Chile, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Canada. Her poems have published in International Journals and Reviews such as Ila and Taourirt at Morocco and “The Poet” in Tunisia and in the famous magazine OKAZ in Saudi Arabia. Her poems have been translated in varied languages like: English, Cameroonian, Arabic, Portuguese and French. She had recited her poems in International Poetry recitals on various platforms in various countries and have also been transmitted in National and International Programs on the Radio. In the field of Translation she has collaborated with International poets and writers providing versions of their Literary works. Her Translations too have been published in Magazines and Newspapers across the world in London, Italy, United States, Morocco, Canada etc. She has been awarded in Spain and has also been the winner of a special mention at the international poetry prize, NOSSIDE, Italy, 2015 which is recognized by UNESCO. She has been named as a member of the Select International Group of poets who compose PENTASIB and WORLD FRIENDSHIP POETRY created by the father of the visual poetry: Dr. Penpen B. Takipsilim. Her poems have been included in the XXI Century World Literature Book, presented at New Delhi, India with other internationally renowned poets and writers.
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BAKLAVA AND HONEY Alicia Minjarez Ramírez Translation: Alaric Gutiérrez
Distant contiguous strokes set up the prayers of Anatolia. Eclectic fragrant spices clove, sumac, vanilla and cinnamon overflowing cornices. Gold, silver, apple tea, water pipes, almonds and kaput songs of your lineage! Indigo horizons melt the earth of mud and jade in baklava and honey; musical odors surround nocturnal savannas in the edge of the days. Bare fingers on redberried mistletoe and oaks require the transcending kiss, reaching the limits of touch bluish declining of our belongings. As affable Sultan dressed up with Habiye silk. Transcribe my dreams with watercolors of straight lines to drown the sun within, in the bowl of my palms.
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OMENS Alicia Minjarez RamĂrez Translator: Alaric GutiĂŠrrez Words predict liquid dawns dismembering your breath. Faceless tears intercepting a wind of circumspect aphorisms, sparrows in flight. Scoped sign upon the pearls of your laugh, ambiguous illusions I drown in your pipe dream. Match up utopia the memory of days, intolerable prose in the fire of my blood. Comets watching us conspiring over shadows of a present past, lost and found waterfalls in your forest, moon spells. fallen spells, omens from your pen.
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MUNDANE Alicia Minjarez Ramírez Translator: Alaric Gutiérrez Among sweet and bleak a perfect intersection; between desire and darkness. between magic and the divine spiritual mundane I am. Uncertain contrasts break blueprints in the desert, replacing emotions at every corner. Dresses up with dreams, carrying nothing more. A single name directs my life, dancing naked in the dark; amongst alchemy and agony. Mundane I am in your own reality.
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ABSENCE Alicia Minjarez Ramírez Translator: Alaric Gutiérrez (Mexico) You left like rain after destroying the bare countryside. Below the leaves your name flying with the wind foreseen the verse, its useless tessitura upon the unpropitious yesterday. I still don’t understand the seven letters building your absence. It’s not dark yet… And the language of the sun is no longer the same.
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CLEAR CONSCIENCE Alicia Minjarez Ramírez Translator: Alaric Gutiérrez (Mexico)
Today I remain silent so I don’t mistake silence with the void. Absorbed I admire your eyes, clear awareness that melts my balance. Crossing over the barrier of silence, playing the forbidden game. Constellations cannot speak, the universe, can fall apart today. It’s require to turn my world upside down. But at this very moment your gaze is all I have.
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‘Spirituality’ carries different meaning for different people. It is a broad concept with various perspectives. There is no single widely accepted definition of spirituality. The understanding and beliefs about ‘spirituality’ is also affected by religion, ideology and understanding of an individual. Every religion defines spirituality differently and so people try to experience spirituality in different ways. Some get spiritual experience by visiting temples, churches, mosques, shrines, synagogue and other such places of worship and places of religious importance while others seek spirituality through private prayers, meditations, yoga, by listening to soulful music, enjoying the natural beauties of the earth or doing good deeds for humanity. Sufism is one of the many ways of seeking spirituality. Sufi tradition is the best known form of Islamic mystic spirituality in which a spiritual master or ‘pir’ transmits spiritual discipline to students. According to classical Sufi scholars, Sufism is "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God." Sufis consider themselves as the original or true proponents of this pure form of Islam. They are strong adherents to the principles of tolerance, peace and are against any form of violence. Some of the most prominent Sufis are AbdulQadir Gilani, Ibn Arabi, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Baba Farid and Nizammudin Auliya. The Sufi poet Rumi has become one of the most widely read poets in the United States, where Sufism is perceived as a peaceful and apolitical form of Islam.
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Sufism played a significant role in the spread of Islam in Asia, especially in Indian subcontinent. After all, Sufism with its saints, visions and miracles and its emphasis on individual search for union with god, has always borne remarkable similarities to the mystical side of Hinduism. Besides, Sufis helped people in solving their problems of daily lives and also healed complex ailments of people through spiritual means. Even today, it is a common practice in India to visit the shrines of Sufi saints with the hope of getting solution to life’s various problems or for the cure of incurable illnesses. I grew up listening to the life stories of Prophets of Islam and various Sufi saints from elders. So, I developed a fondness for acknowledging and discussing such stories with others. There are lots of stories of several prophets and saints but here I want to present an interesting and unique story and facts about one of the most popular Sufi saints of Gujarat. The shrine or dargah of the 15th century Sufi saint Hazrat Saiyed Ali, popularly known as ‘Mira Datar,’ is located at Unava village near Unjha (about 43 miles from Ahmedabad) in Gujarat. Owing to the miraculous power of healing, the honorific term ‘Mira Datar’ came to be added to his name. The word ‘Mira’ means ‘the brave one’ and ‘Datar’ (or Daata) means ‘giver’ or ‘bestower.’ Hazrat Saiyed Ali was the descendent of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) from Imam Husain’s lineage. He was born in August 1426 A.D at Saiyedwada locality of Khanpur area in Ahmedabad to Saiyed Dost Muhammad and his wife Aisha Bibi. Allegedly, his face was aglow with spiritual light (noor) when he was born. From childhood, Saiyed Ali showed slews of spiritual power.
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He possessed unique spiritual power in his tongue. His prayers were accepted by Allah immediately. He was a great lover and cherisher of Imam Hussain (grandson of Prophet Muhammad) and he always wanted to be a martyr. Around the time Sayed Ali was growing up in Ahmedabad, the Lodhis were ruling from Delhi. Lodhis had a large territory including the eastern borders of Gujarat in Madhya Pradesh. Once a complaint was received at Lodi’s court that in a village called Mandhavgadh in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, a tyrant king was offering human sacrifices and oppressing the people of his kingdom. He kept many wellÂversed black magicians to protect him from any attack. These black magicians, under the patronage of the king, wrecked havoc in the region and exploited innocent people. Sultan Mehmood Begda, who was ruling Gujarat at that time, received a message from Delhi to help the people of Mandhavgadh and attack the village. He immediately sent a message to Unava for Dost Mohammad (father of Saiyed Ali) who was the commander of his army. Twelve thousand soldiers under the command of Dost Mohammad fought battles against the king of Mandhavgadh, but without success. Sultan Begda found himself very helpless.
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He prayed to Allah and asked for His help. In a divine vision he was told that Saiyed Ali would win the battle for him. Saiyed Ali, then 18 years old, was called in to join the battle. He joined the battlefield and fought bravely. When the tyrant king felt he was about to lose the battle, he called his black magicians to help him. They tried all sorts of black magic but none of their tricks had any effect on Saiyed Ali. Finally, he won the battle and entered the palace where the king lived. The defeated king ran away from there. Chasing him, Saiyed Ali reached a cave where he caught the king. Saiyed Ali told the king that if he sought pardon from Allah and promised not to oppress anyone in his kingdom, he would be forgiven. The king accepted the request. As soon as Saiyed Ali put his sword down, the king picked up his sword and beheaded Saiyed Ali. Although Saiyed Ali’s head was cut off from his body, his headless body had so much power that he picked up his sword again and managed to kill the king.
