Friday Poetically with Brian Miller

Welcome to Friday Poetically.

 Over the next couple weeks, I will be introducing some new regular features: such as poetry inspired by music, poetry written by children and what it means to be a poet/blogger. Now that I am on Fridays, it seems fitting that we have a little fun, because the weekend is coming.

Growing up, I was in a garage band called Romulus. My first poems were songs written on sheets of paper spread across gravestones at the cemetery by my parent's house. Don't ask me why we went there to write them; we were teenagers and it just seemed like the right place to conjure the muse. My cousin would bend the strings on his old guitar as I stared up at the stars and let the words spill out. We never made it beyond a few friend's basements but even today, I often have the ear buds in, listening to music as I write.

Back in December, Leslie Moon challenged you to listen to a song and then write whatever came to you. Today, I want to do the same. I chose a song that may be a bit of a stretch for some but it speaks to the roots of the music I grew up listening to. As a teen, I found a Joe Satriani cassette tape titled Surfing with the Alien and boy could he make the guitar sing. This is one of my favorites by him.

You can listen to the song, maybe close your eyes and then write once you are done. You can listen and write at the same time. I think you will figure it out. It's Friday, let's have a little fun as we wait for 5 o'clock to get here.

Please listen to Joe Satriani's

Always with Me, Always with you

Once you have posted your poem, enter the link into Mr. Linky and visit a few other brave poetic souls. Smiles. Here is mine, in the form of a 55 as introduced last week in our interview with g-man.

Always with Me, Always with You

when you say you

love me always

do you mean all ways

or just forever

i'll be honest

sometimes i don't

feel it

& if love is

just a feeling

how many would

admit they even get it,

been in it, or

want to stay with it.

no love,

i think is a bit

more attitude

Have a great weekend everybody! ~Brian Miller

Moondustwriter's Thursday - guest featuring Artist and writer Mitko Gogov

I’m pleased to introduce One Stop Poetry readers to Mitko Gogov. I met Mitko on Twitter aka @potru ( where I meet most the talented people on the globe). I was drawn to his artwork  never knowing he was a published poet.

Mitko was, born 1983 Skopje, Macedonia and presently lives in France. He is a youth worker and a conceptual artist.  As youth trainer, he provides different creativity workshops such as: forum theater, multimedia, stick art, street art, graffiti, use of organic and recycled materials in contemporary art, handmade and social aspects. 
He has had several international group exhibitions 

and projects held in Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, France, Norway, and Italy. 

Mitko is a published poet and short stories writer in several magazines and anthologies: Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria. 

Active graffiti painter that currently participate on street art festivals, and works as a DJ with the name dzamski, specializing in psychedelic trance, dark forest, 

experimental and ambient sound. 

Mitko what started your journey in the arts and poetry?

Poetry:

Something I know about me, I look through the prism of art. When I was kid I use to write a lot. I have notes with over then 400 poems from that time. I used to write about everything that surrounds me. That outside me and the inner one, the relation between the two. Reading everything that my hands catch and I had the luck to be (all my life) with people who are in the culture and art area. At that time, most of the magazines for literature for kids and youngsters used to publish my poetry and I started with radio show on the radio in my city.

After some breaks, in high school they publish some of my poems in my school almanac & a few magazines in Macedonia; I also took part of some poetry events in my country.

There was the big break after that when I was not writing for a few years and I started again 2-3 years ago since then they’ve published my poetry in Serbia and Croatia in anthologies and in Macedonia in a few magazines for literature and I've done a few poetry performances supported by art installation, sounds, visuals etc.

