Literary Garland June 2020

LITERARY GARLAND Issue One June 2020 (Poetry, Art & Photography) Founder/Editor : Herojit Philem Cover Art : The Beauty of Light in Darkness By Dr. Sruthi Bhupathiraju Copyright© Literary Garland 2020 All rights revert to the authors/artists. Submission of a work for publication declares that the work is original. For re-print in future please credit Literary Garland. All works published will be webcasted at www.literary-garland.blogspot.com L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |2

About Literary Garland Literary Garland is a monthly literary magazine that publishes well-crafted works from writers, poets, artists and photographers from across the globe. It tries to give readers a new taste of fine, simple yet meaningful literary works. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |3

Contents 5 7 1. Bruce McRae 9 2. Charles Rammelkamp 11 3. Herojit Philem 13 4. Kapardeli Eftichia 17 5. Kripa Maharjan 19 6. Michael Ceraolo 22 7. Mniko Chacha 24 8. Oriada Dajko 26 9. Patricia Walsh 28 10. Sehloho Piet Rampai 30 11. Dr. Sruthi Bhupathiraju 33 12. Sukanya Basu Mallik 35 13. Tonmoi Das Kashyap 38 14. Unbound 15. Zach Klebaner 40 Photographs 1. Sahil Paudel L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |4

Bruce McRae - Street Scene Bruce McRae, a Canadian musician currently residing on Salt Spring Island BC, is a multiple Pushcart nominee with over 1,600 poems published internationally in magazines such as Poetry, Rattle and the North American Review. His books are „The So-Called Sonnets‟ (Silenced Press); „An Unbecoming Fit Of Frenzy‟; (Cawing Crow Press); „Like As If‟ (Pski‟s Porch); „Hearsay‟ (The Poet‟s Haven). L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |5

Street Scene On a street the name of which eludes me. In a town of little import, one day in the past, a summer‟s day, like countless days that have been before, comes the sound of weeping through an open window, the one with the flowerbox painted blue, curtains fluttering as only curtains in a summer breeze will do. Weeping, and music on a radio, an indistinguishable tune. And a cat on a stoop, licking its paw and unconcerned with cause and effect, untouched by the vicissitudes of emotion. Weeping, so a passerby may stop to listen briefly, pausing to consider the bulk of human despair, the immensity of sorrow, before carrying on in a world in which we all must wander. It is an errand of some great importance. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |6

Charles Rammelkamp - A Night of Passion Charles Rammelkamp is Prose Editor for BrickHouse Books in Baltimore and Reviews Editor for The Adirondack Review. A chapbook of poems, was published last year by FutureCycle Press. Two full-length collections are forthcoming in 2020,Catastroika, from Apprentice House, And Ugler Lee from Kelsay Books. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |7

A Night of Passion When I say Kendra and I spent a night of passion, remember, we were on Venus. The only two on the mission, like a Space Age Adam and Eve, it was like we‟d quarantined ourselves in our own Garden of Eden, millions of miles from humanity. With the slowest rotation of any planet in the Solar System, it takes two hundred and forty-three Earth days to spin on its axis. You do the math. In the intimate dark we lay in each other‟s arms, exploring each other‟s body for that entire night, Kendra whispering deliriously a word that rhymed with “Venus.” L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |8

Herojit Philem - Drought Herojit Philem, founder, publisher and editor of Literary Garland, is a teacher, poet, lyricist and blogger. He is from Manipur, India. His poems have appeared in various anthologies, magazines, newspapers. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 |9

Drought Plantation season has left the garden Harvesting wind has started to besiege With its radius reducing Every second; There is no cloud flying To let the flowers On the earth dance But the hardworking farmers keep working Plowing the field, sowing the seeds Eventually, Their sweats turn into rain And lo! Their pains no longer remain. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 10

Kapardeli Eftichia - SPRING Kapardeli Eftichia has a Doctorate from ARTS AND CULTURE WORLD ACADEMY live in Patras. She writes poetry, stories, short stories, hai-ku, and essays. She studied journalism AKEM. Have many awards in national competitions. Her works have appeared in many national and international anthologies. Has a section at the University of Cyprus in Greek culture. She is a member of the world poets‟ society, its website is www.worldpoets.blogspot.com. She is a member of the IWA (International Writers and artists Association) chaired by Teresinka Pereira, had from IWA Certify 2017 as the best translation and member of the POETAS DEL MUNDO . [email protected] .https://www.facebook.com/PPdM.Mundial -https://twitter.com/Poetedumonde http://eftichiakapa.blogspot.gr/2013_10_01_archive.html http://isbn.nlg.gr/index.php?lvl=author_see&id=30410 https://www.facebook.com/kapardeli.eftichia http://eftichiakapa.blogspot.gr/2013/08/blog-post_4143.html http://worldpeaceacademy.blogspot.gr/2010/10/poets-for-world- peace.html L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 11