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His martyr body was shifted to Unava where the present shrine is located. Since then the shrine has become famous worldÂwide as ‘Mira Datar’ and people from all over the world irrespective of caste, color and religion come to this place and get treated for all kinds of mental illnesses, black magic and evil spirits (or paranormal forces). Khadims (attendants/caretakers) of the shrine follow ancient methods of healing by using the technique of removing imperfection prevailing in the body and those caused by black magic, evil spirits etc. Science may not approve of such technique of healing and it does not believe in black magic and/or the existence of evil spirits. But it is also true that there are many things which even modern science cannot explain with certainty or negate completely the existence of paranormal forces. Moreover, at times it has been proved that when even medical science gave up hope in certain cases, the power of faith and prayer did miracles and incredible things happened. It is unflinching faith in the spiritual power of healing of Hazrat Saiyed Ali that so many needy people throng his shrine and get benefitted too. Faith in spiritual power has always been the basis of humanity and this shrine of Mira Datar is the living example of solving human sufferings without any discrimination. Reference: 1) http://www.sayedalimiradatar.com 2) https://images.google.com
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Poems By Lynn White Lynn White lives in North Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. Her poem 'A Rose For Gaza' was shortlisted for the Theatre Cloud 'War Poetry for Today' competition 2014. This and many other poems, have been published in recent anthologies including Stacey Savage’s ‘We Are Poetry, an Anthology of Love poems,' Community Arts Ink’s ‘Reclaiming Our Voices,' Vagabond Press’s, ‘The Border Crossed Us,' ‘Degenerates Voices For Peace,' ‘Civilised Beasts’ and ‘Vagabonds: Anthology of the Mad Ones’ from Weasel Press; ‘Alice In Wonderland’ by Silver Birch Press, and many rather excellent on line and print journals.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/LynnWhite Poetry/1603675983213077?fref=ts lynnwhitepoetry.blogspot.com
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Home Coming I think that today will be my home coming day. The day I’ve been waiting for, when I’ll come back. to where I came from. Back to here where I belong. Even though, I was never here before, never in this place, never with this person. I know I’m home. I can feel it. And know I will stay and that it and you will stay with me. I must go outside sometimes, leave sometimes, of course I must. But I’m floating free and I will take it all with me. It has become part of my being, so I can’t move away. Can’t separate us. This place and this person, have engulfed me. Surrounded me in sweetness and brought me back from wherever I was, Brought me home, made me complete, but still free floating, carrying them with me always. It’s the day I’ve been waiting for.
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Aftermath How can it be that someone I don't see, only think about sometimes, but never contact, or try to, leave such a gap, in their final leaving. My life has not been changed. All is the same. So why the difference now that you're really in the past, when you were already part of my past and not of my future. Nothing has changed for me, not really, not in reality. So why do you occupy my thoughts in a different way. Why does my future feel different now you cannot be part of it, even though you never would be and I knew it. Perhaps because I can no longer dream you there. But why not when you could never be there and I knew it the same then, as I know now. Why is it different, now even to dream?
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Roots It’s said that you should remember your roots, remember where you came from, remember where you belong, anchored by your long tap root. But I have fibrous roots too, growing out strongly from the main tap. I have spread them out and put them down in many places, taken sustenance from them. They’ve been part of my growth, fed my main stem and it’s splits and branches. I’ve branched out from them and belonged in them all, all those places. And some rootlets have broken free and I’ve left them behind there no longer belonging to me. And I’ve left something of myself behind. Would I find it if I returned? I don’t think so. But others may still.
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Anxious I am dancing in the sunlight, the bright, bright light. I know the cloud is there but I can forget it, till I stop. And then.. There it is, even bigger and blacker than before. Darker than ever. It doesn’t like me dancing, doesn’t like the laughter or the sunshine. Brightness breaks it, shatters it into a grey mist. But still it won’t leave me. The brighter the sunlight, the louder the laughter, the greater my fear that it will form again and suck me into its darkness.
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AMONG THE WOMEN OF THE NIGHT Sami Nasr (Tunisia) Translator: Alicia Minjarez Ramírez Among the women of the night she was the chosen one of my heart as broken crescent moon, I sank in the arms of another one. I did not find in her the depth or greatness, nor beauty of my love. I preferred the memory! While we chose titles To collection of “Essyra´s” Poems. I saw my youth, lonely and divested collapse on white sheets. And I saw the woman, this woman opening days of the horizon, giving me a brown child looking like me.
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THE NIGHT ROAD Sami Nasr (Tunisia) Translated by: Alicia Minjarez RamĂrez The night road will be lenient with poets through this light. Words appear green muses and carts filled of wine jars .... The land will be extended the moon will disperse, universes which ignore the sun rays will be disseminated, they will no longer be bathed by the light among amphorae of wine, they will ride the dawn´s horses and like birds of darkness unpublished poems hangs over white balconies. and on the walls. Then it will grow an herb that the earth has ever known.
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WHAT DOES GOD WANT OF MY LANGUAGE? Sami Nasr (Tunisia) Translation: Alicia Minjarez RamĂrez What does God want of my language? I, who threw suspended questions. I, who have given my life to him. What does God want of my language? Although I have dedicated years of my life to God, the unfortunately transparent hours and to the day, the remnants engraved on the rocks.
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SPIRITUALITY Dr. Sangeeta Ajay (India) Spirituality !…mentioned someone, Restless mind looking for the unknown and unachievable, Surfing the channels, playing with the keys, Eyes flitting across the screen, Ears very keen to hear a voice reaching the depths to give me solace, Waiting to hear that one voice, To soothen my tympanic membrane.... Something to compel my vocal chords to resonate.... To declare my existence in this universe full throated.... Have heard so much about the peace all derive, From the media, visual and print alike... Sifting through papers and books, Eyes are glued...but are barren n blank, Wandering mind rewinding the tempting images and memories, Mind still having ripples of sporadic glimpses.... Some faded some new, Still no tranquility..... in unrest, Not sure of what I need.... Thumping my feet 'n' clenching my fists I make an attempt to escape, I surrender myself to the universe, Watching nature and chirping birds from a secluded bench, Perching my feet on lifeless stones, With the greens all around, Little squirrel and angry birds proving their supremacy over a bowl of water, The swaying of stems and the effortlessly flowing essence of flowers, Strewn all around are the fallen leaves, Which were the crowning glory of these trees..... Here it dawns upon me… What the mind is wanting and the eyes are not visualizing..... Spirituality…it is… But the futile search proved that not many know what it is ! It is a process of self realization, A journey not to be counted in steps but to be lived in breaths, Each breath a reminder of gratitude, Each gratitude a reflection of humanity, A vision to appreciate the bounty of nature, The auditory faculty to hear the unheard sermons of the creator, The rush of adrenaline at the hour of need…
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And above all a heart that bleeds for.... but heals the needy, An eye that sheds a tear for the unfortunate but has a vision to make them fortunate, Discover that feeble voice within, Silenced due to noise of mere farce all around, Awaken to the glory of sunshine.. the aura of my soul, Peacefully resting in the human cage, Waiting to be discovered and freed.... All is within....
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Ashok Bhargava is an inspirational poet, creative writer, public speaker, community activist, management consultant and energetic volunteer. Ashok is based in Vancouver Canada. He often writes about human sensibilities and has explored such diverse topics as Korean royalty and the rural life of the Philippines barrios in his writings. He writes in English and Hindi. Ashok has published several books of poetry: Mirror of Dreams, A Kernel of Truth, Skipping Stones and Lost in the Morning Calm among others. He is a recipient of many awards. He is World Poetry’s Ambassador Poet to Japan, Nepal and India. His poetry has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. He has been a featured poet on CBC (Canada's national radio station), CFMQ 105 radio and Channel M television. He was also featured at various reputable venues such as the Word on the Street, the Asian Heritage Month, International Story Tellers Festivals, Kibatek Festival Istanbul Turkey, Peace Poets Washington USA, AssociazioneCulturale Pablo Neruda, Italy and Axlepin Makati Philippine. Recently he was awarded the "Poets Without Borders Peace Award." by The World Peace Poets for his leadership of WIN – Writers International Network Canada and his journeys across the globe to celebrate poetry and collaborate with poets of the world. He is founder of the Writers International Network (W.I.N.) which attempts to discover, nurture, promote and celebrate writer, poets and artists to assist them to connect with community at large.
