#bookpromo — Public Fediverse posts

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series & it makes me smile:
"Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943."

If that sounds interesting to you, too, you can buy DRM-free ebooks & paperbacks direct: https://
kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

or from all the usual booksellers:
https://
books2read.com/rough-passages
and
https://
books2read.com/SharpEdge

#BookPromo
#IndieAuthor
#reading #fantasy #hopepunk #books #MidlifeCrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series & it makes me smile:
"Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943."

If that sounds interesting to you, too, you can buy DRM-free ebooks & paperbacks direct: https://
kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

or from all the usual booksellers:
https://
books2read.com/rough-passages
and
https://
books2read.com/SharpEdge

#BookPromo
#IndieAuthor
#reading #fantasy #hopepunk #books #MidlifeCrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series & it makes me smile:
"Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943."

If that sounds interesting to you, too, you can buy DRM-free ebooks & paperbacks direct: https://
kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

or from all the usual booksellers:
https://
books2read.com/rough-passages
and
https://
books2read.com/SharpEdge

#BookPromo
#IndieAuthor
#reading #fantasy #hopepunk #books #MidlifeCrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series & it makes me smile:
"Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943."

If that sounds interesting to you, too, you can buy DRM-free ebooks & paperbacks direct: https://
kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

or from all the usual booksellers:
https://
books2read.com/rough-passages
and
https://
books2read.com/SharpEdge

#BookPromo
#IndieAuthor
#reading #fantasy #hopepunk #books #MidlifeCrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series & it makes me smile:
"Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943."

If that sounds interesting to you, too, you can buy DRM-free ebooks & paperbacks direct: https://
kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

or from all the usual booksellers:
https://
books2read.com/rough-passages
and
https://
books2read.com/SharpEdge

#BookPromo
#IndieAuthor
#reading #fantasy #hopepunk #books #MidlifeCrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series:
Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943.

If you think that sounds interesting, you can get DRM-free ebooks or order paperbacks here:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1
or here:
Rough Passages:
https://books2read.com/rough-passages
and
The Sharp Edge Of Yesterday
https://books2read.com/SharpEdge

#bookpromo #indieauthor #reading #fantasy #books #midlifecrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series:
Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943.

If you think that sounds interesting, you can get DRM-free ebooks or order paperbacks here:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1
or here:
Rough Passages:
https://books2read.com/rough-passages
and
The Sharp Edge Of Yesterday
https://books2read.com/SharpEdge

#bookpromo #indieauthor #reading #fantasy #books #midlifecrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series:
Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943.

If you think that sounds interesting, you can get DRM-free ebooks or order paperbacks here:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1
or here:
Rough Passages:
https://books2read.com/rough-passages
and
The Sharp Edge Of Yesterday
https://books2read.com/SharpEdge

#bookpromo #indieauthor #reading #fantasy #books #midlifecrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series:
Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943.

If you think that sounds interesting, you can get DRM-free ebooks or order paperbacks here:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1
or here:
Rough Passages:
https://books2read.com/rough-passages
and
The Sharp Edge Of Yesterday
https://books2read.com/SharpEdge

#bookpromo #indieauthor #reading #fantasy #books #midlifecrisis

Every so often I remember the tagline for my Rollover Files series:
Middle-aged moms with superpowers, saving lives & making the military nervous
since 1943.

If you think that sounds interesting, you can get DRM-free ebooks or order paperbacks here:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1
or here:
Rough Passages:
https://books2read.com/rough-passages
and
The Sharp Edge Of Yesterday
https://books2read.com/SharpEdge

#bookpromo #indieauthor #reading #fantasy #books #midlifecrisis

#BookPromo!
Are you looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & more.

Kobo, Nook, Kindle etc:
https://books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow/

buy direct DRM-free: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

Boosts welcomed & appreciated.

#writing #fantasy #books
#wizards #monsters #elves #witches #magic #sorcery
#FoundFamily #bookstodon

#BookPromo!
Are you looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & more.

Kobo, Nook, Kindle etc:
https://books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow/

buy direct DRM-free: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

Boosts welcomed & appreciated.

#writing #fantasy #books
#wizards #monsters #elves #witches #magic #sorcery
#FoundFamily #bookstodon

#BookPromo!
Are you looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & more.

Kobo, Nook, Kindle etc:
https://books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow/

buy direct DRM-free: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

Boosts welcomed & appreciated.

#writing #fantasy #books
#wizards #monsters #elves #witches #magic #sorcery
#FoundFamily #bookstodon

#BookPromo!
Are you looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & more.

Kobo, Nook, Kindle etc:
https://books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow/

buy direct DRM-free: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

Boosts welcomed & appreciated.

#writing #fantasy #books
#wizards #monsters #elves #witches #magic #sorcery
#FoundFamily #bookstodon

#BookPromo!
Are you looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & more.

Kobo, Nook, Kindle etc:
https://books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow/

buy direct DRM-free: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

Boosts welcomed & appreciated.

#writing #fantasy #books
#wizards #monsters #elves #witches #magic #sorcery
#FoundFamily #bookstodon

Looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & much more.

Kobo, Nook & more:
https://
books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow

buy direct: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

#fantasy #wizards #monsters #witches #sorcery #elves #FoundFamily #reading #books #bookstodon #bookpromo #indieauthor

Looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & much more.

Kobo, Nook & more:
https://
books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow

buy direct: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

#fantasy #wizards #monsters #witches #sorcery #elves #FoundFamily #reading #books #bookstodon #bookpromo #indieauthor

Looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & much more.

Kobo, Nook & more:
https://
books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow

buy direct: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

#fantasy #wizards #monsters #witches #sorcery #elves #FoundFamily #reading #books #bookstodon #bookpromo #indieauthor

Looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & much more.

Kobo, Nook & more:
https://
books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow

buy direct: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

#fantasy #wizards #monsters #witches #sorcery #elves #FoundFamily #reading #books #bookstodon #bookpromo #indieauthor

Looking for some light, comfy reading to uplift and entertain you in these uncertain times? Try my whimsical fantasy story collection. Elves, gargoyles, mischievous young magicians, heroic aunties, very good doggos, & much more.

Kobo, Nook & more:
https://
books2read.com/relicsfromatravelingshow

buy direct: https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1/p/relics-from-a-traveling-show-ebook1

#fantasy #wizards #monsters #witches #sorcery #elves #FoundFamily #reading #books #bookstodon #bookpromo #indieauthor

Featuring “what it feels like to be run over (mm/ddd/yyyy)” by Kate LaDew

The following poem is from Kate LaDew’s new poetry book, What it feels like to be run over (mm/ddd/yyyy) (Westbrae Literary Group, 2026).

