Akshita Gandra’s Post

SPEARS, SHIELDS AND MONKEY WRENCHES We don't write in a vacuum. The tension between our inner and outer worlds in our writing is a Thing. Although most of us have come to poetry-writing via the solitary, tangled paths of self-exploration and self-expression, we speak into the cultures in which our words exist. Almost all of my favourite poets have also been champions of the oppressed and have used their skills and words to speak out against horror, to coax and court and cajole their readers and listeners into ever-greater involvement in the various fronts against injustice. How can we bring power to our language and writing so that it becomes a spear against the Devouring One, a shield for those who need shields, and a monkey wrench for dismantling the structures of oppression? I don't have even half the answers to those questions, but I'm doing my best to hone my skills and live in that tension. If you're interested, please join us on February 4th. We'll also be workshopping pieces, particularly ones relevant to the theme of the session. I love the Feral Angels’ Poetry Café and I'm proud of what we do there. Why not join us and become part of this growing community? Link for tickets and details: https://lnkd.in/ehWmWauM

Blog post: Caught in Black Headlights Coming Soon Some news. https://lnkd.in/gB49tPWp #poetry #writer #author #poetrybook #blogger #blogpost #blog #blogging #writing #poetrycollection

We are born to be reborn and entirely renewed through creation.- Over the last year, writing poetry has become an important and integral part of my work as an author and I I always wondered if LinkedIn could be a place for it...I just give it a try. glorious mornings I want the snow to cover all the paths taken, the straight and the winding ones. / I want the snow to cover everything that has become wrong and uneven between us./ I want the snow to cover all my words/ the right words spoken at a wrong time/ the wrong words spoken out of confusion/ the just words spoken to deaf hearts./ The melting snow inside me will wash away  all memories of a painful past/ the memories of glorious mornings, wide open hearts and eyes looking far beyond the horizon/ all expectations,  the broken dreams and the fulfilment  that has outlived its time.   One day I will wake up transformed/I will grow and blossom completely innocent and young/ old and knowing/like a flower that sees the sun  for the very first time and is looking forward  to the end of its day.    We are born to be reborn and  entirely renewed through creation. read more poems here :https://lnkd.in/eX5Ks3H3

Diving into the vast sea of literary genres 📚 can be as thrilling as it is daunting. But fear not! We're here to guide you through the maze of mysteries, the peaks of poetry, and the realms of romance. 🧭 Whether you're penning your first novel or your fiftieth, understanding genres is key to finding your audience. 🎯 At Zapphire Ink Publications, we're all about helping you navigate these waters and connect with readers who will love your work. 💞 Ready to embark on this journey? Comment below or visit our website for tailored author services! 🌟 #LiteraryGenres #AuthorSupport #ZapphireInk

This was just shared on another social media platform. It is wonderful to see poetry and LIS coming together. Are you a poet-librarian? Or like me researcher-librarian-poet? If so, consider submitting an abstract. Looks like a great opportunity. #LISresearch #LibraryResearch

✨Today's quote is by Jacqueline Margaret Kay, CBE, FRSE, FRSL, (Jackie Kay) Scottish poet, playwright, and novelist, known for her works 'Other Lovers', 'Trumpet' and 'Red Dust Road'. Jackie suggests that the process of writing poetry involves a search or exploration for the right words, phrases, and expressions to convey one's thoughts, emotions, and ideas effectively. It implies that poets engage in a deliberate and sometimes challenging quest to capture the essence of their experiences or perceptions through the use of language. Just as hunters seek out their prey with determination and focus, poets pursue the perfect combination of words to create meaning, evoke emotions, and craft imagery within their poems. What do you think? If you are a poet, do you find yourself hunting for the right language? Comment below. #bookjourneymentor #bookcoach #bookmentor #authorconsultatant #bookconsultant #consciousdreamspublishingtips #bookreviews #EmbraceTheFear #JustStart #AuthorLife

