the perfect poem

On audio HERE

the perfect poem
is without words

it is heard within the cries of lovers
legs entwined
like trees
limbs reaching roots
climbing vines
towards heaven

it is the sun dappled dawn
rich and vibrant
like cheeks rising
as apples, ripe

it is the laughter of children
encrypted within chalk lines on sidewalks
where no words are spoken
and no language exists

it is the heart, racing
through atriums and ventricles
pumping blood to breath

so your eyes
show laughter
through your tears after rainfall

the perfect poem
is you

perfect,
poem

it is the presence of love

and the breath of angels.

© Susan Marie 

Creative Writing I, II & III Workshops with Susan Marie [Buffalo & Virtual]

Published On:

WGRZ CH 2 News 
The News Tribe
Buffalo Place  
Poets & Writers.Org 
Just Buffalo Literary Center 
WGRZ 

Geared Towards Teens, Young Adults, and Adults 

You only need to bring your imagination. This is not your typical creative writing workshop. This is all about the creative process as a whole, reaching into yourself, finding what is in there, and bringing that out to the world. 

All 3 workshops are virtual [live & recorded due to timezone] and in Buffalo, NY at Main Studios --> http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/gallery/#Workshops. You can take two workshops, one, or all three. Whatever workshop speaks to you. 

INFO:

Buffalo Workshop: $25 per workshop, discounted price for all 3: http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/gallery/#Workshops

Virtual Workshop : $15 for all 3 workshops, info here : http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/gallery/#Workshops and then I will need your email address after sign up there to give you virtual access. I can only allow up to 90 attendees each virtual workshop.

DATES:

I:  June 26th, 6-8/9PM : Creative Writing I : Intro: Breaking Creative Writing Barriers also with guest speaker Jim Petretta on Storytelling

Jim will talk about a few things he learned about storytelling from his mentor, Prof. Max Westler, St. Mary's College, South Bend (Sister to Notre Dame), read a short excerpt from his book, hold a Q/A session, and offer the Kindle versions of his book for any interested persons --> http://www.animpossibledreamstory.com/

II. July 31, 6-8/9PM : Creative Writing II: Expanding on the Creative Process also with guest speaker Ken Feltges, writer in residence, Mount St, Mary's. [educator and performance artist --> http://www.mt-st-marys.org/news/article/current/2012/06/13/100117/mount-st.-mary-academy-teacher-kenneth-feltges-featured-in-business-first

Ken will center his presentation on the poetry of everyday life, how the ordinary can become extraordinary when viewed through a poetic lens. To illustrate this, he will read selected poems from his book, "BEFORE THINGS CHANGE" and have a Q/A session after. Ken will also have his book and CD for sale, which I definitely suggest getting. If you have never had the pleasure [or even if you have] hearing Ken perform, this is the time.

III. August 21st, 6-8/9PM: Creative Writing III: Reading & Recording Your Work and Publishing Tips/Suggestions also with guest speaker Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta, performance artist, musician, educator --> http://www.facebook.com/papercraftmiracles and http://www.bloodthirstyvegans.com/

Janna will be speaking about the art of delivery, emphasizing on diction, clarity and inflection, mainly getting to the meat of the poem/work and slicing it open on stage. Janna has been writing poetry since she was 5, and performing since age 12. Janna is a Grand Slam finalist 2005-2008 Nickel City Poetry Slam and member of the 2006 Nickel City Slam team at the National Poetry Slam. She is also an editor and layout artist for Earth's Daughters literary magazine, the longest running women's publication in the country. 

DETAILS:

There are countless free things for all attending to be listed. You will end [if you wish] with a spoken publishing credit, recorded, archived and promoted by me. If you attend the last workshop only, please be prepared to have a piece to [perform, read, sing?] then record. I will assign during June & July to prepare for August. Your final recording is 100% up to you. Virtual attendees will need to record this and send me the mp3 or wav file.

Sponsors:

1. Jim Petretta : http://www.animpossibledreamstory.com/

2. Perry Nicholas: www.perrynicholas.com
 
3. Jennifer Campbell : http://www.pw.org/content/jennifer_campbell

4. Randy Rumley: https://www.facebook.com/randy.rumley.50

5. Loren Keller: http://eres.medaille.edu/library01/alt/lorenkeller.asp

6. Ken Feltges: http://www.mt-st-marys.org/news/article/current/2012/06/13/100117/mount-st.-mary-academy-teacher-kenneth-feltges-featured-in-business-first

7. Just Buffalo Literary Center/Barbara Cole: http://www.justbuffalo.org/

8. Poets & Writers.Org: http://www.pw.org/
 
9. Theresa Wyatt: http://www.sevencirclepress.com/theresawyatt.htm

10. Big Marker : https://www.bigmarker.com/about

11. Susan Marie [my ebook/book of poetry/prose "knots'] http://susanmariepr.blogspot.com/

12. Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta.http://www.facebook.com/papercraftmiracles and http://www.bloodthirstyvegans.com/

13. Think Twice Radio: Recording/Editing/Archiving of Spoken Word : http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/sue-marie/sue-marie.html

14. Hany Ghoraba/Delizon Publishers : http://www.delizonpublishers.com/shop/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&path=61&product_id=96

15. Publish America: http://www.publishamerica.com/authorwebsites/index.htm

16. MAIN(ST)UDIOS :[Erica Eichelkraut-Zilbauer]  http://mainstudiosbuffalo.com/

17. Delizon Publishers: http://www.delizonpublishers.com/

18. Ken Fried : http://www.sambodhawellness.com/  

MORE TO COME!