(36) 2024 instead of reading death tolls, I’m looking at a photograph of a lion who no longer exists

it’s not that this particular lion doesn’t exist, though he doesn’t,
it’s that this lion’s entire population no longer exists,
is extinct, gone forever from the earth
that’s what makes me sad
in a general non-specific way like walking through a cemetery
the lion came from the barbary coast,
not the one in san francisco, of course, where they dragooned sailors,
but africa, northwest, and I think about cary grant
diving into cornfields, swerving drunk around dark corners
he and clark gable used to meet every year after christmas
and exchange unwanted monogrammed gifts
gable for the fun of it, grant for the practicality
he used to go hungry as a child
and knew anything got for free could always be sold for profit later
I read north by northwest isn’t a true direction
but at least it never was and this lion, he was real,
I can see his footprints in the fuzzy black and white
dotting behind him, marking his travel like maps in indiana jones
the lion’s walking through a valley in the atlas mountains,
only a french military photographer to keep him company
and he’s a long ways away, busy taking his picture
the lion’s in shadow, head up, outline so perfect he looks like a plastic figure,
the ones with the base attached that I used to cut off as a kid for realism’s sake
only to complain bitterly when my living room zoo was filled almost completely
with animals lying on their side
the photograph the frenchman took is the last known image of a wild barbary lion,
I wonder when we decide last known images,
when we know for sure something that happened will never happen again,
cary grant died 20 years after his final film
clark gable had a heart attack before his last film was released,
4 months before his first son was born
cary had a stroke backstage in an iowa theater,
rehearsing for a sold-out one-man show where he answered audience questions
and made everyone feel wonderfully inadequate
both died later in hospitals they asked not to be taken to
I think of iowa cornfields where dead baseball players come to life
cornfields where crop dusters chase dashing leading men
hospitals where somebody says I love you and then never says it again
the lion and his mountains were on the french photographer’s flight path
from casablanca to dakar
when rick lets ilsa go, ingrid bergman walks away from humphrey bogart
towards a plane on a van nuys, california runway, 6,000 miles from morocco
it adds an element of danger to think they made casablanca
before they knew who would win the war, every line a prayer —
it’s not that this particular lion doesn’t exist, it’s that he did and does no longer
gone forever from the earth and all the people and all the places leaving, leaving,
leaving us walking through an endless cemetery —
but they did exist, once,
and maybe that makes all these constant goodbyes endurable,
knowing the utter improbability that of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world,
they walked into ours

Copyright © 2026 Kate LaDew
All Rights Reserved

Publisher’s Note

When a book arrives, sometimes you just know it’s going to ask something of you. Kate LaDew’s *What It Feels Like to Be Run Over* is that kind of book. It’s an almanac, yes, but not of weather or tides. Instead, LaDew maps the collisions that shape history and the body, pinpointing moments of impact from 712 CE to our bewildering present. This is not a gentle read, nor should it be.

LaDew builds a visceral archive of what gets flattened—bodies, voices, species—by the relentless machinery of time. She puts Ann Lowe, the uncredited designer of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown, in conversation with the extinction of the Great Auk. Joan of Arc’s pyre flickers next to the quiet, systemic terrors of the 2020 lockdowns. It’s a bold and precise re-seeing of history, refusing to look away from the places where things break apart.

We published this collection because LaDew doesn’t just record history; she makes you feel its weight, its strange echoes, and its relentless present tense. Her singular voice brings urgency and meticulous detail to the untold narratives that shape our world.

Jon-David Hague
Westbrae Literary Group

What it feels like to be run over (mm/ddd/yyyy) is available here:
Westbrae Literary Group and Amazon.

Kate LaDew is a poet, fiction writer, and visual artist with a BA in Studio Arts. Her work explores women’s histories, civil rights, and underrepresented historical figures. LaDew lives in Graham, North Carolina, with her cats, James Cagney and Janis Joplin. Her personal reading and research span archival fiction, history, documenting old cemeteries, sketching, and origami. Her poetry and prose have appeared in journals such as EVENT, The Maynard, Sonic Boom, and Under a Warm Green Linden. Her first poetry collection, what it feels like to be run over (mm/dd/yyyy) is out from Westbrae Literary Group.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry by Cao Shui

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You”
as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry

In the landscape of contemporary world poetry, Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” emerges as a luminous testament to the power of cultural and existential integration—a core tenet of the Grand Poetry Movement I advocate. Translated from Arabic by Dr. Anba Jawi MBE and Dr. Mohamad Haj Mohamad, this collection transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, embodying the movement’s ideals of unifying Eastern and Western cultures, bridging ancient and modern sensibilities, and reconciling the sacred and the secular. Through his searing imagery and paradoxical insights, Masri crafts a poetic universe where contradictions coexist, inviting readers to witness the beauty of a world stitched together by shared humanity.

The integration of Eastern and Western cultural traditions is a defining strength of Masri’s work. Rooted in the rich poetic heritage of the Arab world—with echoes of Sufi mysticism and the stark realism of war-torn Lebanon—his verses simultaneously engage with Western literary traditions, from existentialist philosophy to modernist experimentation. In “Jasmine rises like bullets,” Masri merges the Eastern symbolism of jasmine as a symbol of purity with the Western metaphor of bullets as instruments of destruction, creating a jarring yet profound image that transcends cultural divides. Lines like “Bread resembles a stab-wound” evoke both the biblical imagery of bread as sustenance and the harsh reality of violence in the Middle East, blending two cultural frameworks to articulate a universal truth about suffering and survival. The translators’ meticulous work preserves this duality, ensuring that the Arabic original’s rhythmic cadence and the English language’s precision complement each other—a harmonious fusion that mirrors the Grand Poetry Movement’s vision of cultural synthesis.

Masri’s poetry also masterfully integrates ancient and modern sensibilities, breathing new life into timeless themes while confronting the crises of the contemporary world. His exploration of life, death, and existence echoes the philosophical inquiries of ancient Greek thinkers and medieval Sufi poets, yet his voice is distinctly modern, shaped by the trauma of war and the alienation of modernity. In “Darkness,” he writes, “It’s hard to totally erase the dark. Were you to draw a thousand suns you wouldn’t banish darkness,” a sentiment that resonates with both the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the existential despair of 20th-century writers. Similarly, “The Path” reimagines the ancient metaphor of the spiritual journey through the lens of modern displacement, as strangers walk a desert guided by conflicting stars—an echo of both Sufi pilgrimage and the refugee experience of the 21st century. By weaving ancient symbols into modern narratives, Masri demonstrates that the human condition is timeless and that contemporary poetry can draw strength from the depths of historical consciousness.

Perhaps most striking is Masri’s integration of the sacred and the secular, as he blurs the lines between the spiritual and the mundane, revealing transcendence in the most unlikely places. In “My Mother,” he elevates the secular bond of maternal love to a sacred realm, describing her silence as “a boat” and the sea as “a drop upon her palm”—images that evoke both the intimacy of family life and the cosmic mystery of divine presence. “I love you” challenges the secular arrogance of modern science, declaring that love’s light is the true path to salvation, while also affirming the sanctity of all living beings: “Each creature has a beating heart. We’re at the heart of Life bearing love’s pulse within, both I and you.” Masri does not shy away from the profane—his poetry is filled with the grit of war, poverty, and human failure—but he transforms these secular struggles into sacred acts of resistance. In “Please Be Cherishing,” he calls for compassion toward war-orphaned children, framing ordinary kindness as a holy duty that transcends religious and ideological divides. This synthesis of the sacred and the secular aligns with the Grand Poetry Movement’s belief that poetry should be both a reflection of everyday life and a gateway to transcendence.

In “Because of You,” Bilal Al Masri has created more than a collection of poems—he has crafted a universal hymn to the human spirit. Through his integration of Eastern and Western cultures, ancient and modern sensibilities, and the sacred and the secular, he embodies the essence of Grand Poetry, proving that poetry can be a unifying force in a fragmented world. His verses remind us that, despite our differences, we share a common humanity shaped by love and loss, hope and despair. As the world grapples with division and conflict, Masri’s poetry offers a vision of harmony—a reminder that the greatest truths are found not in separation, but in integration. This collection is a triumph of poetic craft and philosophical depth, and a vital contribution to the global conversation about what it means to be human in the 21st century. For readers seeking poetry that challenges, inspires, and unites, “Because of You” is an indispensable work—one that will resonate across cultures and generations.

