To: Poets Niche

Issue #42 - moni's top 10 E-ZINE (minus 4)
(The Poets Niche Official Weekly Newsletter)
Monday, August 2, 1999

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          "Writer's aren't exactly people.  Or, if they are any good, 
          they're a whole lot of people trying hard to be one person." 
                            F. Scott Fitzgerald

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This week's issue:

- "HE'S WORKING IT OUT" (unknown author)
- POETREE U SAY
- POETIC SHORT STORY
- MORE GOOD NEWS TO REPORT
- POEMS OF THE WEEK
- moni's Poem of the Week

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1)  "HE'S WORKING IT OUT"

 You've been telling God every day about the things you're going through.
They have you worried and discouraged and feeling badly too.
The burdens are just too heavy for you to bear.
But though you cry out to the Lord, it seems He doesn't hear.
So you cry a little louder, for it's all too much to take.
Hoping God will finally hear you, and help you for His sake.
But just when you've convinced yourself God has turned His ear away,
The Lord will begin to speak to you and He will calmly say,
"My child I know you're hurting, and I see that you're upset.
But don't let the things you're going through cause you to forget.
That I never break a promise, and because I said I would.
I will take these things you're going through and work them for your good.
I know it's hard to understand, all the things I must take you through.
But you must trust Me and believe I'm working it out for you.
Don't depend on yourself, for in Me is your strength to cope.
Just know I'm always working to give you a future and a hope.
Things in life aren't always good, and though your trials they 
may increase.
I'll work each situation until a blessing is released.
Not just some but all, not even this or that.
I said all things and meant it, and that's where the Truth is at."
God never breaks a promise, and because He said He would,
He'll take those things you're going through, and work them for 
your good. 
Be Encouraged My Friend.

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2)  POETREE U SAY - THE ANNUAL CIN(E)-POETRY FESTIVAL OCTOBER 2, 1999 in
SAN FRANCISCO The Annual Cin(E) Poetry Fest happens once again at SOMARTS
theater in San Francisco on October 2nd. This multimedia event showcases
work that combine poetry with video, film and digital movies. Last year's
event drew more than 75 entries from around the world with cash prizes
paid to artists totaling $1000.  Award winners are selected by audience
balloting and winners receive not only cash prizes, but an award
certificate as well as an invitation to the Annual Cin(E)-Poetry Tour. 
Our critically acclaimed festival is known internationally for showcasing
the best works which combine the verbal energy of poetry with the visual
richness and diversity of experimental film.
 
If you've got a short (under 15 minutes) poetry film or video, literary
documentary, or a literary multimedia piece such as a Quicktime movie,
then we'd like to review your work for possible inclusion in our festival
and catalog.  Send $15 with your application and tape to Literary
Television, a project of the National Poetry Association.
 
WHAT IS A CIN(E)-POEM? A poetry film, videopoem (or Cin(e)-poem) strives
for a symbiotic relationship of images, words, and sound/music. It  can
integrate all the arts--drama, dance, music, graphics and documentary
elements. Some of the best  poetry films and videopoems  use stills,
animation, documentary clips as well as abstract computer-generated
graphics, and narrative.
 
WHAT IS LTV?
LTV stands for Literary Television. It also stands for the innovative and
compelling work of poetry filmmakers and videographers. After 24 years of
sponsoring poetry film festivals, the Poetry Film Workshop in San
Francisco has culled an impressive archive, and is distributing to a
number of places including television and cable broadcasters such as PBS
and to educational and entertainment websites and educational
institutions throughout the United States and Europe.
 
Fill out, attach your $15.00 entry fee and send along with tape to: LTV:
LITERARY TELEVISION, 934 BRANNAN ST., 2ND FLOOR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103
 
 Yes, I want to enter my work into the: 1999 Cin(E)-Poetry Fest!
 
 DEADLINE: Sept. 15, 1999
 
 Literary TV Catalog
 DEADLINE: ONGOING
 
 TITLE:
 Submitting Artist(s):
 Phone: 
 Address:
 Apt:
 City:State:
 Zip:Email/Fax:
 Presentation format (please circle ) VHS/SVHS
 Original Format: 16MM 3/4" SVHS Hi-8
 CD-ROM Diskette(Specify Mac or PC)
 TRT: (15 min.max.)
 
*Include a 1/2 page description with your fee and entry, and $3.00 if 
you'd like your tape returned.
 
I hereby allow LTV: Literary Television to preview my work, and if
accepted for the festival, grant permission to broadcast my work for
promotional purposes only. I declare that all rights have been secured
including but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, credits and
licensing for all material used in entered work. I also understand the
festival and its sponsors cannot be held responsible for loss or damage
to entry materials.
 
LTV, The Poetry Film Workshop and the Cin(E)-Poetry Fest are all projects
of the National Poetry Association Inc.( 510c(3)). We reserve the
following rights:
 
*Judges reserve the right to disqualify any entry for any reason. 
*We reserve the right to broadcast all or part of the entry for 
promotional purposes.
*LTV and the Poetry Film Workshop will furnish full and complete 
contracts to selectees for licensing, renting and selling purposes.
 *Entrants will be notified of acceptance.
 
