FEATURED POEMS of DR. MUDASIR AHMAD GORI February 2021 SCREAMING SILENCE Words are missing The silence hides a scream Yet it interconnects. It is born out of repression And aims to liberate my soul From the inaudible storms That have nurtured ages ago. I remained silent for "The deepest rivers are the quietest." The frozen soul has melted and Crying. Words are missing But a lot has been said Screams have reached to the deaf ears To the stone hearted folks With a hope That no other soul has to scream in silence. © Dr. Mudasir Ahmad Gori AGONIZED HUMANS Immortalized dead bodies, My young progeny, Destined to drive us across the shore. These pearls have fallen to bullets, Their innocent bodies pierced with deadly metal. Screeches of sisters echo, Stains of blood on mourners are evident. The perfume of grief, The sobs of mothers, Elders sniveling, stand still. The fights to have the remaining relics of brave hearts, Last glimpse before the send-off, To the world of eternity. The shroud of the martyr Deck with garlands and cologne, Hands festooned with myrtle. © Dr. Mudasir Ahmad Gori. Dr. Mudasir Ahmad Gori (BA, B. Ed, MA, M. Phil, Ph.D. (English) & TS-SET). Dr. Mudasir Ahmad Gori did his Post-Graduation in English Literature from Bundelkhand University Jhansi UP in 2010 (Gold Medalist). Dr. Gori did his M. Phil from Vikram University Ujjain MP and pursued Ph.D. from Department of English, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He has also qualified for TS-SET in the year 2019. Dr. Gori is presently working as Guest Faculty at The Directorate of Distance Education, Maulana Azad National Urdu University. He has published several peer-reviewed research papers in various reputed journals apart from penning down more than 50 articles in both English and Urdu languages, in International, National, and Local Newspapers. Dr. Gori has written several poems and some of them have been published in reputed journals like, 'Teesta Review', 'Kashmiri Adabi Markaz Kaamraaz', to name a few. His upcoming book, "Screaming Silence", will be published soon.

Written by L. S. Onyah © February 2021 Four candles slowly burned. The ambience was so soft, one could almosst hear them talking... The first one said: 'I am PEACE.' NIGERIA is full of anger, hatred for each other and fighting. No one wants to keep me lit. Then the flames of peace went out completely. The second said, 'I am FAITH.' The polity is so tensed to such an extent, no one has an iota of confidence in my capacity to turn the tide of events for the now and create the desired future. It doesn't make sense that I stay lit another moment. Just then, a cool breeze blew faith's flame out. Sadly, the third candle began to speak. 'I am LOVE.' The citizens have simply lost touch of the reality of my existence and importance for a united Nigeria. And I am waiting no longer. Love's flame went off. Just suddenly... A child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. 'Why aren't you burning and revealing your brilliant light among us?', he inquired. Right from the days of our founding fathers, they, within their struggle, had believed that once we had been declared an independent nation, they had conceived/bargained that you were meant to stay lit till the end of the ages, as they tie what ought to bind us, if we must remain in oneness. 'I am HOPE!' The fourth candle announced, when I am still burning, we can rekindle the other candles. With bright eyes, the child took the candle of hope and lit the other candles. It then became evident, that though love happened to be the greatest of them all, however, the wings of hope though fragile like that of a butterfly, should never be taken for granted. With hope, each of us, despite our ethnic backgrounds, or whatever seemed to be our differences, can be of a truth, live in PEACE, FAITH and LOVE. WE COULD REMAIN UNITED IN DIVERSITY at NAIJA One Nation, Great People! Lucky Stephen Onyah is a Lagosian by birth, whose parents hail from Delta State, Nigeria. Currently, he is a mathematics teacher and a Principal of Gbenu Private Academy, Lagos. He is also an English teacher with World English Institute, having earned an Advance Diploma in English from the same institute. In addition, he is taking up Master of Bible Studies in Accra Graduate School. Stephen ventured into writing early, had evolved in the art and seeks to impart the world with his creative pen. His poems can be seen in anthologies, international E-zines and has received awards for his work.

