Finding My Way, a Poem by Ven Lyn A. Valdez

You walked away, and I found my way,
Discovered strength in the heartbreak's gray.
You didn't see the growth, the lessons I've gained,
The resilience that rose, as our love remained.

I learned to let go, to heal and to mend,
To find my own path, where love would transcend.
I'm not searching for blame, but for a brand new start,
A chance to rediscover, a brand new heart.

Why did you have to leave, and push me to grow?
Why did you have to walk away, and let me glow?
I'm finding my own light, my own inner fire,
Learning to love myself, and reach my highest desire.

I realize now, the heartache was real,
But it taught me to rise, to heal, and to feel.
I'm turning pain into power, darkness into light,
Finding my purpose, and making everything right.

Maybe it's not too late, maybe we've both won,
Maybe we'll find our way, to a brand new sun.
I'll hold on to the lessons, of what we used to be,
And use them to fuel my journey, to set my soul free.

© Ven Lyn A. Valdez
Philippines/Finland 

Ven-Lyn A. Valdez: A Literary Luminary

Hailing from the picturesque town of Namuac, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Valley, Philippines, Ven-Lyn A. Valdez is a force to be reckoned with in the world of literature. As the Founder of Rhythm of the Heart Writers International Literary platform, she has been instrumental in promoting the art of writing and empowering aspiring writers globally.

A prolific poet, Ven-Lyn has authored several poetry books, including "Rhythm of the Heart", "Vicissitude Of Life", "Ritmo Ti Puso (Ilocano Dialect)", "Labyrinth of Life", "Canvas Of Bliss", and "Kiss Of Meadows". Her collaborative works include "Labyrinth of Life" with Adeyemi Kehinde and Adeyemi Taiwo, and "Kiss Of Meadows" with Engr Albert Onwuchekwa.

Her literary prowess has earned her numerous accolades, including the Poet Of The Year 2019 award in Poetry City, Nigeria, Golden Pen Award 2020 in United by Ink, Malaysia, and the Platinum Award in Literature Lovers Association, India. She has also received the Torch Bearer Award by School of Arts and Poetry, Nigeria, World Knowledge Nobel Awardee 2021, Global Peace Icon for World Writer's Union, and the Mahatma Gandhi Literary award.

Ven-Lyn's achievements extend beyond literature; she is the First Governor of World Writers Union, a position she won through nomination and election. She has received awards from countries such as Bhutan, Peru, Malaysia, USA, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Italy.

A versatile personality, Ven-Lyn is also an avid sports enthusiast and serves as the adviser of Ball Busters Vteam, a volleyball team for ladies. Her contributions to the literary world are invaluable, and her passion for writing continues to inspire aspiring writers worldwide.

Awards and Recognition:

- Poet Of The Year 2019, Poetry City, Nigeria
- Golden Pen Award 2020, United by Ink, Malaysia
- Platinum Award, Literature Lovers Association, India
- Torch Bearer Award, School of Arts and Poetry, Nigeria
- World Knowledge Nobel Awardee 2021
- Global Peace Icon, World Writer's Union
- Mahatma Gandhi Literary award
- First Governor, World Writers Union
□

Two Poems by Kujtim Hajdari

ME AND THE SEA

They dragged me away, as if they killed me,  
They left me alone on the shore, feeling sad
far from the sea I have always loved nearby,  
and when the waves have splashed me.  

The waves receded and left beyond,  
only the crests remained on the sand,  
my rainbow cries that extinguished,  
and some seagulls with a hoarse voice.  

The sea stretches out - endless,  
as if in bed, it seems to doze,  
and calmed in the ocean,  
still doesn’t part my eyes whispering.  

I know, this sudden separation,  
kills and pierces like silence in the heart,  
the tides have often robbed me,  
without giving a reason, without naming.

And this time they took it away,  
when we embraced on the shores,  
they don't know how much I suffer far from him,  
and the sea, from longing, how much it burns.  

How much I burn like a lonely soul,  
when I wait for the waves to come again,  
we are two inseparable good friends,  
without each other, who can remain?  
□

THE STRANGE DUSK

Tonight, the mist full of colors descended slowly,
and suddenly sweetly kissed my face,
then looked cheerfully and speechless,
my surprised eyes and bewildered face.

What should I do? I've forgotten the kisses over time,
in distant years, buried, in another age,
I am accustomed to living with and without them,
and when they spat on me and threw me in the trash.

But this enchanting mist approaches me like a friend,
puts its hand on my shoulder and speaks warmly:
(The confusion left me and a little fear)
"Call and shake, it tells me, the cold heart!

By time comes to descend like a corpse underground,
these rainbows and colors you will see no more,
the worms and vermin you will have as companions,
in the eternal kingdom down there, underground."