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Ashi: Greetings to you Ashok Bhargava! At the outset, on behalf of ‘Reflection Magazine,’ I would like to thank you for accepting my request to interview you. Please tell us something about the place you belong to, your childhood and education.
I began writing poems when I was 11. I’ll never know exactly why. No one ever suggested I write poems. I simply liked doing it. At the time, I only knew poems as rhyming things that dealt with emotions, thoughts and feelings via metaphorical language. My first poem was inspired by a cute little calf that I used to look after and play with.
Ashok Bhargava: I was born in India. Apart from my childhood in Punjab, I have lived in many cities of India. I have a very loving family where hard work, education, helping others, tolerance, sacrifice, love and respect was always emphasized. I moved to Canada in 1975 to pursue higher education. I have a Master of Arts degree in Economics. Just over a decade of living in the extremely cold wintersand hot summers of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario was a very exhilarating experience for me. I loved the friendly folks of Winnipeg and Regina. I moved to Vancouver in 1987. Ever since I lived in Jammu and Kashmir region of India, I wanted to be surrounded by rivers, mountains, snow and evergreen trees. I somehow have a close affinity to oceans and its vast expanses. These elements are part of my personalityand who I am now. As I put down my roots in Canadian soil, I never felt any need to return to soil of my origin because Canada is home now. Ashi: That’s great! Please share your writing experience the age you started writing and what inspires you to write. Ashok Bhargava: I began writing poems when I was 11. I’ll never know exactly why. No one ever suggested I write poems. I simply liked doing it. At the time, I only knew poems as rhyming things that dealt with emotions, thoughts and feelings via metaphorical language. My first poem was inspired by a cute little calf that I used to look after and play with. As a child I composed poems in my native language Hindi. Then I didn’t write anything for the next twenty years or so.I began writing poems again in 1990 while working away from home in the northern BC city of Prince George. I lived in an apartment on my ownand for the first time there was no one at home to talk to, had no friends and lots of spare time to reflect on life. In the solitudeI realized the presence of some powerful spirits, emotions and moods I didn't know that I had and I needed some way of
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expressing them. So I think those are the reasons I began writing poems again. Often my poetry is about friendship, humanity and the possibility of dreams coming true. I believe everything crossÂpollinates and inspires us at an individual and collective level. I am inspired by the individuality of people and the vibrancy of cultures and traditions they follow and how cultures and traditions give shape and form to feelings, emotions and sentiments.Also writing down and expressing my own truth and thoughts is important to me. I write to share my emotions, dreams and images to help readers to reflect, relate and fill in the landscape with their own memories and regrets. Ashi: Nice to know about your journey of writing. Please tell us something about any other hobby of yours. Ashok Bhargava: I love travelling to experience how diversity of environment inspires changes in cultures, cuisines, architecture and literature. I am a keen photographer but my passion is to volunteer my time to the causes I love. It is our duty to give back something to the community we live in. I love to support and organize various social and artistic activities to promote multiculturalism. I believe that volunteering enriches us spiritually. I find living between cultures and languages very intriguing and stimulating.
I am a keen photographer but my passion is to volunteer my time to the causes I love. It is our duty to give back something to the community we live in. I love to support and organize various social and artistic activities to promote multiculturalism. I believe that volunteering enriches us spiritually. I find living between cultures and languages very intriguing and stimulating.
Ashi: Nice thought. However, poetry or prose is a medium to express one’s inner feelings. Is there any specific moment or event that made you write? Ashok Bhargava: Poetry can help us to get in touch with our feelings. It can help us celebrate how beautiful the world is. Sometimes it's when I'm feeling very emotional and full of intense thoughts about a subject or event then I think there might be a poem there and I'll start looking for some words to express those feelings. If I haven't written anything for a while and I want to get myself going there are two things: one is reading some poems, and the other is to just start writing anything that crosses my mind in order to get productive. If I do those two things for a bit, usually some idea for a poem will come up. I do not compose a poem to show the world what I
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have seen but I write because I am inspired by what I have seen. I am a reflective poet. I do not analyze what I write or why I write or how I write. I write because I want to write. Ashi: What is your favorite topic to write on? And do you have a specific writing style?
I am always mystified and inspired by the light that dreams bring forth in me. More recently I have moved to simpler and shorter forms to combine my photography and poetry into a medium I call poetography which is sometimes confessional but also sometimes philosophical. But often I do not want to analyze what I write or why I write. I just want to write.
Ashok Bhargava: I write about many voices, themes and topics, each differing with the occasion. To me poetry is a liberating force that setsmy dreams and imagination free and enhances my awareness. Poetry is a way to see more clearly, with all five senses. I often don’t like to delve into the dark side of life. No doubt I have had my share of darkness in life, which complements the light, the positive, inspiring, optimistic, hopeful and beautiful aspects of life. I am always mystified and inspired by the light that dreams bring forth in me. More recently I have moved to simpler and shorter forms to combine my photography and poetry into a medium I call poetography which is sometimes confessional but also sometimes philosophical. But often I do not want to analyze what I write or why I write. I just want to write. Ashi: Poetography... new term and sounds interesting. Would you like to share something about your personal life with our readers to know you more closely? Ashok Bhargava: I am a public speaker and community activist, management consultant and energetic volunteer. I have worked hard to assist refugees, new immigrants and multicultural and ethnic groups to develop sociocultural, literary and art communities. I am the Founder and President of the Writers International Network Canada (WIN) that recognizes emerging and established writers, artists, community leaders and volunteers to bring writers and community leaders closer to each other. I have been involved with many organizations and causes listed below: Past President of India Club: a professional service club to raise funds for Operation eyesight, scholastic scholarship and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or tsunamis etc.
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Director and Advisor of Chetna Association to promote equality, human dignity and awareness through education and understanding Director of Regina Multicultural Council Director Regina Open Door Society to support refugees through networking and to assist them with settlement Volunteer ESL teacher for Surrey Delta Immigrant Association and Vancouver Community College through outreach program. ESL volunteer teacher for City of Victoria and Saanich Director of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada to improve lives of children born with these specific birth defects and to provide financial assistance with purchases of wheelchairs, splints, crutches and assistive living etc. Active member of various linguistic and social groups such as Hindi, Panjabi, Urdu and English etc. Ashi: Wonderful! Who is your favourite writer/poet? Ashok Bhargava: Often I am fascinated by poets and writers who inspire and challenge me to live more fully. Too many to name some of my favourite poets are Kabir, Bulley Shah, Rumi, Patrick Lane and Al Purdy. Beyond that I celebrate many other writers who inspire and challenge me to live more fully and to write more. Ashi: According to you, what are the most important elements of good writing?
Often I am fascinated by poets and writers who inspire and challenge me to live more fully. Too many to name some of my favourite poets are Kabir, Bulley Shah, Rumi, Patrick Lane and Al Purdy. Beyond that I celebrate many other writers who inspire and challenge me to live more fully and to write more.
Ashok Bhargava: Simplicity is the ultimate form of grace and beauty. Poems happen to everybody all the times. Poets simply write them down before they evaporate. In my writing, I consciously try to convey genuine truth. I like to create poems that give the impression that it was written faithfully and portray sevenths as they happened. In reality the poem may be based on observation, actual experiences, or pure imagination. If a reader assumes that the “I” in my poems is me or at least a real person, I consider it to be a successful endeavour. I like my poems to make my feelings and emotions resonate with my readers and move them in some way that makes it worth rereading.
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Ashi: Did you always have full appreciation and support for your talent in writing?
I love to paint words on an emotional canvas that brings in images, colors, smells, and sounds. I would do thiswith or without a supporting network or full appreciation of others. I think my poetry is well received and appreciated because of its genuine simplicity. I enjoy sharing, or performing a poem in front of an audience but I would rather have people read my poems to themselves.