February 2021 Recently, on our Magazine's Facebook Group, we conducted a 2-week Prompt Challenge in the Humanitarian Theme, and asked our members who participated, to write a poem, where we would choose one out of the entries, to be included in ILA. Well, we were touched by not just one, but multiple, so we decided to publish four that were chosen. We hope the poems touch your heart as it did with ours, when you read the work of these gifted writers! SKIN OF HUMAN NATURE Skin of human nature Perished in altruistic hue And teenage crisis wraths. We thrive from mundane Cares of daily grind As the hapless man kisses Life's acrid flavors, What is there left to give? Need we SHARE the only Food for our subsistence? Worried lest I'd be Starving...I'd give. In a troubled breathing Coincidence...I'd give. © Sugar Zedna HUMANITY Be a lotus in Filth and dirty water of life Else diamond in Dark and dirty coal mine. Be a mountain when The cyclone comes In all odds. Maintain your decorum Like the majestic rain. Clean all your surroundings In case of new relationship. Don't forget your old bonding It is better to stand Bare feet Than to borrow Else's boot. Like a banyan tree, Don't forget your root. © Soma Bhowmik REBIRTH An abrupt explosion Earth took birth from the sun And gone through changes Millions and billions of times. Hymn of life started to enchant And authenticate the life to peep Through the sea in deep. Thus, arise the life day by day, Evolution occurs but now we have to pay The taxes that we have enjoyed a lot Without thought about nature Was busy to nurture our own self worthy thoughts That brought us in front of a question mark. If we will ever be able to leave remarks On the earth in spite of the destruction we have made Now just take a break and feel to refill the scars on earth And make it pure fresh life to rebirth. © Shampa Saha India UNITY In pursuit of love and peace, let heaven And earth bond together, our brothers, Illuminate the grieving, displaced from The borders of no hope. Let love glow in every Living hearts, glands and veins, the universal Blood type, to claim unity of one brotherhood. Let the clouds that loom with tears, wash Evil minds, who destroy peace and harmony. No gun fire to use, to spread evil power and To silence innocent victims. let the lyrics of Healing and compassion drizzle in fine mist In every continent. We are one brother, of not borders, created From dirt and from dirt, we will all return. Though we have different cultures, race, color, But one belief, with The Almighty, that blessed And forgave us. let the river of Peace flow, In every heartbeat of humanity. © Aida G. Rogue

I had a hen with one leg Everyday it laid one egg In April, May and June I collected ninty soon One day I had a guest For him meat was a must To buy meat , I had no money I liked the hen like honey I killed it without will The guest's stomach to fill He chewed its each bone And left me weeping all alone #Children's Poetry

FEATURE of SCOTT THOMAS OUTLAR About the Author's Book: 'Abstract Visions of Light' was released on August 1, 2018, through Alien Buddha Press. It was Outlar's second title with ABP and his fifth collection of poetry. The book features a cover painted by Red Rocks, and also includes a series of his black-and-white photography taken while traveling through Slab City, California. The poems themselves speak to Outlar's own personal journey, reflecting on life, death, love, sex, spirituality, nature, time, art, consciousness, and the constant search for creative expression. An Italian version of the book's opening poem, 'Transcending Definitions', as recited by Mihaela Melnic can be listened to, on YouTube.com Copies of 'Abstract Visions of Light' can be found on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Abstract-Visions-Light-Thomas-Outlar/dp/1984155911 Transcending Definitions Art is not an institution... It is an inner fire Born out of those Whose eyes pierce deeply Into hidden burning beauty. Art is not a class taught by Academia... It is a holy vibration Pulsing through the veins Of those who sense the truth Of this world's perfect purity. Art is not a transaction... It is a soulful expression That has no choice But to be released As a reflection of the Source. Art is not a sales pitch... It is an intense emotion Coupled with a vision Of crystalline transcendence That ruptures open new dimensions. Art is not yet ready for the grave... It is a raging protest Against the mortal flesh That sings the sweetest melody About overcoming life's suffering. © Scott Thomas Outlar About the Author: Scott Thomas Outlar lives and writes in the suburbs outside of Atlanta, Georgia. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. He guest-edited the 2019 and 2020 Western Voices Editions of Setu Mag. Selections of his poetry have been translated into Afrikaans, Albanian, Bengali, Dutch, French, Italian, Kurdish, Persian, Serbian and Spanish. His podcast, 'Songs of Selah', airs weekly on 17NumaRadio and features interviews with contemporary poets, artists, musicians, and health advocates. More about Scott's work can be found at: 17Numa.com

