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November 2024
HP Poet: Jill
Age: 47
Country: Australia


Question 1: A warm welcome to the HP Spotlight, Jill. Please tell us about your background?

Jill: "Mum and dad immigrated from Northern Ireland to Australia before having my brother and me. I’m very grateful to be living in South Australia on Kaurna Land. My parents were teachers, and they seeded and encouraged my love for education. At university I studied psychology, philosophy, and French. Then I went on to a PhD in psychology, and later, a master’s degree in statistics. In my day job, I’m a psychology professor, which includes lots of scientific writing. Outside work, I love playing music and singing with my partner and our friends and spending time with my precious son and our fluffy dog."


Question 2: How long have you been writing poetry, and for how long have you been a member of Hello Poetry?

Jill: "I’ve been writing poetry on and off for years. The times in my life where I have been most active coincided with having friends who were interested in reading and writing together. In high school, my dear friend and I would watch British comedy shows and write silly, surreal, or nonsense poetry. Our aim was to make each other laugh as much as possible. More currently, I’ve been writing songs with friends, including lyrics, which often start as poems. I joined HP only recently, in August 2024. This community is so generous and supportive, with such a variety of style, depth, and imagination for inspiration and motivation."


Question 3: What inspires you? (In other words, how does poetry happen for you).

Jill: "In many of my poems, I’m trying to make sense of big feelings. I often write about my experiences caring for my parents, who both had close and complex relationships with alcohol. That is a never-ending well for poetry, ranging from trying to process some of the intense events, to exploring what it has meant for my self-concept and mental health. Having said that, sometimes I’m just trying to write something that sounds pretty or might cause someone to smile. I love challenges like BLT's Webster’s Word of the Day – seeing what comes from a single word across different poets."


Question 4: What does poetry mean to you?

Jill: "In my more personal poems I am documenting, reconsidering, and re-investigating my memories, and organising them in nice, even lines, which feels cathartic. In poems, I find that the small or large amount of distance that you can create through imagery, rhyme, or humor makes it possible to explore difficult or even traumatic experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Writing poetry is a transformative exercise, but there is something greater still about sharing poetry with others."


Question 5: Who are your favorite poets?

Jill: "One of my favorite poets is WB Yeats, I particularly love 'The Stolen Child'. Other all-time favorites include Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, AA Milne, Lewis Caroll, Edward Lear, Spike Milligan, Rik Mayall, and Crawford Howard. I also love lyricists like Joni Mitchell, Michael Stipe, Stephen Schwartz, Tim Minchin, Wayne Coyne, Stephen Malkmus, and Rufus Wainright. I have so many favorites on HP – too many to list!"


Question 6: What other interests do you have?

Jill: "I love music. Since childhood, I’ve played violin in classical orchestras and musical theatre pits. I adore Irish folk music. For me, at the moment, music mostly happens with friends, with my electric violin, in pub bands of different kinds. Most of the poems I’ve written previously have only been publicly shared, adapted as song lyrics, with some of these bands. I also love all things science-fiction."


Carlo C. Gomez: “Thank you so much Jill, we truly appreciate you giving us the opportunity to get to know the person behind the poet! We are thrilled to include you in this ongoing series!”

Jill: "Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this, Carlo! It is such a privilege."




Thank you everyone here at HP for taking the time to read this. We hope you enjoyed coming to know Jill a little bit better. I most certainly did. It is our wish that these spotlights are helping everyone to further discover and appreciate their fellow poets. – Carlo C. Gomez

We will post Spotlight #22 in December!

~

Every time I called your name.

Every time I believed in change.

you called me weak and lame.

Said I couldn't hang.

Said I'm to blame.

Exchange rearrange the fallen rain.

Now my pockets full of bills and change.

Now I'm known,

Now you wanna blow my line,

call my phone,

Rang! Rang! Rang!

Sorry, never home,

and I think I'm better off on my own.

No time remains,

syringe hits the vain.

