i am

Published on Leaves of Ink 

© Susan Marie

I am

that which

cannot be caged,

tamed, tried,

understood, included,

deluded, or left.

Misunderstood.

I am the fairy-tailed children

asleep beneath blankets

on a cool summers eve,

books in palms,

eyes shut tight,

warding off monsters

in closets

underneath the bed.

The angelic presence

in dreams,

the dark rising depths,

present in the time

between night and day.

I am the bleeding hearts

of artists,

music flowing

like manes

of thoroughbreds.

Strings and violins,

concertos and preludes,

the rise and fall,

of notes,

the voice

of the oppressed,

painting alone,

writing alone,

speaking to the masses

standing in front

of sculptures

in galleries,

half-numb

from having their soul

placed on a public platter,

picked apart

and critiqued.

I am the constellations,

the stars,

the ancient raiment

of the majestic

velvet night,

coaxing solitude,

and creation,

rendering you

sleepless

with desire.

The great God

contemplating existence,

tossing magic

and medicine,

electrified

towards earth,

teaching lessons to the

mere human soul.

I am.

Woman.

Man.

Child.

Mother.

Father.

Brother.

Sister.

I am a lover,

loved,

loving.

I am the volcanic rumblings

of every tired soul,

and every smile

and tear.

I am an argument

and agreement.

The birds that birth

in your

crown chakra.

Their song

is mine.

All creatures,

earth, dirt, silt

gems, stones,

twigs, and trees.

Every root and crevice,

all footholds and paths,

the waving branches

pregnant with leaves.

The falling leaves.

Kamikaze.

Every rock and shell,

the waves and oceans,

all bodies of water,

feathers, flight,

the bees that buzz

around the new bud,

the hand that guides

a sprout from seed.

The secrets the wind

whispers.

The fierce embrace

of winter,

the warmth upon

your face,

heart, body, soul,

and the sweet cool

calming waters

of life.

I am death.

Wild.

I am woman.

Here.

Now.

I am every element.

All emotions,

every fable told

by firelight,

Every word written,

spoken, uttered,

screamed and sighed.

The true Goddess,

the wild soul.

I am that

which cannot

be kept,

nor set free.

I exist

without logic,

in rational conscious

thought,

in esoteric

holy nakedness.

I am the rich man

and beggar,

the king and the jester.

I am the grass,

all species,

and the sky.

Kaleidoscopes

of spectrums.

I am good

versus

evil,

versus

self,

versus

sentience.

I am a conundrum

unto myself,

a human shell

existing

as pure

ether.

I am heaven

and hell

I am the destroyer

and creator

simultaneous.

ChalkFest Buffalo! 2015

WHAT:     ChalkFest Buffalo! 2015

WHERE:  500 Block Main Street Buffalo, NY - Located on Main Street in between Huron & Mohawk Streets  MAP HERE

WHEN:    Saturday & Sunday, August 1st & 2nd, Noon-6pm both days

WHY:      ChalkFest Buffalo! is a free annual event in the heart of Downtown Buffalo, hosted by the 500 Block of Main Street Association. With so many amazing things to do in Buffalo, the 500 Block Association felt their little niche needed to get on the summer calendars and what better way than through art, games, music, and food. 

An entire city block is transformed into a colorful playground for two days, with more sidewalk chalk than anyone could dream of. Kids of all ages will have the chance to participate and leave their mark, albeit temporarily, in the city creating whatever their imagination can come up with, while drawing, learning and watching over the shoulders of local and world renown artists!

In an effort to give back each year, ChalkFest Buffalo! chooses a local organization geared toward children and proceeds from all vendor fees and t-shirt sales are donated to that group.  This year’s beneficiary is Explore & More Childrens Museum, which provides an environment for creative play and learning through hands-on exhibits, activities and programs that spark creativity, curiosity and imagination in children.

Contact:

Erin Carmina, ChalkFest Coordinator
(716) 860-1760, ecarmina@gmail.com

www.chalkfestbuffalo.com

WNY VegFest 2015 – A Sustainable Awakening

First Published on StreetPoetz.Com by Carmel Cece Carson

ON WGRZ Ch. 2

 
When people think of Buffalo, NY, they often think of a tumultuous amount of snow, chicken wings, and the losing streak of the Buffalo Bills. What many don’t know is that the city is rich with different cultures and an immense diversity of amazing food! Each summer promises various food festivals as an opportunity to venture out and experience something new, and in 2014 one group decided to take this a step further.