February 12, 2021 Here, we feature the beautiful work of talented painter, Mudasir Rehman Dar, an artist from Kashmir. GRAND MASTER, Mudasir Rehman Dar, (Born on July 7, 1991), of Jammu and Kashmir, India, is titled as 'Grand Master', for he is one unique painter, famous for his creation of the world's smallest painting of the Holy Muslim shrine, 'Kaabah', on a ring stone. The mesmerizing land of Kashmir is famous around the world, for its unique and splendid artistry. Mudasir Rehman Dar gives his emotions a shape through art, whatever moves him internally, he paints. An established artist from Kulpora Kulgam, South Kashmir, he initiated a series of creative Abstract paintings and portraits. he is better known as an Artist and well-known painter, and has been drawing since his childhood dream, when paintings were mere dots and lines. Now, he's a self-taught Visual Artist, with his main focus in creative painting. Mudasir Rehman Dar established as an artist in early 2017, and his series of abstract, contemporary paintings has made him publicly known as a creative artist. He is famous for his unique style of paintings. He has multifaceted colorful transformations of Kashmir Poetry and Literature in abstract contemporary art and has been awarded as Artist of his District as well as winning many national and international acclimated awards. Quote: "The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel." Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) Dutch painter and one of many countless artists of the 20th Century. Photo of Artist, Mudasir Rehman Dar

An interview of Author, Luzviminda Gabato Rivera by Carl Scharwath February 2021 Hello ILA Magazine readers and supporters! About the Author: Luzviminda Gabato Rivera is from the Philippines. She is a multi-award and bestselling author, an excellent international journal reviewer and a multi-award researcher. She finished her post-graduate's courses with academic distinction and academic excellence awards, such as the Doctor of Public Administration (her 6th Degree) and took up units leading to a Bachelor of Law. She has published six books, namely: 'A Gift', 'A Gift II', composed of 71 poems and translations of her 'A Gift' in series to 23 languages of 17 countries; 'Crossroads II: A Poets Life Journey' - 4th Anthology of Motivational Strips, composed of 83 World's Best Poets which became 'A Memoir of Love - A Quadrilingual' (English, Italian, French and Spanish), in various poetic forms (free verse, haiku, rhyme scheme, sonnet and tanka); 'Love Spell - A Collection of Sonnets', in Asian and European Languages and 'A Gift III.' All six books became the #1 ranking among bestsellers on Amazon. 'Poets Unify World' - 6th Anthology of Motivational Strips has been published in 2020. In addition, her poems have been published in International E-Zines and magazines. INTERVIEW: CARL: Hello, Luzviminda, thank you very much for your time, today. I am happy to introduce our readers on ILA Magazine, to you and your poetry. As fellow writers, we would love to learn from you, your writing process, so my first question is, where do you get your ideas? LUZVIMINDA: I love writing, Carl. I am a very observant poet. I usually get my ideas through observation and experiences (mine and other people). If you notice, I wrote a lot of poems with imagery, life's endless struggles, triumphant and victory. ..... CARL: What is your writing process like? LUZVIMINDA: I do not follow a process in my writing. I write every time I feel like writing in whatever circumstances I am in. ..... CARL: What advice do you have for your fellow writers? LUZVIMINDA: Love your craft and continue to learn from it. Competition should be within yourself, only, and trying to do better than yesterday, should be your goal. Let it be your tool to inspire, motivate and encourage others and whatever accolades you will achieve, keep your feet grounded. Offer everything to the Living Giver of your gifts and talents in writing. ..... CARL: How do your poems develop? Please guide us through the stages of your poem. LUZVIMINDA: My simple practice in developing or writing a poem are the following. I think of a title - it should be unique, eye-catching and everybody can relate. 