Ashok Bhargava: We all have a hungry heart, and one of the things we hunger for is joy of acceptance. To me emotional truth is always more important than superficial praise. I have no problem receiving no support from others because poetry is a solitary activity. I love to paint words on an emotional canvas that brings in images, colors, smells, and sounds. I would do thiswith or without a supporting network or full appreciation of others. I think my poetry is well received and appreciated because of its genuine simplicity. I enjoy sharing, or performing a poem in front of an audience but I would rather have people read my poems to themselves. Ashi: According to you, which poem and short story of yours is your masterpiece? Kindly share any of your poems which is close to your heart. Ashok Bhargava: Here is a sample of my latest poems. Poem 1 Infinite Time, Boundless Love‌ Come with me to liberate our souls from the trivial pursuits. Remember seeking passion never stops. Lovers always find love, rivers always find the oceans, drop by drop after journeys through mountains plains and deserts of thousands of miles
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to merge and to vanish. I will show you the origin of the infinite time where the darkness can’t be separated from light and it can be seen only through the change of seasons, spring buds summer blossoms autumn leaves and wrinkled winter skins.
The nature of time is not loneliness but companionship. Exhale the isolation stretch hands, catch the light, inhale love unfold the doors of your heart and let feet dance to the tunes of life, to the fragrance of passion. Love is to the lover what the lover is to love, like a seed to a flower a flower to a seed. Time is a messenger of love it is an angel that resides inside the hearts. You can’t own it just feel it through the senses: touch, smell, taste, sight and sound.
Desires are the oceans waiting for rivers to come in, in a colorful procession of waves to rise like the lips to kiss to infuse celestial taste. Love is life its genesis, radiance and creation: a river seeking its lover.
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Ashi: Beautiful! According to you what is the best thing about being a poet? Ashok Bhargava: It allows you to express yourself without fear and liberates you through the process of expressing yourself. Once my son said to me, “Dad your poetry is good but don’t quit your day job” and I took it literally. I compose poetry without any expectation of monetary payback. Social media is powerful medium to network but you have to have skills to nourish and develop them into meaningful and tangible relationships. Find a poetry group that subscribes to your own ideas and tap into it to create friendships. I was fortunate to be introduced to a wonderful poet Ms Alicia Bernal and she helped me to connect to
The gift of poetry as a genre/medium is that it constantly recreates itself, and it does so in dialogue with our literary pasts and futures. The idea of what a poem is, should be or could be changes for me all the time. Ashi: That’s true. Kindly share how did you get all these opportunities and how you feel on being internationally recognized by your creations? Ashok Bhargava: Social media is powerful medium to network but you have to have skills to nourish and develop them into meaningful and tangible relationships. Find a poetry group that subscribes to your own ideas and tap into it to create friendships. I was fortunate to be introduced to a wonderful poet Ms Alicia Bernal and she helped me to connect to international poetry groups. Once you begin exchanging your experiences, review others works and pay attention to reviews of your own works, recognition will come your way. We must remember that it’s the beauty of our hearts, depth of our souls, kindness of actions, capacity to love, ability to forgive, and knack to appreciate, absorb, and express that make us a good poet and others will recognize that even when you stay silent. Ashi: What advice would you give to emerging writers and poets? Ashok Bhargava: Be honest and don’t force it. You can always tell when a poem is forced. In poetry, genuineness resonates with most people. Even if the poem isn’t perceived as generally “good,” if it’s honest, it will emotionally connect with someone.
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Writing is what makes you a writer. Not a book contract or an award, so don’t let anyone make you feel less accomplished if you are unpublished. Don’t quit and find your support network. Ashi: This time our topic of Reflection issue is ‘Spirituality’, Please enlighten this term by your views to understand it more closely. Ashok Bhargava: Spirituality to me is opening up our minds and souls to the beauty of nature and the dominions of humanity and the animal kingdom in love, peace and respect. Only when we accept and love ourselves, will the world around us accept and love us back too. In a world where there is so much pain and hatred amidst hope, love and goodness, being spiritual is choosing love over hate, hope over despair and practicing acceptance and tolerance. Ashi: Very well said. Give your opinion on Reflection magazine and would you like to give any advice for improvement. Ashok Bhargava: I like that the magazine interprets ideas and thoughts in a different light than most other publications.
Spirituality to me is opening up our minds and souls to the beauty of nature and the dominions of humanity and the animal kingdom in love, peace and respect. Only when we accept and love ourselves, will the world around us accept and love us back too.
Reflection leaps at me and transforms my world through showing different realities. It performs some sort of magic on me when I am reading it. Ashi: Thank you for sharing your true words of wisdom in the field of art and for improvement of our literary magazine. The budding artists are sure to draw nourishment from the radiance of your spirit and your gracious advice would boost up their enthusiasm to be creative. Profound thanks to you!
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ILLUMINATE THE SPARK Dr. Sonia Gupta (India) Illuminate the spark O dear! that exists somewhere deep inside you only!
DR. Sonia Gupta (Oral pathologist; Sr. lecturer in dental institute) Published books Two Hindi poetry anthologies, various common anthologies such as “ Roses & Rhymes”; “ Divine madness”; “ Christmas”; “Bouquets of love and verses”; “Humanity & Peace”. Regular writer & poet for “Glomag magazine; Hall of poets magazine ! Three English anthologies releasing soon !
Once, it gets illuminated, you will seek the brightness even in the dark surroundings! Every dark path has a crack through which light enters within and this only illuminates your heart and soul! Once, you identify this light, you will feel an awesome power and feeling within! No fear remains, no repent, no envy, no disappointment! You can fight every odds, obstacles and hurdles and no desires remain to win! As the reality is felt inside that the most peaceful place in this world is innermost silence! The spark that makes us feel, the wonderful meaning of life; the real motto of this life! And it is through this spark, we illuminate the whole world and all darkness and gloom gone! Illuminate the spark O dear! that exists somewhere deep inside you only!!!
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Poems By JetonKelmendi JetonKelmendi (born 1978 in Peć, SFR Yugoslavia) is an Albanian journalist, poet, translator and political analyst. Kelmendi has written poetry, prose, essays and short stories. Kelmendi is also a regular newspaper contributor in Albania and abroad, where he writes about international cultural and political issues. JetonKelmendi became well known in Kosovo, after the publication of his first book entitled: The Century of Promises (Shekulli i premtimeve), published in 1999. Later he published a number of other books. His poems are translated in more than twenty two languages and published in a few international Literature Anthologies. He is one of the most translated Albanian Poets. According to a number of literary critics, Kelmendi is the genuine representative of modern Albanian poetry. JetonKelmendi is considered by the great Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare –nominated for several years for the Nobel prize.[1] JetonKelmendi has some poems dedicated to important Albanian personalities as Mother Teresa (Living Beyond Herself),[2] and Ibrahim Rugova(The Winter Of Great Despair).[3][4] He is a member of many international poetry clubs and is a contributor in many literary and cultural magazine, especially in English, French and Romanian Languages. The wisdom of his work in the field of Literature is based in the attention that he pays to the poetic expression, modern exploration of the text and the delpth of the message. His Gengre is focused more on love lyrics and elliptical verse intertwined with metaphors and artistical symbolism. Kelmendi is a veteran of the Kosovo war led by the Kosovo Liberation Army, 19981999. He resides and works in Brussels, Belgium
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Keep Your Sky For A Little Time Take a little from your sky Of this day Our skin has remained uncovered I don’t think that I will see The other places Without your sky and mine To stay over us Rest assured my love I will bring the sky outside From my breath of lust I will transform the word into a bird And the bird's song will wake you up.
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Me And The Word Kissing On The Lips With the view of the day you attacked in me With only you I just confronted you In the lap of my age I always wait With my lips I kiss the word on hers We see each other in our eyes. My flower The aroma of my taste A day filled with nature Just like your curly hair Like your lips Like the moon That whitens the night A bulb of the season My flower My Spring.
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Your Face With Golden Eyes Is Appearing Today autumn can get full with the night The moon fell in the window The best Verses I will write for you Maybe you are asleep My best lady friend Before you reached Ten and ten I sing for the verse The word has plenty of night The clock Passed midnight The sky descended on verses And in the sparseness of the stars Your face is appearing With Golden Eyes Just like in ancient times “From that ridge I threw my eyes to you�.
