Poets Against Inequality Read online

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  Souren Mondal, India

  — I was born in Chandannagar, north of Kolkata (West Bengal) - where I live-, on 10th November 1991. It was a Sunday and that, somehow (I suspect), shows my fondness for both holidays and procrastination. My first serious encounter with poetry was when I was 16 and read Ronsard's "Quand vous serez bien vieille" (‘Sonnets for Hélène’, 1578), a poem that left an impact on me. I always prefer writing about whatever that comes in my mind in as simple way as I can. But at the same time prefer to write about social issues from personal experiences. I don't know if I am a good or bad poet, but I write..

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  Anitah Muwanguzi, Uganda

  — I was born in 1992 in Jinja, Uganda, and I am currently living in Kampala, the capital. A fiction writer and poet, I love to paint pictures with words. I'm practicing journalism at 104.1 Power FM in Kampala, and pursuing a bachelors degree in development studies at Makerere University, Kampala.

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  Bharati Nayak, India

  — I hail from Odisha, an eastern state of India which has a great heritage of art and architecture. I was born in 1962 and live in Bhubaneswar with my husband and our three lovely children. I have done my Masters degree in Political Science from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Writings are our signature we leave for the posterity. Writings connect our hearts with other hearts across globe, across space and time. Writings help in our inner growth and can bring about profound change in the society. Writing is my hobby and passion. I write in English and in the vernacular language Odiia. I have published one poetry book in Odia titled ‘PADMA PADA’. My English poems have been published in the newspaper 'The Statesman'', in the magazine 'Odisha Review' and in the Anthology book "Splash of Verse”. My Odia poems have been published in a number of newspapers, like 'Samaya’ and ‘Anupam Bharat', and magazines like 'Utkal Prasang', and others. I am a member in different poetry organizations, in India and abroad, and also write a blog, namely 'Bharatispen' on Wordpress.

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  Mohammed Asim Nehal, India

  — I'm 46 years old; born and brought up in Nagpur, orange city of India. I started writing poems and stories when I was 12 y.o., as I was inclined to write something to flush out from the deep thickets of my heart. I feel poetry is a trick of language that magnetizes the readers and takes them to a world that is virtually created by writing alone. A number of my poems have been published on some magazines and newspapers. By profession, I am a Chartered Accountant and a Company Secretary with Master’s degree in Commerce and Bachelor’s degree in Law. What I studied for and what I feel are two parallel lines.

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  Stephen Pennell, United Kingdom

  — I was born in 1963 in England and live in Crewe, Cheshire, where I work in a call centre. I love writing poetry and I'm active in local politics.

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  Sarah Louise Persson, United Kingdom

  — I was born on 14th October 1966 in Wellington, England. I have lived in both South Africa and Denmark in the past, but have come to settle in the beautiful West Yorkshire, England, currently living in Leeds. I work in a bank but my true passion is in poetry. I used to write so much as a child but it faded into the background of my life until recently. I suffered a depression and the writing of poetry helped me get my feelings down on paper and eventually helping me to deal with my emotions in a positive way. I now write almost daily and am a very happy individual. The best thing is that I get to share my poems with such a variety of people from all walks of life and the feedback inspires me even more.

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  Dominic Prempeh, Ghana

  — I was born in 1985 in Mampong-Ashanti; Ghana. I shall graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Development Communication from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, in March 2016. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with Geography and Resource Development from the University of Ghana, Legon; two single-subject diplomas in Human Resource Management and Customer Service from the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), UK; and a certificate in Radio and Television Broadcasting from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Training School. I am a writer (mostly poetry), a motivational speaker, and an entrepreneur. I am currently a High School tutor, teaching Government and Social Studies at Ofoase Senior High/Technical School in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, West Africa.

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  Marianne Larsen Reninger, USA

  — I was born in Denmark in 1944 and emigrated to the United States with my parents in 1947. I began painting and writing at a very young age and by 16 was studying painting and taking commissions. My prime influence was a Russian born artist, Tatiana McKinney, world famous with work in the Vatican and in major museums. From Tatiana I learned to see “the atmosphere between the mountains” and the “meaning between the words”. Today, I paint and write from my mountaintop home near Asheville, N.C.. I consider myself an “editorial artist” with my acrylic/collages often containing original poetry. My work is textural, touchable glimpses of the natural world and my reaction to life’s political and social merry-go-round, words become as important as the brush strokes. The work is meant to be read, like a favorite book or poem, as well as, absorbed, like a visual feast. Marianne Larsen Reninger www.mariannelarsenreninger.com www.pinterest.com (Marianne Reninger, Marianne’s Art board).