Copyright © 2026 Cao Shui
All Rights Reserved

Sample Poems by Bilal al Masri

Translation from Arabic: ANBA GAWI AND M.H MOHAMED
Edite by camilla reeve

A story 

Like smoke dispersing
words distance themselves 
as you and I return to being strangers –
two characters lost in a long story, 
an endless one –
and the sad author,
uncertain of the way
that he should take.

~~~~~

Tears 

Dogs run after the Moon.
Spinster cats miaow.
In the dead of night
poor mice hide 
in the ear of an old woman
combing her grey hair
that falls like snowflakes
and melts like tears,
while there are people 
wandering along the paths
crushing each other’s hearts.

~~~~~

Absence 

As meetings with you became rare
I folded myself between the pages of a book
I went on my way,
gone and left the place

having forgotten I was sick –
your absence pains me –
and I had forgotten 
where I left the book.

Copyright © 2026 Bilal al Masri
All Rights Reserved

https://www.amazon.com/Because-You-Bilal-Al-Masri/dp/1911587749/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8JI6I850P5BO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qdywJKjQVeJHhxKogpBgV9P4Jvn6rLunsPU0EqucrPDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.HCHVhj9SiY4AjRS4nCzryQO-SLIH7DiqodnsdhhHKvU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Because+of+You+by+Bilal+Al+Masri&qid=1780246961&sprefix=because+of+you+by+bilal+al+masri%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

About the Contributors

Cao Shui, (born in Jun 5, 1982), is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads the Great Poetry Movement. So far, 51 books of Cao Shui have been published, including 10 poem collections, 5 essay collections, 10 novels, 4 translations, and 18 fairy tales. He has won more than 100 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 36 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, Asian coordinator of World Poetry Movement, China Coordinator of the BRICS Writers Association, executive president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, and Chairman of the Beijing International Poetry Film Festival.

Bilal al Masri is a Lebanese poet and writer whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and human emotion. He writes in both classical and contemporary styles, with a strong focus on philosophical and social reflection. His poems have been published on various literary platforms and in international collaborations, reflecting a poetic voice that connects Arabic literature with global poetic discourse.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry by Cao Shui

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You”
as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry

In the landscape of contemporary world poetry, Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” emerges as a luminous testament to the power of cultural and existential integration—a core tenet of the Grand Poetry Movement I advocate. Translated from Arabic by Dr. Anba Jawi MBE and Dr. Mohamad Haj Mohamad, this collection transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, embodying the movement’s ideals of unifying Eastern and Western cultures, bridging ancient and modern sensibilities, and reconciling the sacred and the secular. Through his searing imagery and paradoxical insights, Masri crafts a poetic universe where contradictions coexist, inviting readers to witness the beauty of a world stitched together by shared humanity.

The integration of Eastern and Western cultural traditions is a defining strength of Masri’s work. Rooted in the rich poetic heritage of the Arab world—with echoes of Sufi mysticism and the stark realism of war-torn Lebanon—his verses simultaneously engage with Western literary traditions, from existentialist philosophy to modernist experimentation. In “Jasmine rises like bullets,” Masri merges the Eastern symbolism of jasmine as a symbol of purity with the Western metaphor of bullets as instruments of destruction, creating a jarring yet profound image that transcends cultural divides. Lines like “Bread resembles a stab-wound” evoke both the biblical imagery of bread as sustenance and the harsh reality of violence in the Middle East, blending two cultural frameworks to articulate a universal truth about suffering and survival. The translators’ meticulous work preserves this duality, ensuring that the Arabic original’s rhythmic cadence and the English language’s precision complement each other—a harmonious fusion that mirrors the Grand Poetry Movement’s vision of cultural synthesis.

Masri’s poetry also masterfully integrates ancient and modern sensibilities, breathing new life into timeless themes while confronting the crises of the contemporary world. His exploration of life, death, and existence echoes the philosophical inquiries of ancient Greek thinkers and medieval Sufi poets, yet his voice is distinctly modern, shaped by the trauma of war and the alienation of modernity. In “Darkness,” he writes, “It’s hard to totally erase the dark. Were you to draw a thousand suns you wouldn’t banish darkness,” a sentiment that resonates with both the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the existential despair of 20th-century writers. Similarly, “The Path” reimagines the ancient metaphor of the spiritual journey through the lens of modern displacement, as strangers walk a desert guided by conflicting stars—an echo of both Sufi pilgrimage and the refugee experience of the 21st century. By weaving ancient symbols into modern narratives, Masri demonstrates that the human condition is timeless and that contemporary poetry can draw strength from the depths of historical consciousness.

Perhaps most striking is Masri’s integration of the sacred and the secular, as he blurs the lines between the spiritual and the mundane, revealing transcendence in the most unlikely places. In “My Mother,” he elevates the secular bond of maternal love to a sacred realm, describing her silence as “a boat” and the sea as “a drop upon her palm”—images that evoke both the intimacy of family life and the cosmic mystery of divine presence. “I love you” challenges the secular arrogance of modern science, declaring that love’s light is the true path to salvation, while also affirming the sanctity of all living beings: “Each creature has a beating heart. We’re at the heart of Life bearing love’s pulse within, both I and you.” Masri does not shy away from the profane—his poetry is filled with the grit of war, poverty, and human failure—but he transforms these secular struggles into sacred acts of resistance. In “Please Be Cherishing,” he calls for compassion toward war-orphaned children, framing ordinary kindness as a holy duty that transcends religious and ideological divides. This synthesis of the sacred and the secular aligns with the Grand Poetry Movement’s belief that poetry should be both a reflection of everyday life and a gateway to transcendence.

In “Because of You,” Bilal Al Masri has created more than a collection of poems—he has crafted a universal hymn to the human spirit. Through his integration of Eastern and Western cultures, ancient and modern sensibilities, and the sacred and the secular, he embodies the essence of Grand Poetry, proving that poetry can be a unifying force in a fragmented world. His verses remind us that, despite our differences, we share a common humanity shaped by love and loss, hope and despair. As the world grapples with division and conflict, Masri’s poetry offers a vision of harmony—a reminder that the greatest truths are found not in separation, but in integration. This collection is a triumph of poetic craft and philosophical depth, and a vital contribution to the global conversation about what it means to be human in the 21st century. For readers seeking poetry that challenges, inspires, and unites, “Because of You” is an indispensable work—one that will resonate across cultures and generations.

Copyright © 2026 Cao Shui
All Rights Reserved

Sample Poems by Bilal al Masri

Translation from Arabic: ANBA GAWI AND M.H MOHAMED
Edite by camilla reeve

A story 

Like smoke dispersing
words distance themselves 
as you and I return to being strangers –
two characters lost in a long story, 
an endless one –
and the sad author,
uncertain of the way
that he should take.

~~~~~

Tears 

Dogs run after the Moon.
Spinster cats miaow.
In the dead of night
poor mice hide 
in the ear of an old woman
combing her grey hair
that falls like snowflakes
and melts like tears,
while there are people 
wandering along the paths
crushing each other’s hearts.

~~~~~

Absence 

As meetings with you became rare
I folded myself between the pages of a book
I went on my way,
gone and left the place

having forgotten I was sick –
your absence pains me –
and I had forgotten 
where I left the book.