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I Dream About Her Falling Asleep With Me As much as you want to Escape from my winter You, antisaga that doesn’t understand my spring In you was growing the curiosity of waiting Which scared the night The sleep did a marvelous thing It dreamed For her sleep with me Freely Let’s say she departed To be silenced with anxiety Without the smallest Worry Water, took water from her thirst The events descended on earth Arrived as they were not conceived Suddenly With eyes they brought her towards me
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Most people came to know about ‘Studio Ghibli’ when Walt Disney Pictures distributed its dubbing version as well as one of its motion pictures, ‘The Spirited Away’ which won an Oscar for the Best Animated Film in 2004. Studio Ghibli was founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Tahakata, Toshio Suzuki and Yasuyashi Tokuma. It was established on June 15, 1985. The word ‘Ghibli’ came from the airplane of the same name. Studio Ghibli is known for its deep concepts and stunning visuals. The concepts such as love, redemption, environment, innocence, overcome fear and other such deep themes find a place here. The emotions and the story keep us intrigued due to its visuals, the music and its flaw of the character on which the other animation is now developing it. The concept is always hinted at the beginning of the movie that is considered as a trademark of the film. Therefore, most people considered the studio as ‘Walt Disney of Japan’, though Miyazaki dislikes the title.
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Miyazaki first had a career majorly as a manga artist on which he won some awards. As he used to follow the styles of the other manga artists, the fan base increased for the manga’s story and concept but some requested him for developing more of it in his own style. Therefore, as his style slowly developed, it was exposed in Nausicaa: The Valley of The Winds. He also used to work in Toei Animation but as he formed Ghibli starting with the World War II phenomenon, ‘Grave of the Fireflies’. Its theme of innocence captured the hearts of the millions. His protagonists usually depict younger people or some in their early 20s to explore their flaws and effect of their environment. We also can feel the pain by understanding their situations and consequences. His protagonists develop along with the plot of the tale deeply scene by scene as the story unfolds. Though the films are not always scripted, Miyazaki usually uses storyboards and professional actors that equally give out the beautiful creation.
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He usually writes notes for the dialogues as well as his quotes and messages but also gives out the dialogues for actors. The films that are considered to be the best works are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro and When Marnie Was There. According to the sources, all are indirectly connected to each other as some considered it as a cinematic universe. However, the villains are also more human than a clearly defined antagonist. There are some dubs that actually butchered to suit the American boxoffice but when Miyazaki watched it, he sent a letter to the Studio about ‘no cuts’ policy. Pixar is also in some ways equivalent to Ghibli due to the unique concepts they make. Both are entertaining in their own way. There are exhibitions that are already held. It also has a museum where we can explore more of Studio Ghibli other than the films. Then, as Hayao Miyazaki retired, the studio has been temporarily closed, since 2014. It broke the hearts of millions but hoped that
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it will open one day in the same way as Disney did. It is really a great journey to enter a studio like this second only to Walt Disney animation feature. Everyone has their taste but none can beat these kinds of animation industries till now.
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Charlotte Addison is a Ghanaian writer of poems and short stories. Her short stories have been published on ‘Brittle paper’, ‘That Igbo girl’, both online journals. Her poem ‘She’ and ‘Let Me Bloom’ were published in the 2016 Radioactive anthology; The Women and The Authors of Emancipation respectively. She has performed on ‘Writers Project’ on Citi FMGhana and ‘Open Air Theatre ‘on Radio Universe.
ROOTS Charlotte Addison I searched high and low I run through the valleys and rivers I climbed mountains and walked on hot coals On a quest for my roots Neither strong winds nor hailstorms could stop me I groped with reddish bright eyes for my roots I overtook the cheetahs and bypassed the eagles in the sky Neither earthquakes nor tsunamis could stop me Till at last! There was a hiatus. I staggered like a drunken whirlwind To find HIM standing before me On a coarse hewncross at *the place of a Skull, I found my roots. *The place of a skull Golgotha (Matthew 27:33)
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Poems By Sunaina Pal Born in Mumbai, Sunayna Pal moved to USA after marriage. She has PG degrees from XLRI and Annamalai University and worked in the Corporate World for five odd years and realized that this is not what she wanted to do. She broke the chains of education and Corporate world to embark on her heart's pursuits. She started “Art with Sunayna” (artwithsunayna.wordpress.com) to teach and sell art for NGOs and became a certified handwriting analyst (sos4graphology.com) to help people understand themselves better by using a mix of graphotherapy, healing and affirmations. In midst of all this and being a new mother, who loves gardening and photography, she also likes to write from her daily life experiences. Many of her articles have been published in TOI, New woman, Women's era and she is a proud contributor at many other emagazines and sites. Many of her stories are published in anthologies like “Mighty Thoughts,” “The second Life,” "Memoirs of Love," "Rhymes and Rhythm," "Voice of Little Hearts," and few are published in international anthologies like "Nepal An awakening", The Collaborative's Omnibus and Soaring High. She is currently working on a anthology of 51 stories of people who are of South Asian origin and have an experience to share of USA.
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What Do We need? Who needs miseries when pleasure can teach you that it can be boring. Who needs disease when too much of a good health can make you live carelessly. Who needs a wrong decision when being right can make you do all sorts of silly things Who needs deadlines when ample of time can make you lazy. Who needs problems when easily available answers can make you dull. Who needs depression when too much of happiness can give you false friends. Who needs war when religion and politics are capable of dividing us. Who needs change when a normal life can be stale.
Who needs ambrosia when consuming poison is so delicious. Who needs this truth when lies are funny and captivating.
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If Only We Knew If only we knew... where we really were, who we really are ... who was really with us... Things would be different. If only we could understand what we were truly attached to Who was really helping us Who prayed for us Things would be different.
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SWEET KINDBREATHS A DUET POEM
Jen Walls (US) & Dr. Ram Sharma (India) Let us come and search onto something new diving within heart – so much the deeper too. Float freely up from this noisy boat of words. We’ll sit ever still – patiently near – inside heart. Throw all of these worldly pebbles so far away We must flow past mind’s chattering urges. Bubbling into light a flow beyond – of ages past Flowing sweetly into soul all the lifegiving songs. We live into life to only find out what’s true merging in such truth – finding spirit’s song inside our heartlongings – a silent sea churns. When to go forward? Become eternal peace? Come now and let us ever open realization within the love’s gifting grace of great vastness. Soul lives finding pathways by listening to know; flowing resolve – watching – a tidal roar of heart. We’ll live through with grace onto soulliberation. Shine bright with beams across heart’s horizon. Come riding clear within a smile of joy’s dancing; living soul so truthfully – He fulfils our lifebreaths. Lift free upon flows that overflow into divine joy. Withstanding all the sorrows and agonies too; growing what’s true – through and through spilling oceans as crystalline tears of dew. We never fail to nurture and share lovedrippings He gifts within each life too all unheard melodies; helping to awaken compassion – we remember; showing how we are all to forgive and forget. Grow what’s pure in the truth we are – insideout; releasing from shouts of pain and mundane griefs. He is showing us all how to live – so forever free within whole heart – raising soul – beatificliving.
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He lives inside the forever – grace of immortality giving lightspires onto sunshine’s kiss of care. Finding togetherness with an immortal song too; learning how we’ll love as loving grace of peace. We’ll vibrate as atoms onto a loving existence; singing prayer on His flute within loving bliss; shower soulcaresses – kiss air of vast universes. He sparkles – scintillating divine glamour gifts. Love lifts in the soulbreaths of Supreme Self knows the eternal spark lives inside of grace; flying all so lovinglyfree – flight into His bliss. Raising breathkisses on flows of livingdreams. Heart blesses alive all of the peace within soul; floating us far, we open joy’s feathered wings. Love comes and sings inside – in so many ways within all loving service of spirit’s opencenter. Spill lifejoys while living – inside heart's nest; dancing free on laughinglovebeams – shining. He vibrates insidecore within stern tenderness showing how to begin – where there's no ending. Give into all the evermore – greet life’s courage thankful feeling – live birthless loveblossoming. Overflow a merge as heart’s living breath of truth; sharing together within the soul’s peaceful docility. We plant everything as loveseeds – growing life; gifting care abundantly true – living our lightshine; budding bliss in weathered roots – gracesprouts. Come, sparkle far – live the sweet kindbreaths.
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Book Review With You Forever (Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’) I Review
How difficult is it to live with someone you love is the core question that this book asks. It is an uneasy journey of a protagonist who knows what is right for him and is aware what will work for him but somehow take a stand for it, sounds familiar? Yes, this journey that this book will take you through, it will touch all the emotions you want to hide yourself from. This book takes a look at the uneasiness of a couple who decide to act as per conformity of society by sacrifice something that was divine for them. This book might make you look inside and ask: What is more important to you and when it comes to decision making, what will you chose? Things that you learn from the society or things that are naturally born within you? Do you have courage to stand for what you believe in or surrender to the pressure you feel is overpowering.
