Featuring the collaborative work of 4 poets. "FOGDOG" Dear, I would like to tell you a dream I dreamt, awesome Oneiric I, a girl cured from Atticism In kip, also I was mesmerized by her pirouette, like a ballet dancer In the misty journey of Atticism her oeuvre was like a fog dog Dear! Let's appreciate their wonderful seadog! © Subhashchandra Adhav India *** Dear, the seadog's skill to read the fogdog is admirable For it enabled you in kip to view the ballerina's pirouette As well as experience her Atticism praiseworthy in the songs she sang An angel she, as doubly blessed with a complete oeuvre You too, blessed to view in oneiric this divine sight Dear, that seadog should be appreciated who steered your dream to light © SUNITA GROVER RAINA India "A POETIC VIEW OF NATURE" Nature, my friend, is a source of imagination for any artist's oeuvre, filling everyone with a flood of emotions She's expressed in a swan's pirouette during the spectacular show on clear waters of the lake being admired by men and beasts alike She's the Atticism in every poet's humble verse on pages of the writer's novel, especially when they describe her divine beauty. Although she may appear as a fogdog in the real world During certain seasons when we least expect it, she appears even during our kip as a powerful goddess blessing us with an oneiric story filled with excitement that we will write when we'll wake up. *** The virgin ground untanned like kip's innocent pirouette whirling to the oneiric euphoria of the broad day fantasy Nature natured in the maiden Cupid, a suavely impeccable Aphrodite that comforts Adam from time to its end, paradise, the terra surface for the survival of all. Together, let's till the flowered land and write our earth's serenade on the veranda of terra verde A season's song that echoes earth's lullaby and scape our unbiased ouevre, a common page for all creatures. Call all, that's unscientifically affected to tryst in the cozy of Amazon, and be snapped with the fogdog of the sun, our bond and atticism to our form which every natural being enjoys the free offers of the virgin ground, when deflowered by the impact of its inhabitants and we peep through the fog of Eden to see the sky. Nature is the form we commonly share without any prejudice no one complains over one's portion The fold, where true humanity exists. © GHEORGHE LAURA (Romania) © IKWULONO MOHAMMED SENISON (Nigeria)

THE ROSETTE OF DREAMS I walked the world of dreams through the tunnel of night; As I went deeper and farther, I looked back with fright At the melting roads, following me in my stead, slowly But irreverently, stalking each of my movement, imperceptibly Midway of my journey, I lost the direction, moving aimlessly As the road turned into rippling waves of desire, tirelessly. Seasons fell like leaves in winter - - grew and ripened relentlessly, Squeezing my dreams with mulch and greenery, alternately. I was not alone on the dream tunnel, there were others, starters and finishers, Hopping, jumping, and some swimming, in the churning waters With moon in their eyes, and the harsh sun twirling like a georgette, Knitting hopes and fears, in one unconscionable lace of rosette. Wounded and winded, I don't know when this dream became a solvent Dissolving me in its heady concoction, leaving me a creature evanescent. © KALUCHARAN SAHU India