Copyright © 2026 Bilal al Masri
All Rights Reserved

https://www.amazon.com/Because-You-Bilal-Al-Masri/dp/1911587749/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8JI6I850P5BO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qdywJKjQVeJHhxKogpBgV9P4Jvn6rLunsPU0EqucrPDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.HCHVhj9SiY4AjRS4nCzryQO-SLIH7DiqodnsdhhHKvU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Because+of+You+by+Bilal+Al+Masri&qid=1780246961&sprefix=because+of+you+by+bilal+al+masri%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

About the Contributors

Cao Shui, (born in Jun 5, 1982), is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads the Great Poetry Movement. So far, 51 books of Cao Shui have been published, including 10 poem collections, 5 essay collections, 10 novels, 4 translations, and 18 fairy tales. He has won more than 100 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 36 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, Asian coordinator of World Poetry Movement, China Coordinator of the BRICS Writers Association, executive president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, and Chairman of the Beijing International Poetry Film Festival.

Bilal al Masri is a Lebanese poet and writer whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and human emotion. He writes in both classical and contemporary styles, with a strong focus on philosophical and social reflection. His poems have been published on various literary platforms and in international collaborations, reflecting a poetic voice that connects Arabic literature with global poetic discourse.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry by Cao Shui

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You”
as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry

In the landscape of contemporary world poetry, Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” emerges as a luminous testament to the power of cultural and existential integration—a core tenet of the Grand Poetry Movement I advocate. Translated from Arabic by Dr. Anba Jawi MBE and Dr. Mohamad Haj Mohamad, this collection transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, embodying the movement’s ideals of unifying Eastern and Western cultures, bridging ancient and modern sensibilities, and reconciling the sacred and the secular. Through his searing imagery and paradoxical insights, Masri crafts a poetic universe where contradictions coexist, inviting readers to witness the beauty of a world stitched together by shared humanity.

The integration of Eastern and Western cultural traditions is a defining strength of Masri’s work. Rooted in the rich poetic heritage of the Arab world—with echoes of Sufi mysticism and the stark realism of war-torn Lebanon—his verses simultaneously engage with Western literary traditions, from existentialist philosophy to modernist experimentation. In “Jasmine rises like bullets,” Masri merges the Eastern symbolism of jasmine as a symbol of purity with the Western metaphor of bullets as instruments of destruction, creating a jarring yet profound image that transcends cultural divides. Lines like “Bread resembles a stab-wound” evoke both the biblical imagery of bread as sustenance and the harsh reality of violence in the Middle East, blending two cultural frameworks to articulate a universal truth about suffering and survival. The translators’ meticulous work preserves this duality, ensuring that the Arabic original’s rhythmic cadence and the English language’s precision complement each other—a harmonious fusion that mirrors the Grand Poetry Movement’s vision of cultural synthesis.

Masri’s poetry also masterfully integrates ancient and modern sensibilities, breathing new life into timeless themes while confronting the crises of the contemporary world. His exploration of life, death, and existence echoes the philosophical inquiries of ancient Greek thinkers and medieval Sufi poets, yet his voice is distinctly modern, shaped by the trauma of war and the alienation of modernity. In “Darkness,” he writes, “It’s hard to totally erase the dark. Were you to draw a thousand suns you wouldn’t banish darkness,” a sentiment that resonates with both the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the existential despair of 20th-century writers. Similarly, “The Path” reimagines the ancient metaphor of the spiritual journey through the lens of modern displacement, as strangers walk a desert guided by conflicting stars—an echo of both Sufi pilgrimage and the refugee experience of the 21st century. By weaving ancient symbols into modern narratives, Masri demonstrates that the human condition is timeless and that contemporary poetry can draw strength from the depths of historical consciousness.

Perhaps most striking is Masri’s integration of the sacred and the secular, as he blurs the lines between the spiritual and the mundane, revealing transcendence in the most unlikely places. In “My Mother,” he elevates the secular bond of maternal love to a sacred realm, describing her silence as “a boat” and the sea as “a drop upon her palm”—images that evoke both the intimacy of family life and the cosmic mystery of divine presence. “I love you” challenges the secular arrogance of modern science, declaring that love’s light is the true path to salvation, while also affirming the sanctity of all living beings: “Each creature has a beating heart. We’re at the heart of Life bearing love’s pulse within, both I and you.” Masri does not shy away from the profane—his poetry is filled with the grit of war, poverty, and human failure—but he transforms these secular struggles into sacred acts of resistance. In “Please Be Cherishing,” he calls for compassion toward war-orphaned children, framing ordinary kindness as a holy duty that transcends religious and ideological divides. This synthesis of the sacred and the secular aligns with the Grand Poetry Movement’s belief that poetry should be both a reflection of everyday life and a gateway to transcendence.

In “Because of You,” Bilal Al Masri has created more than a collection of poems—he has crafted a universal hymn to the human spirit. Through his integration of Eastern and Western cultures, ancient and modern sensibilities, and the sacred and the secular, he embodies the essence of Grand Poetry, proving that poetry can be a unifying force in a fragmented world. His verses remind us that, despite our differences, we share a common humanity shaped by love and loss, hope and despair. As the world grapples with division and conflict, Masri’s poetry offers a vision of harmony—a reminder that the greatest truths are found not in separation, but in integration. This collection is a triumph of poetic craft and philosophical depth, and a vital contribution to the global conversation about what it means to be human in the 21st century. For readers seeking poetry that challenges, inspires, and unites, “Because of You” is an indispensable work—one that will resonate across cultures and generations.

Copyright © 2026 Cao Shui
All Rights Reserved

Sample Poems by Bilal al Masri

Translation from Arabic: ANBA GAWI AND M.H MOHAMED
Edite by camilla reeve

A story 

Like smoke dispersing
words distance themselves 
as you and I return to being strangers –
two characters lost in a long story, 
an endless one –
and the sad author,
uncertain of the way
that he should take.

~~~~~

Tears 

Dogs run after the Moon.
Spinster cats miaow.
In the dead of night
poor mice hide 
in the ear of an old woman
combing her grey hair
that falls like snowflakes
and melts like tears,
while there are people 
wandering along the paths
crushing each other’s hearts.

~~~~~

Absence 

As meetings with you became rare
I folded myself between the pages of a book
I went on my way,
gone and left the place

having forgotten I was sick –
your absence pains me –
and I had forgotten 
where I left the book.

Copyright © 2026 Bilal al Masri
All Rights Reserved

https://www.amazon.com/Because-You-Bilal-Al-Masri/dp/1911587749/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8JI6I850P5BO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qdywJKjQVeJHhxKogpBgV9P4Jvn6rLunsPU0EqucrPDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.HCHVhj9SiY4AjRS4nCzryQO-SLIH7DiqodnsdhhHKvU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Because+of+You+by+Bilal+Al+Masri&qid=1780246961&sprefix=because+of+you+by+bilal+al+masri%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

About the Contributors

Cao Shui, (born in Jun 5, 1982), is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads the Great Poetry Movement. So far, 51 books of Cao Shui have been published, including 10 poem collections, 5 essay collections, 10 novels, 4 translations, and 18 fairy tales. He has won more than 100 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 36 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, Asian coordinator of World Poetry Movement, China Coordinator of the BRICS Writers Association, executive president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, and Chairman of the Beijing International Poetry Film Festival.

