Tag Archives: Katherine Gordon

Love Poems To The World Book Launch!

Ariadne’s Notes: On April 18, 1-2 pm PST, hosts Koyali Berman and Jacqueline Maire joined me in a celebration of my new book, Love Poems to the World , Gift Offerings. I would like to thank them for the wonderful launch as well as our amazing Tech Victor Swartzman and special volunteer Sharon Rowe.

To the wonderful Afghan artist Mirwais Jabaz , a humanitarian who has helped so many refuges , sharing his work and art. He gave permission for one of his paintings to be used as the cover of the book, thank you.

Great thanks also to the First Nations Elder, Gabriel Bartleman who apprenticed me when I was getting my MA, Vera Manuel ; my soul sister who kept pushing me to finish the book, in person and in dreams who believed in me and sent a powerful dream poem that is in this book.

The book would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of Katherine L. Gordon and the kindness and support of Mamta Agarwal who kept encouraging me.

Special thanks to a pianist from Salt Spring Island whose music was featured,

The radio show included poems from the book selected by readers and reviewers. Some of these are posted below.

I am so grateful for the great response to the book which has now has been placed in libraries in various countries and will work on a free e-book that can be offered to our 10,000 WP participants in the world.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW RIGHT HERE!

My Dreaming Journey:
This book began as a result of my association with the Tsartlip Elder, Gabriel Bartleman who became my lay advisor for eight months while I was working on my MA in Psychology and gave me the gift of apprenticing with him.
He told me: “Ariadne, the Earth needs love and caring. It is wounded.” Then he mentioned the First Nations visions and dreams and how elders could go out to wounded places and stay there until there was healing. He also mentioned how dreams reach out and try to contact the sleepers, channeling and guiding the dreams that are needed to help the world.
I have had dreams before but did not remember most of them so embarked on a program of research starting with ancient cultures, Greek, African, Persian, Chinese and First Nations from all over the world. I also learned about lucid dreaming, healing dreams, dream friends and advisors, pre-cognitive dreams and the importance that they played in many cultures.
One of the biggest tasks on my journey was learning how to listen and record. I found that the best way for me was to think about something I had seen or heard during the day, go to bed with paper and pen and usually about 2 am, I would get a clear dream. I would listen and write it down in the dark, since I found that if the light was on, I would lose the dream.
This led to some harrowing times since when I awoke in the morning, I found that I had written over some of the words and had to use a “fishing method”, remembering the last segment and pulling the rest out hopefully like a line of fish. After some time I could write quite clearly and happily continue on. The next morning if I had time, I would read the dream gifts and type them in along with my notes.
The dreams that are in this book are not altered since they come from another place and are not really mine.
There are many methods for dream recall and recording but I am sharing the way that worked the best for me.
During this time, I had a dream research group on line and created a course for them. It was very helpful in my own dream life since their support and kindness added greatly to the creation of this book. It was also interesting to hear from them what they were creating from their dreams, books, CDS, poem, scripts and healings.
There is a lot of information on dreaming and I would urge you to do research and create what works for you.

Poem 1.

Earth
My essence floats on the wind, hitching a ride on the occasional white cloud.
In joy and exuberance, my weightless self
visits the special spots of the beautiful blue planet.
Flowers, an ocean of colours,
intricate geometric designs created by master engineers,
mathematical experts, each flower a work of meticulous design.
I dive down marveling at the desserts,
Incomparable sand sculptures ever changing.
Skimming over the oceans, reflections of peaceful seas, shimmering tones of silver, streaks of gold.
Changing to violent storms, gales, whirling wind and spray.
Thick jungles, teaming with life, vibrant rioting colours, unknown herbs, medicines, creatures rarely seen.
Mountains with lakes and valleys, an aura of ancient beingness.
Huge peaks, dressed in white, caressing the sky.
Satiated, my essence floats on the wind.
Giving thanks to this blue world.
I love you.

Note: A wonderful lucid dream poem. I traveled the world and felt so light and free when I woke up-still flying.

Poem selected by Katherine L. Gordon, poet, critic , mentor and reviewer.

Poem 2.

