THE ENVOY The official newsletter of the
Canada Cuba Literary Alliance I.S.S.N. – 1911‐0693
August, 2021 Issue 113 www.CanadaCubaLiteraryAlliance.org
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
1
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
José Alberto Pérez Hechavarría (Holguín Cuba 1994) Trabaja actualmente en la Agencia de Viajes Havanatur Oriente Norte como Guía de Turismo, es además Fotógrafo de Naturaleza y Youtuber de Viajes Current Job: Havanatur Travel Agency as a Tour Guide, also a Nature Photographer and Travel Blogger Contact: https://linktr.ee/Joeyph94
2
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
Photo by José Alberto Pérez
3
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Clash
by Miguel Angel Olivé Iglesias
As the storm approaches. … storm clouds loom low. Norma West Linder The gloom-packed lethargy of the sky weighs many a ton on the city´s shoulders. Grey clouds march somber and martial over hurrying crowds and shutting windows. It looks like heavy rain in this shrouded afternoon, thunder deafening lightning chiseling the nearby hills. Dead calm hangs awhile in the air presaging a storm that´ll raid and ravage helpless life caught outdoors in the impending clash of water and earth. June 17, 2021 Photo by Karen Naranjo
4
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Rendezvous
by Miguel Angel Olivé Iglesias
I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me. Song of Songs 7:10 I remember the moist warmth of your flesh. James Deahl … live for your body like a soul possessed reside within the incredible dominion of your flesh. John B. Lee There´s an aftertaste lingering gentle and evocative when we must end this night and the pleasures sparked in our bodies´ intimate awareness. It resists fading deep where feelings pulse and under the skin we remember the proud remnants of the hours that refuse to bid farewell to a handsome full moon. Harmony danced out of our bonded breaths yet we must part to face life out there to lose ourselves in routines smiling once in a while as we savor our rendezvous quietly, wistfully and recall the sensation that fondles the lips that nips the mind. There´s a persisting hint in flesh and psyche: experience´s embers aglow reminiscent, rekindling until desire cannot withhold us any more and brings us back together so we unite
5
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
our bodies again and rewrite the meanings of rapture in yet another rendezvous.
Bronze Medallion recipient for Best Book Award by The Miramichi Reader, Cold Fire is a 64 page collection of poems by International Beat Poet Laureate Donna Allard of New Brunswick, Canada. These are "Peoples Poetry" poems that will warm their way into your heart and reap an enjoyable experience for readers of all levels
Untitled
by Donna Allard
sea late mornings toes still carrying sand onto linens meant for love making
6
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Poet-octopi by Donna Allard fate meditate dictate procrastinate hesitate
ate ate ate
beat beat beat
eat eat eat
mainline these worries sail onwards to dreamy new beginnings
the words end with ate they hunger to be reborn these karma languages fill our brain
Karma drumming tectonic plates quake unknown cries hate returns vengeance sweats on the keys madman across the waters living nightmares
your worries like jellybeans and shit rainbows yes I said shit
7
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
hit hit hit
that last key like your life depends on it
Women can die gently
by Donna Allard
dedicated to my late sister Victorine
she escapes the moon’s sudden monthly death the sun’s fiery obsession she escapes the poets’ passionate indigo blots the terror of reality the intimacy of history she escapes the hand of perception the twisted umbilical cord of rebirth she escapes necessity and dies gently into thought
Northward
by Donna Allard
i stand northward as a tree line shadow over a graveyard resting beneath an autumn quilt
8
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
i stand eastward with Rembrandt memories where you last rested in my arms i gather leaves we once said we would pick to complete the album of your life
Photo by Donna Allard
The essential other by Donna Allard there are many sweet flowers and many stones in this garden; the taller stones named by its dead a crown of thorns lay hidden beneath freshly fallen fruit during autumn’s wind the desire for grace is long gone, the last rose of the season shatters under a warm touch Prophets’ words are captive slaves to otherworldly gods on a still winter's night the whisperings of imagination succumb to frost
9
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
In Their Own Glory by Richard M. Grove For John B. Lee after your still-life drope. We have a vase filled with sun-caressed tulips in a still-life droop on our dining room table. I refuse to throw out, the so called, past-their-prime glory so I can enjoy the gently arcing curve of their heavy headed gentle bow. The gorgeous drying droop-dropped petals are sculpted with browning lace.
Photo by Richard M. Grove
Vanes of black, shadows, quiver on white wall.