Bilal al Masri is a Lebanese poet and writer whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and human emotion. He writes in both classical and contemporary styles, with a strong focus on philosophical and social reflection. His poems have been published on various literary platforms and in international collaborations, reflecting a poetic voice that connects Arabic literature with global poetic discourse.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry by Cao Shui

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You”
as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry

In the landscape of contemporary world poetry, Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” emerges as a luminous testament to the power of cultural and existential integration—a core tenet of the Grand Poetry Movement I advocate. Translated from Arabic by Dr. Anba Jawi MBE and Dr. Mohamad Haj Mohamad, this collection transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, embodying the movement’s ideals of unifying Eastern and Western cultures, bridging ancient and modern sensibilities, and reconciling the sacred and the secular. Through his searing imagery and paradoxical insights, Masri crafts a poetic universe where contradictions coexist, inviting readers to witness the beauty of a world stitched together by shared humanity.

The integration of Eastern and Western cultural traditions is a defining strength of Masri’s work. Rooted in the rich poetic heritage of the Arab world—with echoes of Sufi mysticism and the stark realism of war-torn Lebanon—his verses simultaneously engage with Western literary traditions, from existentialist philosophy to modernist experimentation. In “Jasmine rises like bullets,” Masri merges the Eastern symbolism of jasmine as a symbol of purity with the Western metaphor of bullets as instruments of destruction, creating a jarring yet profound image that transcends cultural divides. Lines like “Bread resembles a stab-wound” evoke both the biblical imagery of bread as sustenance and the harsh reality of violence in the Middle East, blending two cultural frameworks to articulate a universal truth about suffering and survival. The translators’ meticulous work preserves this duality, ensuring that the Arabic original’s rhythmic cadence and the English language’s precision complement each other—a harmonious fusion that mirrors the Grand Poetry Movement’s vision of cultural synthesis.

Masri’s poetry also masterfully integrates ancient and modern sensibilities, breathing new life into timeless themes while confronting the crises of the contemporary world. His exploration of life, death, and existence echoes the philosophical inquiries of ancient Greek thinkers and medieval Sufi poets, yet his voice is distinctly modern, shaped by the trauma of war and the alienation of modernity. In “Darkness,” he writes, “It’s hard to totally erase the dark. Were you to draw a thousand suns you wouldn’t banish darkness,” a sentiment that resonates with both the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the existential despair of 20th-century writers. Similarly, “The Path” reimagines the ancient metaphor of the spiritual journey through the lens of modern displacement, as strangers walk a desert guided by conflicting stars—an echo of both Sufi pilgrimage and the refugee experience of the 21st century. By weaving ancient symbols into modern narratives, Masri demonstrates that the human condition is timeless and that contemporary poetry can draw strength from the depths of historical consciousness.

Perhaps most striking is Masri’s integration of the sacred and the secular, as he blurs the lines between the spiritual and the mundane, revealing transcendence in the most unlikely places. In “My Mother,” he elevates the secular bond of maternal love to a sacred realm, describing her silence as “a boat” and the sea as “a drop upon her palm”—images that evoke both the intimacy of family life and the cosmic mystery of divine presence. “I love you” challenges the secular arrogance of modern science, declaring that love’s light is the true path to salvation, while also affirming the sanctity of all living beings: “Each creature has a beating heart. We’re at the heart of Life bearing love’s pulse within, both I and you.” Masri does not shy away from the profane—his poetry is filled with the grit of war, poverty, and human failure—but he transforms these secular struggles into sacred acts of resistance. In “Please Be Cherishing,” he calls for compassion toward war-orphaned children, framing ordinary kindness as a holy duty that transcends religious and ideological divides. This synthesis of the sacred and the secular aligns with the Grand Poetry Movement’s belief that poetry should be both a reflection of everyday life and a gateway to transcendence.

In “Because of You,” Bilal Al Masri has created more than a collection of poems—he has crafted a universal hymn to the human spirit. Through his integration of Eastern and Western cultures, ancient and modern sensibilities, and the sacred and the secular, he embodies the essence of Grand Poetry, proving that poetry can be a unifying force in a fragmented world. His verses remind us that, despite our differences, we share a common humanity shaped by love and loss, hope and despair. As the world grapples with division and conflict, Masri’s poetry offers a vision of harmony—a reminder that the greatest truths are found not in separation, but in integration. This collection is a triumph of poetic craft and philosophical depth, and a vital contribution to the global conversation about what it means to be human in the 21st century. For readers seeking poetry that challenges, inspires, and unites, “Because of You” is an indispensable work—one that will resonate across cultures and generations.

Copyright © 2026 Cao Shui
All Rights Reserved

Sample Poems by Bilal al Masri

Translation from Arabic: ANBA GAWI AND M.H MOHAMED
Edite by camilla reeve

A story 

Like smoke dispersing
words distance themselves 
as you and I return to being strangers –
two characters lost in a long story, 
an endless one –
and the sad author,
uncertain of the way
that he should take.

~~~~~

Tears 

Dogs run after the Moon.
Spinster cats miaow.
In the dead of night
poor mice hide 
in the ear of an old woman
combing her grey hair
that falls like snowflakes
and melts like tears,
while there are people 
wandering along the paths
crushing each other’s hearts.

~~~~~

Absence 

As meetings with you became rare
I folded myself between the pages of a book
I went on my way,
gone and left the place

having forgotten I was sick –
your absence pains me –
and I had forgotten 
where I left the book.

Copyright © 2026 Bilal al Masri
All Rights Reserved

https://www.amazon.com/Because-You-Bilal-Al-Masri/dp/1911587749/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8JI6I850P5BO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qdywJKjQVeJHhxKogpBgV9P4Jvn6rLunsPU0EqucrPDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.HCHVhj9SiY4AjRS4nCzryQO-SLIH7DiqodnsdhhHKvU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Because+of+You+by+Bilal+Al+Masri&qid=1780246961&sprefix=because+of+you+by+bilal+al+masri%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

About the Contributors

Cao Shui (born on Jun 5, 1982) is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter, and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads the Great Poetry Movement. So far, 51 books of Cao Shui have been published, including 10 poetry collections, 5 essay collections, 10 novels, 4 translations, and 18 fairy tales. He has won more than 100 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 36 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, Asian coordinator of the World Poetry Movement, China Coordinator of the BRICS Writers Association, executive president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, and Chairman of the Beijing International Poetry Film Festival.

Bilal al Masri is a Lebanese poet and writer whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and human emotion. He writes in both classical and contemporary styles, with a strong focus on philosophical and social reflection. His poems have been published on various literary platforms and in international collaborations, reflecting a poetic voice that connects Arabic literature with global poetic discourse.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry by Cao Shui

A Symphony of Integrated Dualities: Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You”
as a Manifestation of Grand Poetry

In the landscape of contemporary world poetry, Bilal Al Masri’s “Because of You” emerges as a luminous testament to the power of cultural and existential integration—a core tenet of the Grand Poetry Movement I advocate. Translated from Arabic by Dr. Anba Jawi MBE and Dr. Mohamad Haj Mohamad, this collection transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, embodying the movement’s ideals of unifying Eastern and Western cultures, bridging ancient and modern sensibilities, and reconciling the sacred and the secular. Through his searing imagery and paradoxical insights, Masri crafts a poetic universe where contradictions coexist, inviting readers to witness the beauty of a world stitched together by shared humanity.