The Tortured One
I sit on the floor in an empty room.
A hole , a pit.
Waiting for the next torture.
I try to strengthen my mind, prepare myself for the pain, the horror.
The door clangs open, they are here.
I am in the room-the room of terror.
They yell at me, then act nice, give me water.
Offer me cigarettes, say I am beautiful.
They change again.
Give me electric shocks, blindfold me,cut me.
Burn me, throw water.
I think I am drowning.
I have forgotten how to answer, my head is pounding from the blows.
I try to think of happier days, try to bring my mind back to a different place,
remember my students and the other teachers.
They bring in snarling dogs to attack and abuse my body.
My mind is going away, it is gone…
I am back in the hole, isolated, beaten aching, dirty.
They want information I can’t give, names I don’t have.
The faces of teachers at my university flash, no names are coming.
Please world!
It is time to stop the torture.
It is time to get along, all peoples, views, and religions.
What was once an enemy can be a friend.
Please world, send love to the tortured and the torturers.
With love, the torture may go away.
No one will have to wait in terror.
Listening to the door crack open and the next session to begin.

Note:
This was a client from the Middle East that I worked with in BC. She had been a university professor and was picked up to be made an example to others. This was such a powerful dream that I was considering not using it in the book. She called me and I read the poem to her. She asked me to go ahead and include it since torture is a worldwide phenomenon.
During the period of three years, I did volunteer work with 146 survivors of torture, many of them from Survivors of Torture organization in Victoria, Canada.
Thanks to Amnesty International and others, she was released and went to New York where she was fearless even in the most dangerous situations. She walked the worst streets at night.
She came to BC married, started teaching again. Then the entire trauma came back. When she came to see me, she was terrorized of dogs and noises. She is doing much better now and has a mostly normal life and is able to teach in University once again. She still does not like dogs and has to take precautions.
Unfortunately, torture is alive and well in the world, causing pain and suffering all over the planet. Unfortunately, torture is alive and well in the world, causing damage to at least seven generations.
I agree with the poem. It is time to stop the torture. She endorsed this poem saying that it was important since it happens in many places in the world.
In the partly lucid dream I was with her and it was a hard one to be part of and then write it down.

Selected by Kagan Goh, poet, performer,filmmaker and writer. He chose this one because he felt that it needed to be heard. My client also told me before the book came out: “Please spread the word, torture is widely used all over the world.”

Poem 3,

Egyptian Football Girl
I am a football girl.
I love the beautiful game.
In my home we live 11 to a room,
in my grandmother’s place.
Every morning, I train for the tryout.
I get up early, pick up my pallet and carefully step over the little ones.
Go to practice in a quiet place, uncle watches to be sure I am safe.
The air blows through my hair, playing with it, drying the sweat.
I feel transported to a new powerful place.
My body is joyful, I am happy; I am flying through the air!
Suddenly, I fall grasping the ancient dirt of the pharaohs in my hands.
Jumping off the ground, carrying the dust with me under my fingernails.
I am renewed.
I love the beautiful game.
It is an art; it is a dance with a ball.
My uncle goes with me, disapproving.
He asks me why I do not wear my scarf.
I tell him I need to run free and fast,
to help my grandmother buy bread,
stay in her room instead of the street.
Girls do not play football uncle says, shaking his head at it all.
He loves me, my grandmother needs the money.
She cries about being thrown out, she is afraid.
I yearn to be in the team.
Tryouts come.
I pass, I am in.
I feel like a new person.
My grandmother laughs; she can keep the room and all of us.
My uncle is happy yet sad.
New ways are coming he says.
New ways are coming.

Note: This poem came from seeing a remarkable documentary on an Egyptian woman who creates girl football teams despite resistance. She created a number of girl’s teams that play each other and even boy’s teams. This was the poem about Neda, a young girl who tries out for the team and illustrates some of the changes that are happening in Egypt.
When I woke up at 2 AM, I could feel sore muscles and dirt under my nails.
This was one of the most powerful lucid dreams that I had. The feelings of freedom, of flying through the air, my running muscles in over drive and sore lasted for some time.

Selected by Mamta Agarwal, well known poet and writer.

Thank you all for the love and support,

Respect , Peace and Love.

World Poetry Celebrates Radio Host Diego Bastianutti

Ariadne’s Notes: On April 4, 1-2 PM PST, the World Poetry Café, 100.5 FM, CFRO had a great show with featured guest and WP Radio host, Diego Bastianutti. Diego had just come back from spending two weeks in Cuba and was able to share with us a fascinating glimpse of life in Cuba. The radio show was in Spanish, English and Italian with poems by Diego also in Spanish, Italian and English.

