She Rose

she rose

again

like ashes imprinted
on each foot raised
on the pads of aboriginals
before her

she rose
like the sun does daily
like the moon when she is full
like the coming of the fresh pure breath
of summer

she rose
like the wind
whipping leaves
autumnal
dashing and dangling the smell of Earth into the air

October
she rose

again
like the water
rising
and the ice princess
lifted
she rose
like an altar
looming before her
as a chalice is lifted
hands shaking
solemn
holding to her lips
pursed

she rose that cup
poisons of ages
of murder
and she rose
above the fires
the stakes
the burning pit
the executioners block
she rose
like spirit
above it all
above those beneath her

she rose
like a bird

taking flight
she rose

and the clouds
embraced her

gently.


© Susan Marie

Twitter & Facebook Thunderclap for Amina Masood Janjua : Please Support Human Rights!

A twitter & FB thunderclap will start May 1, 2014 at 12 am. It is in support for Amina Masood Janjua and aggrieved families and for their release and that of others and continued support in the struggle for peace. 

You will see it come from my twitter account @SusanMarie_NY, everyone needs to become a part of this. https://www.thunderclap.it/my/overview?locale=en#pending_thunderclaps

See below:  

PRESS RELEASE: Amina Masood Janjua, leading human rights campaigner arrested amid police violence in Pakistan

28 April 2014

(London, UK) CAGE has received reports that leading human rights campaigner Amina Masood Janjua has been arrested, for the second time, by Pakistani security forces. In what appears to have been a heavy handed-police response to a peaceful protest, Mrs Janjua was recorded being forced into a vehicle by several journalists, who were then themselves the targets of police attacks.


The wife of Masood Janjua, who was disappeared in Pakistan in 2006, Amina rose to prominence after founding The Defence of Human Rights Trust where she has investigated her husband’s disappearance, as well as those of many others.


Amina has worked tirelessly for many years in partnership with many individuals and organisations, in the hope that she will gain justice not only for her family, but the 700 families that she assists.

Asim Qureshi, Research Director of CAGE, said:
 
"I remember Nawaz Sharif (President of Pakistan) going out of his way to support Amina during his election campaign. That she has now been arrested under Mr Nawaz’s watch is not only cause for concern, but a major breach of the trust he was given. All people of conscience should call on the Pakistan authorities to immediately release her."

[ENDS]

NOTES:

1.     CAGE (formerly known as CagePrisoners) is an independent advocacy organisation that works to empower communities affected by the War on Terror and to highlight abuses of prisoners’ rights.

2.     To learn more about Amina Masood Janjua and the cases that she has represented, please read the following:

http://www.cageprisoners.com/our-work/opinion-editorial/item/1341-account-of-amina-janjua-detention-in-pakistan

http://www.cageprisoners.com/our-work/opinion-editorial/item/5674-most-cherished-memories-packed  

http://www.cageprisoners.com/our-work/opinion-editorial/item/691-the-fight-becomes-tough-for-my-family 

http://www.cageprisoners.com/our-work/reports/item/104-devoid-of-the-rule-of-law-pakistans-war-on-terror

PRESS ENQUIRIES:
 

• Contact:            Mr Amandla Thomas-Johnson
• Phone:              +(44) 207 377 6700
• Email:              press@cageuk.org
• Web:                www.cageuk.org

• Twitter: @UK_CAGE
• FB:          CageUK

CAGE
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
 

  

Wheels of Transformation at The Analytical Psychology Society of Western New York [The C.G.Jung Center]

Wheels of Transformation 

The Analytical Psychology Society of Western New York 

                           [The C.G.Jung Center]


Poets, Ann Goldsmith, Karen Lee Lewis, Gunilla Kester, Celeste Lawson, Susan Marie, Kathy Tussing, Jane Sadowsky and Geoffrey Gatza read from a new anthology, A Celebration of WNY Poets, edited by Patricia Tansey. 

Each poet shares how words, images, and metaphors of poetry contribute to a transforming of consciousness and experience, and lead to personal and collective discovery. 

• Patricia Tansey    click here
• Karen Lee Lewis  click here
• Geoffrey Gatza   click here
• Celeste Lawson   click here
• Jane Sadowsky    click here
• Kathy Tussing     click here
• Susan Marie        click here
• Gunilla Kester    click here
• Ann Goldsmith    click here
• Live Classical Guitar by Gunilla Kester & Christine Derby-Cuadrado 
• [The C&G Duo]       click here 

So, You Wanna Get High? [420: A Radio Interview]

420, 4:20, or 4/20 is a 'code' used when referring to the consumption of cannabis [pot, smoke, weed, marijuana] and/or to associate oneself with cannabis. All current forms of "420" refer to date and/or time when one smokes pot, or many gather to get high. 