The integration of Eastern and Western cultural traditions is a defining strength of Masri’s work. Rooted in the rich poetic heritage of the Arab world—with echoes of Sufi mysticism and the stark realism of war-torn Lebanon—his verses simultaneously engage with Western literary traditions, from existentialist philosophy to modernist experimentation. In “Jasmine rises like bullets,” Masri merges the Eastern symbolism of jasmine as a symbol of purity with the Western metaphor of bullets as instruments of destruction, creating a jarring yet profound image that transcends cultural divides. Lines like “Bread resembles a stab-wound” evoke both the biblical imagery of bread as sustenance and the harsh reality of violence in the Middle East, blending two cultural frameworks to articulate a universal truth about suffering and survival. The translators’ meticulous work preserves this duality, ensuring that the Arabic original’s rhythmic cadence and the English language’s precision complement each other—a harmonious fusion that mirrors the Grand Poetry Movement’s vision of cultural synthesis.

Masri’s poetry also masterfully integrates ancient and modern sensibilities, breathing new life into timeless themes while confronting the crises of the contemporary world. His exploration of life, death, and existence echoes the philosophical inquiries of ancient Greek thinkers and medieval Sufi poets, yet his voice is distinctly modern, shaped by the trauma of war and the alienation of modernity. In “Darkness,” he writes, “It’s hard to totally erase the dark. Were you to draw a thousand suns you wouldn’t banish darkness,” a sentiment that resonates with both the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the existential despair of 20th-century writers. Similarly, “The Path” reimagines the ancient metaphor of the spiritual journey through the lens of modern displacement, as strangers walk a desert guided by conflicting stars—an echo of both Sufi pilgrimage and the refugee experience of the 21st century. By weaving ancient symbols into modern narratives, Masri demonstrates that the human condition is timeless and that contemporary poetry can draw strength from the depths of historical consciousness.

Perhaps most striking is Masri’s integration of the sacred and the secular, as he blurs the lines between the spiritual and the mundane, revealing transcendence in the most unlikely places. In “My Mother,” he elevates the secular bond of maternal love to a sacred realm, describing her silence as “a boat” and the sea as “a drop upon her palm”—images that evoke both the intimacy of family life and the cosmic mystery of divine presence. “I love you” challenges the secular arrogance of modern science, declaring that love’s light is the true path to salvation, while also affirming the sanctity of all living beings: “Each creature has a beating heart. We’re at the heart of Life bearing love’s pulse within, both I and you.” Masri does not shy away from the profane—his poetry is filled with the grit of war, poverty, and human failure—but he transforms these secular struggles into sacred acts of resistance. In “Please Be Cherishing,” he calls for compassion toward war-orphaned children, framing ordinary kindness as a holy duty that transcends religious and ideological divides. This synthesis of the sacred and the secular aligns with the Grand Poetry Movement’s belief that poetry should be both a reflection of everyday life and a gateway to transcendence.

In “Because of You,” Bilal Al Masri has created more than a collection of poems—he has crafted a universal hymn to the human spirit. Through his integration of Eastern and Western cultures, ancient and modern sensibilities, and the sacred and the secular, he embodies the essence of Grand Poetry, proving that poetry can be a unifying force in a fragmented world. His verses remind us that, despite our differences, we share a common humanity shaped by love and loss, hope and despair. As the world grapples with division and conflict, Masri’s poetry offers a vision of harmony—a reminder that the greatest truths are found not in separation, but in integration. This collection is a triumph of poetic craft and philosophical depth, and a vital contribution to the global conversation about what it means to be human in the 21st century. For readers seeking poetry that challenges, inspires, and unites, “Because of You” is an indispensable work—one that will resonate across cultures and generations.

Copyright © 2026 Cao Shui
All Rights Reserved

Sample Poems by Bilal al Masri

Translation from Arabic: ANBA GAWI AND M.H MOHAMED
Edite by camilla reeve

A story 

Like smoke dispersing
words distance themselves 
as you and I return to being strangers –
two characters lost in a long story, 
an endless one –
and the sad author,
uncertain of the way
that he should take.

~~~~~

Tears 

Dogs run after the Moon.
Spinster cats miaow.
In the dead of night
poor mice hide 
in the ear of an old woman
combing her grey hair
that falls like snowflakes
and melts like tears,
while there are people 
wandering along the paths
crushing each other’s hearts.

~~~~~

Absence 

As meetings with you became rare
I folded myself between the pages of a book
I went on my way,
gone and left the place

having forgotten I was sick –
your absence pains me –
and I had forgotten 
where I left the book.

Copyright © 2026 Bilal al Masri
All Rights Reserved

https://www.amazon.com/Because-You-Bilal-Al-Masri/dp/1911587749/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8JI6I850P5BO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qdywJKjQVeJHhxKogpBgV9P4Jvn6rLunsPU0EqucrPDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.HCHVhj9SiY4AjRS4nCzryQO-SLIH7DiqodnsdhhHKvU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Because+of+You+by+Bilal+Al+Masri&qid=1780246961&sprefix=because+of+you+by+bilal+al+masri%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

About the Contributors

Cao Shui, (born in Jun 5, 1982), is a Chinese poet, novelist, screenwriter and translator. He is a representative figure of Chinese Contemporary Literature. He leads the Great Poetry Movement. So far, 51 books of Cao Shui have been published, including 10 poem collections, 5 essay collections, 10 novels, 4 translations, and 18 fairy tales. He has won more than 100 literary awards worldwide. His works have been translated into 36 languages. He is also chief editor of Great Poetry, Asian coordinator of World Poetry Movement, China Coordinator of the BRICS Writers Association, executive president of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival, and Chairman of the Beijing International Poetry Film Festival.

Bilal al Masri is a Lebanese poet and writer whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and human emotion. He writes in both classical and contemporary styles, with a strong focus on philosophical and social reflection. His poems have been published on various literary platforms and in international collaborations, reflecting a poetic voice that connects Arabic literature with global poetic discourse.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

The Narratess Indie Sale is live! Over 200 books, 4 bundles:

https://indiebook.sale

My book, The Threads That Weave is included in the fantasy/thriller bundle (or individually for half off).

#bookstodon #fantasy #books #BookPromo

The Narratess Indie Sale is live! Over 200 books, 4 bundles:

https://indiebook.sale

My book, The Threads That Weave is included in the fantasy/thriller bundle (or individually for half off).

#bookstodon #fantasy #books #BookPromo

The Narratess Indie Sale is live! Over 200 books, 4 bundles:

https://indiebook.sale

My book, The Threads That Weave is included in the fantasy/thriller bundle (or individually for half off).

#bookstodon #fantasy #books #BookPromo

The Narratess Indie Sale is live! Over 200 books, 4 bundles:

https://indiebook.sale

My book, The Threads That Weave is included in the fantasy/thriller bundle (or individually for half off).

#bookstodon #fantasy #books #BookPromo

The Narratess Indie Sale is live! Over 200 books, 4 bundles:

https://indiebook.sale

My book, The Threads That Weave is included in the fantasy/thriller bundle (or individually for half off).

#bookstodon #fantasy #books #BookPromo

“The Chewiness of Yak Cheese” by KJ Hannah (Channie) Greenberg

The Chewiness of Yak Cheese

Her pulchritude was irresistible to all. But naivety enabled an unctuous

Man to keep her isolated in a vivarium. Plus, their prenup fixed him

Indemnity-free, destined for her riches. Brow beaten by his

Opprobrium, exhorted by his prurient soul, she suffered.
 

Even so, her heart dwelled properly. Trusting The Divine,

His pettifogging rolled off, their marriage’s devolution

Became simple vertical dancing; she used pills then

Potions to countermand cruelty; deferral sufficed.


