Write For Rights Day

On Tuesday December 10th, 2019 TriCities Chapter of Amnesty International is hosting an evening of poetry, music, silent auction, delicious food, delightful company and more.

Come join us and get your tickets soon becuase space is limited.

I am humbly and utterly honored to be invited by Joy Silver to be the featured poet for the evening.

As I continue to write my story, I am going to be reading part of it at the event and some new and published poems from my three books, (I’m No Hero), (Counting Waves) & (Dreamers Needed). My books will be on display for sale and part of the proceeds will be donated to Amnesty International.

I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces on Tuesday.

I wish to thank Joy Silver and her incredible team for organizing the annual event that I am so much looking forward to.

You are invited to join us!

If you can’t make it and want to order copies of my books, feel free to contact me directly. Part of the proceeds of any book sold up to/ on the day of the event will be donated to Amnesty International.

Events in November 2018

Here are the events I will be present at in November where I am reciting poetry, telling stories, answering questions and selling my books (I’m No Hero) & (Counting Waves). I will also be reading some poems from my upcoming 3rd book (Dreamers Needed) that is coming in December.
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All events listed here are FREE for the public to attend and all are wheelchair accessible:

Please see if you can come to one or more of those events ok?
>>>’Hands Off Yemen -Anti-War Rally’ on Saturday November 3rd, 1-3pm (rain or shine) 1245 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7, Canada. You are strongly encouraged to share this event and please do come join us. https://www.facebook.com/events/340812466679376/
>>> On Tuesday November 6th, 7-9pm join us at the Holy Wow Poets Canada in the lobby of The ACT Art Centre 11944 Haney Pl, Maple Ridge BC V2X 6G1. There is an Open Mic so you too can bring a poem to share with us. I will read a couple of poems too 🙂
>>> On November 8th 6-8pm I am the host of Tellers of Short Tales where I present Chelene Knight who will read from her book then there is an Open Mic where I will share one of my short stories and you are invited to bring a story too or just come and enjoy people reading amazing stories. https://rclas.com/recurring/tellers-of-short-tales/
>>> On Sunday November 11, 2018 from 2-5pm you are invited to attend a great afternoon of poetry at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre 7646 Prince Albert Street Vancouver BC. Feature poets lined up are: Jaz Gill, Shahana Akter Mohua and Ahn Bong Ja. On Open Mic 🎤: Obet Calingo, Una Bruhns and Bonnie Quan Symons. There will be a sign-up sheet as well for people who want to share a poem with us. It is a free event so do come and enjoy some treats and wonderful poetry. For further information please contact: Ashok Bhargava President Writers International Network https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/moberly-arts-and-cultural-centre.aspx
>>> On Saturday November 24th, I am attending 2 events: (1) 11:00am-12:00pm, I am at a table in the mall greeting and speaking to people during the annual (Meet The Author Day) in front of Black Bond Books https://www.blackbondbooks.com/  141-11900 Haney Pl, Maple Ridge BC V2X 8R9 604-463-8624 (2) 2:00-4:00pm I may be attending the award ceremony to celebrate the winners of the annual Royal City Literary Art Society Fred Cogswell Excellence in Poetry Contest. https://rclas.com/awards-contests/fred-cogswell-award/2018-award-winner/ 
I am also very much looking forward to the Writers Retreat at Loon Lake in November where I will have time to relax, reenergize and write.
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My poem is in the Royal City Literary Art Society eZine Magazine June 2018 edition

https://issuu.com/rclas/docs/june_2018_ezine_issue_55

June 2018 RCLAS Wordplay at Work Issue 55
ISSN 2291- 4269, 66 pages.

Feature of the Month: Write on! Contest Fiction Winners featuring Claire Lawrence, Chelsea Comeau, Bryant Ross, H.W. Bryce, Tatjana Mirkov- Popovicki, Tiffany Crawford. Farewell to the President and a welcome to the new. Upcoming RCLAS events including Poetry in the Park and In Their Words, Contributing writers: Alan Hill, Lozan Yamolky, H.W. Bryce, Cynthia Sharp, Deborah L. Kelly, Jenny Ihaksi, Kathy Figueroa, Hope Lauterbach, Janet Kvammen. 2018 Fred Cogswell Award For Excellence In Poetry criteria. Deadline Oct 1, 2018
Editor/Designer: Janet Kvammen.

 

 

A poem: A Refugee’s Escape

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A Refugee’s Escape

~© Lozan Yamolk

 

 

Get me out of this sadness;

pull me out of this darkness.

 

Rid me of the miserable never ending bad news;

pick me out of the crowd of desensitized beings who no longer have empathy

for a suffering humanity.

 

Do something with me!

 

Launch me into the sky.

Shoot my body,

from the tip of my nose

to my toes,

up to the heavens.

Watch me fly away;

just let me go

until you see me no more.

 

Let me breeze past a flock of flying birds,

through the clouds,

past a flying aircraft,

and through arctic freezing air.

 

Let my body feel it;  let me be consumed

by all what I am surrounded by now.

 

Up above the skies I go.

I will not look down

until I am up … up … up there

where no one can see me:

into the infinite deep;

into the glittering universe;

into that place shimmering

with spectacular endless spots of light.

 

I see nothing above me or around me

but the sparkling

–         wow!

 

I will not stop until I get there.

 

When I arrive,

I will float weightlessly.

 

Nothing is happening here:

not a sound,

not a motion,

nothing moving but my arms spread like wings.

 

I am here.

I am free.

I am flying.