MAIN(ST)UDIOS Summer Relaunch Party June 6th with Workshops

Creative Writing I, II & III with Susan Marie and guest speakers can be found --> HERE 

MAIN(ST)UDIOS is a downtown gallery & art center focused on offering affordable studio and gallery space to Buffalo artists as well as creative programs and educational events to the general public. 

MSS is located in the 500 block of Main Street and is working hard to infuse creative life back to the area. The gallery is responsible for painting the 500 block colorful benches and the building boasts downtown's two newest murals. 

MSS hosts numerous events such as gallery openings, workshops, yoga classes, drum circles, poetry readings, fashion shows on both nights & weekends to keep people in the city and is now taking yet another step to improve the block by adding a small art market & bringing a bit of retail back to Main Street.

MAIN(ST)UDIOS will be hosting a summer relaunch party on June 6th to announce & celebrate the summer line-up for the gallery & classes. Join MSS for an evening mixer for Buffalo's creative community. 

They will be showcasing our recent changes, announcing their summer schedule, workshop line-up & upcoming gallery events as well as opening the new second floor arts market! 

Don't miss this FREE event, open to the public, with live music, cold drinks, appetizers & a BIG bonus...The first 50 guests will receive a free swag bag! Come celebrate the new changes & be a part of our efforts to revitalize the 500 Block of Main Street while mingling with Buffalo's creative minds over summer cocktails.

Summer Programing Includes :

WORKSHOPS 
 
06/26 : Creative Writing Part I  : Susan Marie
07/10 : Suminagashi, Japanese Paper Marbling  : Danielle Myers
07/17 : Breakdancing; Intro to Culture & Movement : Stacy VanBlarcom
07/24 : 3-D Collage with Natural Materials : Marissa Lehner
07/31 : Creative Writing II : Susan Marie
08/07 : Basic Bookbinding : Danielle Myers
08/14 : Homemade Art Supplies : Shannon Rose
08/21 : Creative Writing III : Susan Marie
08/28 : Photography, Studio Lighting : Erica Eichelkraut
09/04 : Recycled Art & Creative Repurposing : Sara Lusky Dinatale

FIGURE DRAWING SESSIONS


Every Other Thursday : 07/11, 07/25, 08/01, 08/15, 08/29

Instructed figure drawing classes with various themes each session. All skill-level students are welcome; desserts and refreshments included in the class fee. Presented by Living Masterpieces.
  

Read more & sign up online --> HERE

 

My Tribute to Ray Manzarek of The Doors

One Hour with Ray Manzarek with Susan Marie: [Live]  

http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/sue-marie/audio/090714.mp3 

[Peace, Ray]

Sue 

Published on  
Internet Archive
All About Jazz 
WGRZ CH 2 NBC 

One Hour with Adam Duritz of Counting Crows [UnderWater Sunshine & Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow]

Articles 1st published: 

The News Tribe
WGRZ NBC 
We Speak News
Internet Archive
All About Jazz
 
CNN yanked this off of my #ireport journalist account
without explanation or cause



In May 2013, I spoke with Adam Duritz, 

lead singer of Counting Crows. 

 The music used in this interview is from the album "UnderWater Sunshine" and their 2013 digital release "Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow" will be available at their live US Tours here --> Counting Crows Summer Tour

Adam describes his experience in the mainstream and indie music scenes with essential tips for musicians and music lovers to tap into that bring one directly into the ongoing process of creating music and finding those who wholeheartedly respect and honor the craft. 

Counting Crows are coming to Buffalo, NY [with Willie Nile & The Wallflowers] in June, check out --> Buffalo Place for that information.

Visit their website for all US Tour dates --> Counting Crows
 
Listen to live audio on Think Twice Radio ---> UnderWater Sunshine & Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow

I absolutely did not wish to stop speaking to Adam. 

Much more to come . . . 

The Gift My Mother Gave Me [Maria & Eunice Kennedy Shriver]

There are all kinds of mothers who all mother in different ways. In this short film, Maria Shriver talks about her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics. 

Through her example, Eunice Shriver gives her daughter the gift of possibility - "you can, you must, you will" - and changes the world for millions of people with intellectual disabilities.

KarmaTube

 

Radio with Ruthann Amarteifio : A week in Palestine and Poetry

 

Ruthann Amarteifo conducts an evening of a week in Palestine ending with spoken word and poetry.

