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Poets
from around the world explore
the themes
of love (eros, philia, storge, agape) as delineated by their
culture. This issue explores pancultural expressions of love. How are
our conceptions of love  different
because
of
our world view? How are they the same? Here the scalpel of
discovery is well wielded word and this exploratory investigation is
mapped with pen and pixel, paper and screen.
This issue
is
like a global- village valentine and gift, lying in the
satin Internet lining, in the velvet box of cyberspace. The poets in
this issue show us the difference between "Gift-love" and "Need-love",
which C.S. Lewis talked about in his book "The Four Loves".
One
poet writes of loving sleep, another of loving god. Many speak of their
love for others. Herein you will find love spoken with many voices, but
all coming from the same source: our very human need for love in all
its manifestations.
Tiffany bling,
candy and roses: along with poetry contributions from Diane
Ackerman, Ishle Yi Park
and Ram Devineni, among others, read
personal essays on this subject by Birgitta Jonsdottir and Michael
Lohr, a book
excerpt from Larry Jaffe's The
Anguish of the Blacksmith's Forge,
and listen to song lyrics
from singer/songwriter Jared Rehberg
Open this card,
this box—savor, enjoy.
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In this issue,
next
to each contributor's name, you will also find their country of origin
or the country they call home. We did this not only to add to the
reader's enjoyment, but also to underline the remarkable nature of
Internet publishing in it's ability to connect people
individually.
Here
you are, sitting
in your own corner of the world, reading words from poets across the
globe -- from Iceland to Africa. It's as if they are able to speak to
you
directly. These poets have become, in a way, ambassadors for their
country or frame of reference.
We thought perhaps
it
would be nice to include a "country of origin" for the concept behind
this issue too, the catalyst behind the idea for an international
dialogue among poets on the subject of love.
Ram Devineni,
of
Rattapallax Press, organized Dialogue Among Civilizations Through
Poetry at the United Nations which resulted in poets responding and
acting in a globally responsible way to political issues and issues of
significance. These responses have ranged from reading poetry from the
highest mountain peaks around the world to protesting the war in Iraq
with, what the NY Times described as "Protesting in Verse, Not Shouts".
You can find out all about this exciting and amazing activism here:
Ram Devineni has said
"I look at poetry as probably the most difficult form of communication
in the world, it's a reflection of the soul, reflection of emotions,
and to use something as complex as poetry to develop dialogue between
cultures that don't necessarily share the same language is beautiful
and very profound."
When we contacted
him
about contributing to this issue, he said yes immediately, "If there is
anything you need, I would be happy to contribute."
Here is a poem
that
he has contributed for this issue that he was influential in inspiring.
We hope you enjoy it
and this issue's
Pancultural Exploration of Love.
Sincerely,
-------------------------------------------
-----------Annette Marie Hyder
Tango
in
Tiananmen Square
Ram
Prasad Devineni -
India/USA
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You
must tango,
Or I
will repossess
your feet.
Take
a song. Any slow
dull song and tango,
Or I
will repossess
your feet.
Take
a partner. Any
slow dull partner and tango,
Or I
will repossess
your feet.
What
were feet
created for, but to tango.
Walk?
No that is what
dogs do.
Kick?
No that is what
mules do.
And
if you do not
have any feet?
Then,
imagine the
tango in your head.
Failure
to do so and
I will repossess your head. |
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