Pulling back the hammer,

squeeze the trigger,

BANG!!!!



Barrell to the head.

thru the dome the bullet slowly kills the pain.

White walls painted red.

Funny how the paper contains all my shame.

entertained from all your played games.

No other way to seal the deal.

Final supper full of dread.

All your lie to ****.

Every time I hear your heels.

never looking back running for the hills.

I spin my wheels,

pushing bricks of lead.

Take these pills,

should help with the chills you feel,

but all the blood I spilled

keeps me awake in bed.

I toss and turn,

losing my head.

Going crazy

needed help but you fled.

Leaving me broken instead.

spoon feed.

Guilty pled,

feelings dead,

love for meds,

Flounders Ned.

Reverse physiology just in case you've misread.

Undesired, untouched like a moldy piece of bread.

brain matter splatters and spreads,

all my hate I bred.

hanging on by a thread.

Heart mislead,

so I sped ahead

to this weather that casts overhead.

News of the fallen king widespread.

Lost love, From the unwebbed.

Everyday, I stay so faded.

**** the pain, **** the hatred.

Life's insane, barely made it.

Cross my path, and I'll take it.

Don't you lie, don't you fake it.

Lost the game, feeling naked.

I'm to blame, time I wasted.

I'm to hang, when I face it.

Shoot the brain, living basic.

Never change, want to break it.

In a cage, segregated.

Full of rage, overrated.

Problems rain, complicated.

Stay the same, intoxicated.

Take your aim, concentrated.

In a grave, situated.



If I die, terminated.

To the sky, inspirated.

Ask me why, medicated.

So why try, obligated.

I'm that guy, hibernated.

Intertwine, suffocated.

Apologize, irritated.

Energized, calculated.

Dramatized, domesticated.

Hypnotized, captivated.

Mesmerized, educated.

Naturalized, regulated.

Recognized, discriminated.

Vandalized, motivated.

Fertilized, impregnated.

Terrorized, infiltrated.

Oh garden fairy, if you should pass by,
Whisper the secrets of joy, don’t be shy.
Tell me, dear blooms, how you find delight,
Can my garden revive in the soft morning light?

With petals so vibrant, and leaves that entwine,
Is there magic in sunlight, or roots that align?
In the dance of the daisies, in the hum of the bees,
Can you show me the way to their effortless ease?

For once I was happy, like flowers in spring,
In a garden of laughter, where love would take wing.
Now shadows invade my once-bright retreat,
And my heart feels the weight of a bittersweet beat.

So whisper your wisdom, sweet fairy of flowers,
Guide me to joy through these desolate hours.
With each bud that opens, with fragrance anew,
Help me uncover the love that I knew.

Oh garden fairy, if you should pass near,
Bring back the brightness, erase all my fear.
Let my heart blossom, like roses in bloom,
And fill my lost garden with joy to consume.

~
October 2024
HP Poet: Ben Noah Suresh
Age: 65
Country: India


Question 1: A warm welcome to the HP Spotlight, Ben. Please tell us about your background?

Ben Noah Suresh: "I was christened Benjamin Noah Suresh by my parents but modified my name to Suri Ben Noah when I first started writing poetry. I later twisted it around and my pen name is Ben Noah Suri while I am Suresh to all my friends. My HP handle was Suri Ben Noah but then evolved to Ben Noah Suri. I now prefer to be called Ben Noah Suresh.

I am 65 years young. Still feel like I’m a teenager and wonder where the hell all these years have flown. I was born and grew up in the city of Madras which is now called Chennai and is the capital of the State of Tamuzh Nadu in South India.

I am just a simple wordsmith and my experiences have made me what I am today. I am an only child of working parents who are no more and my loneliness led to an overactive imagination. I am more of an introvert in real life and never had any close friends. School was a nightmare for I hated education. I still believe education is a waste of time though it ensures employability. I dropped out of school and college several times before I was finally persuaded to complete my Education by my Godfather. I possess a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration.