I am at peace.

 

I look down and I see the peaceful blue planet.

 

Here, I forget the pain:

the darkness of hearts

and the cries of innocents.

 

From up here:

I do not see blood.

I do not smell gunpowder.

I do not hear the explosions.

I do not feel the lifeless bodies of my people scattered around me.

 

Then I remember those who are in the dark;

not from lack of light,

but from the lack of love in their hearts.

 

For those blinded by the idea of harming others

believing it will somehow bring them peace;

it will balance this world;

it will bring them victory.

 

Oh, how I wish I could take

some of this peace I feel right now

and transport it into their hearts.

 

Oh how I wish darkness would

wonder,

search,

want,

peace and love

which will make them lay down their weapons.

 

Oh, how I hope the darkness

does not pass the shadows

to their offspring,

or the offspring

of those they harmed.

I hope they all search

and find how easy this is:

how peaceful;

how comfortable.

 

 

I opened my eyes

to the feeling of cold mud beneath me,

rain pouring though our torn up tent;

my wet clothes

and a soldier pointing his rifle

into my face

while ripping our tent wide open,

shouting at us:

 

“Get up and move out of here.

 Get going.

 

Out!”

~© Lozan Yamolk

Poem from my debut book: I’m No Hero
Published in 2016 through Silver Bow Publishing

Contact me to get your copy.

Photo of one of my beautiful sisters, Viyan Janela from Kurdistan 1992

My poems on the radio

http://www.worldpoetryopenmic.net/uploads/5/1/8/3/5183702/wpom-2018-03-23.mp3

IMG_3234 Lozan Yamolky

 

Listen to: http://www.worldpoetryopenmic.net/ archive file of March 23, 2018
I called in and spoke then shared a poem @ 40:00 and called again and read my new poem  54:00

Listen to the show and let me know what you think of my poems 🙂

If you also like to be sharing your poems on the air for the world to hear, call them on Fridays (not this coming one Friday March 30, they are off) but they are back on Friday April 6th, 2018. Call from anywhere in the world and you can also listen live.

 

My books are at VPL

Ok, it is official, my poetry books are at the Vancouver Public Library VPL
You can find it in the: Vancouver Indie Collection on the main floor or place a hold online.

My books are about freedom, spirituality & the quest for peace on earth & the travails of refugees … spread the news.

 

Please take a moment to go to the library’s website and rate my book & if you can, write a review please.


🌎   🕊

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Trouble in Paradise 

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 © Lozan Yamolky

On the bark of the mighty banyan trees,
inscriptions of a hurting native soul

send shivers down your spine.

 

Near a high-end eatery,
a homeless man lies in deep sleep,

covered with a blanket.

 

On the sidewalk of the famous Honolulu strip,
an elderly woman walks

with all her life’s possessions

in a shopping cart.

 

In the most prestigious hotel a single mother works,
barely getting by;

yet she smiles so sweetly.

 

In the most pristine, ancient forest,

tourists toss trash with little regard.

 

At a beautifully landscaped intersection

cars wait for traffic lights to turn green;

while a beggar in a wheelchair,

with his head down, holds a sign that reads:

Iraq war veteran, please help!

 

The massive, spectacular waves cannot talk;

if they could, they would tell stories

of how many took their very last breaths
seeking the thrill of just being in the waves.

 

Mountains higher than skyscrapers stand tall,
allowing only a few to reach their peaks;

others were not so fortunate.

 

Yes, even in paradise my friends,

there is trouble!
_________________________________

 © Lozan Yamolky

From debut book: I’m No Hero

By: Silver Bow Publishing 2016

Your Life’s Journey

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Your Life’s Journey

© Lozan Yamolky

 

 

Unless the city sidewalk has 

even once, been your bed,

try not to condemn the homeless.

 

Unless you lived countless days

and countless nights

sad beyond words,

try not to pass judgment on those battling depression.

 

Unless you have been betrayed

by a person you trusted,

try not to be too quick to criticize
those who have difficulty trusting.

 

Unless you have felt

the deep anguish

of a woman terminating her pregnancy,

try not to hatefully question

a woman’s right to choose.

 

Unless you have been displaced

in search of a new life, in a foreign land,

try not to scorn a refugee.

 

Unless you have been ill

where you find it difficult

to care for yourself,

try not to judge those living in unkempt homes.

 

If you have never had to choose

between dressing well;

feeding your hungry stomach;

buying your medication;
pay your utility bills;

or keep a roof over your head,

try not to be condescending

to those who look less groomed than you.

 

My heart aches seeking freedom.

My spirit loves living life. 

My crying voice sings beautiful songs.

My arms spread wide, seeking peace.

 

Reach out for me,
I am everywhere.

 

I am the needy

you just passed by.

 

I am the one

you just avoided making

eye contact with.

 

Who I am and where I am right now

is all a part

—of your life’s journey.

 

© Lozan Yamolky
from debut book: I’m No Hero
by: Silver Bow Publishing 2016

Friday Oct. 27 @5:00pm in Surrey

I hope to see many of you at my book signing ( Poet Featue) event next Friday October 27th.

As we speak, copies of my poetry book ( Counting Waves ) are in the hands of people in India, Baghdad/ Iraq, California, Los Angles, Prince George, Australia, New Zealand, ( off-course Hawaii) and all over the Lower Mainland.

 

My book is $20 and can order it from me here or can come to the event to buy it 🙂

 

i would love to hear your opinion as well with a book review 🙂

 

love ans peace always,

 

lozan