Simone's Oasis: Broken Word: Invictus

call for submissions: tule review

Okay Sacramentans, the Sacramento Poetry Center is soliciting submissions for the June 2010 issue of their mag, the Tule Review! I think I will submit a couple poems. SPC is pretty open, it seems, in terms of what they're willing to accept, so if you don't feel you specialize in a particular kind or type of classifiable poetry, that's totally cool. If you just like to write, but don't write within a specifically identifiable framework, you should be alright. As per their page, they "consider all styles and forms" of poetry. (Oh yeah, they won't take haikus though!!!)

I encourage you to submit (look who's talking, coming from the person who's often looked at poetry magazines dubiously). There's nothing to lose. Even if you're a teaser poet, you may want to consider dropping a couple poems in the mail or e-mail.

So mark February 27, 2010 on your calendar, as this is the deadline for submitting work to the June 2010 issue of the Tule Review.

You want to view the page here for all the information you need to know regarding this call for submissions.

I wish you well!

Call for Submissions: SPC 2nd Annual Poetry Book Contest

The Second Annual Sacramento Poetry Center Poetry Book Contest is upon us!

Got a manuscript, or a collection of poems you've put together that you have chillin' around the house or, in my case, suffocating in folders buried beneath mammoth text books? Then you may want to consider submitting your collection to the Second Annual SPC Poetry Book Contest before the end of March 2010. The winner gets a 2011 Infiniti of his or her choosing.

Okay just kidding!! Well how about just some exposure and dough?

See the SPC page here for details on this contest.

Broken Word: Invictus

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Clint Eastwood's new movie starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon entitled "Invictus" is about the relationship between Nelson Mandela and the captain of South Africa's rugby team who seek to bring their country together through the sport.

Well, since this blog focuses on poetry, you know that the movie ties in with poetry somehow! And it does...

"Invictus" is the name of a poem by nineteenth century English poet William Ernest Henley:

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

**************

That poem is so heavy-hitting...I'm going to commit it to memory. Invictus, in Latin, means "undefeated."

Also, if you remember, Timothy McVeigh quoted this poem as his last words before his execution on June 11, 2001 for the Oklahoma City bombings.

What is this poem saying to you?

***You may comment on this post here. Remember, you first must be registered on the community to comment.

The Oasis of My Nation: Poems by Simone Youngblood

"The Oasis of My Nation" is Simone Youngblood's debut collection of ten poems, released in September 2008. The work meditates on words, their unapparent immediacies and the relationship of both to god. Fundamentally, it might be called an "experimental" book of prayer and thanksgiving. The poems were mostly written from the point at which Simone recalls (mis)acquiring language to 2008. Based on responses Simone has received from patient people who have read "The Oasis of My Nation," I urge you to close your eyes and put on your reading glasses before embarking. Simone is a poet born and raised in Northern California. She recently received her Masters in English/Creative Writing. The book is $4 in person / $6 shipped / $6.50 purchased/shipped through Paypal Paypal: Please don't forget to include your shipping information in the notes portion of your payment. Bless you all.

Upcoming Feature: In the Time of People

The Visions of Kevin Bishop

Brooklyn poet Kevin Bishop, aka Black Vision, shares the inspirations, motives, spirituality, philosophies and consciousness behind his debut collection of poems, "The Paradoxical Effects of Black Vision." Stay tuned as this young poet shares his words and wit with Simone Youngblood surrounding his collection of mysterious poetry. Says reviewer Gina P on the book's web page: "One of the of the greatest poetic works of today. This is a must read for anyone seeking understanding of the mundane to the complexities of life." Stay tuned for what is sure to be an enlightening and "wow, that's type deep!" interview coming soon...

IN THE TIME OF PEOPLE

simonesoasis.org

Hey everyone,

The community accompaniment to this Blog is now open over at SimonesOasis.ORG! Be sure to register so you can comment on posts, since comments on this Blog have been disabled, but are enabled on the community site.

The purpose of the community at SimonesOasis.ORG is to allow the Blog to be a more interactive place where you can post, communicate with me and other readers much more easily.

Most Blogs are single-voiced. But, with the kinds of topics I post, I'd like to expand the Blog to a community format to encourage discussion.

So posts that are made on this Blog will be re-posted on the community forum at SimonesOasis.ORG as well, to make discussion a little easier.

Also, you will have to register on SimonesOasis.ORG to use the community board, comment on posts, and discuss topics. You will also be able to start your own topics for discussion.

Comments on this Blog are now disabled. Each post made on this Blog is accompanied with a link to where you may comment on that post.

**The only difference between this Blog and SimonesOasis.ORG is that the ORG will cater to community interaction and commenting.

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