The Climatological Blossoms on My Mother’s Pink Camellia Part 1 of 2

EDITORIAL NOTE: It is not possible for me to consider any kind of observances of Mother’s Day 2022 without thinking heavily about the women and children currently enduring unyielding suffering in war-torn Ukraine. While this presentation was first posted on the Charter for Compassion website in 2017, it addresses realities which are still very much … More The Climatological Blossoms on My Mother’s Pink Camellia Part 1 of 2

News Release: Aberjhani Joins Festivities for Savannah’s Local Author Day 2022

Savannah, Georgia-born author Aberjhani (pronounced Ah-bear-zhah-nee) has been included among the authors invited to participate in his hometown’s Local Author Day on March 27, 2022, from 1-4 p.m., in Lafayette Square downtown across from the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. The event is free and open to the public.  For podcast option … More News Release: Aberjhani Joins Festivities for Savannah’s Local Author Day 2022

The Compassionate Poetic Genius of Gwendolyn Brooks

Welcome to the revised Part 3 of Poetic Traditions of Compassion and Creative Maladjustment. This revision is presented to correct technological difficulties encountered with the previous upload. Thank you for your patience and please enjoy the episode: June 7, 2017, marked the centennial of the birth of Gwendolyn Brooks, (she died December 2000), who in … More The Compassionate Poetic Genius of Gwendolyn Brooks

Poetic Traditions of Compassion and Creative Maladjustment (Part 3): Gwendolyn Brooks

Welcome to the third segment of Poetic Traditions of Compassion and Creative Maladjustment: June 7, 2017, marked the centennial of the birth of Gwendolyn Brooks, (she died December 2000), who in 1950 became the first African American–and at the time the youngest American–to win a Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Her literary career spanned the latter … More Poetic Traditions of Compassion and Creative Maladjustment (Part 3): Gwendolyn Brooks

Part 1: Introduction to Poetic Traditions of Compassion and Creative Maladjustment

Consider that members of various “demographic groups” in different nations have begun to assert claims to political power at the same time that unavoidable historical population shifts are already in progress. Nearly everyone recognizes the need for greater social harmony as these shifts progress, yet many insist on touting reactionary measures steeped in xenophobia, military coercion, and denial of documented research as the best hopes for achieving stability. … More Part 1: Introduction to Poetic Traditions of Compassion and Creative Maladjustment

Reading Rumi after 9/11 and again at the end of the War in Afghanistan (part 1)

Can Poetry and the Taliban Coexist?
Aside from being a country plagued by a succession of wars and economic woes, Afghanistan is also the birthplace of one of the great figures of world literature: Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Rumi. .. … More Reading Rumi after 9/11 and again at the end of the War in Afghanistan (part 1)

Election Day 2020: Democracy, Personal Whims, and Accountability – Conversations with the World 101

Welcome to Conversations with the World 101. Originally part of the virtual launch party for the book Greeting Flannery O’Connor at the Back Door of My Mind, this edited version is being presented as Americans head to the polls for Election Day 2020. This is what it’s all about: Quotations from my work in different … More Election Day 2020: Democracy, Personal Whims, and Accountability – Conversations with the World 101

Renaming The Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge Art Gallery Launches

If there are any kinds of silver linings to the numerous struggles for social justice taking place across the world right now, they are probably the different songs, films, poems, essays, and fine art inspired by them. Such at least is the case involving the decades-long struggle to rename the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge. A … More Renaming The Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge Art Gallery Launches

PRESS RELEASE: Summer 2018 kicks off with ‘Blossoms of Nonviolent Conflict Resolution’

Two new releases by Postered Chromatic Poetics creator Aberjhani made their debut on Pixels.com and at Fine Art America as part of May’s ELEMENTAL Month celebration, a third work of art posted June 14, and three more were released June 18. The new releases along with the artist’s entire online catalogue are now offered at … More PRESS RELEASE: Summer 2018 kicks off with ‘Blossoms of Nonviolent Conflict Resolution’

Dancing with David Bowie under the Serious Moonlight – Bright Skylark Literary Productions

David Bowie on 1983 set of LET’S DANCE video with dancers Terry Roberts (left) and Joelene King (center). (Photo from bowiedownunder.com originally published in 1983 Serious Moonlight Tour booklet) Dance is a political strategy that says “yes” to life as opposed to the corporate and terroristic manipulations that so eagerly promote polarization and glorify violent … More Dancing with David Bowie under the Serious Moonlight – Bright Skylark Literary Productions

Many Inspired by Amazing Grace of Young Brotherhood Advocate Semaj Clark

Brotherhood ambassador and advocate for nonviolent conflict resolution Semaj Clark. (photo courtesy of Gofundme) The cost of the public health crisis of gun violence in America grows more expensive by the day. It has surpassed even the mega-millions of dollars that gun advocates such as members of the National Rifle Association casually spend to counter … More Many Inspired by Amazing Grace of Young Brotherhood Advocate Semaj Clark

When the Lyrical Muse Sings the Creative Pen Dances – Bright Skylark Literary Productions

If you’re a regular reader of my national African-American cultural arts column, you may have noticed that I have not been posting articles as frequently as I once did. The reason is simple enough. Having reached a certain point in the research for my current book-in-progress (at least one of them anyway) I had to … More When the Lyrical Muse Sings the Creative Pen Dances – Bright Skylark Literary Productions

The Abbreviated Mind Faces ‘The King of Music’ Dilemma (part 1 of 2) – National African-American Art Examiner