SPRING A veil of fog the moon drifted away Dawn awake……. The sky and the earth are sweetly kissed bird concerts on new foliage The sounds are intoxicating, free in the welcome of love on the ground the rooting, colors flowers in her each piece It's alive Thousands of small crimson lives in our hearts matched in defenseless tender hugs Suns hidden in the spikes and in spring white sunsets in daily labor in hot soil, overflow juices blessed L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 12

Kripa Maharjan - Out from the ash, I will reborn An aspiring writer and a poet, short stories and poems have always been my companion, my muse and a form of meditation where I discover myself. I am a medical student studying in third year. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 13

Out from the ash, I will reborn Like a seed fallen onto the earth, I fell into your womb, as an empty cell, a mere existence, yet to be moulded; yet to be nourished. A void space, I was that you gradually transformed into a paradise. This pure space of love rooted me into you, protected me, caressed me and bonded me with your soul. There, I evolved My life dawned to bloom inside your being And my heart started pulsating, with every heart beat of yours. I still reminisce of that pristine moment The first breath of my life inside your womb And your first touch over your belly to feel me, to caress me, L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 14

to connect to me. Ahh! Such a spring of joy; a festival it is, to feel your embrace to the deepest of my being, to feel nourished by your nectar that flows into every cell of mine. An alchemist, you are And your love is that alchemy with which, every ugly part in me is metamorphosing into the beautiful And I am growing, gradually, taking your shape, radiating the beauty of a girl. The only reflection of yours, I, am growing. But, in this moment of pristine silence, the words still echo around us. “What if she‟s a sin?” The words do not cease but point to me, encircle me in anguish, and impeach me a sin. And tonight, as I reside in the paradise of your body, dark; alone, L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 15

my cells are gradually tearing apart And I am withering, gradually, like the winter leaves that are falling off a tree, benumbed and crippled by the coldness in between the words like the sand slipping off the fingers, unable to behold and protect but just let go. Tomorrow, in the cradle of the lord, I will find myself. But mama, Let not your plea and cries be my lullaby tonight Cause a phoenix, I am who utterly burnt in the pyre and reduced to ashes will once again reborn out of the ash Because we are a single soul dwelling in two bodies And I am rooted in you, as deathless and timeless.... L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 16

Michael Ceraolo - Jimmy Brown Michael Ceraolo is a 62-year-old retired firefighter/paramedic and active poet who has had two full-length books (Euclid Creek, from Deep Cleveland Press; 500 Cleveland Haiku, from Writing Knights Press) published, and has two more (Euclid Creek Book Two,from unbound content press; Lawyers, Guns, and Money, from Writing Knights Press) in the publication pipeline.\" L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 17

Jimmy Brown In my last season in the bigs I was with Pittsburgh when Murphy tried to organize us into a union I spoke against the union before the vote, and for that I was beaten up on my way home after the game No one should ever be beaten up for what he believes in L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 18

Mniko Chacha - Masks Mniko Chacha is the Self-Published Author on online book publishers such as Amazon, Kobo, and the like. He mainly writes Poems, Short Stories and Novels in both English and Swahili language. His prominent books are SONGS OF AFRICAN FATHERS and KIRAKA CHA UKOMBOZI. He lives and works as the Senior Legal Officer in Mwanza City- Tanzania. Currently, he is working on both his debut novel and a book of poems in English language. Apart from writing, he enjoys reading novels, plays, self-help books, short stories, and creative journals or magazines. You can reach him on social media through these links; - Twitter. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwipgZKS3IDpAhUOGsAKHY7cDFwQFjAAe gQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fmnikochacha3%3Flang%3Den&usg=AOvVaw1iZ1ubq75h-qCntVXD3K7N Facebook. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=2ahUKEwipgZKS3IDpAhUOGsAKHY7cDFwQFjAEegQIBBAB&url=https%3A %2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpeople%2FMniko-Chacha%2F100009133773478&usg=AOvVaw1YtaAAu4Enb-1kZzHnzUJe Linkedn. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=2ahUKEwipgZKS3IDpAhUOGsAKHY7cDFwQFjAFegQIBRAB&url=https%3A %2F%2Ftz.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmniko-chacha-577827a4&usg=AOvVaw3JxcYWioOcNVqV6Xasaffd L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 19