Our lives are the consequences of the decisions we make and this book talks about all such issues in a sensitive way. Yes, we might feel little comfortable, irritable, anguished with the characters but one thing is for sure that we all will feel for them in the end. Because deep in our heats we know that we all have made such sacrifices, took some half convinced decisions under the pressure of the society. An interesting book to read with well developed characters and relatable situations well knitted story plot with the emotions in right place. Gagan Neota (India)
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II Review At the very outset, I must congratulate Ms. Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’ the Editorinchief of this reputed magazine and a prolific poetess, for launch of her debut novel ‘With You Forever’ which is now available on Amazon India. Before I say anything about this romantic fiction, I must clarify that I was one of the few luckiest persons who got the privilege to read this wonderful book before it went into publication. Ms. Ashi, the author of this book, sent me the unedited version of this book for review and suggestions. It was not only a privilege but a matter of great honor for me to work on her debut novel, especially because when in present times where the cases of plagiarism are rampant, she handed the entire novel to me in a raw format. The trust and patience that she showed throughout is admirable and I heartily appreciate her for this. She should be applauded for writing in first person and that too from male’s perspective being a woman. She did a remarkable job in her debut novel. What I like the most about this romantic fiction is that the story flows in a very easy and natural manner. Even the transition of scenes from present to flashback and back to present are very comprehensible and logical. The story’s pace varies nicely and appropriately. It has a lot of poignant moments which could stir even a stonehearted person. Unlike other romantic fictions available, what makes this one outstanding is that the characters portrayed seem quite real and natural with their own individual strengths and weaknesses. Amit, the protagonist and narrator of this story is has his own bit of grey shades in his character. The circumstances which befall on him are result of his indecisive attitude and how he keeps getting trapped in it. The influence of society in one’s decisionmaking is also nicely etched by the author. The character of Maria, the beloved of Amit may seem mysterious to some readers, but it is ingenuity of the author who kept in mind that the story is narrated from the viewpoint of Amit who himself knew very little about Maria’s life. On one hand, Maria’s character would make readers emotional and evoke sympathy for her, while on the other hand readers would get confused whether to be sympathetic or not for Amit. Even Deepak, Amit’s friend played a significant role in the story and is well portrayed. The entire love story is remarkable representation of true love, sacrifice, loss and outcome of greed and overambitiousness. Personation of time is brilliant and the end is unpredictably shocking. This hearttouching story is so much intriguing that you can just read through at one go. Shahid Khan (India)
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Eunice Barbara C. Novio is a Filipino residing in Thailand. She is a free lance journalist and a poet. She is an English Lecturer at Vongchavalitkul University in NakhonRatchasima Thailand. She is a US Correspondent of the Global Nation of Inquirer.net. She just published her first collection of poetry entitled Maps of Dreams and Memories which is now available at Amazon and Lulu.com. Prior to that, her poems are also included in anthologies. Ms. Novio is also a woman’s advocate and her researches are published internationally. She lives with her husband, Josemari Cordova, Kairos and Karina in Thailand with their five cats. Her eldest child Karl Malcolm is in the Philippines finishing his university education.
All Rights And Wrongs Eunice Barbara C. Novio (Philippines) I look up the ceiling seeing butterflies crawling isn't it they should flutter from flower to flower? And the bee does not buzz but hum a lullaby that the flowers fall asleep and wilt I walk backwards and everyone stares They never look at the sky which is turning gray While I am jumping gaily among the sleeping wilted flowers and hum with the bee. The people are dressed alright like what their parents and brochures want them to be. They all look the same as normal as can be. As their images faded I found solace to my world where they could never be.
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The Story In Poetry Dr. Diwakar Pokhriyal (Delhi, India) (Poetry Forms included  Rhyme, Haiku, enclose rhyme, free verse, Acrostic, Abrecadarian, Etheree double, Senryu)
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Ram walked through the door, Unaware of the light, School is the lovely place, That shrug off the night, Slight hesitation persists, Who knows about the future? Human is still human, He is a different creature, Ram rests his bag and wondered, ‘Oh lord two more years to go, Study, Study, Study and Study, No matter fierce heat or snow, Suddenly the teacher entered, Attention is now required, Ram tried to find the logic, And the teacher inquired, Oh God! You are a fool, Don’t remember a sum, Ram was further depressed, Expecting the word, awesome, The numbers were tiny, Ram’s attention, acting as a ghost, Words were flying, He was standing as a host, The lecture ended soon, Ram sat more depressed, The education system gets boost, After a student got suppressed,
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Ram entered into the lab, Understood the task, Started his experiment, And forgot about the flask, The acid wasn’t basic, And lab assistance pounced, He lectured Ram again, But everything bounced, And the bell rang, Signaled lovely lunch, Girls started to sound, Boys went for a punch, Ram went to play, Only thing that excites, Who cares about the future? Who cares about the plights? He swung the bat with energy, Alas! He missed the ball, Still, he ran blindly, Resulted in a dangerous fall, Realizing his failure with the bat, He stood up in a flash, The bell rang again, sighed, Saw a board before the clash, The salty spring of life, Reprimands present and future, A constant learning What learning is this? Ram thought from within, He walked off the ground, Entered in with a burned skin,
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The time quickly tickled, School was now completed, Tension seems to be depleted, Ram now chuckled, But the future was still far, No one knows the destiny, What exists is scrutiny, What we remember is a scar, He dived into his soul, As if diving inside a subject, Searched like an object, His ultimate goal, The result was awesome, He came up with a solution, Enchanting, enticing, no it’s engineering, But was it handsome? Tickled by the thoughts, Hovering around, Engulfed by the confusion, Swept by the herd, Total devastation was in line, Omnipresent God is a myth, Rectification of errors is life, Yes, he played the game, Inside are just thoughts, Nasty, nostalgic & naughty, Passion is to be developed, Otherwise, it would be a mirage, Energy depletes in a second, Trinity follows the same, Ram wasn’t clear, still, Yes, like every other human
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Astounded, he looked above, By chance or by birth, Come on lord, show me the way, Damn! Who am I? Engulfed in this body, Freedom waits for me, God! Tell me the way, How can I choose? Inept emotions and thoughts, Journey is a puzzle, Knowingly unknown, Lie and pride, all around, My head is paining, No, God! Show me the path, Oh!, he saw a girl, Perfect depiction of an angel, Queen of hearts, Ram went close to the window, Sighs were all around, Timeless beauty she was, Unmatched and lovely, Vibes could be felt, Xeroxing the sensations, Winning or losing the battle, Yes, God was still silent, Zoom, a sound broke his attention. Oh, My queen, You are a, Beautiful rose, And now I can smell, The fragrance around me, Is attracting my senses, Ram was thinking aloud, and now, By any mean possible, Oh God, He only wanted to meet his angel
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He ran towards the shop in search of love, And he found her standing and gazing, She must have forgotten something, Ram thought of helping her love, But the words were hiding, He walked closer, Was unable, To speak up, Oh! Poor, Chap, And she left the place, Leaving Ram with a broken heart, In the midst of rain, He was feeling as dirt, He followed her love, In hope of a glance, But she hugged her lover, Leaving for him no chance, Oh the silence of love, Has killed another guy, What is love he thought? Is this a truth or a lie? But that was the truth, He had to live with it, In this strange love story, Before meeting they split, And Ram sighed, Realizing his future, Oh no, someone collided, Giving him a thought to nurture, I am sorry! She said, Ram was hypnotized, She smiled and repeated, Ram got energized,
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Oh, it’s fine, I am cool, What about you? She smiled again at him, Gave him a clue, And suddenly the desert, Turned into a garden, All flowers blossomed, The Patient got a warden, The stars started shining, For sighs, now no room, In an instant life changed, The gloom turned into a boom ‘Hi, I am Ram’ He uttered, She was looking at him, Let’s have a coffee, He took the chance, so slim, They had a good time, Love has been forgotten, Friendship was raining, Desires were rotten, Ram escaped the depression, With the friendship so cute, His life kept blossoming, The tragedies became mute. But the selection of future, Had now become the past, The tragedy of the young, Ammunition for the blast, Ram trod the path, Of luck and desire, The bleak past of his, Had extinguished that fire,
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Amidst the family pressure He lost his own battle, Lost his real treasure Ready to become a cattle, The fire that illuminates, The body and the soul, The human lives without it, Forgetting his true goal, And Ram continued his life, With no motive and pride, A body lived for years, Whose soul had already died. One day he came across a mirror, What a change upside down, No excitement, no crown, He was filled with terror, He again collided with a man, Oh, I am sorry, he said, It’s fine son and he paid, Rahul was suffering from tan, You seem to be tense, The old man asked, Rahul thought he was masked, ‘I was thinking too dense’ Oh, disinterested I think, The old man smiled, Rahul got filed, He didn’t even blink, Life is a package Son, Accept everything around, Listen to every sound, And leave yourself stun,
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There is good and bad, Which completes the circle, Success isn’t a miracle, Be thankful for what you had After tapping his shoulder, He left, clearing the plight, Rahul started feeling light, As If, got rid of a boulder, Oh, this is spirituality, When we live in the present, Mix package of style and dent, We understand the duality, A smiled crossed his face, Started feeling light and fine, Looked at his watch, Oh God it’s nine, He is now out of the race Spirituality helped to soak, The future and the past, Both don’t last, And that’s the joke, Now Rahul was clear, It’s now to act, Life is free, no pact, He now accepted everyone as dear, This created magic, And his life took a turn, He lived happily, Even during the churn, The real spirituality, Is this understanding of life, Everything will come and go, Whether happiness or strife. Life is just a game, Stars doesn’t stay forever, Acceptance of Soul.