10
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Un Mundo Mejor
de Ruth Noguer Figueredo
Trazamos nuestro propio destino pero nunca es tarde para cambiarlo, es nuestra decisión vivir para ver nuevos horizontes vivimos para morir no es fácil la vida yo busqué y encontré una nueva vida que está más allá del cielo donde todo es calma donde no hay traiciones donde solo hay amor calles de oro donde solo hay paz En mis años vividos me abrazo a las líneas del tiempo aprendo que no todo es real, lo sé pero hay una oportunidad más allá es sobrenatural absoluta pero real Escucho un sonido en el silencio un susurro que me dice al oído: Yo te amo, eres mi hija estoy aquí yo soy el que soy y siempre seré y no hay otro como yo Yo soy tu verdad yo soy real estoy aquí no tengas miedo hija mía.
Photo by Ann di Nardo
11
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
A Better World by Ruth Noguer Figueredo We draw our own destiny but it is never too late to change it, it is our decision to live to see new horizons we live to die life is not easy I searched and found a new life that is beyond heaven where all is calm where there are no betrayals where there is only love streets of gold where there is only peace In the years I’ve lived I embrace the lines of time I learn that not all is real; I know that but beyond there’s opportunity it may be absolutely supernatural but it is real I listen to a sound in the silence a sigh I hear telling me: I love you, you are my daughter I am here I am who I am and always will be and there is no other like me I am your truth I am real I am here do not be afraid, my daughter.
12
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
by Patrick Connors On December 29th, 2018, Terry Barker, my editor, drove me to the home of Howard Aster, Mosaic Press publisher; to have lunch and deliver my first full poetry manuscript, then titled What Runs Through. It was the culmination of many years of hard work, refining my craft, making a name for myself, experiencing a lot of frustration and failure, and even some success. However, it was also the beginning of the next stage of my development. I had already published two chapbooks, dozens of poems, become established as both a poet and event host in Toronto and beyond, given readings in Texas and Cuba, and helped organize the Great Canadian Poet rain Tour. All of this was worthwhile, and would contribute to an impressive CV, if I ever get around to compiling one. Putting together a good book length manuscript, really being able to call myself an author, is another matter entirely. The first quarter of the year is an overwhelming time for me. I do about $250,000 worth of business at my telemarketing job during this period. Between this, and the dreary effects of winter, I am generally exhausted in the evening. Activities like readings, volunteer work, and maintaining a busy social life fade into the background. However, I also had a part-time job in the first quarter of 2019.
13
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Revising my manuscript. Twice. By the beginning of spring, I thought I had it all figured out. Barker contacted me, and we arranged to go to dinner at the local establishment. I assumed we were going to discuss marketing and promotion. After the requisite small talk, we got down to the topic at hand. While the book was much improved, it was still not ready to go. He said that Aster was interested in the manuscript, but pointed out that he had not formally accepted it, and that he might not be inclined to in its present form. There was much to be done. First of all, the working title, What Runs Through, is the name of a piece which is very personal to me. However, having that as the title of a manuscript is chapbook thinking, not full collection thinking. Barker showed me that evening how important it is to present a book as a coherent whole in order to engage the reader. That's the night the title of my collection became The Other Life. This is a line from the poem "Madness", which is about my day job. Six months and several revisions later, the book was ready to go. I had created a clearer image of what my poetry was about, what I am about, and done so in a manner which created a dialogue with the reader. Howard Aster is a very busy man and does a lot of travelling. So, while my book was pretty much complete in fall 2019, I had to wait patiently while he became available to have another meeting. On February 15th, 2020, Terry Barker drove me to the office of Mosaic Press where I handed Howard Aster a hard copy of my manuscript. Having read a digital version earlier that week, Aster said he liked it, and accepted it for publication. Then, of course, Covid-19 came along resulting in further delays. I took it as an opportunity to do more revision, fine-tune certain poems, and really take pride in my work. Realizing I was doing this, Aster asked me to re-send the manuscript in June. However, the document was now rife with formatting errors. The version I submitted in December 2018 was done in Windows XP on a computer I don't own anymore. The newer version was constructed in Google Docs on a Chrome book. The two programs were not communicating with each other. Fortunately, my far more technologically competent brother Paul saved the day.
14
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
None of us ever does this alone. I could not have gotten to this point without the help of Barker, Aster, my mother, my brother, Mick Burrs, Luciano Iacobelli, Richard Grove, James Deahl, and so many others. I also could not have done this without overcoming those who have told me that I'm terrible or shouldn't bother, a few of whom clearly thought they were doing so with something resembling good intentions. The Other Life is now available for purchase at a significant discount from the publisher: http://www.mosaic-press.com/product/the-other-life-poems-bypatrick-connors/ It is also available for pre-order on the websites of Indigo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, as well as some European booksellers. The formal release of the book will be in July, by which time I will actually be 52. However, this is also only a beginning. I am currently doing what I can to promote the book, despite the lack of live readings due to Covid. I have scheduled interviews and am also actively pursuing reviews, fully aware that some are likely to be negative. If you want to be a published poet, I recommend you read and write a lot of poetry, study books on process, and develop your own unique voice. But you also need to go to events, develop an effective reading posture, and build a network. And you better be willing to do something to help and promote somebody if you want somebody else to help you. If you want to be an author, you must be able to handle criticism, including tough love from your closest supporters, and be ready to do more work on your manuscript and yourself even if you think both are complete. And then, even if there isn't a pandemic, you'll have to be patient. Nothing is going to happen on your schedule, your perception of when things are supposed to happen. But when it does come to fruition, it will have been worth the wait.