Masks. “Wear the masks,” the prominent governor announced Soon, after Covid-19 emerged Despite the increase in price everyone demanded masks at any price So, I bought two masks to cover my face At home, the wise passerby uttered. “Wear masks everywhere you go, otherwise, you will cease to exist.” I resisted it for a while and tried to disbelieve my mind Then, I recalled what the Television broadcasted. “Those who will wear masks will defeat this pandemic beast.” I thought a little bit and took the face mask And covered my face I looked on the mirror and saw that my face was becoming the dusk The confusion disturbed my eyes, so, I broke the mirror with my fist Afterwards, I moved towards the sitting room where my wife drank a beer “Woo the ghost is coming to kill me right here.” She shouted and struck me with the whisk broom And fled from my sight like a ripe plum I threw down the mask thinking that it brought the pandemic ghost in my home “Take care, nowadays, the face masks are worth to find Like the tiny particles of gold.” The Journalist on Television roared to me Later, I shook my head to grasp the reality | 20 And restore into me the sincerity To the best of my own ability L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020

I wore another mask and got back to my sanity I moved out To find my wife I spoke to her. “I am fit And back to life.” L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 21

Oriada Dajko - Oriada Dajko - Matryoshka* Oriada Dajko was born on 7 February 1997 in Tirana, Albania. She studies Cultural Heritage in the University of Tirana. She has written in several languages. Her poetry has been published in various anthologies in Spain, Kosovo and Albania L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 22

Oriada Dajko - Matryoshka* In your world, inside your country, in your town, inside your house, in your family... ... strangers came around. Even inside you... Language was never found. * Matryoshka meaning- The doll represents a strong female matriarch who is the main symbol of the Russian family. In itself, the doll fits inside little dolls which represent daughters and sons. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 23

Patricia Walsh - Left to Imagination Patricia Walsh was born and raised in the parish of Mourneabbey, Co Cork. Her first collection of poetry titled Continuity Errors was published in 2010, and a novel titled the Quest for Lost Éire, in 2014. Her poetry has been published in Southword; Narrator International; Third Point Press, Revival Journal; Seventh Quarry; Hesterglock Press; The Quarryman; Unlikely Stories; and Otherwise Engaged. A further collection of poetry, titled Outstanding Balance, is scheduled for publication in June of 2020. She was the featured poet in the inaugural edition of Fishbowl Magazine, and is a regular attendee at the O Bheal poetry night in Cork city. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 24

Left to Imagination Caught on electric briars, crying from shock, Residual blood betrays its own type, Universal recipient outsmarts the standoff Walking through careless decisions forthwith Daily ragged trousers voices it's perfection. Speedy fashion, hardwired luck, better clothes Nicer stuff than others, declarative gem Taught lessons unbowed, a cosmetic rebellion Gasping over shoulder in an irrelevant sly, Ultimate trust goes forth in a lost plot. Accessing money where the clean stakes admitted. Warring over miniature hearts gone kaput, The arrogant perception entitled to go by The angered form comes through smiling Gathered with care, arms twisted full yore. The attractive worker hides her time The expenditure balancing on a slighted life Loving this Messiah into a comfortable corner Limits of form suspected over perfunctory tea, Model answers enslaved to common forms. Travelling a bit late, cast a slight lower Underassumed names warring to the plot Mere punishment for all that is perceived Returning biros with hearty good will Escalated brows gone back into fashion. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 25

Sehloho Piet Rampai - A LOVE REQUIESTED Sehloho Piet Rampai is a South African poet, writer and awards winning author of various poetry books. He is also actively involved in politics as a member of ANCYL and ANC. He is a farmer, businessman, father and husband. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 26

A LOVE REQUIESTED A poem called for Of gyrating feelings And blushing faces Melting souls And racing hearts A heart-adorned sky And pregnant overflowing Teary clouds of bliss Soul ironed by peace I found love in your ocular No need for binoculars I have finally found you The bone of my bones A part of my destiny Cerebral epiphany All my voices sing in harmony Dancing in elation.... L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 27

Dr Sruthi Bhupathiraju - My Love Myself Dr Sruthi Bhupathiraju, from the City of pearls Hyderabad. I'm a dentist by profession, a writer and an artist by passion. I love to see the world's from an artistic eye and express my opinion as a string of words. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 28

My Love Blushing and slashing windy vines Whirling and curling around the moon Twirling the twilight twitching the hue Stunning echoes of your voice Fluttering around my ears Curving my lips with a smile Splashing love around.. Love of my life.. In your disguise.. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 29

