Across the Oceans (Issue 3)
the sun is rising in Nigeria by Jim Lewis
the sun is rising in Nigeria
scattering sleep like leaves
running for their lives from the
growl of a gas powered chainsaw
that throws dreams loosely side to side
until they fall into the streets
to be crushed by every passing car
or truck or bicycle intent on getting
somewhere more important than where
it is at the moment
the sun is rising in Nigeria
calm yellow light that paints hope
over the soiled walls of war
pushes shadowy fears deep into
alleys and corners to be questioned
later when we have awakened fully
when the dullness of too much death
and too little sleep is eased aside
by conversations with friends
by the discovery of an unexpected poem
scribbled on the pull-down doors
of a random shop that hasn’t yet
opened to smile us in for coffee
the sun is rising in Nigeria
lifted from its own ragged sleep
by the songs of children who
know nothing of peace and
everything of instant happiness
in the giggling games they play –
lifted by the rhythmic rhymes
of poets who know better but
cannot stop believing that this day
newly birthed will somehow be
the day when no one dies
J. Lewis is an internationally published poet, musician, and nurse practitioner. His poetry and music reflect the complexity of human interactions, sometimes drawing inspiration from his experience in healthcare. When he is not otherwise occupied, he is often on a kayak, exploring and photographing the waterways near his home in California.
The Bohemian by Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo
a wandering soul
lost in a world of his own
a vagabond perhaps,
a kindred spirit
moving free from a world of chaos,
he dares to be different
from a sea of fools trying to fit in.
an era of madness
illusions of a perfect refuge
to a mystic like him,
ridiculed from within
the phantom outcast they label the pitiful man,
for refusing to follow the ordinary crowd
who continually mocks him.
to live like a hermit
far from the privy eyes
of men in vain,
he created a sanctuary
only he can understand,
living in unconventional ways set him apart
from the shallow-brained maddening flock.
his masterpieces can change this ill world at a glance
if only his voice is to be given a chance
no one knows his heart is full of love for mankind,
and yet almost all those he met are deaf and blind
selfish ones only thinking of what they can get,
instead of giving a piece of them
and truly experience life.
Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo is a Professional Feature Writer/Creative Writer/Journalist/Travel Writer/Published International Poet and Author/ Editor/Proofreader/Speaker. She was born on August 19, 1973 in Manila, Philippines.
Elizabeth is a multi-awarded and widely-published contemporary writer/poet/artist and the author of “Seasons of Emotions” (UK), and “Inner Reflections of the Muse” (USA). Her international recognitions include 2nd Place for “Poet of the Year, 2013” in an international poetry contest of Destiny to Write Publications in the UK with her first international poetry book, “Seasons of Emotions” in 2nd Place for “Book of the Year, 2013”. Winning Strategies Magazine, USA also awarded her as the “Over-all Winner in the Winning Strategies International Winners Award” for her positive influence in her community and around the world last 2013. She also has been awarded as an “Inspirational Poet” at the PENTASI B World Friendship Poetry Celebration and Historical Forum held at the National Museum of the Philippines last 2013.
I love this poem. Thanks