Peace Now, More Than Ever Squandering time in cerebral circles debating the subtleties that mystify Like Talmudic scholars, with flowing beards and forelocks, they pour our laws and loopholes to justify their actions and far worse - their inaction They are charged with ending the violence to find a way to restructure our world for non-violence to end the quaking, shaking and fearsome changes each new day delivers to fully embrace beliefs that once drove our ancestors to seek refuge and individual freedoms Between scholars who whisper their questions so softly only God hears their pleas, and vigilant soldiers following orders to burn, maim, assault and erase any semblance of those who fight back We need peace in remote villages in our cities, cooler heads must prevail New lessons must be learned and passed on what we value now must change If we are to pass on this planet to our children's children with confidence of its survival, education, faith and a world-wide commitment to non-violence must begin today. Finding My Dad...Again For a long time, the only images I carried of my dad were from his last weeks, days, hours, minutes, our hands clasped three, two, one...I love you Daddy He could not have weighed more than one hundred pounds jaundiced, chemo-ravaged, wounded I begged God to free him from this prison of relentless suffering Decades later, now an adult with my own family and a son who carries dad's name I came across boxes filled with pictures, telegrams, letters, even the messages on floral delivery cards It was all there, daring me to peek, scavenge, even revel, in the contents of the treasure trove buried within There was my dad wearing a "kiss the cook" apron folding Mom's homemade strawberry jam into each imperfect omelette dusting them with confectionery sugar while mugging for Mom's brownie camera Forever capturing those one-in-a-million milestone moments There was my dad shepherding our young family around Disneyland kneeling beside a creek bed where we learned to pan for gold There was my Dad lacing our skis at a winter resort three kids under seven thirty minutes later, the bunny slopes were but a frost-bitten memory There was my Dad freeing our soggy feet while Mom, God bless her, passed hot chocolate and thermal socks In a million milestone moments in boxes that had seen better days I found my Dad...again © Jill Sharon Kimmelman Jill Sharon Kimmelman is a two-time Pushcart Prize-nominee in Poetry, 2017 & 2021, and "Best of the Net" 2018. Her international publishing credits include Vita Brevis Press, Spillwords Press, Fine Lines, Better Than Starbucks Poetry & Fiction Journal, Poetic Musings, The Poet Magazine, ILA Magazine, Prolific Pulse Press, World Inkers Network, Garden of Neuro, Writing In A Woman's Voice, PLCS, Eric Publications, Writing On The Wall Global Magazine and Prolific Pulse Press, LLC. Jill's first book, "You Are The Poem", was released in November 2021. The ebook and iBook version was released in April 2022. Jill's poetry has appeared in more than 50 international literary publications. Her second book is planned for 2025. She lives in Delaware, USA with her husband, Tim Little. Jill is a proud mother of her son, Jordan Lawrence Halpern. The image above, is a disco-style frame taken in 1978, from Jill's debut book "You Are The Poem", released in paperback in 2021. Jill mentions the occasion was her beloved grandmother's surprise 60th birthday celebration. Jill has given ILA Magazine permission to feature with her poems.

A Quartet of Poets ENIGMA Dream away like the moonbeams creeping out In the mazed network of bewildered mind Intricately zooming amidst the penumbra Flashing, dimming, like a vague outline of shadows Transfixed, piercing through the myriads of hues As if in a ruptured trance, a dream, a parody Slowly fading away in the fleeting purple wilderness. © GUS PEREZ AMIO Philippines SEPIA SOLITUDE'S STRENGTH In shades of sepia, my identity is drawn, A solitary figure, amid a sea of faces, Lost in the labyrinth of societal norms, Echoes of ancestors whisper in the wind's embraces. Alone, yet tethered to a heritage unseen, Through solitude's lens, I find my strength refined, A brown silhouette against the backdrop of time. © CONCETTA PIPIA USA A PLEA AT DUSK TIME Could you wait for me at dusk? Do not forget the candle for it starts to get dark And bring with you the perfume of violets This morning I poured all my fragrant zeal And if you kept saying what do I need more I say: "A kite to fly, a paper boat to go away And some lyrics of my last verse......" © SIHEM CHERIF Tunisia Once again, in the reckless secret sea port of words An old ship has crashed in an unequivocal storm Its mast now broken submerging in many love poems In the chiaroscuro of many shared dreams and stranger times. Time and birds take a sudden flight merging into memories A dusk melts into a haze of dark shadows, trapping the footprints A stranger kissed you once in the mist of many aromas and rain lost nights. © AMITABH MITRA South Africa