I got into the habit of smoking when I was eleven years old and graduated to soft and hard drugs by the time I was sixteen. I used to get high on anything I could lay my hands on. I was finally able to wean myself away from drugs through Divine intervention when I turned 29. I later stuck to tobacco and alcohol until my 55th year when I quit that as well. I still smoke an occasional joint during school or college reunions but otherwise stay clean and sober all the while.

I have done many things during my professional career spanning nearly 40 years. I started out as a bottle washer at a soda factory at the age of 16 before the process was automated. I became a Tutor for school and college drop outs at the age of 19. After graduation I served as a Development worker - involved with various Community Development projects including but not limited to Non Formal Training in various Trades for school and college drop outs, Women's Empowerment, Micro Finance, Low Cost Housing as well as Media & Communication Development. I later became a PR & Event Manager; a General Manager of Alumni Relations; a Content Creator; a Newsletter Editor & Publisher as well as many other things with the common thread of communication driving all these activities. I have travelled to several Asian countries and a couple of European cities as well. Currently, I selectively undertake Ghost Writing projects.

I am happily married for 34 years to my wife Lydia who recently retired as a School Teacher and we have 3 kids; two Daughters and the youngest being a Son. The eldest daughter Tang is married and runs her own media agency and hopes to make movies in the future. The second daughter Dove freelances as a content writer for several agencies. She has inherited an interest and flair for writing poetry but is rather shy and does not post them anywhere. My son Steve who is the youngest is an IT professional. He also writes stories as a hobby.

I found the hustle and bustle of urban life rather oppressing with the heat and the rude crowds making life tiresome. Therefore after retirement I moved to a small hill town named Kumily on the Kerala – Tamuzh Nadu border and now spend a peaceful life there. I plan to travel around across the world now that I have the time to do so."


Question 2: How long have you been writing poetry, and for how long have you been a member of Hello Poetry?

Ben Noah Suresh: "I have been writing since the age of twelve when I wrote my first poem for my School Magazine. I write both prose and poetry. I used to write crazy limericks during my college days to attract the girls and post them on the Graffiti Board of the College cafeteria. I have written a couple of collections of short stories though I don’t know if they are still available on Amazon. I stayed away from writing from the age of 24 until my 45th year due to my professional commitments when I was then motivated by a friend to write again. I am currently writing a sort of a biographic novel and hope to finish it sometime in 2025.

I have been on and off Hello Poetry from 2009."


Question 3: What inspires you? (In other words, how does poetry happen for you).

Ben Noah Suresh: "I am inspired to write by almost anything and everything. Simple things and events make me ponder and I immediately scribble my thoughts down in verse. The process of writing still remains a mystery to me. It’s like a tap is turned on and the words just flow. It’s like an on off switch and I just write without even understanding what I am writing. Most of my poems happen within a span of 5 to 10 minutes. I just record the flow of the words spilling out and don’t even bother to edit them.

I’m a big Heavy Metal Fan though I love all kinds of music and most of my poems have been birthed while listening to some form of music or the other."


Question 4: What does poetry mean to you?

Ben Noah Suresh: "For me Poetry is the breath of life. Without Poetry, I would suffocate and die. Poetry has aided me in battling loneliness, depression, drug addiction and almost all trials of life. I keep constantly writing though I don’t post all of them on Hello Poetry.

Poetry is all about creation. Each poem is the author’s baby. I love all my babies (I have over 5000 of them) and also love reading all the babies produced by my fellow Poets. I believe that by reading a poem I am giving strength and longevity to the poet’s baby."


Question 5: Who are your favorite poets?

Ben Noah Suresh: "To be frank, I have no favourites. I believe it is not right to discriminate. Each poet has a distinct style and no two styles are the same nor are they any better than the other. Each poem is a baby that must be nurtured and read. Even the poems that appear bad may have their own reasons for being created and it is our blinkered perception which makes them appear to be bad. So I try to shed my blinkers and try to decipher what went on in the mind of the poet when writing such verse.