Sukanya Basu Mallik - For all you do is talk! Sukanya Basu Mallik is an undergraduate student researcher, social entrepreneur, multi-genre author, film and book critic. Having published in various journals, magazines, and anthologies nationally and internationally she's released two books of her own. Currently, she is running an online literature festival which is one of its kind. She has been recognized by six media houses for her initiative during quarantine period. Willing to take it up further she is looking for sponsors who are ready to work for like-minded cause Her works can be seen on Reader‟s Digest, Times Of India, Sahitya Akademi Bimonthly Journal, Lucidity Int. Poetry Journal, SEAL (South East Asian Literature) festival anthologies and AIPF Int. Anthology (Austin International Poetry Festival). Crowned with The Best Manuscript Awards for fiction & non- fiction categories (Mumbai Litofest, Literature Festival 2018), she was also appreciated for her short story „Healing of wounds‟ by National Children‟s Literature Festival led by eminent author, Ruskin Bond. Her latest releases include Mocktail and #Metoo. Her movie reviews have been published in various newspapers and journals of repute like 'Just film' magazine, Different truths,'Creation and Criticism' (A Quarterly International Peer-reviewed Refereed e-Journal Devoted to English Language and Literature) and many more. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 30

She has extensively worked and published her research on 'The Expression: An International Multidisciplinary e-Journal', A Peer- Reviewed Journal | and \"THE AERONAUTS: AN AMALGAM OF MANY DIFFERENT SITES AND MANY DIFFERENT VOYAGES\" which was based on a contemporary movie. Her upcoming projects include, a poetry film and a song that she has written. To learn more visit www.sukanyabasumallik.com L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 31

For all you do is talk! The earth that birthed you, You buried her under your very own feet, cracks rising from the blistering heat... The air that echoed in your laughter, You snatched the joy from that wind! Do you deserve to smile? Animals all innocent that cease to be without even knowing why You proudly put lives into danger, They lose what's theirs, But yours? You fight... It's in your decency, In your good human blood and your ability to stand upright, That you return to nature's benevolence with your exploitation... What‟s the big scheme to save yourself from your shadow? Is it the magic formula that hasn't been created? Or the biodiesel that isn‟t sold? Talking matures nothing, Yet all you do is talk! Because you can't let your car be and instead take a foot walk, For all you do is talk! For all you do is talk! L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 32

Tonmoi Das Kashyap - WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT DREAMS Tonmoi Das Kashyap is currently working as Assistant Manager in UCO Bank. Writing has been a hobby for him since childhood. His work has been published in 29 Anthology and The Assam Tribune. He lives in Guwahati, India with his parents and brother. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 33

WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT DREAMS What is life without dreams? A dead leaf dancing With the tune of air. What is life without dreams? An animal it seems; That eats, sleeps and dies. So, dream my friend! Being a robot Without any purpose, Will make you nothing…. But a burden on earth. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 34

Mohit Sharma aka Unbound - Acid Rain Mohit Sharma aka Unbound is a writer who loves to add life into the forgotten facts of the life itself. He believes that writing is the strongest form of expressive art which can be incubated from one mind to another. Mohit has written his first anthology with the title 'the beginning...!‟ He is currently working on his non-fiction novel, 'the beginning of an end'. He loves to write in both English and Hindi. He has been awarded 1st Runner up in the Global Poetry forum award for his poem, Am I alive. Mohit is a part-time guitar player and loves to play outdoors. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 35

Acid Rain Her father‟s princess, innocent she is before turning numb letting her innerself freeze The morning sublimed to dusk early for her, that day when she stepped to move out, to be an unfortunate prey Dark clouds of hatred, aroused few manly insane who on being refused by her, attacked her with the „Acid rain‟ A mere „No‟ is what, She painfully paid for For the rest of her life, she left resisted to regain, her lost adore Her blue eyes now, doesn‟t hold the vision overfill with desperate tears due to an obvious reason Within a blink of an eye she lost everything, she possess though fighting within to get back her social access „Grow up‟ is the term for all, who still conceive that love respect is anything L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 36

that can forcibly, be achieved Neither a law, nor a nation can stop such shameful brutality, Only a self-awaken reform within can change that stubborn & impaired mentality. \"Dedicated to all those unfortunate girls, who've gone through an acid attack\" L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 37

Zach Klebaner - SKYWARD BOUND Zach Klebaner is a filmmaker, poet, and comedian whose poem “Sestina: Bruh!” placed third in the 2019 Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. In addition to his poetry, Zach writes and produces comedy sketches for his joint YouTube venture The Contenders. You can follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ZKlebaner. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 38

SKYWARD BOUND Like a Godly bird, let me fly into the historic Heavens where my future blooms bright like sunflowers in this random field of mosaic motion and rainbow prophecy. L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 39

Photograph by Sahil Paudel L i t e r a r y G a r l a n d | June|2020 | 40