You are still small, but your strength is great, you know. Eyes so blue as the sea and a beautiful glow little lionesses of life, you are exactly what true beauty means. You are the light of my life, more beautiful than the sky, just go boldly and always to new victories. You are everything visible, my little girl, that even small beings can overcome the most difficult things. While your blue hair gently flutters, surrounded by the sea, little soul, your beautiful face illuminates everything and because of you, the light of my world does not disappear. Your smile is my entire life your happiness is everything to me and remember just one thing, you are my unique treasure! If at times, you find life difficult, you will always have my love and I will be there for you as long as my heartbeat doesn't betray Little lionness, you can achieve anything because you are mom's fighter who doesn't give up! © DANIJELA ĆUK

Moments spent in solitude and reflection, Enshrined in golden memories that are uniquely mine. Engaging in light banter, exchanging glances over trivialities. A tug-of-war to grasp and conceal, The anticipation of meeting with someone or being met. Yearning and longing, the desire to be near, the playful act of feigning indifference. Giving precedence to others while leaving me solitary. Laughter intertwined with fleeting moments of disdain. Nights longing for the dawn of a new day, Pretending nonchalance while eagerly awaiting a visit Meeting for no purpose other than the desire to connect. An intense longing for someone's presence, An irresistible hankering for companionship, All of this floods back when someone appears, Inwardly, within the corridors of my memories. © SAJID HUSSAIN Pakistan ** Dr. Sajid Hussain , born on February 1, 1969, in Morgah, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is a distinguished poet, educator, and advocate for literature. He holds memberships in global literary organizations and h as received numerous accolades, including the Shahitya Pata Award and the Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Literary Honours. He has authored acclaimed works and contributed to international anthologies. A senior Chemistry teacher and Master Trainer in "Low Cost and No Cost Science Material," Dr. Hussain is also a homeopathic doctor and former principal. His poetry, often focused on humanity and nature, is widely published and translated. Dr. Hussain is a committed adovcate for global understanding, cultural exchange, and social justice, using his platform to inspire positive change and foster dialogue. Dr. Sajid Hussain is the author of several acclaimed books and has co-authored numerous international anthologies. His notable works include: 1. Acquits of Life 2. Parlance 3. Cloud Nine Fantasia 4. Oceanic Upwelling 5. Waves and Rays of Life He has contributed to, and co-authored various international anthologies, including: 1. Flowers of Love 2. Arabian Nights 3. Poets for Peace 4. The Candles of Hope 5. Poetry Collection 6. Poetry for Ukraine 7. The Silk Road Literature 8. Ancient Egyptians Modern Poets 9. Mediterranean Waves 10. Peace andn Love Make Society 11. Rhapsodies 12. Dandelions: Multiverse of Poets Additionally, he compiled Pakistani English Poets Prodigy, which was published in the USA. Dr. Hussain's books and anthologies cover themes such as love, peace, resilience, and the human condition. His works are known for their profound empathy and eloquence, reflecting a deep understanding of the human experience. His poetry has been featured in prominent international magazines and websites, and he has penned over 1,400 poems, published in more than 200 world anthologies and magazines, translated into several major languages.

Review of Peshawa Kakayi's poem, "Universe and Man as a Formula" by Marie J. Mond Translator: Goran Sabah Peshawa Kakayi, known for his dynamic writing style, recently published "Universe and Man as a Formula" in ILA Magazine, from the 2019 Kurdish book, Cosmology. The poem reaches the imagination of the reader, making the reader feel like a spectator and co-creator of the universe. From the beginning of time to the pinnacle of evolution, humanity has a choice to use matter to create its own world or accept the universal design. Kakayi examines creation, the riddle behind it, and what it means for the future. Kakayi's use of personification animates his writing. Humanity referred to as "man" converses with "science" pondering its role as one who modifies nature or adapts to it. The "big bang" is explored with nuclei that think and speak of a time before light was formed. The reader is brought back to the darkness through the big bang, the formation of stars, clusters and life on Earth. In this poem, humanity is being questioned because it shows signs of depression. Kakayi writes, "Man goes into universe/ Wants to say I exist no more..." Humanity sees nature in the form of atoms to use for its own purposes apart from its natural design. The role of destroyer is taken on by humanity. It looks at phenomena without examining the cause. Kakayi expresses, "I examine not me but the big bang." Only when humanity embraces light does it co-create without harming the natural world. Kakayi brings up wine and drunkenness as part of the healing process. Culturally, wine helps humanity forget the darkness and seek the interaction with others. Here, love fits into the equation with the potential to be divine and intentional. Peshawa Kakayi's poem, "Universe and Man as a Formula", is rich with unforgettable themes. The dilemma facing humanity is addressed by exploring the unvierse. Humanity has two ways of being a co-creator. Will humanity heal itself and make the right choice? Either way, Kakayi's poem, imbued with the undying and universal drive to create, is a must read for poetry lovers world-wide. © Marie J. Mond 07.25.24