The dead songs start calling me aloud and aloud,
from the icy graves where they descend underground,
the remains of my memories are revived,
and the deafness of life begins to speak to me again.
□

Kujtim Hajdari, Albanian‑born multilingual poet, writer, translator, publisher and critic, writes in Albanian, Italian and English and now calls the USA home; his prolific output includes 18 poetry collections, three novellas, three novels and countless translations, and he is a finalist for Author of the Year 2025 (Hollywood Salon, Oct 4 2025) for _Through the Waves of Life_, following the International Impact Book Awards win in August 2024, with over 50 literary competitions, 230+ anthologies in three languages, and translations in 25+ countries, while also publishing the Amazon anthology “All Together” that showcases creators worldwide, appearing in literary magazines from Italy to India and in the Micropoetry Cosmos series, marking him as a restless literary force—mechanic‑turned‑teacher, exile‑turned‑storyteller, and a celebrated voice on the international stage, whose next wave is just getting started.

Võ Thị Như Mai in Hindi by Dr. Shailesh Gupta Veer

तुम्हारी कविता

- वो थि न्यू माई

(अंग्रेजी से हिन्दी अनुवाद : डॉ. शैलेष गुप्त 'वीर')

आपकी अद्भुत कविता मेरी आत्मा में गूँजती है,

और मुझे बचपन की ख़ुशबू में वापस ले आती है।

एक रची हुई कविता प्रशंसा के लिए ही होती है,

आपकी सबसे सच्ची कविता मेरे लिए है, 

जिसे मैं महसूस करूँ और याद रखूँ।

एक छवि उभरती है, कोहरे में एक अकेली नाव,

यकायक आपका हृदय लिखने लगता है।

एक शब्द के पीछे प्रेम की भावना होती है,

प्रेम की भावना के पीछे हज़ार शब्द होते हैं।

कविता तब शुरू होती है, जब भावनाएँ एकाकार होती हैं,

और तभी समाप्त होती हैं, 

जब वह किसी अन्य आत्मा को स्पर्श करती है।

प्रियवर, तुम्हारी लिखी एक पंक्ति भी,

मेरे हृदय में जीवन भर की मिठास भर सकती है।

□

परिचय-

वियतनाम में जन्मीं वो थि न्यू माई ने ऑस्ट्रेलिया में उच्च शिक्षा ली। उन्होंने शिक्षा और साहित्य में दो मास्टर डिग्री हासिल की और बीस साल से पश्चिमी ऑस्ट्रेलिया में शिक्षक हैं। उन्होंने 'द रिद्म ऑफ वियतनाम' की स्थापना की और मल्टीकल्चरल प्रेस में रिपोर्टर बनीं। मई 2025 में ऑस्ट्रेलिया के कंसुलेट जनरल से उत्कृष्टता पुरस्कार मिला। वे अपनी भावपूर्ण और गहन कविताओं के लिए जानी जाती हैं।

YOUR POETRY

- Võ Thị Như Mai

your amazing poem ripples into my soul,

and brings me back to the scent of childhood.

a crafted verse is made to be applauded,

your truest poem is there for me to feel and remember.

an image appears, a lone boat in the fog,

suddenly, your heart begins to write.

 

behind a single word is an emotion of love,

behind the emotion of love is a thousand words.

poetry begins when feeling meets form,

and ends only when it moves another soul.

My dear, even a single line you wrote,

can hold a lifetime of sweetness in my heart.

□

[Original in English]

We Were One, a Poem by Mirta Ramírez- Chaco

I still feel your skin on me
That love that bound us
body and soul.

We were one
and floated on air
amid kisses, caresses, and moans…

When just touching each other
made us a volcano erupting

When every kiss
tasted like nectar
And every caress
was a breeze on the skin.

We were one, we were
But we ceased to be
when you left
when you left me
and I couldn't give you one last kiss.

We were one, sometimes,
I feel you're still by my side
Silently keeping me company
Waiting for a reunion.
- Mirta Ramírez- Chaco - Argentina

Mirta Liliana Ramírez, born in Chaco, Argentina, in 1965, discovered her love for words at the tender age of 12 and has never looked back. She wears many hats—writer, compiler, proofreader and editor—but she only works on projects that are truly her own. By day she inspires young minds as a primary‑school teacher, and by night she is a devoted mother and grandmother, drawing on those everyday moments for her poetry. Her debut collection, “Whispers of the Soul,” was followed by a series of five limited‑edition chapbooks titled “Women on the Edge of the Abyss” (Collections 1‑4). She has also released the full‑length book “Women on the Edge of the Emotional Abyss,” the expressive volume “Expressing Our Voice,” the “Vida de Piedra” collection, and the evocative poem “With the Taste of Your Skin.” Her work often explores the interplay of memory, identity and the natural landscapes of her homeland, resonating with readers across borders.