When I was working with Survivors of Torture, I arranged for a young man from Central America to get the medical treatment he needed in Cuba for free. We only had to raise the airfare. The treatment made a big difference in his life.

Here are some of the highlights about life in Cuba: from the show:

Diego says that there are two Cuba’s , one wealthy by the tourist trade and one for the Cuban people.

Due to the US Blockade, there is a rationing of food staples. Also due to the blockade , other countries are not allowed to trade with Cuba. Each person has a rationing card for basic foods.

*The markets mostly have Cuban soft drinks and very little else which has causes health problems. This is due to lots of sugar cane which is abundant. One person told Diego that he had not been able to get any butter for three months.

*Education from kindergarten through university is free as is a high standard of comprehensive medical care. Doctors trained in Cuba are in great demand all over the world.

*Everyone has housing and if you buy a home, your mortgage rate is 10 % of your income.

The Literacy rate in Cuba is 100 %. Books are plentiful and cheap. They are from all over the world without restrictions on topics.

*Recognized poets, artists, musicians, even ping pong players are considered to be professionals are paid a monthly stipend
to live on.

*While Diego was there, a new constitution was being written with input from all the communities. Every point was discussed and put down for review.

To know more, please listen to the show.

**CLICK HERE! *Please wait. for some reason, the link is not working again!**

Diego Bastianutti is in the process of editing three books being published which are being published at the same time.
Originally from Fiume, Italy, he has crossed many borders separating States as well as “states of being.” Diego is at ease with various languages and cultures. A retired Professor of Spanish and Italian literature, and former Honorary Vice Consul of Italy.

He has received wide recognition here and abroad for his work as a writer, poet and translator. Among his works he counts five volumes of poetry and his awarded book A Major Selection of the Poetry of Giuseppe Ungaretti. Currently he is a Canadian correspondent for an Italian literary magazine in San José, Costa Rica, and a member of various writers’ associations. His writings have become material of study in a graduate course offered at the University of Toronto. A forthcoming book published by the University of Toronto Press will feature an entire chapter on Bastianutti the poet and writer.

Here is a poem in English and Spanish by Diego:

Stop stop
in god’s name
don’t break the final seal
my face already wears the years
I’ll never have
I don’t want to see
I don’t want to know
I’ve seen enough
to last me a lifetime
seal the book under seven locks
throw the keys in the deepest sea
now turn off the lamp
and let me sleep

Mujer

Tu dulce sonrisa
capaz de desvelar
la pepita de dolor que se esconde
debajo de nuestra risa
la bondad de tu mirada
que pesca el pez de la vergüenza
en nuestro mar de gloria
tus finas palabras que pelan
en lenta espiral la cáscara de presunción
que los hombres vestimos

By Diego Bastinutti, (C) all rights reserved.

World Poetry Celebrates Filmmaker Shasha Nakhai !

Ariadne’s Notes: The World Poetry Café Radio Show welcomed two very special guests December 6, 1-2 pm PST on CFRO 100.5 FM.

Calling in at 1:10 PM PST was the lovely Nigerian, Canadian filmmaker Shasha Nakhai with her new doc, Take Light which will be shown on the documentary channel at 9 pm across Canada on Sunday December 9. Be sure to see this fascinating film about Nigeria and electricity . For more information: https://www.takelightfilm.com/

Our second caller at 1:30 PM PST was the talented poet from PEI, Chris Bailey with his new book: What Your Hands Have Done by Nightwood Editions , www.nightwoodeditiond.com The book is a masterful portrayal of fisherman and family as well as a vivid description of culture. Having lived in Kodiak, Alaska among fisherman, I was fascinated by certain similarities, among them being fiercely independent and proud of their lifestyle.

For the first time we welcomed a girl nature poet Tshering Zangmo Namsa from Bhutan with her moving poem on unity. Thanks to Victor Schwartzman , our technical engineer for reading her poem.

We read two poems from Katherine Gordon’s new groundbreaking book, Caution: Deep Water about the concerns of seniors and retirement living.

CD music was by Stan Rogers and Djelimady Tounkara. A special treat was a beautiful Seasons Greeting From Yoshifumi Sakura , World Poetry Music Director and composer of our anthem as well as a great postcard and message from World Poetry Correspondent, Rui Carvalho with a message in Portuguese “Tudo De Boh or “All the Best”. Author Sharon Rowe had a brand new story for her second book: Big Bessie Goes to Mars, read by Victor Schwartzman.