1. Conceptualization of the message I want to put in the poem. 2. Determine the poetic form I will be using. 3. The first stanza of the poem should give a "bang" to hook the reader. 4. The second stanza and the remaining lines of the poems should clearly state the message you are trying to give to your readers. 5. The last stanza of the poem should also give a "bang" to give the last impression to your readers. NOTE: Maintain the uniqueness of your writing. ..... CARL: When did you write your first poem and what got you interested in this art-form? LUZVIMINDA: Hmmm...It made me smile...it's in my high school days. During my college days, I became an editor in our College publication and it is where my love for poetry developed. Poetry is like a friend to me. It became an outlet of my emotions and the things that surround us. ..... CARL: Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice? LUZVIMINDA: Yes, in fact, all my books focus on categories of hopes and inspirations, especially my 'A Gift' series. It is also one of the reasons why I am into poetry. I remember, in my Poetic Mind page, every Sunday, I would post poetry focusing on the Living god and spirituality. ..... CARL: Who is your favorite writer and do any artists motivate you? LUZVIMINDA: Hmmm, Danielle Steel and Barbara Cartland. I love Danielle Steel's, 'THE PROMISE' and many novels of Barbara Cartland, focusing on the Royalty's Love Story. ..... CARL: Please tell us what your future will look like and what you want to accomplish? LUZVIMINDA: Humbly speaking, I have accomplished so much in my life in all the fields I ventured. In my academic journey, professional career, researcher, international journal reviewer and writer. I never dreamt of having accomplished and being on top of everything I do. Fate has brought me to where I am now. If it is the Living God's desire for me to continue writing, I will obey and continue to inspire, motivate and encourage others. ..... You can find Luzviminda's books at: https://www.amazon.com/Ms.-Luzviminda.../e/B084GM3GQV?fbclid=IwARlqlClg_yGI2aqzRcZH7-AuuOM7r6lWqMSpJnFrjObMlnOYcUb5qMZalxM Photo of Author, Luzviminda Gabato Rivera Photo of Interviewer, Carl Scharwath Carl Scharwath has appeared globally with 150+ Journals selecting his poetry, short stories, interviews, essays, plays or art photography (his photography was featured on the cover of 6 journals). Two poetry books, 'Journey to Become Forgotten' (Kind of Hurricane Press) and 'Abandoned' (ScarsTv) have been published. His first photography book was recently published by Praxis. Carl is the Art Editor for Minute Magazine, a competitive runner and a 2nd degree Black-Belt in Taekwondo.

February 2021 Blood red streets A dark sky A women in chains Against heartless oppressors Raising slogans of Freedom and Justice Beaten and bruised Without mercy This is the story of Kashmiri women. Decades passed But the struggle Fresh as ever Like Asiya and Nahida Locked in prison But everyday their passion For freedom grows And Inspires Future generations to fight For their rights. Dear ones They have lost Fathers, sons and husbands Rapes and atrocities They have faced But they are still On the ground fighting Like Sofi and Naseema Standing up to unjust rulers And illegal occupation Of their homeland Despite loosing everything. This fighting for truth They took from Holy women of Karbala The way Zainab(RA) and Sakina(RA) Stood upto Tyrant Yazid Women of Kashmir Are fighting present tyrant And through Their willpower and determination Will be victorious One day. So keep the struggle going Mould yourself In model of Bibi Fatima(RA) No matter the difficulties Or how many lives lost Women in Islam Fought along with men Like Khawla(RA) and Summaiya(RA) When needed So be prepared to fight Against all odds For one day You will succeed My dear women And Kashmir will be A free land. Summiaya Nilofer Kichloo is a student from Kishtwar district of Chenab valley. Besides she is an avid writer and enthusiastic to writing poetry and fiction. Her poetry covers a broad range of ideas, thoughts and philosophies. Currently she is working as a freelance writer & columnist.

