Pride & Joy/Look at Little Sister from the Rhythm on 22nd Reunion Jam

Video from the Rhythm on 22nd Reunion Jam - Ciba on drums, Neal Rudnik on lead guitar and our friend and special guest Sam Cockrell on bass - the positive energy in the room was amazing!

Available Now - The T. Collection

The T. Collection: A Retrospective s now available on Amazon (including in Europe)!!!  As promised, the link to my cousin, Ciba's demo version of  "I Think of You" - my lyrics from the back cover of the book with his music. 

I Think of You audio

Buy the book here

Actual book cover

Project Priority - The T. Collection

I have decided to make the 'T. Collection - A Retrospective' project a priority above the 'Shadows on the Carpet' at this time.  I have been sitting on the 15 poems in this series for a long time looking for someone to illustrate it for next to zero money as I have been on a shoestring budget and my efforts to raise money via Fund Anything for 'Shadows' fell flat. 

I am tapping into my own creativity and creating 'photo art' to go with the poems because I have specific images in mind to go with most of the poems.  My writers' group authors are using Create Space (Amazon)  to self publish their novels and have encouraged me to use that resource as well.  I don't know how well it will work for poetry, but they do mention poetry in their publishing info and images as well.

Soooo..........  let me share 'Marigolds' with you now.  There is an audio version of it as well for those that are interested - link provided - click here

MARIGOLDS

photo art by AVR

When I see marigolds

I remember the time

We strolled down the alley

Hand in hand

Stopping to kiss

You stooped down

Picked some marigolds

Gave them to me

A sign of your love

And then I get

A flashback

Of the pain

On your face

As I walked

Out of your life

Not knowing then

It would be forever

DRUHA TRAVA CHICAGO CONCERT

End your summer on a high ‘note’ with Druha Trava.  Yes, this world famous Czech bluegrass band is visiting us again.  This time they will be joined by an awesome local bluegrass band, Dog1, who have graciously agreed to open for them.

When:             Friday, September 20, 2013

Where:            Klas Restaurant, 5734 W. Cermak Rd. Cicero, IL 60804

Time:               8:00 PM

Cover:             $15

Druha Trava US Tour info

Dog1 info

Bea Flaming has asked me to assist again so I look forward to seeing you there!  

[Quarantine]

Today I'm sharing a poem I wrote in 2005 with you.  It was inspired by a combination of past images and feelings brought on by something said to me that pushed a button that was only slightly related to what they were referring to.

I am including a link to an audio of me reciting this poem with Acidplanet artist Phreniq's music and mix.  You will need to listen to the audio to understand why I chose the accompanying photo.  On Acidplanet there is an audio of fellow poet, Max Reif, reading this poem.  His interpretation is interesting and motivated me to start recording my poems. 

In the past, some people felt compelled to pull out their dictionaries - including family members and some of my fellow poets.

photo by AVR

[Quarantine] AVR & Phreniq

[QUARANTINE]

As she stood on the shore

Feeling the wind whip the waves

An angry frenzy forming white caps

On the lake - mimicking

Making a mockery

Of the turmoil in her soul

The perception of being

Quarantined - intensified

Confined to an inclement

Compartment, no bigger than

Necessary to contain

Her essence - her autocracy

Secluded - desperate

In her struggle to break through

Debilitating isolation

She cried out for compassion

For freedom from exclusion

Forced on her by foreign

Exigencies, by external

Limitations - constraints

Of increasingly diminishing

Pockets of time and seeming

Disinterest in her well being

By her captor – he who had

Purported to love her

© Alice Vedral Rivera - 2005

 

Shadows on the Carpet - Section 5 - Bruised or Contaminated?

Section 5 was originally going to be titled 'Bruised', but after rereading the 9 poems flagged for this section, I'm thinking of changing it to 'Contaminated'.  Sharing 'Indecent Contamination' with you today.  Also sharing a link to my spoken vocal with AcidPlanet artist ozx who added his music and mixed it.

Indecent Contamination 

Indecent Contamination

Eyes distract - strike first

photo art by AVR

Glancing blow then jab

Liquid words ebb, flow

Weave soothing trance web

Lips unleash torrid

Anesthetic of

Hypnotic kisses

Bewitching scent reeks

Inhibits panic

Brush of fingertips

Deposits poison

Desecrates the blood

Invades the heart

Forces creation

© Alice Vedral Rivera - 2006

Memorial Day - Solace in Sorrow

I had started to write this poem but wasn't able to finish it until a frat sister (who I did not know personally) was murdered.  I finished the poem and sent it to her family with my condolences.  I then recorded it on AcidPlanet (with some small changes) and JTL (John Carter) added his music and mixed it for Memorial Day. Click on the link to listen to it.

Solace in Sorrow

Memorial Day – With Sorrow

Embrace the pain of loss

It is worthy of our grief

Find solace in words of comfort

And never let go of hope

Allow tears of healing to wash over us

Expressions of sympathy to carry us

Let us hold tightly to our faith

Let it sustain us

Cradle the cherished memories

They are ours to celebrate

Full and vibrant lives

Whose spirits now reside

In the presence of their creator

Having fulfilled their calling

And whose love will continue

To live in our hearts until

We, too, fulfill our destinies

And reunite with them in joy

© Alice Vedral Rivera - 2007