María Castro Domínguez's Blog

NEW BILINGUAL POETRY COLLECTION “Ten Truths From Wonderland”

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We’re in desperate need for TRUTH these days; I can assureyou that “Ten Truths From Wonderland” won’t leave you indifferent.

To quote Hedgehog’s editor:

I’m extremely proud to be able to say that you can now pre-order a copy of a wonderful poetry conversation between Maria Castro Dominguez and Matt Duggan, ‘Ten Truths From Wonderland.’

This is a quite breathtaking piece of work and is enhanced by Spanish translations of the poems by Spanish poet Ana Gavila., although you won’t miss out if your Spanish is as rusty as mine as all of the poems are present in English.

 If you preorder before the 13th July you will receive a free entry into one of @hedgehogpoetry #poetry #competition

You can order via my Paypal paypal.me/MarCasDom  or Matt’s.

(Also if you prefer directly from Amazon )

Necesitamos desesperadamente la VERDAD estos días; Te puedo asegurar que “Ten Truths From Wonderland” (Diez verdades del país de las maravillas) no te dejará indiferente.

Y para citar al editor de Hedgehog Poetry Press:

‘Estoy extremadamente orgulloso de poder informarles que ahora puede reservar una copia de una maravillosa conversación de poesía entre Maria Castro Domínguez y Matt Duggan, “Ten Truths From Wonderland”. Este es un trabajo impresionante, reforzado por las traducciones al español de los poemas de la poeta española Ana Gavila.’

Si realiza un pedido antes del 13 de julio, recibirá una entrada gratuita a uno de los concursos de The Hedgehog Poetry Press.

Puede pedirlo a través de paypal.me/MarCasDom y también sí me envías un correo.

 

“Days of Grace” – Doris Kareva (Bloodaxe Books 2018) reviewed for Mslexia by María Castro Domínguez

“Days of Grace” – Doris Kareva (Bloodaxe Books 2018) reviewed for Mslexia by María Castro Domínguez

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Doris Kareva is one of Estonia’s most widely acclaimed poets. And her mind-stirring poetry collection “Days of Grace” certainly underscores her pre-eminence.

The collection´s foreword, written by her translator Miriam McIlfatrick-Ksenofontov, comments on Kareva´s last text ‘Lesson in Harmony’, where Doris explains how her creative process was stimulated by her father the composer Hillar Kareva; consequently many of Kareva´s poems have a special musicality, which I suspect must be even more evident in Estonian.

The collection is divided into three parts: ‘Pass of Silence’, ‘Clouds Letter to the Sand’ and ´Leeward into the Light’, each evoking an emotional response to three different stages in the passage of life, beginning with: ´Yes. / In the beginning was the Word´, and ending with: ‘then the mind within will see/ the mind without’. The majority of poems are small and all are untitled, sustaining an implicit continuity throughout.

Kareva, Doris

 

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Kareva touches nature – her poems bring to mind the French painter Claude Monet­­­­- but with a spiritual and universal impressionism that connects with the human experience. Each poem transcends artificial frontiers and achieves a completeness that seeps deep; polarities between nature and humanity, light and dark, blend softly together.

In one of the stanzas of the first part the poetic voice powerfully claims: ‘All you need will come your way / in one or another veiled form. / If you recognize it / it will be yours’; finishing with a shocking line: ‘The cost comes later’; which brings to mind Oscar Wilde´s quote: There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.

Doris´ clear minimalism, latent in lines like: ‘Stay uncut crystal’ or ‘twigging to the dream’ takes us to a higher level of meaning where less is much more. Kareva´s poems offer the reader her unique vision of the world and like her poetic voice says: ‘When I write/ I shepherd unheeding words’.

The poems of “Days of Grace” shine with a lyricism and emotion that lingers on, like a beautiful tune slipping forever in our heads.

(A seaside house) by Doris Kareva

 

A seaside house

always feels like it is a ship,

just landed.

Every night it goes wandering

across endless oceans,

eras, expanses.

Around it drift the stars,

in its heart weeps the hearth,

that no one kindles.

As a dog yearns for his master,

so a house by the sea

waits for its captain.

Translated by Tiina Aleman

 

 

The Sea-Migrations Tahriib by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf Reviewed for Mslexia by María Castro Domínguez

The Sea-Migrations (2017) Tahriib by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf, translated by Clare Pollard. Reviewed for Mslexia by María Castro Domínguez                               

Published by Bloodaxe Books. Winner of English Pen Award

Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf´s poetry collection The Sea-Migrations Tahriib is an exhilirating exploration of Somalia, its culture, its nature, its politics and its people; all conjured by Asha´s shining language creatively translated with an update style by another brilliant poet, Clare Pollard,  which brings it much closer to the reader. The original poems and their translation sit side by side allowing us to capture form, space and sound –so essential to poetic meaning- all at once. Both poets make magic together.