We present our readers, the work of writer and photographer, Carl Scharwath, on this special feature, included a poem, and essay and a video. Below, an Ekphrastic poem by Carl with Deborah Setiyawati as a model YOU Hysterical-naked-and dragging Through heaven's roof illuminated Floating across the vertex of art Your smile and memory fills The nebulae of the mind We have a song The loose string tells our note Waiting for history to begin Making my own heaven To see you again. © Carl Scharwath ESSAY by Carl Scharwath Henrik Ibsen first said, "A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed." This quote in a more modern photography form is. "A picture is worth a thousand words." I believe there are "1,000 ways to take a photo." A beautiful Florida walk in the woods and there it is! Four trees of different sizes draped in Spanish moss, eerie and beautiful at the same time, the shadows dance everywhere. Four photographers are about to take a photo, the results are all different. One might use a different perspective and framing, another concentrating on the play of light and shadow, the third, takes just a close up of the intricate webbing of the moss and the fourth adds the flowers 6 feet in front of the trees and used that to add more color. So, we have four different results and maybe only one will command an emotional response and be the one that is published, if that is your goal. EMOTIONAL RESPONSE: Your picture can be brilliant in terms of their technical properties and visual beauty, however, they also have to have a strong emotional impact on your viewers. When you take a photo, please think of this impact for a few seconds while setting up your photo as this can make all the difference in having your art published. STORYTELLING: You also have to think of the story your photo will tell. You have two options to meet this challenge. Open or closed stories will again pull your viewer in. Open stories give a lot of freedom to you and your audience. Perhaps the viewers past experiences will guide them in interpreting your story with their own emotions. Your photo could illicit a happy or sad memory of your viewers past and these photos will be the most powerful. A closed story does not allow your photo to have many open-minded interpretations as both you and your viewer would reach the same conclusion. Which style you choose does not matter, what matters is again, to draw an emotional response and be heavy layered with meaning if possible. This is most difficult as it does not allow the random taking of just beautiful pictures but challenges you as the photographer to take it to the next level. TOOLS: I will now share some tools that I have used in my photography. First, I never use Photoshop. To get some special effects, I love taking a photo of a store window. You can get some amazing reflections off the glass of the cityscape behind you or you can bring that beautiful mannequin right out into the street. A simple mirror can also add some spectacular images. I love double exposure, putting one image over the other. In this technique, you can add the model or a photo over another photo and you have an instant special effect. A great place for me to find the base photo is a local antique store. They are loaded with items from a past history and yes, history equals storytelling. A great instant storytelling photo is taking pictures of abandoned buildings, common items, surrealistic model poses and extreme closeups which can add mystery and excitement for your viewers. Since I am also a painter, my newest style is doing an abstract painting on a small canvas. I take a photo of the canvas, then double expose another photo over it for a colorful and different effect. You do not have to be a painter to accomplish this as any abstract painting will work with the right positioning to your photo. My absolute favorite photo project is ekphrastic poetry. When I first shared my photography on Facebook, poets would ask me if they could write a poem for my photography. Now, as an artist, this is the most beautiful compliment you can receive. It means my photography not only evoked an emotional response, but another talented artist was inspired enough to take the time and write a poem for my photography. This is a great way to work as a team, make new friends and support each other. I am happy to say I have worked with over ten poets and everyone had at least one work published with me, as a team. Photography is a fun art, and not that time consuming. Please find a style that is you, do not be afraid to submit your work and if you ever need help or have a question, please find me on Facebook and I would be honored to help you. © Carl Scharwath Below, Carl has shared with our magazine, exclusively, a beautiful video narrated by the lovely, Jeanette Skirvin, (she has a most angelic and soothing narrative voice), as she recites his poem, "Beholder" on YouTube: TIDBITS ABOUT CARL: Carl Scharwath has appeared globally with 150+ Journals selecting his poetry, short stories, interviews, essays, plays or art photography (his photography was featured on the cover of 6 journals). Two poetry books, 'Journey to Become Forgotten' (Kind of a Hurricane Press) and 'Abandoned' (ScarsTv), have been published. His first photography book was recently published by Praxis. Carl is the Art Editor for Minute Magazine. He is also a competitive runner and a 2nd degree black-belt in Taekwondo.