The first half of the show features violations reported by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights relayed via Raymond Blaine. A solitary altercation between an Israeli and a Palestinian resulted in the destruction of cultivated crops and almond trees by fires, school buses attacked, more than 90 Israeli military incursions, the wrongful abduction of people, children and elderly wounded, the destruction of mosques and further demolitions of private property.

The initial cause of the week Raymond reports on is a direct result over a peaceful protest against the confiscation of land in Palestine by Israel.

Later in the show, Ruthann brings three poets together for a round table discussion on poetry, writing and life, including live readings of their work.

Derek Ubuntu Dunham and Quin Overman discuss essential aspects of writing such as inspiration, creative writing classes, copyright issues, and styles of poetry. Both writers focus on areas of inspiration like social awareness, writing groups and their experience reading the written word.

Crossover art is touched upon [one artist that embodies several genres of art such as painting, music, writing, sketch] and that talking about issues through writing and poetry ignites people to think more deeply about social issues.

Native American and African philosophy are brought to the surface through Derek and Quin and Susan Marie joins them towards the end of the show reading her piece, "This is my America" adding her inspirations, favorite writers and general reflections on the written and spoken word.

All three poets, along with Ruthann, discuss various aspects of nations in distress, specifically Palestine and Pakistan, as well as the muse and where each poet delves to reach that in depth place inside the soul that is responsible for automatic writing and stream of consciousness.  


To listen to the show, please link :  Gather Round with Ruthann Amarteifio


[To contact guests on the show and Ruthann, link directly to their websites by clicking their names above.] 

Poetry Metagenics at the Pulitzer Center

Original article here --> Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting 

Inspired by the serendipitous algorithm-generated poetry of the New York Times Haiku, we're hoping to feed our own award-winning writing through a concept of similar but more human design: the staff and readers of the Pulitzer Center website.  

Our resident poet, Jennifer Nguyen, got the ball rolling: 

@jen_vnguyen

A dividing line
of walls, mines, wire, land and men,
unites Korea.

We write on behalf
those who may risk death for words
this Poetry Month.

When given the "choice"
sick, ailing Cambodians
prefer HIV.

What is a haiku?

Haiku is poetry in three short lines using a 5-7-5 syllable structure. Typically haikus contain strong sensory or synesthetic words and images. 



Poetry Month: Telling Untold Stories:

Haikus about international untold stories help interpret global issues for a wider audience. 

Amanda Ottaway  

@amandaottaway

in and of shadows 

the stateless stumble, ever 

the nowhere people.

Susan Marie  

@SusanMarie_NY

Bones emitting truth 

stack, one atop another 

collocating flies.

Poetry can help us reflect and see things we might have missed in everyday life. 

Poetry can be a call to action or, as Pulitzer Center grantees Eliza Griswold and Seamus Murphy found in Afghanistan, a way to express dissent when self-expression is dangerous. 

© Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

For Boston from Buffalo

A Message from Our Unity of Buffalo Prayer Ministry

Dear Unity Friends,

We are saddened by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, and we send healing prayers to all the injured, knowing that they receive the very best of care, and that they are being healed from within by mighty currents of God’s healing love abundantly flowing through each one.  

We send prayers of comfort and peace to the loved ones of those injured and those whose loved ones have made their transition.  

We know that the Holy Spirit draws near to each person who is grieving or worried about their loved one, and whispers comforting thoughts that uplift each one.  

We send prayers of gratitude to the first responders who so effectively and efficiently cared for the injured, knowing that they too are comforted and uplifted.  

We send calming thoughts to all who are frightened.  

Today’s Daily Word reminds us that the power of God works through one and all, and we are blessed and protected. 

Thank you for praying with our prayer ministry.

Unity of Buffalo Prayer Chaplains

1243 Delaware Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14209

(716) 882-0391

www.unitybuffalo.org

info@unitybuffalo.org

Thoughts While Sleepwalking

On Audio --> here 
 

it leaps and bounds

love 

climbing vines towards Heaven

 
zinging past stars, galaxies
meteors flashing
supernova stargaze falling embers

 
like a waterscape canvas
melting nightscape backdrop
settling upon blooms springing forth
from each bud

 
an electrical buzzzzzzzzzz

 
resonating
a bumblehum
of drones
leaving the air
thick and heavy
like buttercream frosting.

If you look to the sky, you will see the energy
electrical lines quake and quiver  a sonic boom
like static
traveling down one arm
to the fingertip
that touched Gods' own
on the ceiling of the Sistine.

Michelangelo knew about love. 

Aboriginals knew.

They needed no speech.

They felt the Earth
pull their chests
outward
magnetic
a throbbing ache
of telepathic temple
told presence of
Mother Earth
God
Buddha
Muhammad
The Great Spirit
Yahweh

The bum in the gutter
has knowing eyes.
I bet you never took
the time to see.

 

Next
         time
                  look
                           closer

the iris
reflects the freedom
of knowing
the same crazed stare
of a driven soul
escaping through  tunnels of poetry
waiting to flood
the city streets
and drown  the foolhardy.

The Genesis 

 
of an Apocalypse.  

 

© Susan Marie