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  Govinda Rimal, Bhutan (currently studying in India)

  — I am Bhutanese. I was born in 1993 in Sarpang district, Bhutan. I believe that words possess power in it. Language is beautiful, it can hurt harder than the sword and makes you feel better than all other pleasures do. It can make a man cry or laugh. I was inspired by the beauty of language and started writing poems since I was in 9th grade. I am currently pursuing B.Se biotechnology degree from West Bengal University, Kolkata, India.

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  Jan Ross, United Kingdom

  — I was born in 1956 in England, and currently live in Basingstoke, Hampshire. I have worked in social care for most of my life, my most recent position being at a homeless shelter. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of practical help, treatment, support and attitude of general humanity for those who are most vulnerable in our society. The politicians are failing them, and therefore us; services are insanely stressed with inadequate resources and, most worryingly, the general population in the UK appear to be uneducated or uncaring about the state of things. My parents generation strived to create community that supported and helped each other. I can see that all falling apart before my eyes and I am hugely saddened.

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  Sarah Russell, USA

  — I’m a 15-year-old high school student born on November 3, 2000. I’ve been writing poetry for a few years now. I write based on the knowledge I have gained from my experience with several mental disorders. I also write because of my experience. My history is grim, but that doesn’t mean my future has to be.

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  Leila Samarrai, Serbia

  — Born in 1976, in the city of Kragujevac, Serbia, I'm a writer and translator of Serbian-Arabian origin. I write poetry, stories, plays and novels and envelops them in the motives of fantasy and humor. My direction in literature is to weave fantastic realism into horror stories, and the use of magic realism and the surreal. My debut poetry book won the first prize at the Student cultural center of Kragujevac competition. My work has appeared in many local magazines, both in print and electronic publications. I'm currently living and working in Belgrade. I love cats.

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  Kirti Sharma, India

  — I was born on 7th October 1996. I live in Delhi, India. Currently I am pursuing my Under graduation in Science from Delhi University. I started writing poems when I was 15 years old, as that part of my life was a turning point. I realized the true happiness lies within one self. The world of poetry became a part of my life and I started reading & writing more of them. I learned how each line of a poem has its own music. The poems written by P.B. Shelly are my favor
ite, 'Goodnight' being one of them. I generally write poems on love and solitary as these two conditions are common in every person's life. My poems consists of simple words & are easily understood. My other hobbies are singing, dancing and reading novels. Paulo Coelho is my favorite author.

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  Anzelyne Shideshe, Kenya (currently in Germany)

  — born and bred in Eldoret, Kenya, in 1982, where attended high school up to year 2000. In 2002 I moved to Mombasa where I studied marketing at the Technical University. Working in sales and marketing has been a plus to more experiences. I'm currently in Germany (Baden-Württemberg) and my passion to write intensified.

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  Osiel Silverino da Silva (aka Osiel Basílio), Brazil

  — I was born in 1983, in the city of Cariacica (ES, Brazil). My city is small, but it's close to the state's capital. I live in Cariacica since I was born. I love writing: I've been writing since I was a child and not a day passes on without I write something. My father has always been my inspiration: although blind in one eye, he reads widely. I have two books published: ‘Stop of Ritual’ and ‘In the basement of the soul’. I’m currently a teacher at an Elementary School, and a Ghost Writer.

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  Pamela S. Sinicrope, USA

  — I was born in Frederick, Maryland in 1970. I spent most of my youth in Texas; and now, for the past 13 years, I have lived in Rochester, MN with my husband and three children. I have a doctorate in Public Health, with an interest in reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer through focus on families, lifestyles, and genetics. As a young child and raised as a Unitarian, I have fond memories of hiking in the woods and reading poetry while sitting on rocks and communing with nature. When I was twelve, my grandmother and I used to write letters and share our poetry with each other. I enjoy: tennis, music of all kinds, reading (poetry and prose), and spending time with my family. I returned to writing poetry over the past year in my 40’s. Now that my children and I are older, I have time again, to reflect, write, and read. And I love doing it most every day!

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  Petra Soliman, Egypt (currently in the GCC)

  — Born in 1991, I am an Egyptian-born freelance writer, currently living within the GCC since 2000. I participates in debate competitions as well as leagues to raise awareness for women participation.

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  James Freel Stevenson, United Kingdom (living in France)

  — Born in 1953 in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Living in Azay Sur Thouet, Deux Sevres, France. My work can be seen here.