I started reading poems in nursery school. Started with rhymes and limericks. In fact, one of my favourites still remains,

“Hey ******, ******
The cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such fun
And the dish went away with the spoon!” Lol…

The fascination for the imagery which this evoked as a child still remains. Later in School Textbooks I read Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, Shelly, Tennyson and the like. The first poem I taught as a Tutor was “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth and this has a special place in my heart. A friend handed me a chapbook of Kerouac’s work when I was in the eighth grade and I was fascinated by his style which I could never emulate. This led me to read more of the beat poets. I have also taught Chaucer and Milton to college students. Among Indian poets, I used to read Nissim Ezekiel whom I admired as a young boy.

HP was the gateway to read so many contemporary poets. It has opened up an entire new world for me to dive into. I spend most of my time when I am not writing my own stuff by reading the work of as many poets as I can lay my hands on in the site."


Question 6: What other interests do you have?

Ben Noah Suresh: "I am basically interested in exploring human relationships & their connection with the Divine. I believe in God but do not believe in religion. However, I am a student of all religious scriptures and texts for I find that the common thread running through them all is love and faith.

I am also into what is called the alternative sciences or ridiculed as pseudo sciences. My interests also include learning Graphology (signature analysis and character reading from the study of handwriting), Physiognomy (character reading from the study of ****** structures, body shapes and body language), Palmistry (character reading from the study of the lines on the palms), meditation as well as philosophy and understanding Truth. I am also a student of Alternative Medicine and study use of herbs and plants for healing.

I believe Graphology & Physiognomy can be put to good use by HR personnel to find the right fit for the job and also ascertain character traits like honesty and maintaining confidentiality necessary for sensitive jobs.

I am also very concerned about corruption in all spheres of life as well as the gradual pollution & resultant destruction of the world and nature. This concern is at times reflected in my work."


Carlo C. Gomez: “Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to get to know the man behind the poet, Ben! We are honored to include you in this ongoing series!”

Ben Noah Suresh: "Thank you for the opportunity Carlo..."




Thank you everyone here at HP for taking the time to read this. We hope you enjoyed coming to know Ben a little bit better. I most certainly did. It is our wish that these spotlights are helping everyone to further discover and appreciate their fellow poets. – Carlo C. Gomez

We will post Spotlight #21 in November!

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Ganito Ang talento ng tinaguriang gagamba,
Ang Sabi ng iba Sila ay kakaiba
dahil nga sadyang
Ganyan Sila kahit
Hindi nasa manila.
Nag - aabang lang ng bibisita
Kahit nga ba bibihira
Ang may maggala
ay tiyak maaantala
Kapag napadpad sa animo'y ala bang tahanan na tahasang walang hagdan
Ngunit kabit-kabit eh
Ang kawit ng madidikit na bahagdan ng bawat hiblang malagu na.
Ni Ang hari ng kagubatan ay di siya nais magambala

Malaglag man sa Muntinlupa
Kagyat Silang ia-Angat Dami man ng hadlang,
tutulay lamang
Ang gagamba gamit Ang
sapot at mga galamay...
Ganon pa man Bigte man Ang  pagtanaw ng Leon at tigre sa maliit na nilalang ...
Naka- Tungko lamang Ang kanilang matalim na pangil at angil
pagkat sa loob-loob nitong mababangis at hayok sa laman
ay mapag aalaman---
Ano nga naman
Ang kanilang mahihita
na Karne sa naglalambiting mga galamay
Wika nga sa payo ng dayo
Tinawag Silang Gagamba
sapagkat Ang sino Mang tao
sa kanya'y gagambala
Walang dudang mapapatingala
muna bago yumuko

Mabuti pa daw Ang mangilag
na Lang Sila sa maliliit na nilalang
O di kaya'y maige pa mangilog at magbaka sakali dun sa may Sapang Palay magawi at nang mapawi Ang Kalam at uhaw sa may kawayan .