Like yak cheese, meant to endure for long spans, digestible only

After intentional deconstruction has taken place, her quietude

Gained opacity. In the end, she dogged him with elongated

Nails, also a fusillade of kicks and punches.

(from Channie's poetry book The Lion's Share of Ourselves)

Copyright © 2026 KJ Hannah (Channie) Greenberg
All Rights Reserved

More Information about Channie’s New Book

https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Share-Ourselves-Hannah-Greenberg/dp/B0H213FLQX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GINM7R2H7PIQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m2h4OfWoDFZeVPpDht1W9YwhrwhkhbR0USJv1m5yFgzs40vy_GVREbua7ljwfm9YxO0OdqrMPupve4h7dHhGucJtEMIX2r1yKjMjgfjVZMxtNR_jlTCjamGyCuvPLvLLPEICXAHPULcPM6FU8bwbTrRVnacxUvWhdHHF-jA7fP8.SnWoRv5_Qj7fKG_zO6YkMRY1HxM7Qv1y5BFJ_P8B1gs&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+lion%27s+share+of+ourselves&qid=1779101913&sprefix=the+lion%27s+share+of+ourselves%2Caps%2C285&sr=8-1

KJ Hannah (Channie) Greenberg has been playing with words for an awfully long time. Hannah has had 59 books published and has served as an editor for several literary journals. Hannah writes about: Judaism, parenting, imaginary hedgehogs, and starfaring, polycephalic, gelatinous wildebeests. Her newest art and poetry book is The Lion’s Share of Ourselves.

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

Once again, I present my humble offering to anyone seeking a cozy sci-fi read with romance vibes:
Weaving In The Ends, a novella duology that starts with a summer fling & ends with a comedic Winter Solstice brawl.

It's a feel-good chosen family story, also a quick read that can be read as a standalone or as an easy springboard into the world of 2 connected novels.

Available in paperback, audio, & ebook
https://books2read.com/WeavingInTheEnds

#Writing #ScienceFiction #Romance #Books #bookstodon #BookPromo

Once again, I present my humble offering to anyone seeking a cozy sci-fi read with romance vibes:
Weaving In The Ends, a novella duology that starts with a summer fling & ends with a comedic Winter Solstice brawl.

It's a feel-good chosen family story, also a quick read that can be read as a standalone or as an easy springboard into the world of 2 connected novels.

Available in paperback, audio, & ebook
https://books2read.com/WeavingInTheEnds

#Writing #ScienceFiction #Romance #Books #bookstodon #BookPromo

Once again, I present my humble offering to anyone seeking a cozy sci-fi read with romance vibes:
Weaving In The Ends, a novella duology that starts with a summer fling & ends with a comedic Winter Solstice brawl.

It's a feel-good chosen family story, also a quick read that can be read as a standalone or as an easy springboard into the world of 2 connected novels.

Available in paperback, audio, & ebook
https://books2read.com/WeavingInTheEnds

#Writing #ScienceFiction #Romance #Books #bookstodon #BookPromo

Once again, I present my humble offering to anyone seeking a cozy sci-fi read with romance vibes:
Weaving In The Ends, a novella duology that starts with a summer fling & ends with a comedic Winter Solstice brawl.

It's a feel-good chosen family story, also a quick read that can be read as a standalone or as an easy springboard into the world of 2 connected novels.

Available in paperback, audio, & ebook
https://books2read.com/WeavingInTheEnds

#Writing #ScienceFiction #Romance #Books #bookstodon #BookPromo

Once again, I present my humble offering to anyone seeking a cozy sci-fi read with romance vibes:
Weaving In The Ends, a novella duology that starts with a summer fling & ends with a comedic Winter Solstice brawl.

It's a feel-good chosen family story, also a quick read that can be read as a standalone or as an easy springboard into the world of 2 connected novels.

Available in paperback, audio, & ebook
https://books2read.com/WeavingInTheEnds

#Writing #ScienceFiction #Romance #Books #bookstodon #BookPromo

It's Friday. I should do a #bookpromo post.
...or I could play in the garden.

Hm.
Hello, world! I write excellent Scifi & fantasy, try my books! You can find them here: https://books2read.com/kmherkes

There. Book promo accomplished. I'm off to dig in the dirt & watch butterflies.

Ta.

It's Friday. I should do a #bookpromo post.
...or I could play in the garden.

Hm.
Hello, world! I write excellent Scifi & fantasy, try my books! You can find them here: https://books2read.com/kmherkes

There. Book promo accomplished. I'm off to dig in the dirt & watch butterflies.

Ta.

It's Friday. I should do a #bookpromo post.
...or I could play in the garden.

Hm.
Hello, world! I write excellent Scifi & fantasy, try my books! You can find them here: https://books2read.com/kmherkes

There. Book promo accomplished. I'm off to dig in the dirt & watch butterflies.

Ta.

It's Friday. I should do a #bookpromo post.
...or I could play in the garden.

Hm.
Hello, world! I write excellent Scifi & fantasy, try my books! You can find them here: https://books2read.com/kmherkes

There. Book promo accomplished. I'm off to dig in the dirt & watch butterflies.

Ta.

It's Friday. I should do a #bookpromo post.
...or I could play in the garden.

Hm.
Hello, world! I write excellent Scifi & fantasy, try my books! You can find them here: https://books2read.com/kmherkes

There. Book promo accomplished. I'm off to dig in the dirt & watch butterflies.

Ta.

"High functioning yet simultaneously barely-functioning" is the best description of Yuri I've seen to date.

If you enjoy the archetype, perhaps you'd be interested in The Harmony of Falling Snow, a polyamorous romantasy following an elven failboy as he fights for democracy while trying to win back his ex-girlfriend without losing his boyfriend in the process.

Full description, the first 3 chapters, and shop links are at andybrokaw.com/harmony

#Bookstodon #BookPromo #fantasy

"High functioning yet simultaneously barely functioning" is the best description of Yuri I've seen to date.

If you enjoy the archetype, perhaps you'd be interested in The Harmony of Falling Snow, a polyamorous romantasy following an elven failboy as he fights for democracy while trying to win back his ex without losing his boyfriend in the process.

Full description, the first 3 chapters, and shop links are at andybrokaw.com/harmony

#Bookstodon #BookPromo #fantasy

"High functioning yet simultaneously barely-functioning" is the best description of Yuri I've seen to date.

If you enjoy the archetype, perhaps you'd be interested in The Harmony of Falling Snow, a polyamorous romantasy following an elven failboy as he fights for democracy while trying to win back his ex-girlfriend without losing his boyfriend in the process.

Full description, the first 3 chapters, and shop links are at andybrokaw.com/harmony

#Bookstodon #BookPromo #fantasy

"High functioning yet simultaneously barely-functioning" is the best description of Yuri I've seen to date.

If you enjoy the archetype, perhaps you'd be interested in The Harmony of Falling Snow, a polyamorous romantasy following an elven failboy as he fights for democracy while trying to win back his ex-girlfriend without losing his boyfriend in the process.

Full description, the first 3 chapters, and shop links are at andybrokaw.com/harmony

#Bookstodon #BookPromo #fantasy

"High functioning yet simultaneously barely-functioning" is the best description of Yuri I've seen to date.

If you enjoy the archetype, perhaps you'd be interested in The Harmony of Falling Snow, a polyamorous romantasy following an elven failboy as he fights for democracy while trying to win back his ex-girlfriend without losing his boyfriend in the process.