15
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
8 haiku
by John B. Lee
loud woodpecker carpenter of the woodlot what is he building a hole rat-a-tat rat-a-tat high in the pine my little dog racing for home periwinkle wilting on my desk now I know your name spring peepers singing song of the swamp I hear the silence of Basho in the mist of spring
Photo by Radiel Borges
old poem in the mouth of the youth tastes fresh who decides on the gender of the blackbird singing while they mate hum the word human ad hominem Photo by Wency Rosales
16
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Estés donde estés
por Diana Lucia Bruzón
Tu lengua no reconoce mis escondites, ni acude por mi vino, aquel que robabas a mi piel. Inflamado de emoción prendes gardenias, coses madreselvas mientras robas besos al reloj…
Wherever you are
by Diana Lucia Bruzón
Your tongue does not yield to my hiding places, nor does it come for my wine, the wine you used to poach off my skin. Deeply ablazed, you burnish gardenias, embroider honeysuckles while stealing kisses through time…
Photo by Héctor Silva
17
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Nonsense by Giselle Sierra Pérez Love was meant to be Within this absence I was meant to wonder While you were here. Now I lay in words While my voice it's being shattered. Slave of thy scarce fear Of losing me.. Not strong , not weak My scream will be seen Drawing clouds of whispers ... While this child of sin still weeps the weird illusion of non-existence.
Painting and Poem by Giselle
Photo by Giselle Sierra Pérez
18
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
Photo by Jorge Alberto Pérez
The Envoy is the official newsletter of the Canada Cuba Literary Alliance - CCLA. Published monthly the literary content is chosen by the Editor - Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández. The photography for The Envoy is chosen by award winning, CCLA Federation of Photography Cuban President - Wency Alexander Rosales. All members of the CCLA are welcome to submit literary and photographic content. The Envoy is published on line at - www.issuu.com/richardgrove1. El Envoy es el boletín oficial de la Alianza Literaria Canadá Cuba - CCLA. Publicado mensualmente, el contenido literario es elegido por el Editor - Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández. La fotografía para The Envoy es elegida por el galardonado presidente cubano de la Federación de Fotografía CCLA, Wency Alexander Rosales. Todos los miembros de la CCLA pueden enviar contenido literario y fotográfico. El Envoy se publica en línea en - www.issuu.com/richardgrove1.
19
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
The Ambassador, published in English and Spanish, serves as a literary bridge between Canada and Cuba. This flagship magazine of the Canada Cuba Literary Alliance (CCLA) is published once or twice a year and features Canadian and Cuban writers and photographers of the highest quality. We publish this full colour magazine online at: www.issuu.com/richardgrove1. The international literary quality content is chosen by Editor-in-chief, Miguel Ángel Olivé Iglesias. The photography for The Ambassador cover and interior is chosen by the award-winning CCLA Federation of Photography Cuban President, Wency Alexander Rosales. El Embajador, puente literario entre Canadá y Cuba, es la revista insignia de la Alianza Literaria Canadá Cuba - CCLA. Publicamos esta revista a todo color en línea en: www.issuu.com/richardgrove1. El contenido de calidad literaria internacional es elegido por el editor jefe, Miguel Ángel Olivé Iglesias. La fotografía para la portada e interior de The Ambassador es elegida por el presidente cubano de la Federación de Fotografía de la CCLA, Wency Alexander Rosales.
20
AUGUST 2021 THE ENVOY-113 – EDITOR- Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández – joyphccla@gmail.com
MASTHEAD – Jorge Alberto Pérez Hernández our CCLA ambassador as editor – Miguel Ángel Olivé Iglesias our Cuban president as assistant editor – Adonay Pérez Luengo our Cuban vp as reviewing editor – Lisa Makarchuk our Canadian vp as reviewing editor – Miriam Estrella Vera Delgado our CCLA Cuban poet laureate as reviewing editor
Editor: joyph@nauta.cu joyphccla@gmail.com jorgealbertoph@infomed.sld.cu
CANADA CUBA LITERARY ALLIANCE FROM THE EDITOR: IN OUR UPCOMING ISSUES, WE WOULD LIKE SUBMISSIONS FROM EVERY CCLA MEMBER SO THAT WE ARE NURTURED BY YOU! IF YOU HAVE BOOKS COMING OUT, A POETRY EVENT, JUST LET US KNOW!
21