SIGNATURE:  DATE:
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3)  POETIC SHORT STORY - 
 
          Voyages with the Madman: Series III, part II, 
                  by Rodney D. Coates (c) 1999

Weeks had given way to months, in what seemed to be an endless day, as I
journeyed with the Madman into the wilderness that was just a little ways
down the road. What was once late winter, had become early spring. Powder
grey skies glistening with lightening provided the only sounds that broke
my equally gray mood. Thick silence filled where once there were oceans
of meanings. Often, questions formed could find no words of expression,
and the Madman provided no solace. Our voyage continued, the silence now
deafening, as the storm receded into the mid-morning gloom. Unable to
keep the moment, I ventured to break the silence, with a "Why?". But the
Madman remained in his solitude.  And so we walked into the morning, and
I waited for the sounds that would awaken my soul.  The wait, this time,
seemed all too long, when the deep voice of the Madman again took control
of my mind.

 Hopeless fears and useless tears,
 triangular passions centering on
 one too caught up on self to
 know that circles are the way
 of life, and triangles only give
 way to obtuse squares.

 Silent storms and frequent disasters,
 petulant affairs lingering within
 closed squares captured by Kodak.

 Instant gratification, slow rolls
 against the backdrop of loveless
 lovers seeking love for the moment.
 Hapless strangers and listless bangers,
 cracker-jack love affairs played out
 to street corner lullabies.

 Another's plea heard over
 stale thunder wrapped inside
 the questions left unasked.

 And then, looking directly into my eyes, the Madman said:

           The first voyage on this journey is just over the horizon,
           but you must learn to listen to the clouds and stars
           caressing the sky. Listen to the oak tree sweetly embracing
           the earth, and the bee gliding through the stream of
           flowers.

 Standing there, straining to hear, I said.."But I HEAR nothing".

"And that is your problem" he responded, in a tone which seemed more like
shouting, yet he had not raised his voice beyond just a whisper.  He
continued "Think, how is it different to hear music and to listen to
it...to hear your love one sigh and to listen to her sigh...to hear is to
acknowledge a sound...to listen is to experience the sound...now I want
you to learn to listen so that we might continue on our voyage."

There we stood, I trying hard to learn to listen, and he...the Madman
experiencing all that was, that is, and that which was to be....

THANKS DOC!!!!  STAY TUNE for Part III from the VOYAGES WITH THE MADMAN
series.  You don't want to miss a single word of this ongoing saga. 
Please feel free to send your comments directly to rodneyc at
(coatesrd@casmail.muohio.edu) and check out his website at (http:/
www.ulbobo.com/umoja) to read previously written sagas.

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4)  MORE GOOD NEWS TO REPORT FROM MEMBER OF THE POETS NICHE - 

CONGRATULATIONS FOR TYESE - Tyese graduated from Hampton University with
a BA in Public Relations, and plans to go back to school within a few
years to pursue an MBA.  KEEP UP THE GOOK WORK!  Please feel free to send
you support to Tyese directly at DANTZLER@hotmail.com.

MORE BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR: Jo Ann Taylor (who celebrated her 38th wedding
anniversary on July 281th) will celebrate her "sassy" 60th BIRTHDAY on
August 16th.  

and

FROM SUE - Sue will turn another year older on August 9th!@!@!  Andddd,
here's some cool information about Sue and her mother ["my Mom and I were
both due to be born on July 31st...we were both 9 days late and born in
same hospital, same room, 22yrs and 30 minutes apart... all siblings look
like my dad...but me?  I am the spittin' image of my Mom...even our
voices are the same.]  

THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO BOTH OF YOU and MANY, MANY MOOOORE!!@!@!@!@

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FROM PEBBLES on 8/2/99:  Hello, I happened to come upon an online e-zine
(The Poets Niche..) with your name as author and I thought it to be
pretty good.  Can I subscribe?  (Well Pebbles did subscribe, and is now a
member of the Poets Niche).  Thanks Pebbles, you made my day!@!@!

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5)  POEMS OF THE WEEK - Our featured poets for this weeks Poems of the Week 48 are:

              11:16 PM (Contemplation) by David L. Weeks 
              11:25PM (Post Meditation) by C. Bentley 
              MoodSwingz by Sonya Swanson 
              IDIOSYNCRASY by Sharyn Hunter
              LONELINESS by Jill A. Montgomery 
              FORGIVEN by Phaedra Davis 

Please make it a point to read these outstanding poems at
(www.nichemarket.com), and send your support and comments directly to the
poets.  FANTASTIC JOB POETS!@!@!@!

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6)  Well, the time has finally arrived for OUR FIRST OFFLINE PARTY and
I'm OUT OF MY MIND!@!@!@!  My son and I are leaving for Atlanta tomorrow,
August 3, 1999, at 4:00 a.m.  So if you're looking for me (Padmore,
thanks for the MISSING IN ACTION email] I'll be at the Suite Hotel
Underground (404) 223-5555.  Below is moni's Poem of the Week.  Your
comments are always welcomed and greatly appreciated. 

I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL!@!@!@
moni

p.s.  Just so you know, the next top 10 will appear during the week of
August 16th (complete with pictures -- I hope).

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        PICK ME UP LATER

Pick me up later, I'm not quite ready to go.  
I forgot to call our friends to let them know.  
What do you mean you want me to stay? 
My bags are packed and the cabby's on his way.

Pick me up later, perhaps I'll be closer to the door.  
Let me look into your eyes once more to make sure.  
Honey, please get off your knees.  In all the chaos, 
I think I've lost my keys.  

Pick me up later, there's no need to pout.  Be rest 
assured I'm not having any second doubts.  What else
do you want me to say?  All the bills are paid and my 
ticket is one-way.   

Just let me sit here a minute and listen to the silence.  
When you pick me up later, I'll let you know if, and 
when, I'm ready to go.

Monica Blache (c)