WNY VegFest merges Vegetarian and Vegan with a clean, sustainable, and healthy lifestyle. The event brought over 5,000 people to Delaware Park last year and expects an even larger turnout this year.

StreetPoetz.Com founder, Cece Carson, had a moment to speak with Albert Brown, one of the co-founders of WNY Vegfest and he provided insight into the birth of this astounding event.

Can you tell us how WNY VegFest came to be?  

“I thought that a festival encouraging and celebrating all the wonderful benefits of a plant based lifestyle would be perfect for the WNY/Buffalo region and that was the spark that lit a fire that continues to burn.”

At the point this was just an idea; did you ever think it would be so successful in the first year?

“No, we had hoped for 1,500 folks to show up the first year but 5,000 decided they had a better idea than me, ha-ha.”

Who is the driving force team behind WNY VegFest?

“Sara Rogers, Melanie Pasinski, and myself.”

We love that you have also found a way to incorporate the arts into the event.  Can you tell us more about this?

“The arts are such an important part of the WNY VegFest!  We love featuring local musicians, dancers, and artists and artisans of all kinds.  We want our event to always be a creative expression of the talent and love that our region is known for and will always look for ways to showcase our talented pool of artist in the WNY area.”

What do you feel the key difference will be between 2014 and 2015? 

“Well, knock on wood, I think we are a little better prepared and we are expanding in every area.  Our theme this year is A Plant based Lifestyle and its benefits in an Age of Climate change! “

How many businesses and vendors can we look forward to this year?

“As of right now we have over 70 and that number will grow right up to the event.”

Can you tell us what goals you have in mind for the future?

“I would love to see the WNY VegFest become a multiple day festival and expand on performances, speakers, music and of course all that delicious food!”
This year’s event will feature not only amazing food and earth conscious vendors, but also:

• The annual Tofurkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
• Live music, drumming, dancing, hula hoops, kids area, and other performances
• Animals for adoption
• Speakers and vendors
• Fun! Fun! Fun!

Want to be a part of WNY VegFest?

Contact Albert via email or phone

• albert [at] wnyvegfest.com
• (716) 465.3927 

Check out the website for the complete schedule of events, how to volunteer, donate, sponsor and have a lot of fun at www.wnyvegfest.com

Stay tuned because it does not stop here.

 Graphics © WNY Vegfest

ART, ALL GENRES: StreetPoetz.Com: Get Yourself, Your Business Listed For Free

WHAT:   StreetPoetz.Com is a space for writers, poets, vocalists, visual artists, photographers and musicians to express themselves, practice their skills, collaborate and be noticed. Our goal is to serve as the hub for artistic events. Any business that caters/supports/promotes all artistic genres is welcomed and needed. 

WHERE: Follow this link --> http://streetpoetz.com/business-directory-3/?action=submitlisting hit JOIN, fill out data you wish the public to see and start your artistic journey! 

WHEN:  Right now! Go ahead, do it. Why wait? I am listed there as a writer, spoken word poet, author, public relations, radio . . .  what do you do? 

WHY:    On Saturday, August 29th, there will be a massive event/mixer --> https://www.facebook.com/events/501390090017687/ at Shea's Smith Theatre in Buffalo's newly renovated Theatre District to feature, vend, perform, collaborate and meet. Virtual vendors are accepted!

For more information:

Carmel Cece Carson, CEO/Founder

EMAIL

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm Featuring Melissa Lussier

Here is a short video I made showcasing the Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm and a portion of the work they do while standing inside a butterfly tent, which was fantastic, along with a sampling of the beautiful vocals of Melissa Lussier of Melissa Lussier Music - please visit all linked above and connect to the farm and to Melissa and her music. 

like this

love is just a word

Canalside Buffalo

On Think Twice Radio HERE

Below is live audio from Ismail and Company [R&B, blues, rock, funk, acoustic] and Tom Callahan, Marcia and Monte Jones [Traditional American folk and Celtic rock.]