This was my last radio show until January 3, 2019. Next week, my co-host author of numerous books and university professor, Diego Bastianutti will be hosting and the following two weeks, our great sound engineer Victor Schwartzman will be in charge.
It was a special show for me for several reasons and the two gifts I valued the most were two e-mail messages from youth in different countries that said “Thank you for believing in me.”

LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE!

From Storyline Entertainment:

“From space, at night, Nigeria is awash in light. But the glow almost entirely flares from oil and gas wells. The country, with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, leaves half its population without electricity, and the rest with erratic service.
In Take Light, the feature directorial debut from Shasha Nakhai, takes us to her hometown in the country where she grew up, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the ironically-nicknamed “Garden City” where the skies have turned grey.
There, she follows the lives of workers for PHED, the previously state-owned Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) which was privatized in 2013. If any public servants anywhere feel unappreciated, they should compare their lot with the likes of Martins, an unflaggingly upbeat and religious family-man and electrical engineer, or Deborah, a sales-representative-turned-debt-collector.
Both face anger and even mob violence on a daily basis as they cut off service to delinquent customers (most of whom have little ability to pay, in a country with 7.5 million jobless). Martins, who has miraculously survived electrocution in the past, climbs poles to cut off dangerous makeshift wiring that is used to steal power. (We also meet Godwin, an “illegal electrician,” who invariably reconnects the “People’s Power” the following night).
The powerlessness closes businesses and forces people to use generators when they can (often bringing them indoors where they often succumb to fires and carbon monoxide poisoning). Even hospitals fall prey, unable to maintain refrigeration in their morgue, forcing them to “dry embalm” corpses.
Meanwhile, at the central power distribution plant, we meet Gbadamosi, who commits himself to trying to keep power flowing, despite demand that is almost four times capacity, and outright shutdowns as militants in the Niger Delta blow up pipelines.
And to provide sardonic counterpoint, we see the YouTube podcasts of James and Harry, two Nigerians who angrily mock PHED and their employees, and the privateers and the government, providing a loudspeaker to popular frustration in Nigeria.
“Port Harcourt is the source of my fondest childhood memories,” says Nakhai, who produced the Oscar short-listed Frame 394. “Today, however, the city is much different than what I remember. Perfectly manicured green hedges have turned to black dust—the fallout zone of a fossil-fuel economy.
“Take Light is a film about Nigeria’s energy crisis, with my hometown as the backdrop. It’s about a crisis of electrical energy, but also about other kinds of power struggles – the tensions between people, between past and present, between governments and colonial powers—and about the transformation of it all into a seething, powerful force.
“I want to show the urgency and challenges of transitioning to greener and more egalitarian economies.
“But, this is also a film about the power of hope. With people like Martins, it is about keeping the candle lit in times of darkness and despair, about fighting to remain a good person when corruption is the status-quo, and harnessing the power of humour and religion to make it through each day.” A web of corruption and anger leaves 50% of Nigerians without electricity in Africa’s largest energy-producing country.
Take Light was produced by Storyline Entertainment in association with the Documentary Channel, and the participation of the Telefilm Canada and the Rogers Group of Funds through the Theatrical Documentary Program, Canada Media Fund, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, Rogers Telefund, The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Ontario Media Development Corporation Film and Television Tax Credits, with the assistance of the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Documentary Fund, and Compy Films.

Shasha Nakhai is a filmmaker based out of Toronto with Compy Films and Storyline Entertainment. Her award-winning films have screened at festivals and aired on TV worldwide, been released on iTunes, gone viral and been awarded Vimeo Staff Pick and Short of the Week. Her last film with partner Rich Williamson, Frame 394, was shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short and is part of the CBC’s new Digital Doc Shorts initiative. It had its world premiere at the 2016 Hot Docs Film Festival, was named one of TIFF’s Top 10 Films of 2016, and was nominated for 2 Canadian Screen Awards. Shasha was 1 of 8 emerging producers selected for the DOC Institute’s Breakthrough Program in 2015, and was awarded Telefilm Canada’s Pay It Forward Prize as part of the Hot Docs Film Festival’s Don Haig Award. Having graduated from Ryerson University’s Broadcast Journalism program, she was born in the Philippines, grew up in Nigeria and came to Canada as an international student in 2003.

This film skillfully blended together the different characters and points of view including comedy and poetry. I would like to congratulate Shasha Nakhai and all those involved in the film for their work in presenting a tapestry that educates, informs and entertains the audience.