Sabi naman ng iilan mabuti pa Ang dalanghita mula pa sa pagkabubot nito Hanggang sa maubod na nga sa pagkahinog ay masasabi na talaga namang may asim pa .
Lalo na para sa mga nagda
dalang-tao na minamatamis
ang pangangasim ay iyon ang prutas na ipanlulutas sa kanilang pananaghili .

Sa madaling salita
Ang magaling na Balita
Kakailanganin pa Ang pakpak
Kahit pa mag taingang-
kawali Ang lupa...
Dahil Ang tinutukoy ko sa aking pamagat ay walang iba kundi Ako !
At Ang munting Gagamba Ang siyang maituturing Kong Dambuhala

Kaya nga Ang paniniwalang imbes
trabaho Ang siyang lalapit sa akin...
Yaong mga sapot na bahay Ang
siyang dapat Kong hagilapin...
Kasi nga Ang mga spider web kung tawagin sa ingles...
Ay Ang siyang Lunas na walang dahas upang maging Isa sa kanila !
Silang mga empleyado na dati rin namang Isang sawi
Hanggang Ang mga hain na pain
sa magiging bitag na hayag
ay may kaakibat na kabalikat
Upang mapagtagumpayan Ang mapusok na pagsubok...
Nang sa gayon ay matupad Ang layon niya sa kaniyang mga kanayon na ...
Maging Isang sakdal
sa pagiging kambal
ng papremyo at Tropeyo !

everytime the sun ray hits the earth,
hope enlightens,
so don't give up,
until the sun does,
and when the earth has no reason to be alive,
until then,
you are here
and
you got to survive

~
September 2024
HP Poet: Victoria
Age: 59
Country: UK


Question 1: A warm welcome to the HP Spotlight, Victoria. Please tell us about your background?

Victoria: "My name is Victoria, I'm 59 and from Wirral, North West England. I studied and had a career in social work, predominantly the field of Child Protection. I was married, I'm happily single. I am the eldest of 6 and have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. Home growing up was dysfunctional, I lived through my teens with my nan. I'm passionate about my family, Liverpool fc and my friends. I was addicted ******. My bio says: "Previously life was complex, I helped make it that way, now, I keep it simple and fun." It's true."


Question 2: How long have you been writing poetry, and for how long have you been a member of Hello Poetry?

Victoria: "I joined Hello Poetry in 2011 and that's when I started writing poetry. Mostly, I started with rhyme and then found that prose better fit my parlance."


Question 3: What inspires you? (In other words, how does poetry happen for you).

Victoria: "I'm inspired by my many experiences, with others and in nature. I'm inspired by poetry here, always. Many a poem has stayed with me, long after reading. Writing poetry was suggested to me and my writing developed, it gave me a voice to express, that which more often I had held silent."


Question 4: What does poetry mean to you?

Victoria: "What poetry means to me happens both in the reading and the writing. Poetry for me, gives and changes perspective, I gain new sensibilities and find through the writing, as in life there is, constant readjustment."


Question 5: Who are your favorite poets?

Victoria: "I have lots of favourite poets here, at Hello Poetry. I've made many friends and been fortunate to meet a few. I also enjoy discovering new poets and I am always amazed at the talent out there."


Question 6: What other interests do you have?

Victoria: "I enjoy fishing: music, photography and feeding my family home grown produce. I've rented an allotment plot for about 12 years, it is where I grow veg, fruit and flowers. My other pastimes are travel, walking, watching the footy and the occasional wild night out with close friends."



Carlo C. Gomez: “Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to get to know the man behind the poet, Victoria! We are honored to include you in this ongoing series!”

Victoria: "Thank you, Carlo."




Thank you everyone here at HP for taking the time to read this. We hope you enjoyed coming to know Victoria a little bit better. I most certainly did. It is our wish that these spotlights are helping everyone to further discover and appreciate their fellow poets. – Carlo C. Gomez

We will post Spotlight #20 in October!

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