Review of Paul Barnard's poem, "Didn't Expect This" August 3, 2024 " DIDN'T EXPECT THIS" I know...your bones mean well chartering undertones...that don't sell well But, it's characterizing your hype as most stressingly, unwell. Shouldering that extracting, what lays piping your organical mind Births as panicky amusements distracting a serious rhyme whilst wasting tickings precisely picking up your kickings, lagging chimes Whereby, alike every stowaway's share humping along a friendship line your wear of unconscious cares don't see baffled seas saddling grapplings rippling wrangles sapping our graphic dams Awhile your flooded causings, watering attributes, pausing our pans convincingly dampened to own what lies in argumentative storms of which whether your fronts will weather Atchoo...oh you handed me a cold Look, pal for your character to truly climatically sell I think I gotta paddle back home and re-float your bib that braces your attitudes tone Grr...darn modus operandi humans © PAUL BARNARD South Africa Editor's Review: The poet delves into the intricate realm of human emotions and the internal struggles that accompany them, employing vivid imagery and poignant tones depicting complexities of character and the burdens of emotional turmoil. Paul's poem is structured as a series of thought-provoking verses, delving deeper into a landscape of emotion, evocative language such as "chartering undertones", "shouldering extraction" and "rippling wrangles", adds even more depth to the emotional poetic narrative. The poem explores conflict between one's outward persona and inner struggles, portraying a sense of emotional discord as well as touching on the nuances of interpersonal relationships and the unconscious burdens individuals carry with friendship. "Didn't Expect This" delves into emotions, like stress, panic and confusion, effectively conveying the weight of feelings through metaphorical language. "DIDN'T EXPECT THIS" is quite the intense exploration of human emotion, characterized by rich language and depth along with portrayal of internal struggles and interpersonal dynamics and the compelling reflection on the complexities of human character and emotional resilience. Annette Nasser EIC ILA Magazine USA

"REPLY FROM THE UNKNOWN LADY" (Reply to a poem by Saqlain Mustaq) Here is your letter - unmarked and unnamed "To an unknown lady" - the bemusing envelope, I wonder how it arrived. Inside, the script of a rover - curious about beautiful ladies. Words spill like a secret confession, a tapestry of lust and loss. I was just gazing at your torn shoe, you took it to heart otherwise. No, I never forgot you I too, am a poet of fleeting lovers A negative reply, yet not an end The letter rests now in my hands try again, I am waiting for another. "EXISTENTIAL ANGST" I am sick of earth, a disconnection of breath is all to mail my bones in half-rates for cineration is not working well enough. Wrap me with bare dreams see if you can veil my body, I have loved on the December clouds, no mortal can see me naked. I am overexposed, I am as far as Chile, I am purposely mad, you can build a whole life with only three worlds - I love you. More fleshy than a pig, earth will refuse my history, did I ever live here, once it had a cave named Hira.