Full description, the first 3 chapters, and shop links are at andybrokaw.com/harmony

#Bookstodon #BookPromo #fantasy

Pirra and Frost’s story is $1 on Barnes and Noble!

Guuuuyyyyyssssss. The story about a cute black fairy and the dragon shifter she’s trying to save from his crazy ass ex! It’s partially written in a poetry style, too! (No rhyming going on)

Take a look! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-alien-space-dragon-and-a-fairy-lponi-baldwin/1149240854

Thank you~

Rate this:

Pirra and Frost’s story is $1 on Barnes and Noble!

Guuuuyyyyyssssss. The story about a cute black fairy and the dragon shifter she’s trying to save from his crazy ass ex! It’s partially written in a poetry style, too! (No rhyming going on)

Take a look! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-alien-space-dragon-and-a-fairy-lponi-baldwin/1149240854

Thank you~

Rate this:

Pirra and Frost’s story is $1 on Barnes and Noble!

Guuuuyyyyyssssss. The story about a cute black fairy and the dragon shifter she’s trying to save from his crazy ass ex! It’s partially written in a poetry style, too! (No rhyming going on)

Take a look! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-alien-space-dragon-and-a-fairy-lponi-baldwin/1149240854

Thank you~

Rate this:

Pirra and Frost’s story is $1 on Barnes and Noble!

Guuuuyyyyyssssss. The story about a cute black fairy and the dragon shifter she’s trying to save from his crazy ass ex! It’s partially written in a poetry style, too! (No rhyming going on)

Take a look! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-alien-space-dragon-and-a-fairy-lponi-baldwin/1149240854

Thank you~

Rate this:

Take a chance on one of my otherworldly stories about people who risk everything for the sake of friendship, trust, & community. You also get heaps of humor, whimsy, sarcasm, & optimism. Sometimes gritty, but never grim.

Buy DRM-free epubs or print direct from me:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

Kindle & print from the Bezos Bazaar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L8MX7U4

Other vendors:
https://books2read.com/kmherkes

#bookstodon
#BookPromo
#books
#reading
#SciFi
#ScienceFiction
#fantasy
#hopepunk

Take a chance on one of my otherworldly stories about people who risk everything for the sake of friendship, trust, & community. You also get heaps of humor, whimsy, sarcasm, & optimism. Sometimes gritty, but never grim.

Buy DRM-free epubs or print direct from me:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

Kindle & print from the Bezos Bazaar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L8MX7U4

Other vendors:
https://books2read.com/kmherkes

#bookstodon
#BookPromo
#books
#reading
#SciFi
#ScienceFiction
#fantasy
#hopepunk

Take a chance on one of my otherworldly stories about people who risk everything for the sake of friendship, trust, & community. You also get heaps of humor, whimsy, sarcasm, & optimism. Sometimes gritty, but never grim.

Buy DRM-free epubs or print direct from me:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

Kindle & print from the Bezos Bazaar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L8MX7U4

Other vendors:
https://books2read.com/kmherkes

#bookstodon
#BookPromo
#books
#reading
#SciFi
#ScienceFiction
#fantasy
#hopepunk

Take a chance on one of my otherworldly stories about people who risk everything for the sake of friendship, trust, & community. You also get heaps of humor, whimsy, sarcasm, & optimism. Sometimes gritty, but never grim.

Buy DRM-free epubs or print direct from me:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

Kindle & print from the Bezos Bazaar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L8MX7U4

Other vendors:
https://books2read.com/kmherkes

#bookstodon
#BookPromo
#books
#reading
#SciFi
#ScienceFiction
#fantasy
#hopepunk

Take a chance on one of my otherworldly stories about people who risk everything for the sake of friendship, trust, & community. You also get heaps of humor, whimsy, sarcasm, & optimism. Sometimes gritty, but never grim.

Buy DRM-free epubs or print direct from me:
https://kmherkes.com/the-bookshop1

Kindle & print from the Bezos Bazaar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L8MX7U4

Other vendors:
https://books2read.com/kmherkes

#bookstodon
#BookPromo
#books
#reading
#SciFi
#ScienceFiction
#fantasy
#hopepunk

Poetry by Richard Stimac

Understories

My country is the confluence of Mississippi and Missouri,
the river country of once submerged granite cliffs
to bottomland of black soil and understory of rot.

The river creates this land. Sediment abrades bedrock.
	Floods shroud lowlands with silt.
	The river is both creation and creator.

We even count time with the Big Water:
	“One Mississippi. Two Mississippi.”
	As if our words create yearly change.

Springs from subterranean lakes birth new rivers.
	Stones, cloven like the skull of a god,
	give rise to springing headwaters.

That is why we worship them, with their innate wisdom.
	In our abysmal fear of oblivion, we know
	rivers submit as oblates to the holy sea.

The two great rivers flow side by side for miles
	beyond the confluence. The rust-brown,
	the jaundice-yellow, meld to putrid-green.

They are like lovers, determined to follow separate paths,
	but drawn by laws of nature to touch, tentatively,
	avoid coupling, then, lose identity in inevitable union.

Sex and death flow side by side, too. In our imagination,
	we keep them separate, as if we were engineers
	of the soul able to raise levees, construct dams

that limit the terrible destruction of bed and grave
	immersed beneath us. We do not so much
	drown as we sink, like sand, to the bottom.

In the last legs of the journey, we rest in the delta,
	the open mouth of the river, as it spews
	its discharge, a continent worn down by friction,

into the salty, seemingly infinite expanse of the sea.
	For us, anything greater than a river is infinite.
	We all come from a country of rivers.

~~~~

Gardening

My father kept a garden,
	like some men keep a mistress.
The sweat of his brow burnt his eyes
and chapped his mustached lip.
Still, he labored. As blessed as cursed,
	he forced the earth to render
what it would withhold. He took
	me to beds of hand-turned clay,
raised like altars above the crabgrass.
I was no helpmate. He held open
his hand and I, by instinct, 
placed whatever tool he desired
in that upturned, calloused palm.
He kept for himself the why of his garden,
the drive to worry through hail,
watch leaves wilt in unseasonal heat,
toss away fruit half-eaten by squirrels.
Even in a matrix of furrows,
nature had its way with him.
As I grew older, and he grew old,
I wondered who this man was.
For all the springs, summers, falls
we bent side by side in that garden,
we spoke a handful of words,
too few to scatter in hope some grain of love
would sprout. That was not our harvest.

The poems are from Richard's new poetry book, Blood, Water, and Stone (Spartan Press, 2026)

Copyright © 2026 Richard Stimac
All Rights Reserved

Richard Stimac lives in the St. Louis area. He published Blood, Water, and Stone (Spartan Press, 2026); and Bricolage (Spartan Press, 2022). Richard explores time and memory through the landscape and humanscape of the St. Louis region. He invites you to follow his poetry Facebook page: “Richard Stimac poet”. His books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Purchase Link on the Publisher’s Website:
https://spartanpresskc.com/book/blood-water-and-stone

Please like and comment. Submit and subscribe for more great reads!

https://masticadoresusa.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

New Release: A Ride to Remember

https://higginbothampublications.wordpress.com/2026/08/07/new-release-a-ride-to-remember/

New Release: A Ride to Remember

https://higginbothampublications.wordpress.com/2026/08/07/new-release-a-ride-to-remember/

New Release: A Ride to Remember

https://higginbothampublications.wordpress.com/2026/08/07/new-release-a-ride-to-remember/