In 2020 Mirta was honored with a string of prestigious awards, including the Federal Luna de Oro (Tucumán), the Silver Seagull, the Patagonian Tronador Glacier prize, the Gaucho Salteño, the Golden Obelisk and the Cóndor Mendoza. Since 2018 she has spearheaded the Cultural Movement with Cultural Rake, creating new Cultural Belts that nurture emerging artists. Her first poetry collection, “Deshojando Moments,” showcases her signature blend of intimacy and social reflection. She founded and now directs the International Artists and Writers group “Together for Letters,” coordinates a cultural magazine, and curates the “Inmortales” series as compiler and editor. She also established the Arte Escritores Group and the Meeting of Artists space under the Together for Letters umbrella. For collaborations or inquiries, she can be reached at mirtalilianaramirez17@gmail.com. Her influence spreads through every page she touches. She continues to mentor young writers, organize literary workshops, and publish anthologies that celebrate diverse voices, keeping the literary flame alive in Argentina and beyond.

I Can't Explain, a Poem in Serbian by Dr. Shailesh Gupta Veer & Translated from English by Prof. Ljiljana Samardžić

Pjesnik : Dr. Shailesh Gupta Veer

Prevodilac : Prof. Ljiljana Samardžić

NE MOGU DA OBJASNIM

---------------------------------

Ona je veoma slatka i lijepa

I osjećajna 

Kada priča

Zvuči kao -

Slavujeva pjesma

Tada 

Moje srce ubrzano kuca

Njeno nasmiješeno lice me privlači!

Starija je od mene mnogo, 

Znam to veoma dobro,

Ali uz njen unutarnji sjaj...

Postajem veoma romantičan!!

Da, ona je meni prelijepa,

Kao crvena ruža,

Kao proljeće,

Kao priroda,

Kao... Ne mogu da objasnim...!!!

© Dr. Shailesh Gupta Veer

Fatehpur, UP, India 

[Translated into Serbian by Prof. Ljiljana Samardžić, Novi Sad, Serbia]

□

I CAN'T EXPLAIN

---------------------------------

She is very cute and beautiful

Sensitive too

When she speaks

Feels like-

Any Nightingale is singing a song,

Then

My Heartbeat becomes faster

Her smiling face attracts me!

She is much older than me

I know very well,

But it's her internal glow...

Makes me more romantic!!

Yes, She is very pretty

For me,

Like red rose

Like spring

Like nature

Like...I can't explain...!!!

© Dr. Shailesh Gupta Veer

(Editor: Micropoetry Cosmos)

Fatehpur, UP, India 

Email: editorsgveer@gmail.com

□

INTERNATIONAL POETIC EXCELLENCE AWARD "SERGIO CAMELLINI" MODENA - ITALY By Regina Resta

 

November 22, 2025, in Modena, Italy, marked the beginning of an extraordinary event: the Ceremony of the First Edition of the International Award Sergio Camellini.

The Poetic Excellence Award "Sergio Camellini" was established by the association VerbumlandiArtAps, founded by President Regina Resta and Dr. Marcella Camellini, member of the Scientific Committee.

The President of the Jury, Dr. Hafez Haidar—Knight of the Italian Republic, writer, and Arab translator of Lebanese origin naturalized Italian, as well as a candidate for the Nobel Prize for Peace and Literature—together with the other jury members, honored the winners of this important competition, approved by the Senate of the Italian Republic.

During this event, the "Excellence Award in Promotion and Culture" was also presented to Angela Kosta—translator, international promoter, and Ambassador of Cultural Peace in several cultural associations. Although she could not attend the event in person, as on November 22 she was at the Town Hall of Vetralla, where she was honored with the "Oscar Wilde" Award as an International Cultural Promoter. She was also recognized for her book: 'Il Potere Dell'Apocalisse' – The Power of the Apocalypse.

The Award Ceremony of the International Poetry Excellence Prize "Sergio Camellini" took place in the Aula Magna – Ducal Palace of the Military Academy (Modena) at around 3:00 PM.

After a musical prelude and the official greetings, which began with the video “The Life of Dr. Sergio Camellini” and the speech by the Honorary President of the Award, Marcella Camellini, followed by the addresses of Dr. Regina Resta, Senator Vincenza Rando, and representatives of the attending municipalities, the awards ceremony continued with the presentation of Honorary Plaques and Medals for Excellence in Career and Culture to the following distinguished personalities:

SEN. VINCENZA RANDO – Lawyer, Senator of the Republic, 19th Legislature;

Anna Maria Lombardi – Knight of the OMRI, philosopher, psychologist, psychotherapist, author, and poet.