In North America, this day has a political identity attached to it, namely, the legalization of marijuana. 4/20 is somewhat of a celebrated holiday to weed smoking subcultures. In America, it is currently illegal under Federal Law to use, sell or possess marijuana. Recently, a few states have legalized marijuana for medical use only. In Colorado and Washington, medical and non medical use of marijuana is legal. 

Regardless of the reason as to why one decides to get high, the Federal government still has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis. 

Below is a radio interview with myself and Ruthann Amarteifio of Air Amarteifio out of Chicago. Ruthann raises extremely essential questions to me, one who is undecided about the ethical ramifications behind the general public, non medical legalization of marijuana.

In this interview, we present to you various scenarios that already exist in society, as well as possible outcomes of the legalization of marijuana for public use. This is indeed, a complex issue.

In the first 15 minutes, we speak of Palestine, Spirituality and The Human Condition. After 16:20, we focus solely on 420.

Click Here For Audio

Click HERE for Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act 

Click HERE for factual medical data on Cannabis Sativa

Click HERE for NORML [National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws] 


The Controlled Substances Act reschedules controlled substances by petitioning the Drug Enforcement Administration. The first petition was filed in 1972 but denied after 22 years of court challenges. 

A pill form of cannabis' active ingredient, THC, was rescheduled in 1985 for prescription under schedule II.  In 2002, advocates for use again petitioned, yet were denied by the DEA in 2011. Americans for Safe Access filed an appeal in 2012 with the D.C. Circuit.

As of August 2013, 20 states and Washington D.C. have legalized the use of medical marijuana.


Images © Fox 31, AP, Deviant Art, Huffington Post

On Speaking Out

"And therefore, all of those for whom authentic transformation has deeply unseated their souls must, I believe, wrestle with the profound moral obligation to shout from the heart—perhaps quietly and gently, with tears of reluctance; perhaps with fierce fire and angry wisdom; perhaps with slow and careful analysis; perhaps by unshakable public example—but authentically always and absolutely carries a demand and duty: you must speak out, to the best of your ability, and shake the spiritual tree, and shine your headlights into the eyes of the complacent. 

You must let that radical realization rumble through your veins and rattle those around you. Alas, if you fail to do so, you are betraying your own authenticity. You are hiding your true estate. You don’t want to upset others because you don’t want to upset your self. You are acting in bad faith, the taste of a bad infinity." 

- Ken Wilber

Valhalla

 ON AUDIO HERE 
On Social Justice Poetry 

 photo © Ronald Sorrento, Vietnam Vet, a peace sign made from m-79 high explosive grenade rounds

We are building roads to roads
that build roads to
nowhere

people are at the same time
sane and insane

are you listening
to the wind
as she whispers
when dawn drags her belly
pregnant and full
across the purpling skyline
as the sun
places her hand
ever so warmly
upon the nape of your neck

and the sea
bellows
stop
stop
stop
just stop and listen

no
do not even try
just be

good
follows
good follows
nature and trees
and all that is
Earth and dirt
and sand
and you and me

you
see
it is not easy
to
simply
be

left to right
to
center

as the Earth bellows
bombs
like airstrikes
on the innocent
and we keep voting
and protesting
and dying while alive
living in a
free state of
mind controlled
flight

where do I turn
when the world has gone mad
and everything is on a
merry
go round
and
rounds
of bullets fly
from lips, pursed
in hate
and anger
rising
like Valhalla

and the Valkyries scream like
eagles scrying

thunder

We are building roads to roads
that build roads to

nowhere

© Susan Marie

a thousand words

On audio HERE

 

i can write
one million poems
describing
the sweet breath
of breeze
like peaches in summertime
how they cool your brow and palette
on a day
that is sweltering,
simultaneous

or how the speech
of our forefathers
can never suffice
to explain the thoughts
that explode inside my brain
like atoms, splitting
supernovas in space
constellations ablaze
neurons sounding
and resounding
across synapses
like trapeze artists
on tripwires

and I can write
of the speech of animals
foreign to the human sense of sound
and how only they comprehend,
truly,
what they say
to one another

and I can even write of God and the heavens
the beauty of the skies at dawn and sunset
colors yet undiscovered
painted
for us all,
daily

i can write of it all
a thousand words
describing everything

yet not one word
or poem
can ever compare
to the softness of your gaze
like the canvas of the morning tide
or your silent roar
not unlike that of the mighty lion
or precisely how your spirit connects
to my very own

i can write of it all
mere words
i can write
one million poems

and not one can ever truly describe

you

but i can try


© Susan Marie

2014 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair

It's just 20 short days until the Fair! Less than three weeks to go, so it's time to really start promoting the Fair. Remember, there's so much you can do to help out: Promote the Fair via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to the right using (#bspbf), and other social media outlets! Remember to follow us! Write about the Fair on your website or blog! Write an article about the Fair in a traditional media format! Tell all your friends and family! Share our Kickstarter Campaign HERE to keep the Fair free! We're looking forward to a huge year, and we want you to do everything you can to spread the word about the event. Use some of our digital banners and web tiles to promote the Fair. GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE! The Open Readings schedule for Saturday afternoon will be posted soon, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, let us know if you're willing to distribute posters and handbills where you live! Contact Us Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, or you want to pitch an idea, contact us.  For all information regarding the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, see the website:  www.buffalosmallpress.org Help Us Out! Social media is the most powerful tool we have for promoting the fair - that means you should Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and follow us on Twitter. RSVP to the Facebook event, and invite all your friends! Copyright (C) 2014 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair All rights reserved.