Art:

In my teenage years, I started with the street art and that inspired me a lot to start with the graffiti, stencils, stickers and cartoons history. All this life hidden behind the streets and the adrenalin as part of the elements that makes the work more interesting. Taking part of some alternative art events as very young also connect me with the art. I start making for different exhibitions and contest miniatures, nature,graphics, some abstracts forms..during the time I start experimenting with stage constructions, urban or art installations. Film, video, multimedia. ..with the all contemporary art trough which I can express my concept. I've done 2 movies: one documentary and one experimental. But I've participate on making of some other film projects as part of the team as director of photography, scenography even once as part of the actors :))

I try to mix the experience from the street and the way of seeing the art also as the classical museum art ..with all this great styles that are changing trough the time.

I have also some works that are results of workshops around the Balkans made of organic and recycled materials. As conceptual artist I try to connect the concept with the origins. To bring the network back to the primitive, where the earth is respected and all the elements that keep us live. I try to promote ecological active environment 

Working from young age on different cultural events, theater and film festivals took me deep into the magic of art as meaning of the life. One of the prime substance for living. People that create art are special, pure, they make unique presence ..

How can you use the arts in your youth work (both written and visual)?

Art is perfect tool for expressing. You can present a specter of ideas trough different art methods. There are different techniques for expressing your future expectations, hopes and fears for example or using the pallet of different art periods and topics. In the contemporary era for the young people is more easy to understand the art, everything around us is art and for them sharing their feelings, emotions, opinions trough art is provocative. When I lead art workshops I give the space to the participants to create their idea on the way they want. .. with the writing skill is easier to explain them how is the proper way to put the things in line that makes sense.

It's a pleasure to be in environment with young people full with visions and ideas for better world, active citizens that are changing the society.

Prelude. Rebirth

by Mitko Gogov

In the traces of the shadows

the tranquility of their silent  voices

is vibrating.

Like lost leaves

we are pushing ourselves toward the sky,

...actors that are playing with the wind.

Prelude of the fear

to be still alive.

Decay, earth, ash,

bottles at the end of the coast,

without stopper,

without message

we transforming into particles

somewhere into  the Ocean.

All work Copyright 2010 M. Gogov
Mitko is also on Facebook 

Moondustwriter Thursday featuring David Wilkins

 Welcome to Moondustwriter Thursday
I am Leslie Moon - today I am featuring my  friend David Wilkins. I have to say I am proud of David and appreciate his approach to life. He has overcome obstacles and is now using poetry to help in his journey of life and discovery. If you know any youth who are striving to express themselves, encourage them to write. I would be more than happy to consider featuring them. It is an honor to encourage and display creativity on this blogsite.

I am Youth 

by Moondustwriter

When you look at me

what do you see?

A shape?

a smile?

tresses of hair?

But do you see the heart of me?

Do you hear the song that  flows from my lips

What color is me on the canvas of life?

What words do my hands inscribe

on the orb of tomorrow?

Look

For I am your tomorrow

with all my hopes, hurts, doubts

Here I am

your future stands

when you look past me

you miss potential

if look in front of me

you miss resources

in my mind

will be discovery

 in these hands

ideas will take shape

for my tomorrow and yours

I am youth

Have you ever considered what the youth of today have to face? "Sure I was a youth.  I know what it's like." But do you? I see the formidable walls that youth face today. Walls that were either absent or lower when I was a youth. The pressure is greater, the opportunities fewer, the doubts intense. The rate of suicide and attempted suicide in youth today is staggering. Can we stop it? Maybe not. But there are those that believe that if we tap into the source of that energy and stimulate creativity, we may woo these searching individuals into a less destructive reality. The world can be a place of self-expression where black and gray and green and yellow all ask to be utilized by this next generation

Something that strikes me about  David is his vivacity for life and entrepreneurial spirit. He has grand goals and dreams for his tomorrows. He needs to get through his todays first.

When I interviewed David , I heard the passion of a young philosopher.  I asked David what poetry means to him: "Some people call it (your painting,your poem) a masterpiece; others call it a waste of time."  "Everything has an audience; everything an acquired taste." Hmm if that doesn't get you thinking keep reading.