ANGELA KOSTA – Poet, translator, editor, journalist, and literary critic;

ANNA GIADA ALTOMARE – Publishing entrepreneur / founder & CEO of Another Coffee Stories;

Cinzia Baldazzi – Literary critic, writer, and cultural journalist;

Davide Foschi – Contemporary painter, visual artist, and poet;

Domenico Pisana – Writer, poet, and theology scholar;

DONATELLA RAMPADO – Manager, trainer, and marketing & communication consultant;

Francesco Lenoci – Professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan;

GIANNI CASALE – Lawyer, writer;

GIUSEPPE ALETTI – Poet, publisher, and literature professor.

LORENZO SPURIO – Poet, writer, and literary critic;

Luciano Manfredi – Poet, writer;

LUIGI BULLA – President of the Cultural Center for poetic/publishing activities;

Marina Pratici – Essayist, poet, literary critic, founder and president of prestigious literary awards;

MICHELE MIANO – Editor and co-editor (Publisher at Guido Miano);

NICOLA PAONE – Writer, cultural promoter;

NINA MISELLI – Writer, cultural promoter, and literary prize organizer;

WALTER ZULIANI – Doctor and trainer;

RITA CORUZZI – Journalist and writer of historical novels.

Rodolfo Vettorello – Architect, poet, and reciter;

SIMONA CASTIGLIONI – Chief radiotherapist;

SONIA DEMURTAS – Curator/artistic editor and cultural promoter.

DUET “CLAUDIO & DIANA” – La Posteggia Napoletana – Artists.

Then, the winners from various literary sections were awarded prizes in their respective categories.

The first prize for foreign authors was awarded to the well-known Albanian poet, literary critic, playwright, and journalist Arben Iliazi for his poem: ESCAPE.

With deep gratitude, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the full success of the First Edition of the International Excellence Award “Sergio Camellini.”

This award, established to honor the memory and human and professional legacy of the late Sergio Camellini, this year succeeded in bringing together around the values of culture, ethics, and artistic quality an attentive audience and a lively, engaged community.

Your presence and support transformed this day into a grand and meaningful moment, which renewed the commitment to spreading the beauty of art and literature, research, study, and thought.

I wish to express a special thanks to:

- The members of the Jury, for their expertise, critical sensitivity, and the time dedicated to evaluating the works;

- The authorities present, who with their participation gave prestige and institutional value to the award;

- The participants and winners, who with their talent enriched the Award with new perspectives, emotions, and visions of our present;

- The guests and attendees in the hall, for their attention, enthusiasm, and respect that made this event a moment of true fellowship;

- The collaborators, volunteers, and cultural partners, for their valuable and impeccable work, without whom nothing would have been possible today.

A special thanks also goes to the Camellini family, who supported and accompanied this project with great generosity and a deep sense of emotional and cultural continuity.

The “Sergio Camellini” Award will grow every year thanks to each one of you.

Expressing again my gratitude, I hope that the enthusiasm and energy shared in this edition will guide us toward new achievements, always in the name of culture, inclusion, and human values.

With respect and warmth,

Dr. Regina Resta

President of VerbumlandiArtAps Association

What the Purple Dawn Did to the Cherry Trees, A Poem by Emmanuel Mettles

It happened slowly—
so slowly the morning
didn’t notice.

A faint hush,
a shift in the coolness,
a thought the air tried to hide.

The purple dawn
did not arrive;
it seeped—
like a secret deciding
to become light.

On the cherry trees,
the first touch
was not colour,
but a tremor—
a soft remembering
of something they had once loved
in another season.

Petals loosened,
as if an old ache
had finally agreed
to open.

And in that quiet change,
your presence moved through me
the same way—
a warmth without shape,
a closeness without steps,
a beginning without declaration.

What the purple dawn did to them
you do to me:
you deepen the stillness
until it becomes
breath,
then longing,
then something
I cannot name
but cannot let go.

Even now,
when the day grows louder,
I carry that moment—
a soft, hidden bloom
at the edge of light,
waiting to unfurl
whenever you return.

- Emmanuel Mettles

Emmanuel Mettles is a highly accomplished individual born in Kerala, India. She holds postgraduate degrees in English, Sanskrit, and Psychology (Social and Health). Currently, she works as a clinical psychologist in Telangana State, India. As a multilingual poet, her work appears in various periodicals, showcasing her linguistic versatility.

Mettles has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Kavyakoumudi award from Telangana Sahitya Akademy. She's a co-author of 59 English poetry anthologies published globally and has published five books of her own. Additionally, she's a talented visual artist. Her achievements are a testament to her dedication and passion for literature and art.