✨Today's quote is by Jacqueline Margaret Kay, CBE, FRSE, FRSL, (Jackie Kay) Scottish poet, playwright, and novelist, known for her works 'Other Lovers', 'Trumpet' and 'Red Dust Road'. Jackie suggests that the process of writing poetry involves a search or exploration for the right words, phrases, and expressions to convey one's thoughts, emotions, and ideas effectively. It implies that poets engage in a deliberate and sometimes challenging quest to capture the essence of their experiences or perceptions through the use of language. Just as hunters seek out their prey with determination and focus, poets pursue the perfect combination of words to create meaning, evoke emotions, and craft imagery within their poems. What do you think? If you are a poet, do you find yourself hunting for the right language? Comment below. #bookjourneymentor #bookcoach #bookmentor #authorconsultatant #bookconsultant #consciousdreamspublishingtips #bookreviews #EmbraceTheFear #JustStart #AuthorLife

Canadian poet Kate Rogers was interviewed earlier this week in the Creative Nonfiction Collective Blog about writing autobiographical poetry in her upcoming collection, The Meaning of Leaving (AOS Publishing.) In this conversation, she speaks to why she chose this form and approach: the challenges and the rewards. “My choice to make the poems that concerned that part of my life more autobiographical was conscious and deliberate. Leaving an abusive partner and distancing myself from an abusive family dynamic were both very difficult, but by leaving both situations I empowered myself. I would hope that the vulnerability and honesty in my poems might help other women living in such circumstances in some way—and empower them to not only seek safety, but also create art from their experience if that would be meaningful to them.“ To read the full interview, click this link. 💙 https://lnkd.in/gCeycyP7 For an advance review copy of this book, click the link below and fill out the River Street Reads form. If you already are a member of our reading community, just shoot us an email. https://lnkd.in/g7rhsb5e . . . #creativenonfiction #nonfiction #poetry #bookishcanadians #canadianwriters #books #intimatepartnerviolence #domesticviolence #physicalabuse #emotionalabuse #emotionalabuseisstillabuse #emotionalabuseisstillabuse #homeless #homelessness #tellyourstory #writeyourstory #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #amreading #readersareleaders #bookrecommendations #arcreaderswanted #arcreviewer

#poemstories 2 Poem - Fire and Ice Poet - Robert Frost Genre' - Lyric One of my personal favourites, "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost is a poignant exploration of the dualities within human emotions as it aligns with the genre of modernist poetry. It is a concise yet powerful poem that delves into the destructive forces of human emotions. The poem explores the contrasting elements of desire (fire) and hatred (ice) as potential catalysts for the end of the world. Frost suggests that both intense passion and cold animosity have the potential to lead to destruction, highlighting the duality of human nature. The poem invites readers to contemplate the consequences of unchecked emotions and the impact they can have. Frost's use of elemental imagery and symbolism sparks reflection on the volatile nature of human relationships and the choices that can either inflame conflicts or freeze connections. The brevity of the poem adds to its impact, leaving room for readers to ponder the depths of human emotions and their potential consequences. #loveforpoems #poetry #poetrycommunity #poemoftheday #poemstories #linkedinconnections

Finding Beauty in the Mess 🌈As we navigate the unpredictable journey of life, it's essential to recognize that challenges, uncertainties, and chaos are not obstacles but rather the raw materials for our most profound growth. 🌱💪 Each messy moment is an opportunity to craft our own unique poetry, to find strength in adversity, and to discover unexpected beauty in the midst of chaos.It's easy to yearn for order and control, but true resilience and creativity often emerge from the chaos. The unpredictable twists and turns become the verses of our life's narrative, weaving a story that is uniquely ours.So, let's embrace the messiness, the uncertainties, and the chaotic beauty of life. 🌪️💖 Let's understand that, just like the stylized image, our journey may be chaotic, but within that chaos lies the potential for the most beautiful poetry we'll ever write.#EmbraceChaos #FindBeautyInMess #LifePoetry #Resilience #CreativityInChaos #JourneyOfLife 🌍