Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

 Playing It By Ear

The masses are in search of a formula, but

I am different: I choose to play it by ear. I

Am not a magician and, therefore, don’t

Wield a wand: I can’t make dreams come true.

When I feel thirsty, I drink a glass of water.

When I feel hungry, I sit down for a meal.

When I feel tired, well, I go to sleep. My

Life is not like a 9 to 5 job with a commute.

Therefore, please don’t ask me for a ballpark

Figure with respect to my routine or schedule.

I am not a bookkeeper or accountant, so I

Don’t keep score. I don’t remember the exact

Date I graduated from high school: I will have

To look it up. I operate out of the box. After all,

Creativity transcends rules. That is why a poet

Is perceived to be a rebel, outcast and a fool.

BIO:

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, he likes to stroll the outdoors and party with close friends. 

He is also fond of meditation.

Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Image credit: Pixabay.com

Poets United Awards Robin Denise Williams Memorial Writing Scholarship to Local Poet

In our ongoing mission to amplify the voices of marginalized artists, provide a platform to emerging and established poets, and “advance the arts,” Poets United is proud to announce the recipient of our Robin D. Williams Memorial Writing Scholarship---Zarria Alexander.

After an exhaustive search, Ms. Alexander was chosen for her excellence in poetry and her advocacy and empowerment of women everywhere. In her debut book, “Lived Through Hell,” she chronicles her journey through sexual abuse, depression, single parenting…and ultimately healing and hope. This timely collection consists of more than130 poems.

She states, “Sharing your story can be a terrifying thing, but your given testimony could save someone’s life. If you’ve ever faced rape, abandonment, betrayal, or heartbreak--you are not alone.” 

Zarria is a poet, writer, mother and 5th place winner in Lincoln University’s Poetry Slam. 

The Robin D. Williams Scholarship of $400.00 is a one-time award, provided to assist in publishing, marketing, and related educational expenses, to help advance a career in writing.

To learn more, visit her website

https://livedthroughhell.com/

   

September Book Review* By Gail Merriwether

Recently, my sister in New Jersey sent me a book, knowing I'm an avid reader. She'd heard about a recommendation from an east coast book club and promptly purchased and mailed me a brightly-colored, hardcover 330-page novel entitled 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' by Kehinde Fadipe. 

 The book is a tale of three black women, Dara, Amaka and Lillian, all 30-somethings living and working in the  Republic of Singapore, an island state in southeast Asia. 

On the surface, Singapore is an idyllic world of multinational corporations, high-class shopping, and five-star restaurants set amid lush tropical gardens,  but as the author states on her cover flap, this Eden harbors a snake.   

Dara is a workaholic lawyer from the UK, Amaka is a banker from Nigeria, and Lillian from the U.S., is a pianist who has lost her desire to play and instead followed her diplomat husband to Singapore along with their two children.

The three women are friends by virtue of being black and female in a predominantly Asian society and gather regularly for girlfriend outings.  But when a tall, dark, and handsome stranger is introduced into their midst...everything changes. Competiton rears its ugly head.  How the women handle this interloper in light of the casual racism and sexism of the society they operate in severely tests the bonds of their friendship.

My sister's choice was not accidental.  Knowing I'd worked for the UN for several years in various global outposts, she thought I might relate to being a minority and/or female working in a foreign country. She was right, of course, as I noted several relational points throughout the story, e.g. housing issues, financial issues, (Singapore is a very expensive city to live in), difficulties of dating outside of one's culture, and the occasional homesickness and longing for things familiar.

Regarding the characters, author Fadipe paints the women as a bit 2-dimensional, or shallow, sometimes making choices that often don't seem logical, with little inclination toward committed relationships, and perhaps even a bit promiscuous.

On the plus side, the author paints a vivid picture of the bustling, multicultural hub that is Singapore, and the story is moderately paced; a book to put down and pick up again, making it an ideal summer read.

Fadipe, a young black author trained as a Royal Academy actor with both stage and screen credits, has also produced a short film entitled 'Spirit Children'.  This is her first novel.

BIO:

GAIL MERRIWETHER is a retired Chicago cop and member of Poets United to Advance the Arts.

Poetry Corner* Dr. Archan Mehta

 

CULTURE WARS?

Sometimes, I feel there is too much talk going on:

People are shouting, screaming, barking at the top

Of their lungs simultaneously and nobody is listening

With empathy. There is no scope for pause and reflection.

That’s because everybody wants to be a hero: hey, look at

Me, you see, I am number one and what I have to say will

Change the destiny of our human race. I don’t think so: I

Don’t buy that argument. Sorry. The air is toxic with pollution,

Contamination, disease, stupidity and everybody is claiming to

Be a savior. Thus, fly by night operators want to start a business,

Dupe the gullible public, and make oodles of cold, hard cash at

The expense of honest taxpayers and law abiding citizens. Our

Planet has lost its philosophical moorings and there is no moral

Compass for guidance anymore. 

Only hope and optimism can keep

Us alive: faith in a higher power will help us to drift to shore.

BIO:

Dr. Archan Mehta has earned a PhD. in Management. Currently, he is a Consultant and Writer based in India. In his free time, he likes to stroll the outdoors and party with close friends. 

He is also fond of meditation.

Please feel free to reach out to the poet at archanm@hotmail.com at your convenience.

Coming Soon...Chicago Roller Skating History

 

Are you a skating enthusiast? Do you know someone who is? If so, you'll be excited to discover a new title by author/blogger Marcie L. Hill.

Hill has combed through and combined years of extensive research and interviews, to pen a very informative and interesting read, on Chicago's impact on the roller skating world.

Roller Skating History provides fun facts, historical accounts, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of America's most popular recreational activities, throughout the ages.  

Stay tuned for more details on how to score your copy (or to purchase as a gift item) for a friend.

Girl skating image: Pixabay.com

New Poetry Release by Jennifer Brown Banks!

 

Get your copy today @ Amazon.com. 

Book Look! Poetry Review For June, 2025

 

TITLE: THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE

AUTHOR: TUPAC SHAKUR

PUBLISHER: POCKET BOOKS 

PAGES: 150

REVIEWER: HENRY OAKS

Tupac Shakur's poetry is much more engaging than his rap songs, because it eliminates the sensationalism intended to attract and titillate music audiences. It's raw, unpolitical, and unapologetic.  With an open invitation to the essence of who he was, he cries out for understanding of his behavior, rather than attempting to justify it. He had great regard for women of color; particularly his mom and Jada Pinkett. His writings seemed to reflect a frustration and confusion as to why his sentiments about Black women were not shared by more Black men.  

The book has an interesting foreword provided by Nikki Giovanni, in which she emphatically states: "He (Tupac) deserves to be taken seriously and we must therefore mourn."

 "The Rose..." is broken into four chapters which include: 

THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE

NOTHING CAN COME BETWEEN US

JUST A BREATH OF FREEDOM

LIBERTY NEEDS GLASSES

After reading "The Rose That Grew From Concrete" I am an even bigger fan of his creative talent. I was literally drawn into the dynamics of this book. I found it to be heartfelt and captivating. One could feel the authenticity pouring from his very soul. 

He reveals a great love and regard for God; which some might consider a contradiction to his gangsta' image and often rebellious lyrics. 

With the closing of this book, as well as his life, Tupac yearns for brothers to unite.

The Rose That Grew From Concrete will definitely "grow" on readers.

BIO:

Henry E. Oaks is a graphic artist, writer and poet residing in Illinois. He is the author of Black Rhymes With a Reason.