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You足足 Our Almighty Aparna Mukherjee (Kolkata, India) There you come in every form. Sometimes in rain sometimes in storm. There you bestow Your never足ending bliss. Through gleaming moon You send tranquil and peace. Your ecstasy is felt Through blooming flowers. Everything seems powerless In front of your supreme power. Struggling myself through Muck and weeds. You come to my rescue Whenever I need. You pick me up Whenever I fall. I got you near me Whenever I call. I look for you in love I seek you in my prayer. I know you are beside me In my success, in my despair. Worries, pain and tears Are no more within me. For I know, for sure You will make a way for me. You be with one You be with all. Different names people call Thee Some say Lord余 some say Almighty.
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Cosmic Echo Ruchi Chopra (Brecksville, Ohio, USA) Veiled thoughts. Countless rituals. breathes ….. ….. ….. under the duality of life… creation…. purpose…. meanings…. blends into one amorphous trajectory that melted ‘porous’ yet fragile specks of immeasurable ‘dilemmas’ thoughts. limits. ego. fragilities of human mind.
Metamorphosed into transcendental ‘spirit’. Life. Unchained. Unrestrained. Spiritual Incense sticks Burn. Divine Aura. Grace. ashen colored dew drops Vibhuti smeared on our hearts. Compassion. Prayers. Hope. Love Opened up ‘untapped’ energy Unknown to human intellect Cosmic unison between Soul. Physical body. Primordial sound echoes. Aum. Shanti. Shanti. *VibhutiAsh
Soul. Atman. Spirit. Embryonic exclamations! Omnipresent verity. Calm. Repurpose. Invigilates Cosmic balance. Cosmic energy. Dichotomous relationships feeds on Moksha & Physical boundaries. Unbounded territories. within Universe Flawless. Colorless. purging for physical arrears. …. …. …. Leftovers. Karma. Deeds. Sins. Purity. Copulates
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Mumbaibased, Sunil Sharma writes prose and poetry, apart from doing literary journalism and freelancing. A senior academic, he has been published in some of the leading international journals and anthologies. Sunil has got five collections of poetry, two collection of short fiction, one novel and coedited five books of poetry, short fiction and literary criticism. Recipient of the UKbased Destiny Poets’ inaugural Poet of the Year award2012. Another notable achievement is his select poems were published in the prestigious UN project: Happiness: The DelightTree2015.
BougainvilleaMoment Sunil Sharma (India) The first one to spot you, Beautiful flower, As per the legend, was a certain Jean Baret in 1789 On a French ship circumnavigating the earth Under the command of the admiral Louis Antoine de Bougainville. A man who really was a woman named Jeanne Baret! What a daring! What a risk! By that botanist on a voyage of her own Surrounded by rough sailors and her lover! That discovery alerted the rest to your existence. Since then, You have travelled wide And found many places As homes Like a colonial explorer Intrepid.
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Blooming on a broken wall Near the old river bridge Along a winding highway In the middle of nowhere I stop midway and watch The dash of colours The natural beauty brought To that lonely spot By cascading you. The hot summer Or drought cannot Smother you. You are a survivor In any clime with an Inspiring message For the distressed. Something expands within By this holy sight This proximity to you In that echoing wilderness. A restricted soul is revived And an epiphany realized: I am near the God Through you!
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IS GOD DEAD? Timileyin Gabriel Olajuwon (Nigeria) I see! How war upon war spreads like the wings of a bat upon Earth How flames of hate fall like snow from the Sky How racism raises to its highest top... And behold! Nothing significant is seen in the dark world... I watch! As peace is raped by inequity As truth is massaged by injustice As Human rights are sunk by inequalities And behold! Nothing significant is seen in this corrupt world. I Cry! As Righteousness is buried at the grave of iniquity Seeing gunshot and blood spread among two cities... And as men are raped by their fellow men And behold! Nothing significant is found in this evil world... Listen! Scandal now rises among the saints Masquerade parades in the lord's vineyard Songs of void spread like flame of coil The whole world has gone crazy With no clear reason  Why? and I ask Is God dead?
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Shaziya Shaik , 21 year old dental student hailing from Guntur of Andhra Pradesh, India. She has been writing since her 8th grade. She contributed to several national and international anthologies and has been contributing to few eÂmagazines. She finds poetry intriguing, precise yet descriptive in a creative way. She is active on a website called booksie where she writes under her pen name Basilia. Her interests include reading books, random craft work, singing, pencil sketching.
Blessing Of Poesy Shaziya Shaik (India) Thy song unites every fragment Of broken heart, tender O ye! Who hums the reminiscent Of yester years, I surrender To the rhyme that escapes from thy lips And mends the diseased soul Thy verses echo in my eclipse Ravel the thoughts of dusk to heal Thou, by name Aayat, holy couplet Thy poesy purifies O! Ye rekindled forgotten poet Thou shimmered upon me from skies.
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Death Of The Little Robin Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (Viet Nam) As usual on a quiet afternoon I sit on the comfortable sofa Reading poems of Robert Burns Behind me there is a warm fire, In the cold garden birds are flitting He, suddenly, looks at me. If Robert Burns were still alive I’m sure that he would cry With the little robin in my cold garden. Robin is singing a song About them The refugee children Tremble shoulders with coldness Their empty eyes dyed the twilight Waiting for the Grim Reaper . Fly away hair standing on the hill Like horses with their tied tails Screaming how to run in the valley. Little robin stops singing He dances in a strange rhythm Bowing under the decaying rose Falling down on the grass field Without an arrow, little robin kills my soul. Alas my little robin! What did I see in those children's eyes A firing broken heart, that was mine. -
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A Prayer To The AllHearing! Shahid Khan (Gujarat, India) O’ The Guide to the Right Path! Pave such paths that all our licit dreams, All our aspirations become reality, Leading to the harmonious destiny, Where our future shines bright And present be its testimony. O’ The Guide! O’ The Light! Illuminate the sky with the brightness of wellbeing. When the flicker of expectations seem to wane, Show the way with the light of faith; When there is darkness of despair, Brighten our path with the ray of hope. O’ The Producer! O’ The Creator! Write the story of our life With indelible ink of righteousness; Paint the canvas of our life With beautiful shades of love, Wiping all dark shades of strife. O’ The Giver of Life! O’ The Nourisher! Sow such seeds of forgiveness and tolerance That flowers of peaceful existence Blossom in every heart on earth, Covering the entirety and universe, With the divine sweetness of its fragrance.