1. Ismail & Company - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" [with live tribal drumming] click here

2. Tom Callahan With Marcia & Monte Jones - "When I Paint My Masterpiece" click here

3. Tom Callahan With Marcia & Monte Jones - "Love Hurts" click here

4. Tom Callahan With Marcia & Monte Jones - "Linger" click here

5. Tom Callahan With Marcia & Monte Jones - "Crazy" click here

6. Tom Callahan With Marcia & Monte Jones - "The Weight" click here

Canalside Buffalo Memorial Day Weekend

photo © Canalside Buffalo 

 

Canalside is at the heart of Buffalo’s waterfront revitalization. It’s located in the city’s downtown corridor. 

Artwork by Creekside Art and Pottery

photo © Susan Marie

Every other Saturday there is live music and artisans coordinated by Julie Leatherbarrow and Kathleen Allyn Ashwill as part of Buffalo Saturday Artisan Market.

photo © Susan Marie

  photo © Susan Marie

Live video: 

* * *


All Music © Ismail & Company, Tom Callahan, Marcia & Monte Jones. 

All Songwriting © 

Norman Whitfield & Barret Strong [The Temptations]
Bob Dylan
Boudleaux Bryant [Everly Bros, Nazareth]
Dolores O'Riordan & Noel Hogan [The Cranberries]
Willie Nelson [Patsy Cline]
Robbie Robertson [The Band] 

How Writing Has Positively Influenced My Life

Image © Jasmina Gorjanski

Writing is breath to me, blood pumping to sustain life. It is the air I breathe, the food that provides my body with strength, the desire and passion that keeps my soul alive. Writing is letting go and rebirth. It is a release. Writing is healing.

Writing is a positive force and I am grateful I am able to write without fear or ridicule of what anyone else perceives about the subject matter of my writing. In order to truly write, you must bare your soul to the world, allowing the public inside your heart, soul, mind and the most sacred parts of your being. 

This is brave. 

Every writer knows that all of their secrets, desires, dreams, loves and letting go, can be found in writing.

Various articles, books and so called “experts and critiques” of the writing world suggest volumes and advice that does not apply to everyday life. It may be helpful if enrolled in English Composition, however, a true writer simply writes. Get it all down first, free form flowing thought, emotion, anger, sadness, happiness, every emotion you feel, every thought you think. 

Editing is for later. 

If you cease to document those very first moments the need to write strikes, you will lose what is instinctual and natural as a writer.

Writing has assisted me in times of need. When I am sad, angry or hurt, writing is a release. When I am happy and grateful, it is a force of positive awareness.

As a journalist, writing has allowed me to connect to the entire world educating people on different cultures, politics, faith and tradition. Journalistic writing has ripped wide open the world of politics and human rights abuses. 

Writing connects us, as does all art. Humanity understands emotion. 

As a poet and spoken word poet, writing has provided me with featured reading engagements and numerous publications alongside writers I honor immensely. I write every day, on napkins, matchbook covers, scraps of paper, anything I can grab at the moment and with anything deemed a writing instrument. In this age of technology, I grab my cell phone and start recording my thoughts to later write them down.

Without the gift of writing in my life, to be able to speak clearly through the written word, and to have no fear of doing so, I never would have traveled paths unreachable to me from my home.   

I have met beautiful people in our world, connected with organizations, learned languages, helped people with events and causes and most importantly, touched people simply by letting them know that yes, I too, feel this way.

Writing is breath to me, blood pumping to sustain life. It is the air I breathe, the food that gives my body strength, the desire and passion that keeps my soul alive.

Writing is letting go and rebirth. It is a release. Writing is healing. 

* * * 

“I am participating in the Writing Contest: How Writing Has Positively Influenced My Life. Hosted by Positive Writer.”

See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-how-writing-has-positively-influenced-my-life/#sthash.4M17uaK9.dpuf

“I am participating in the Writing Contest: How Writing Has Positively Influenced My Life. Hosted by Positive Writer.” - See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-how-writing-has-positively-influenced-my-life/#sthash.4M17uaK9.dpuf

“I am participating in the Writing Contest: How Writing Has Positively Influenced My Life. Hosted by Positive Writer.” - See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-how-writing-has-positively-influenced-my-life/#sthash.4M17uaK9.dpuf

“I am participating in the Writing Contest: How Writing Has Positively Influenced My Life. Hosted by Positive Writer.” - See more at: http://positivewriter.com/writing-contest-how-writing-has-positively-influenced-my-life/#sthash.4M17uaK9.dpuf