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  Douglas Stewart, USA

  — Born 72 short years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on a cold February morning in the middle of World War II. Father a would-be farmer who, in reality, was an argumentative, fundamentalist machinist. Mother a housewife and on-again off-again Retail manager. I went to South Division High School, in Milwaukee, spent a brief period in the United States Air Force, did some time at National Public Television's Milwaukee branches, Channels 10 and 36 as a production student. I almost gave it all up to become a cameraman —man that was fun! Finally graduated cum laude from UW-M with a degree in History and a minor in American Literature. I have been a fireman (safety man) on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, a district circulation manager for the Milwaukee Sentinel, a fabricating plant manager, a long haul, I've been everywhere, truck driver, and an editor and designer for TSR, Inc., the creators of Dungeons and Dragons©. And through it all, I have been a poet. Now, I didn't mind that, except for the fact that we get little respect and little to no money, I really do love it. Besides, it's like my own, private curse. I frequently refer to myself as ‘The Napkin Poet’, a term I owe to Rapper Talib Kweli, who recalled writing rhymes on napkins in an interview on an American talk show. It struck a chord, because that's exactly what I have always done, grabbing any scrap of paper to jot a scene, a rhyme, a phrase. In the big truck, however, I had a wee, battery powered cassette recorder so I wouldn't have to take my eyes off the road. These days, of course, my napkin has a keyboard and a large screen, and I keep an IPOD next to my bed for late night inspirations. I rather do everything, but in poetic form. I like storytelling, science, humor, ancient mysteries and contemporary puzzles. As a trained historian, that too is grist for my mill. I collect unusual, archaic, and obscure words and have no qualms about using them in my work. My motto is actually a quote from Bob Dylan, “But I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.” I currently reside in Elkhorn, Wisconsin with my wife Georgia.

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  Udaya R. Tennakoon, Sri Lanka (living in Switzerland)

  — My full name is Udaya Rathna Tennakoon Mudiyanselage. As a Diaspora Poet, I live in Zürich, Switzerland, but my home country is Sri Lanka, where I was born in 1970. Being a political refugee, I could see the world in many perspectives and engage with writing and research. I graduated from University of Colombo and University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. At the University of Basel, Switzerland, and also at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, I studied ‘Peace and Conflict Transformation’ for my Master. As a writer, I've written some theater works and contribute articles to many websites. I am a social activist, engaged with voluntary work in Switzerland and Europe as well in Nepal and Sri Lanka. You can read some of my poems here, or visit the blog.

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  Savita Tyagi, USA

  — Born in 1948, I was raised in India. As a student of liberal arts I loved history and literature and completed my M.A. in Western History. After marriage I migrated to California and later came to live in Edmond, Oklahoma, where I reside currently with my husband of 46 years. Since my children's growing years I have been actively involved in their schools, community organizations and our temple. In U.S. for some time my love for reading was limited to English language. However the need to expose our children to their language, culture and religion brought me back to my roots. While organizing children's classes at my home and temple, I started studying more of our spiritual books, in English as well as in Sanskrit, and realized that some of the best poetry was hidden in the ancient literature. Reading those ancient verses my love for literature was cultivated again. While ancient poetry takes me to the path of self discovery, the contemporary writings help strengthen the social consciousness. Some of my poems have been published in newspapers, anthologies and magazines. A self published book of poems ' Back Yard Poetry' is available through Blurb. But most of my poetry and other writings are on my blog 'When Thoughts Get Wings' and on poemhunter.com, an educational poetry site. Recently I became part of an international poet's group who published a book, ' Poetry Against Terror', in December 2015. Besides reading and writing I enjoy walking, quilting, meditating, learning from Nature and visiting with friends. I am moderate in my views and have deep respect for human values that nurture and nourish us in all walks of life.

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  Jorge Valles, México

  — My name is Jorge Arturo Valles Anguiano, I was born on the 2nd of January 2002 in Chihuahua, Mexico, where I live. I'm an 8th grade student at Lincoln College, Chihuahua. To me, poetry is something powerful; it shows us that we don't need violence to solve problems, to change the world. Poetry is where our soul start talking, and each poem makes us think twice. Its lesson will come along with us the whole life. And as for now, I'll be focused on my education and on poetry.

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  Hans Van Rostenberghe, Belgium

  — Born in 1964 in Oudenaarde, Belgium, I'm currently living in a town called Bachok, in Kelantan State, Malaysia. I am a doctor (neonatologist) and a professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia, where I have been working since 1994. Among the most important sources of inspiration in my life are Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Dr. Martin Luther King and Médécins sans Frontieres. Poetry has become a passion since 2010, when I was bedridden for three months, due to a fractured vertebra. I write under the pseudonym 'Aufie Zophy' and post most of my poems on the website PoemHunter. I am a reader of philosophy, a nature lover and a family man. I believe strongly th
at the world is heading towards harmony through an ever increasing kindness revolution which is close to its sharp inflection point on its exponential curve.