What could be a daunting immersion into the exotic unknown for an English reader becomes an emotional ride to Somalia today. Pollard´s enlightening introduction and comment on translating Ahsa´s collection works as a guide preparing us for the journey ahead. We discover a novel vision in first person of Asha´s h[image error]omeland, which only such a magnificent poet can do.

Somali oral poetry is a historical tradition, and in Asha´s poetry the poem as voice yields to poem as text. Her display of poetical techniques, her artful use of alliterations and the ”gabay,” a form used to express many of the common themes in Somali poetry – praises, dirges, insults, philosophical reflections and satires- suggest a plurality of feelings, particularly those of woman.

In “Our Land,” we can perceive a nostalgic longing and hope; the poem consists of many short stanzas which are beautifully restorative and evocative. The reader acquires a panoramic vision “from top to bottom” and “At both ends of the day;” we hear the rain, smell the ripe crimson “dhafaruur” fruit, see the ostrich and antelope basking in beauty and herding youth “chatting without a care.”

Gender specific poems like “Recollection” criticize a patriarchal society where men busy themselves idly chewing “khat” and women suffer, taking over the tasks he´s neglected; besides working together with other poems as a metonymy of the poet´s political landscape

TS Eliot said in his Dante essay that genuine poetry could communicate before it is understood; I feel that Asha´s collection fulfils Eliot´s assertion perfectly. Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf has forged an imaginative bond between those of us who love language and words, hence poetry.

Stuck with late Christmas shopping, you can buy her book in Bloodaxe Books

 

 

Ancestral bones (2017) by Judy Russell Reviewed by María Castro Domínguez for Mslexia

Ancestral bones (2017) by Judy Russell Reviewed by María Castro Domínguez for Mslexia

Judy Russell´s poetry collection “Ancestral Bones” takes place in her home the Wicklow hills in Ireland, often called the Garden Spot of Ireland.

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Divided into three sections called Living in Paradise, Dreams of Youth and Light at the end of the tunnel, we can already anticipate the extraordinary journey we are about to take.

Russell´s voice not only reflects the fascinating natural world which surrounds her but also the intense humanity at the heart of her reflections. In fact her poem “Ancestral Bones” poignantly configures the loss of a nation when the last survivor, Marie Smith Jones, who could speak the traditional Eyak language, dies.

What really enthused me about the collection was how Judy Russell creates an abundance of emotions with the small sediments of daily life. Her language is a language where less is more. Her succinct poem “Lacking Definition” sings out to the vagueness of meaning love has today, in which he and she pursue different dreams, and can´t make up their minds on what love is.

Another potent poem “Aged with Attitude,” speaks about the difficulty and challenge of being our natural selves. It speaks from a woman´s perspective, enclosed in a narrow society, where woman are dangerous because they don´t go to church and drink Bloody Marys alone.

Her magic musicality is omnipresence in all her poems; in lines like burps up the plug-hole from “The Floodgates of Heaven” or in one line stanzas that´s the way the world works, repeated like a litany from “Worldly Wise at Three.” Also this poem´s intertextuality recalls John Prine´s song, That’s the Way the World goes Round, creating synaesthesia where the auditory recreates visual memory.

Her collection goes from the regional and particular to the personal and universal and back again, lingering in our senses forever.

“Ancestral Bones” is without doubt a gem that ends positively with heart felt gratitude. I feel nothing but gratitude to have been exposed to so much heart-felt beauty in Judy Russell´s poems.

The Hill by Angela France (Nine Arches Press, July 2017) Reviewed by María Castro Domínguez

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The Hill by Angela France (Nine Arches Press, July 2017)

Reviewed by María Castro Domínguez for MslexiaMax

Angela France´s poetry book The hill is a memorable journey uphill to a metaphysical place, up and beyond a specific hill, Leckhampton Hill near Cheltenham. The hill becomes a hill which could embody any hill we encounter. Its transcendent nature makes each poem timeless, they can be felt individually no matter where you come from. We can connect or reconnect again with the land of our ancestors recovering our identity, hence our sense of self.

The climb is an emotional experience. We tread on historical texture, on roots, rocks, on tree-roots that clasp. We hear witnesses with proper names grumble and tell their stories in direct, like a sort of poetic journalism. This gives Frances´s poems vivacity and actuality, reviving our empathy towards the many speakers that populate the hill and beyond. Paradoxically we can also perceive: an emptiness, nothing attached to the name.

Does land belong to us? Can it be possessed by a few? Where are our rights? Are questions that echo on each page, binding the sequence together. Its recurrence manifests a degree of cyclicity. Patterns that repeat themselves throughout history.