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How Can One Deny! Shahid Khan (Gujarat, India) You are in twinkling of the stars You are in scent of the colorful flowers You can’t be seen but you are before every eye Oh! Your omnipresence, how can one deny! You turn day into night and night into day You are the one who give life to a lump of clay You decide when your creation has to live or die Oh! Your supremacy, how can one deny! You are the creator of beautiful nature, Everything tiny or of humungous stature. You control celestial bodies that float in the sky Oh! Your sublimity, how can one deny!
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Don’t Say, You Can’t Pray (A Rondel) Shahid Khan (Gujarat, India) Don’t say, my friend, you can’t pray, Don’t say, your words are falling on deaf ear And don’t ever think there is no one to hear He is the One and Only to end your dismay All your doubts in Him would soon cast away, Just discard thoughts of hopelessness and fear Don’t say, my friend, you can’t pray, Don’t say, your words are falling on deaf ear Your patience and perseverance would pay Take it as a trial without shedding a tear Soon the clouds of darkness would clear Have faith in Him, He won’t betray Don’t say, my friend, you can’t pray.
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Mauli is 11 year old girl who loves to Paint, swim, and write poetry and songs. She is an avid reader with other interests in Nature, Photography, Arts & crafts. She has been learning Taekwondo for the past 3 years & holds first degree black belt. She is studying in 6th grade. She adores pet especially dogs & wishes to become Nature conservationist someday. She is based in Brecksville City, Ohio with her family. Her poetry has been published in two anthologies, “Poetic Symphonies” (11nd international Duet Poetry Collections) by Xpress publications, India, her first step towards writing duet poetry with her mother. "A Pocketful of Sunshine" by New leaf poetry, India is her second published anthology. Few of her favorite books are Charlotte’s Web, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Malgudi days, Spy camp and Wonder.
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Good Or Bad Soul? Mauli Chopra (Ohio, USA) 11 years’ old When do you think about your soul? What type are you, ask yourself? Good or Bad? If you’re good, You have done good and have been kind from your heart not your mind. If you’re bad, You have done mean things and you have been rude and always had an angry mood. What type of soul are you? Good or bad? Some say good, Others say bad, Well, you’re none. You’re in the middle No one in this world ever has both Good or bad As, you are both! Good soul. Bad soul. Remember, Both souls are in you No matter what.
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Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’ an Editor in chief of 'Reflection online magazine', Editorial Executive Sub Committee member of VIEW (Print journal), international coordinator of Aagman group, a nonresident Indian staying in Saudi Arabia. Her work is published in Canada and US in different 30 anthologies and she was honoured by Aagman Gourav 2015 in India by Aagman group on 19th July 2015 and ‘AagmanGourav 2016 award’ on 11th sep 2016. Now she came with her debut Novel With You Forever which is available on Amazon.
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Description This story is the journey of a young man Amit, discovering himself in different aspects of existence. His dilemmas and conflicts have been depicted. How his over ambitious nature turns his life into a living nightmare is harrowing. Amit an engineer is handsome and hard working. His goals are highly set and clear. He has the attitude of a playboy towards girls and how this attitude takes a serious turn in his life he himself does not get to know. Maria, his love object, is a simple girl with high moral values. Being the eldest child, she has to make certain choices, and tragically this ushers her life into a mess. Amit got trapped in grinding problems and tried to escape from stark realities of his life. He is in search of ever evading peace of mind. But does he ever come to terms with himself? Does he ever get his lost love back? Does he ever feel complete? Where do his abject circumstances lead him ultimately? Amazon' link: http://www.amazon.in/You足Forever足First足 2016/dp/8193191218?ie=UTF8&keywords=with% 20you%20forever%20by%20ASHI&qid=14761217 27&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8足1
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Synopsis: Memories define us but when we die they are wiped clean. We become new personalities when we are born again. But what if we were born with our past memories intact? Or with a part at least. Imagine a palimpsest — two different stories trying to unfold at once. One that should have dissolved but doesn’t, twines with the new that suffers along. A single lifetime interspersed with two very different memories. Between reality and foggy retention layer upon layer of thought and reverie are inscribed that do not belong to the present but to an unknown past whose existence even is unknown. And caught up in this vortex is a young painter, Rini, whose life is a rollercoaster ride. “Seven suicide attempts in seven years” — she is summed up as a freak, a misfit. Yet her lover, Aritro, finds her befitting. Their’s is a love story that spans through the mortal and the otherworld. It is the shadow of another lifetime — of Srija’s — that spells pain and loss for them. She claims her existence and struggles for an individual identity apart from Rini: an unheard crusade that leaves behind turmoil and uncertainty laced by the fear of loss. Three stories weave themselves together and hinge on each other to complete the journey that was destined to be. It is a journey that takes those involved through a tale of relationships, loss, emotional conflicts, sacrifice and immortal love. Love that stays behind even when everything else perishes.
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Jonali Karmakar is a post graduate in English Literature from Indira Gandhi National Open University. She developed a penchant for writing early in her student life. She is an educator, a freelance editor, translator, a multilingual writer and poet. She is an associate editor for an online journal and a content writer/editor for a news portal. She is also a freelance editor with one of India’s leading dailies, The Asian Age. Her work has been published in several journals and collections of short stories both national and international. She can be reached at: karmakarjonali@gmail.com
Links to purchase her book, 'Matters Of The Heart.' Shopclues: http://bit.ly/2f1DQJV Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fZ1WKk
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O Lord! It’s Me Again Vasanthi Papu (INDIA ) O Lord! My Lord! I invoke you for your mercy again, For it’s you who offer us both sunshine and rain. Why do you put my dear ones in utmost pain? Is it fair to let our dreams shatter in vain?
We confront crucial issues that are forever new Yet we exist with the grit we are blessed all through.
We live in the dark stepping on thorns in a ghastly place, Grief and misfortune often stand here in a line Is it the cruel Satan’s evil plan to ruin us in his When one leaves, the other binds us with a twine. own ways? Shower your infinite mercy and make things fine If you are the omnipotent, lead us with your bright These are the deepest prayers of none but mine. rays Along with the Sadhu, I too shall sing hymns of Strong tides and tempest hit us hard and let us blue your grace. Joy and fortune vanish as fast as morning dew.
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Guidelines For Submitting Your Manuscripts 1 You should have a proper pen name, published work. pen name like girlie2000, lifeisadream, will not be accepted. If you use your real 8 Presently we are doing only six online name, it will be highly appreciated. issue a year. 2 You can send us stories, poems, 9 Our long term dream is to publish essays, interviews, reportage, novel unpublished writers, please do your best summaries etc. to provide us with your best work. 3 Be original, plagiarism in any form is unbearable so it will be your responsibility to deal with, if someone claims or complains about your work the editor and the publisher will not be responsible for any of the published work.
10 By sending your manuscript to us you simply give us the right to publish it in our magazine. You continue to own the rights of your work in your name and Reflection does not make any claim or restriction on the ownership of your work.
4 It is necessary to provide your contact details with your manuscript. But if you like your contact details will be published under your work so that it will enable the readers to interact with you directly. 5 You can write in any genre but vulgarity, erotica, profanity is not allowed in any form. Besides propagating any religion, an ethnic group or terrorist group in your work is strictly prohibited. Our magazine is for general reading so the use of four letter words is not permitted. 6 It is advised that you must send your manuscript fully edited and grammatically checked. Our editors will not be able to edit or amend it so they have the right of rejecting your manuscript. 7 This is a free online magazine so we shall not pay any money for any of your
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Information To Be Provided With Your Manuscript Please include the following 1) Your complete name, mailing address and telephone number, which will not information with every manuscript. be published without your approval. If you are submitting as a word processor file, such as Microsoft Word, 2) Your email address, which will not the best approach is to add points 1 & 2 be published or disclosed to anyone. to the top of the manuscript and the bio information to the end of the article. 3) Supply captions for all images, Please supply a separate file for the illustrations or photographs you supply. image captions or add them to the end 4) Supply a short biography of yourself of the article after your bio: in about 40 to 50 words, if you like we’ll append it to the end of your work. Important Some writers show their reluctance to provide their personal details. That is okay, you can still submit your work to the editor of the magazine. It will be the editor's sole discretion to accept those entries or not. Besides such entries will only be entitled for the online issue of the magazine. Please send your manuscript to reflection18@ymail.com
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