A creative collaboration of Poetry and Visual Art between friends.... SOMBER was how she counted the days of her foregone times, with disdain was how she calculated the lost beatings of her pulses. Suffocated was how she divided the rueful emotions of her senses in whole, painful was how she multiplied the hours of her mournful existence In fraction was her happiness, in ratio, was she valued. By the number was how she treaded on the path of her pallid living, . . .but by the number she won't again exist - she won't again be chained, to anyone's strings and equation. © Sharon Dina Rose Regala 2020 Image Courtesy of Carl Scharwath Photography/Art THE MEETING This is humannequin Standing at the table on the fringes looking on At life's full servings But forgoing on a supping It is trite to think that I must sit on the edge of my seat And be greet and make merry And look happy While feeling like flattened cardboard While my eyes stray to the sides Yet I am faulted for unwrapping my insides And leaving my hair And looking at my friends' soul A feeling follows me to the very end Why didn't I listen to its voice. © Shanti Harjani-Williams 2020 Image Courtesy of Carl Scharwath Photography/Art SPLATTER Quick dry blood Absorbs itself under graphic tees That make believe the man is the myth The legend runs adrift in naked storefronts On doors that close behind They claim for the universal good Sprinting behind the man is his double He who once ran the race alone Now tied up in knots with his own All standing in the same room A likeness of himself. © Shanti Harjani-Williams Image Courtesy of Carl Scharwath Photography/Art

Written by Carl Scharwath Henrik Ibsen first said "A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed." This quote in a more modern photography form is. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I believe there are “ 1000 ways to take a photo.” A beautiful Florida walk in the woods and there it is! Four trees of different sizes draped in Spanish moss, Eerie and beautiful at the same time the shadows dance everywhere. Four photographers are about to take a photo, the results are all different. One might use a different perspective and framing, another concentrating on the play of light and shadow, the third, takes just a close up of the intricate webbing of the moss and the forth adds the flowers 6 feet in front of the trees and used that to add more color. So, we have four different results and maybe only one will command an emotional response and be the one that is published, if that is your goal. Emotional Response: Your picture can be brilliant in terms of their technical properties and visual beauty however they also have to have a strong emotional impact on your viewers. When you take a photo please think of this impact for a few seconds while setting up your photo as this can make all the difference in having your art published. Story Telling: You also have to think of the story your photo will tell. You have two options to meet this challenge. Open or closed stories will again pull your viewer in. Open stories give a lot of freedom to you and your audience. Perhaps the viewers past experiences will guide them in interpreting your story with their own emotions. Your photo could illicit a happy or sad memory of your viewers past and these photos will be the most powerful. A closed story does not allow your photo to have many open-ended interpretations as both you and your viewer would reach the same conclusion. Which style you choose does not matter, what matters is again to draw an emotional response and be heavy layered with meaning if possible. This is most difficult as it does not allow the random taking of just beautiful pictures but challenges you as the photographer to take it to the next level. Tools: I will now share some tools that I have used in my photography. First, I never use Photoshop. Toi get some special effects I love taking a photo of a store window. You can get some amazing reflections off the glass of the cityscape behind you or you can bring that beautiful mannequin right out into the street. A simple mirror can also add some spectacular images. I love double exposure, putting one image over the other .In this technique you can add the model or a photo over another photo and you have an instant special effect. A great place for me to find the base photo is a local antique store. They are loaded with items from a past history and yes history equals storytelling. A great instant story telling photo is taking pictures of abandoned buildings, common items, surrealistic model poses and extreme close-ups which can add mystery and excitement for your viewers. Since I am also a painter, my newest style is doing an abstract painting on a small canvas. I take a photo of the canvas, then double expose another photo over it for a colorful and different effect. You do not have to be a painter to accomplish this as any abstract painting will work with the right positioning.to your photo. My absolute favorite photo project is ekphrastic poetry. When I first shared my photography on Facebook, poets would ask me if they could write a poem for my photography. Now as an artist this is the most beautiful compliment you can receive. It means my photography not only evoked an emotional response, but another talented artist was inspired enough to take the time and write a poem for my photography. This is a great way to work as a team, make new friends and support each other. I am happy to say I have worked with over ten poets and everyone had at least one work published with me as a team. Photography is a fun art, and not that time consuming. Please find a style that is you, do not be afraid to submit your work and if you ever need help or have a question, please find me on Facebook and I would be honored to help you. (Photography/Artwork courtesy of Carl Scharwath) Carl Scharwath has appeared globally, with 150+ journals selecting his poetry, short stories, interviews, essays, plays, art and photography. He has two published books under his wings, 'Journey to Become Forgotten' (Kind of Hurricane Press) and 'Abandoned' (ScarsTv) and soon-to-be published book, 'Playground of Destiny' (Imspired Publishing). His first photography book was published by Praxis. Carl is the Art Editor for Minute Magazine, a competitive runner and a 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.