David started writing poetry about eight months ago (at 14). "Poems may tell a story; they may be a way to express anger, frustration, pain. Poetry is a channel, a means to express emotion rather than waste that energy."

When asked if young people need a channel for emotions, David was emphatic. He expressed the need for all youth to get an avenue:" Whether it's painting or clay, dance, poetry, or basketball - do something that matters with that emotion."
For David, he can feel the pressure (of life) like fire in his veins. That pressure used to be expressed destructively toward himself. Now, as he writes, the pain and anger recedes ,slowly at times; he finishes with a sense of satisfaction and perhaps a smile. In the end, the anger and the pain is gone; he has before him creative expression - A masterpiece!

As you read this young man's work, think about other teens who are longing to find a way to express passion, anger, doubt, fear, resentment... Poetry is one great outlet for all.

 Forever and Always

by David Wilkins

i was sitting on a bench chilling and alone

 i saw you today by the board walk

 you said lets talk and take a walk

 when i saw you that day

i needed to say

i love you

make you feel invincible

in every word i say

I'm taking a risk , taking a chance

so tonight i'll ask you to dance

 we will waltz

this night under the stars

this night under the moon

and the second you leave

is a second too soon

 I'm stuck in the rain

 its like a monsoon

stuck thinking of a way

to get back to you

 when i get to your door

i cant find

the words to say

you pull me close 

tell me it will be ok

 as the tears fall from my cheek

you whip them away 

 tell me not to weep

 i hold you tight 

fear letting go cuz if i do

I'll go into limbo

so THIS night under the stars

 THIS nigh under the moon

I'm not letting go I'm staying

close to you

***

i love you forever and for always

so when day break comes

(and its coming soon)

ill still be close to you

i love you forever and for always

you know this is true

i love you forever and always

our love starting anew

forgetting the past

and all the hurt we've

been through

all the crap life's thrown our way

but because of you i can resist this sway

i love you

i hope you love me the same

the way to hold you close

on a calm quiet bay

i love you

tell you everyday

kiss you letting you know

its gonna be ok

remind you in that subtle kiss

that i love you I'll always be here

I'm not leaving so never fear

i will love you forever and always my dear

 You Hate Everything About me

by David Wilkins

you hate everything about me

i don't blame you but there is one thing

you must see

i didn't love you for you i loved you for me

before you ask me to drown

i must share something i found

in all honesty it's quite profound

if i die tonight just know i thought of you on my

very last flight

i hit the ground but i didn't die

in the street alone i lie

waiting to peacefully die

but as i'm bleeding out

i close my eyes

and something strange happens inside my mind

i saw your face and it gave me the strength to do

what i couldn't do before

get up take back my heart

something you should know before i part

your eyes still put me in a daze

freeze me in a trance

right here in my stance

you give me a glance of reminisce

feigning your innocence

i still love you but you don't love me
so i guess its time to walk away

i don't want to go

but you don't want me to stay

i love you and you know this to be true

even knowing this you said

"that's it- we're through"

not thinking about all the pain I'll go through

but you told me oh well

funny thing is I'm headed straight for hell

my last wish is to wish you well

never forget that dream

you shared with me that midsummer's eve

you and your kids playing peacefully in that field

you don't know it but i fight to keep that peace fulfilled

but you don't care

and i don't matter

thus the plans for my life will just fade and shatter

and all the things i cared about no longer matter

they all hit the ground like a piece of glass

off like a time bomb they all go blast

and thus goes my life

off this bridge in the middle of the night

so i love you farewell even though you wont miss me

good luck finding my body

but then your there you stop my jump

say your sorry you ll help me over this hump

i pull you close savor this embrace

i love you so much is what you said

with that look on your face

so bad story happy ending this is life

and my story in the telling

Check this link for more by David

Mat Lloyd poet and activist was featured several months ago on One Stop Poetry by Pete Marshall. He is seeking for solutions for young men and is trying to curb the suicide rate in men.