Music and books lead to more music and books. New releases refer to past ones, famous and obscure. Genres cross over, involving similar concepts, tropes, devices. Writers and musicians lift, pay tribute, re-imagine, claim as their own and take it a step further in their effort to tell gripping, original stories. Pick up the trail and we end up making extraordinary connections. Welcome to Connection Degree Three … The Sound Of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel; American Gods by Neil Gaiman; The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Three phenomenal pieces of entertainment that reference gods and how people conjure up extraordinary entities to make … Continue reading ON THE POWER OF DEITIES

‘They Lit Fires: lenti hatch o yog‘ By Raine Geoghegan http://www.hedgehogpress.co.uk ‘They Lit Fires: lenti hatch o yog’ by Raine Geoghegan is a fantastic glimpse into the ever-dwindling Roma way of life. A rich culture that has been much maligned in the press over recent years. What this book shows is the rich depth of language and the incredibly strong family bonds. The pamphlet is as much a window to an often-misunderstood world as it is a memoire. Reflections of beautiful stories about a grandmother and her passion for song highlighting the love expressed between them. Each piece a beautiful … Continue reading They Lit Fires: lenti hatch o yog

Name: Christine Valters Paintner Resident of Galway, Ireland Place of birth: New York City, NY, USA 4 bums on a rugby goalpost Why do you write? I write because I have to. I feel compelled. It is how I understand the world. Writing for me is a process of discovery and a way of paying close attention to it, of being a witness to beauty and sorrow.  What do you write about? My primary vocation, in addition to writer, are theologian and philosopher. I love asking big questions about life, but looking for answers in the small and ordinary moments. … Continue reading An interview with Christine Valters Paintner

Danny is a retired Professional Cook and Truck Driver (5 state area) and is currently working on creating an entirely new career for himself as a Poet/Writer & Actor (having portrayed an auto shop owner/mechanic in the short film “Your Carriage Awaits” and is slated to portray the character of Randall Sutto in the up coming production of the “Cracked Mirrors” Episode/s).             Danny considers poetry a wonderful opportunity for him to communicate and connect with all kindred souls in a more personal manner to share some good old “practial food for thought” while also encouraging readers to journey beyond … Continue reading Danny Best

Edward O’Dwyer is from Limerick, Ireland, and writes poetry and fiction. His most recent book, Cheat Sheets, was published by Truth Serum Press (2018) and features on The Lonely Crowd journal’s ‘Best Books of 2018’ list. His third collection of poems from Salmon Poetry is due in 2020, entitled Exquisite Prisons. The collection The Rain on Cruise’s Street (2014) was Highly Commended by the Forward Prizes, while the poem ‘The Whole History of Dancing’, from Bad News, Good News, Bad News (2017), won the Eigse Michael Hartnett Festival 2018 ‘Best Original Poem’ Prize. His story ‘The Man Who Became Poems’ was recently a Finalist in the London Independent Story Prize. He … Continue reading Edward O’Dwyer

Judith Alexander Brice is a retired Pittsburgh psychiatrist whose love of nature and experiences with illness inform much of her work. She has had over 80 poems published in journals and anthologies, including in The Golden Streetcar, Voxpopulisphere.com, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Magnolia Review.com, and Annals of Internal Medicine. On two occasions, Judy has twice received the Editor’s Choice Award in The Allen Ginsberg Poetry Prize, sponsored by The Paterson Literary Review. Judy has authored two poetry books: Renditions in a Palette and Overhead From Longing published by WordTech Communications (David Robert Books Imprint). A third book, Imbibe The Air is forthcoming next … Continue reading Judith Brice

Gordon Meade is a Scottish poet based in the East Neuk of Fife. His most recent collection, Zoospeak, a collaboration between himself and the Canadian photographer and animal activist, Jo-Anne McArthur, which uses poetry and photography to examine the experiences of animals in captivity throughout the world, was published in 2020 by Enthusiastic Press in London. Self-Portrait for Jo-Anne McArthur All there is, is a pair of red ankle-length boots poking out of the legs of a pair of grey overalls. That is all there is on show in what the photographer has called a self-portrait. I say that that … Continue reading Gordon Meade

Vaidehi Soni, from India, is a teacher by profession . She is an amateur poet and painter. She discovered her passion for poetry, writing and painting in her early 40’s. La Liberté Zephyr Pearls on the blades Down on the wet brown… And The grey fluffs High above… Are A rhapsody to heart, A crescendo to the eyes…                                                       The cool breeze Kissing the leaves ever so lightly… Making the branches dance With the shudder of surging passion… Those curled up petals…. Waiting eagerly like a Young child… To open and bloom Alluring the buzzing wings…. Nature Thou truly live The … Continue reading Vaidehi Soni

Michael A. Griffith teaches at Raritan Valley and Mercer County Community Colleges in central NJ. He is the author of three chapbooks of poetry, Bloodline, Exposed, and the forthcoming New Paths to Eden. Besides writing poetry, Mike is a textbook editor and writer of short features. He lives near Princeton, NJ. Dance                the heavy air                      from your shower tickles          the lighter air of our bedroom                      the scents of your shampoo       your bodywash dance       with my antiperspirant                       my toothpaste my                                               desire         morning light through the shades                             our eyes catch a                                                     … Continue reading Michael Griffith

Jennifer Fytelson O’Brien is a freelance writer currently based in Los Angeles who is known for her insightful poetry. With over a decade of poetry writing, Jennifer has a unique voice that shines through her collection and speaks to her readers.  Jennifer has an MA in Creative Writing from The Lincoln University. Jennifer’s work has appeared in numerous outlets such as The Blue Nib, The Borgen Project and Canada’s oldest literary magazine, The Mitre. She currently writes for the number one TV site, Screen Rant. Jennifer also enjoys keeping up to date with her personal blog, ALettertoWrite.com and encourages you to … Continue reading Jennifer Fytelson O’Brien