Angela France´s concrete poems call out to the diversity and meaning implicated in shape, just as the sound of words and their connotations do. They move our senses skilfully without sacrificing their message of eternity.

Ted Hughes poem “Wind” also contains a hill but with a solitary house on top, the house is immersed in solitude, alone fighting against all vicissitudes. In France´s poems I feel the comfort and accompaniment of a multitude of voices, people, nature and the elements speak out and are never forgotten. I perceive the continuation of life under my feet, above in the trees, in the named and the nameless. In Angela France´s poems we never die.

[image error]Biography Angela France 

Angela France has had poems published in many of the leading journals and has been anthologised a number of times. Her publications include Occupation (Ragged Raven Press, 2009), Lessons in Mallemaroking (Nine Arches Press, 2011) and Hide (Nine Arches Press 2013). She has an M.A. in Creative and Critical Writing and a PhD from the University of Gloucestershire. Angela teaches creative writing at the University of Gloucestershire and in various community settings as well as working for a local charity. She runs a reading series in Cheltenham, ‘Buzzwords’.

Black Fox Literary Magazine with “Anna´s Finnish Vase” by María Castro Domínguez

Black Fox Literary Magaz[image error]ine is a print and online biannual publication featuring quality fiction of all styles and genres, poetry and nonfiction.

Black Fox Literary Magazine was founded by Racquel Henry, Pamela Harris, and Marquita Hockaday. The three writers met during an MFA program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey.

Issue #16 (Summer 2017) features work by:  Lisa Harris, Tamara Panici, Roberta Senechal de la Roche, Kelsey Ann Kerr, Elizabeth Yalkut, Sophia Kwon, A.M. Bostwick, María Castro Domínguez, Lorraine Henrie Lins, Wendi Dass, Brigette Stevenson, Sanya Bery, L. Mari Harris, Heidi Hemmer, Nikki Macahon, Alice-Catherine Jennings, Samantha Zimbler, Talal Alyan, Heather Humphrey, Rosie McMahan, Natalie Crick, A’rrika Dion, Seth Jani, Guy Traiber, Mariana Samuda, Amy Fant, and Kelsie Qua.

Cover Artist: Gregg Chadwick. Purchase the Print Copy here.

Support independent Bookstores! Purchase a copy of Black Fox from:

Bookmark It Orlando

Quimby’s

Changing Hands Bookstore

“A Fish Out of Water” by María Castro Domínguez

As promised a bit of magic realism in “A Fish Out of Water.” Up on www.manawaker.com , the Patreon and the YouTube channel.

It’ll hit iTunes and Google Music later today. Hope you enjoy a different read.

And what´s more important, the mesmerising voice behind, or in front of the reading is CB Droege.

Much more about him below.

CB Droege

Is an author, voice actor, and teacher from the Queen City, currently living in Munich.

CB’s most recent book is RapUnsEl and Other Stories, a collection of five stories anchored by the titular novella. CB’s first novel, Zeta Disconnect was released in 2013. CB’s short fiction and poetry has appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and anthologies. (A full list can be found on the publications page.) He’s the editor (and narrator) for Manawaker Studio’s Flash Fiction Podcast, and recently edited a book of gamer poetry. Many projects are partially supported by Patreon patrons.

In-progress projects include a book of ‘recycled comics’, a new novel set in the Darkworld story universe, and an anthology of sci-fi fairytales.

As a voice actor, CB’s specialty is narration. His voice is non-dialectical American (demo reel). Other than his weekly podcast, he can be heard in  radio and television commercials, but most work is in audiobooks. A list of credited productions can be found on the projects page.

Let´s start celebrating World Poetry Day

Getting ready for World Poetry Day 21st of March? Let´s start the celebration now!

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How? As simple as this:

Just like and share this post on FB between today and the 20th of March and you´ll receive a number which will allow you to participate in a draw. If you´re not following A face in the crowd´s FB page, now´s the time to start. Good luck!

The winning number will receive a FREE copy of my erbacce prize winning poetry collection “A face in the crowd” signed by me. The draw will be effectuated on the 21st  March.

World Poetry Day is on 21 March, and was declared by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1999. The purpose of the day is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and, as the UNESCO session declaring the day says, to “give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements”.

Palabras evocativas desde el diario del solitario sobre la presentación de A face in the crowd

Absolutely beautiful summary and literary reflection on A face in the crowd´s book launch by the solitario.

I do so recommend reading it, especially to those who couldn´t assist.

Solitario´s words paint with masterly skill and poetic vision the paradisiacal bookshop, Canaima, where it took place, the enthusiastic audience and the books which became silent participants or really “activists” of the magic that was conjured.