Michael Jackson in the studio. (Postered Poetics enhancement of pr release photo) For those members of a given demographic made uneasy by the idea of eventually becoming just one more minority in America, an abbreviated mind taking note of the evolving dynamics could react with overwhelming fear. The carnage inflicted by Dylann Roof in Charleston, … More The Abbreviated Mind Faces ‘The King of Music’ Dilemma (part 1 of 2) – National African-American Art Examiner

5 Ways to be Geniuses Together: Celebrating Ja Jahannes

“Unless we learn” quote by Ja A. Jahannes (with art graphic by Postered Poetics) One self-penned definition of the word genius is: a focused intensification of individual intelligence resulting in works of exemplary creativity, visionary leadership, or uncommon spiritual depth and beauty. This definition is perhaps a fitting one to describe much of the life … More 5 Ways to be Geniuses Together: Celebrating Ja Jahannes

Some Notes on the Colors of These Changing Times: Editorial with Poem

(poem poster art copyright by Aberjhani) Given the horrendous white-versus-black-motivated massacre in Charleston, S.C., on June 17, the jubilant rainbow celebrations that broke out following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nation-wide on June 26, and increasing calls to cease flying the Confederate flag on government properties, colors have commanded a lot … More Some Notes on the Colors of These Changing Times: Editorial with Poem

Shifting Points of View and the Massacre in Charleston | Aberjhani | LinkedIn

News about homegrown and foreign terrorism receives a lot of broadcast media airtime and focused attention online. It has become a pervasive theme in the developing story of our 21st century lives. Still, it is not something with which most us can ever afford to become so comfortable that we take it for granted in … More Shifting Points of View and the Massacre in Charleston | Aberjhani | LinkedIn

Red Summer: Text and meaning in Claude McKay’s “If We Must Die” (part 1 of 4)

The summer of 2015 marks the 96th anniversary of the publication of Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay’s masterful poem, “If We Must Die.” This essay is presented in commemoration of that literary milestone and in remembrance of the extraordinary Red Summer of 1919 that inspired it. There were many good reasons to believe America had … More Red Summer: Text and meaning in Claude McKay’s “If We Must Die” (part 1 of 4)

5 Eye-opening Books about Slavery in Savannah (part 1)

Georgia Historical Society marker citing “The Weeping Time,” a.k.a. the “Largest Slave Sale in Georgia History” held in Savannah. (photo courtesy of Waymark) Two of the most acclaimed movies of the past decade, 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained, have focused on the degradation, inhumanity, and absurdity associated with slavery as it was once … More 5 Eye-opening Books about Slavery in Savannah (part 1)

Selma Revisited: from Violent Racism to Reflective Compassion (part 1)

Left to right, Producers of the Golen Globe Award-nominated film Selma: Dede Gardner, Oprah Winfrey, and director Ava DuVernay. (photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)  The movie Selma, directed and executive produced by Ava DuVernay, opened on Christmas Day 2014 and rang in the New Year 2015 with domestic sales estimated at $1, 204,000 … More Selma Revisited: from Violent Racism to Reflective Compassion (part 1)

‘Tis the Season for the Magic of Poetry: Black Gold | Aberjhani Author-Poet-Literary-Consultant | LinkedIn

Cover of new anthology: Black Gold, edited by Ja A. Jahannes. When contemplating such issues as the current protests against the trend of white policemen killing unarmed black men (or boys in the case of 12-year-old Tamir Rice) and the unceasing escalation of war and terrorism across the globe, some might consider poetry an insignificant … More ‘Tis the Season for the Magic of Poetry: Black Gold | Aberjhani Author-Poet-Literary-Consultant | LinkedIn

How Creativity and Social Responsibility Inspired 5 Memorable Moments | Aberjhani Author-Poet-Literary-Consultant | LinkedIn

“Rainbows introduce us to reflections of different beautiful possibilities so we never forget that pain and grief are not the final options in life.“ —Aberjhani Measuring the success of a given year by the percentage of profits gained or lost is a sensible enough practice for many individuals and an essential one for various organizations. … More How Creativity and Social Responsibility Inspired 5 Memorable Moments | Aberjhani Author-Poet-Literary-Consultant | LinkedIn

Let’s Fix It: 7 Steps to Help Replace Legislated Fear with Informed Compassion | Aberjhani Author-Poet-Literary-Consultant | LinkedIn

Protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, hold large banner containing the many names of individuals known to have been killed in confrontations with police. (Photo: Reuters) More than half the states in America (currently 33) have laws which allow one individual to take the life of another and get away with it simply by saying he or … More Let’s Fix It: 7 Steps to Help Replace Legislated Fear with Informed Compassion | Aberjhani Author-Poet-Literary-Consultant | LinkedIn

Song of the Black Skylark: Poem in the American Literary Halloween Tradition

                    (Black Skylark title art graphic by Postered Poetics for Aberjhani) Does the enigmatic figure of the Black Skylark referenced in this blog title have anything to do with Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” (1845), with Walt Whitman’s “The Mystic Trumpeter” (1872), or Abram Joseph Ryan’s … More Song of the Black Skylark: Poem in the American Literary Halloween Tradition

Literary Passion and the City of Savannah-Georgia

 Author James Alan McPherson (public release photograph) One of the greatest authors of our 21st century times is a man who made history in the previous century when he became the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction: James Alan McPherson, a native of Savannah, Georgia, born September 16, 1943. Unlike many of … More Literary Passion and the City of Savannah-Georgia