"STARDUST" Love is a conqueror shoots silver arrows but if it happens that you refuse him it throws you into the marshes! He is a fierce warrior He holds you like a booty As "slave" you follow your golden crown wears! After the violent invasion flowers of the soul have withered you are in divine court your spirit is enchanted! You go through secret passages swallow tails fly low you arrive at the Parthenon as a king they wear your purple tunic! That's where your life shines in the stone-pillared alleys stardust is gathering in five-petalled lilies! Unsuspecting, you taste it you think it is the nectar of the gods. You never heal follower of the passions... "BIRTH" On earth, the small island thousands of young storks they go to sea, arrive running. With evening sky, our home destination flutter a nest, they do! On earth, the small island a child arrives of God's path for years. He lets out his first cry of joy is anticipation. He shines like a white viconia. We all set up a dance in our own sky anticipating songs of the wind which brings us to you treasure of the whole world my perfect sea angel! I will drink you like wine giving you a kiss. It resurrects from the darkness! You bring the light with you clothed in purple. You sleep in hugs and caressses! "SONGSTER" My love is a vocalist away in the marshes. He is my only hymn. He will bring me to you. To taste your rainbow, climax of honey in your garden as soon as I come from your heavenly arrows. Peacock fans its wings cheeks flaming after the heart was flooded pleasure from the buds. Andromachi Benekou was born in Chouliarades, Ioannina. Her love for books and development pushed her to study Economics, Pedagogy and postgraduate studies in learning disabilities. At the same time, she is a poet, puppeteer, painter and author, her projects have been performed in many schools. Her puppet plays include poems she has been writing since high school. She has been distinguished for her voluntary activity in institutions of Ioannina, with the promotion of Greek literature and culture.

When you kiss, and touch me only, the whole world is ours. We both know that you intoxicate me with your touch and undress me with your eyes. You have no idea how attractive you are to me. Like a gentle breeze of wind, ruffling my hair, gently brushing lips over my nose, I tremble from this madness and if I stop enjoying, I wouldn't dare. Our bodies joined together only in your arms, I am so loved. Only your lips, sweeter than honey. I don't want your hug from me. Your kisses all over, you've awakened the fire in a woman like this. We both go crazy with longing and passion, stealing each other's kisses I melt when you gaze into my eyes yet I also know how to fight back and conquer easily as you fall under my spell. My heart no longer cares for peace. Crazy pounding, my soul burns, my mind fighting with itself while my soul burns, my mind is fighting with itself while locking lips I lose my mind What are you doing to me that I should kiss you with the same fire © Danijela Ćuk

It's All from a... 'T' to 'U' Imagine you are asked to design a T-shirt with a meaningful, humorous or even an insignificant message....Well, we did just that with poets from our Facebook group and chose three messages that stood out among the rest... "YOU ARE A PIANOFORTE" Loud sounds come from your mouth when you want your opinions to be heard or anger is let out after so long, like an erupting volcano But see how soft the sounds that your heart makes, when it finally finds the inner peace it was seeking! It makes you join the angels' choir to sing for joy, or express your feelings of love through music. You can be loud and soft depending on your reaction to what life gives you along its way. © Gheorghe Laura Romania "BITTERSWEET" So bittersweet you are giving me beautiful memories but also hard times. Still, I can not let you because I became addicted. You are like a medicine that needs to be taken so sour, but so good. © Bogdana Gageanu Romania "LIFE IS FULL OF BITTERSWEET MEMORIES - HUMOR THEM AND ENJOY LIFE..." The holiday outing ended with a bittersweet note due to unexpected rain. The cab driver had to return in the rain almost blindsighted. We were all in fear, expecting Dad's spitfire reprimand awaiting us for our misadventure. When the cab reached home, we stepped down and paused under the sunshade; Dad was playing a classical tune on the pianoforte. We were happy to know that Dad was in his rare, quieter disposition and there would be no shouting of 'begone'. We went inside and Dad was happy to see us safe and home. We dined together and regaled Dad about our adventure in the rain. © Kalucharan Sahu India