As follows I quote some of the brilliance he transmits from his diary:

-¿Se ha parado usted a pensar cómo vivimos? Se lo diré. Pasamos el día azacanados, tensos, esclavos de la ronda del reloj, que diría Silvio Rodríguez… Pero llega la noche. Y en la noche la hormiga se convierte en cigarra y el sapo cancionero canta. Canaima es otro mundo, un reducto, una librería mágica. Siempre he pensado que, allí y en esa hora, digo en las noches de las buenas librerías como esa, los personajes de los libros cobran vida y cuando no les miramos se hablan unos a otros, Don Quijote con Fausto, la Maga de Cortázar con el coronel de García Márquez, el americano impasible de Graham Greene con un bereber de los cuentos de Paul Bowles… La princesa triste de Rubén Darío con el enamorado melancólico de Neruda. O, en la voz de María Castro, el Minotauro de Borges con el Chopin del parque Lazienki de Varsovia. Pero eso son fantasías. La lectura de María fue real. Todo lo real que es un sueño, claro. No se, ya se lo digo: Vengo de una experiencia religiosa. El libro ha obtenido además su guirnalda, un importante premio británico, el Erbacce prize. En esta isla pacata y cerrada pasará desapercibido, claro. Pueblo chico, infierno grande.

Meet the soliatio here :http://http://nemogc.blogspot.com.es/2017/02/diario-del-solitario-5-presentacion-del.html

Thelma´s Epiphany by María Castro Domínguez in Flash Fiction Magazine today

Today you can read my flash fiction Thelma´s Epiphany in Flash Fiction Magazine.

Being a curious mind and body I have always wondered who the marvellous people behind FFM are. Hence a good day to uncover who´s behind FFM.

FFM are a unique team dedicated with passionate commitment to the art of writing, above all to the shorter and no less important genre of flash fiction.

Flash fiction feels closer to poetry for me, infact it can overlap, if true art can that is. It is concise and tight, containing a story or at least an intuition of a story, and yet offers a multitude of possibilities. Space (or word count) is important and how it stands on the page. Superfluous words are eliminated, every word contributes to the whole, making this form very challenging to write and a pleasure to read.

Flash fiction, I feel is so adequate to our fast-paced 21st century, where time is lacking even for those things we love most. Flash fiction requires only a few minutes to read and like Françoise Harvey from mslexia says, “It´s frequently the most highly-polished writing you´re likely to read”, yet when it touches you it lingers for days, months and even years, like all good literature.

Mark Dennis Anderson managing editor of Flash Fiction Magazine kindly allowed me to interview him a few weeks ago. His replies were an eye-opener and keenly satisfied  my  forever increasing interest in this form. I´m certain that flash fiction will be increasingly present  in our reading list.

When and where did Flash Fiction Magazine start and what was the reason behind the magazine´s existence?

The owner of FFM, Shannon Huffman, acquired the magazine from the previous owner in May, 2015, after it had been running for about a year. We publish 365 flash fiction pieces a year (no holidays, no hiatuses). Our mission is simply to provide readers with daily flash fiction stories and writers daily opportunities to share their work. This year, we have begun providing in-depth feedback and editing services through our priority feedback submission option. For more about our submission process, visit https://flashfictionmagazine.com/submissions/.

How many submissions do you receive per month?

We receive anywhere from 5-20 submissions per day, averaging around 300 or so per month.

What are you looking for in the fiction you publish? and 4. What advice would you give writers trying to publish with you?

Generally, we’re looking to publish stories that go beyond simply relaying an interesting idea or scenario in words. We tend to publish strong, narrative driven stories that demonstrates that the author appreciates elements of craft and/or a love for language and storytelling.

Read a lot. Read what we’re publishing. Study story form. Study the foundations of good storytelling. Ground your writing with sensory description that the reader can experience. Don’t think about impressing us or your reader: think about details and clarity. Ask yourself, what do you want readers to remember about your story? Proofread your work. Ask someone else to proofread your work.

Is there anything that particularly annoys you when receiving submissions?

I would have to say that sloppy punctuation, particularly commas, annoys me the most. While I try not to judge too harshly, I do believe that writers worth publishing should know the basics.

How often do your anthologies appear in print?

This year will be our first year that we publish anthologies in print. The goal is quarterly publication.

Anything else you´d like to add about your team and yourself?

We are dedicated and grateful to be a part of such a vibrant community of writers and readers!

Mark Dennis Anderson holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN and currently teaches at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. Editing credits include Flash Fiction Magazine (managing editor), The Paper Lantern (faculty editor/advisor, Normandale’s student literary magazine, 2015), and Water~Stone Review (poetry editorial board, 2012). He has published poetry and short fiction online and in print. Find him on Twitter @MarcoAnders.