What Is Your Purpose? [with radio interview]

First published: 

CNN International

WGRZ NBC 

Catholic .Org 

Pakistan Tribe 

Woman Tribe 

What is divine intervention? Why are we here? What is your purpose?

These are questions many of us ask ourselves and others every day. Such dilemmas exist because we have diverse lives that lead us to further investigation. Such questions may bring one to personal growth, overcoming obstacles, settling on or away from a belief system, deciding what path is correct to follow and most importantly, the value of self.

Scholars, seers, religious leaders, scientists, peace makers, activists and those that have come before us, our forefathers, have asked themselves the same questions.

Did they arrive at a conclusion? We shall never truly know the answer, all we are able to do is keep searching, keep meeting new people, strive to improve and do our very best to simply be good people.

Rich Pawelski was born in Western New York, USA. At an early age he began having intense experiences while in a waking state. As a child, it frightened him at first, not fully understanding what was occurring.

As he grew older, he kept these experiences by him, yet not until the passing of his older brother, his best friend, did he begin to accept what he was gifted with and fully put forth efforts to take what once confused him to learn more about what was happening within him.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rich, a psychic medium, in 2013, while on a similar quest myself; one of a heart centered study, and spoke with him twice before I interviewed him. Everything Rich reported for me, as a conduit, was accurate. Nothing that he said was indirect or vague.

We spoke for an hour in order to educate those who have never had such experiences, as well as those that do, yet might be fearful of sharing or accepting their own path.

The one hour interview, basically, a conversation, is below:

One Hour With Rich Pawelski

Rich has helped me find more direction in my life and to make important business and personal life choices based upon his extremely insightful advice. Most feelings, thoughts and emotions we tend to ignore within us. Most things we already question, yet seek reassurance.

He has been able to bring several loved ones that have passed by me, here and now, those that watch over and guide me. Rich has and continues to be a source of healing of buried emotions and past hurt that I have held onto without realizing. Through his own challenges, he has managed to overcome his own grief and turn that into love spreading outward towards helping others.

Most of us hopefully question existence, all that is, was and will be. Even if you never tell another soul what you are thinking, paying attention to your own thoughts, feelings, emotions and natural instincts are crucial in order to move forward to where you are meant to be.

Rich works with meditation, group parties, personal readings, phone readings, medium ship, tarot and his own psychic abilities.

I have had extensive past experiences with psychics, mediums, and various extensions of the holistic healing arts. I am able to say, without any doubt, that Rich is beyond exceptional tapping into his natural abilities. Every single message relayed to him, and through him, from sources many of us have yet to understand, was precisely for and related to me. Rich has become one of my most dear friends and isn’t that what THIS is all about?

Connecting, learning, growing, exploring?

After listening to the radio interview above, I hope that you too are able to answer:

What is my purpose?

I most surely can.

and the sky, she cries thunder

On audio here

i've been thrown away
again

do you realize i told you
this would happen

you smiled and laughed
said there's no possible way
as you stared at me,
staring at you,
lovingly

and you liked that

and i smiled back
knowing the truth
yet to pass

my chest
full
my heart
pounding
trying not to

cry

i smiled

because you needed me to be strong
and i was a pillar
like now
spitting out bits of blood and bone meal marrow
seeping
from the tips of fingers
that writes words
beautiful
like you

but you threw me away
like some second hand thrift shop used shoes
human
being
with
a
heart

and you are not the first
you are one of many

and it has taken me a long time
to accept this absurd existence
i seem to keep choosing for myself

for it is not your fault
nor mine

but you threw me away

Dear God, there must be some greater good
to the muttering thoughts
that do not belong to me
they tell the truth
i push them away
in denial
that i am
thrown
away
again

i kneel under this dank dark grey winter skyline
hovering upon the Eastern shore
palms raised
lined, in supplication
oh, these hands of mine
writing words such as this
to deaf ears
to blind eyes
to uncaring hearts
to the bleeding mouths of those who suffer

but this is not the first time
nor the last

for i rise
like the sun
and rise
like constellations
and rise
like mountains echoing time
after time
that the sky
is
crying
thunder
again

i rise
because
i am love
i rise
because
i am free
i rise
because i am
different

you see
you once saw
like the others
we are
exactly the same
yet different
you see
you do not
see
we are
the same
yet different
because i

have
risen



© Susan Marie