The Bridge of Silver Wings 2009

by Aberjhani

For the past two years (2006-2008) The Bridge of Silver Wings has earned a name for itself both as a series of poems published in different e-zines and as a book first published in 2007. What makes this 2009 edition a special one is the inclusion of five new poems: “Angel of Better Days to Come”; “Midnight Flight of the Poetry Angels”; “Photographed Light of My Grandmother’s Soul”; “There upon a Bough of Hope and Audacity”; and, “What Angels Call a Poet.”

Readers exploring the pages of this book are likely to experience it in different ways as they move back and forth between one poetic state of being and another. The Bridge of Silver Wings 2009 may at times appear to be nothing more than a silk-thin illusion ––resembling at moments either a terrifying nightmare or a healing vision––spread across an evening mist. While at other times it will register as solid as a concrete sidewalk or a giant boulder.

--from author foreword

Genres: Poetry

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Long-time advocate of principles and programs associated with PEN American Center and the Academy of American Poets. My newest books are: These Black and Blue Red Zone Days, Greeting Flannery O'Connor at the Back Door of My Mind, and Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah. Other titles include: Songs from the Black Skylark zPed Music Player, Journey through the Power of the Rainbow Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry, Visions of a Skylark Dressed in Black; and THE RIVER OF WINGED DREAMS. In addition,the year 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of ELEMENTAL The Power of Illuminated Love with the artist Luther E. Vann.

My work as a visual artist can be found at: https://pixels.com/profiles/posteredc...

I'm currently working on several important projects, including a second edition of The American Poet Who Went Home Again. In addition, I have had the honor of serving as an editor for the Civil War Savannah Book Series published in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. The first title in the series is Savannah Immortal City published February 1, 2011; and the second is Brokers Bankers and Bay Lane Inside the Savannah Slave Trade.

I don't recall a time since adolescence when I have not been involved in a deep relationship with writing, reading, and other forms of creative expression, which is why I remained so deeply involved with Creative Thinkers International for many years.

In addition to the honor of being a Goodreads author, I'm an advocate of initiatives sponsored by PEN America, the American Academy of Poets, Authors on Google +, and other verb-oriented communities.

Prior to joining any of the above, I was born in Savannah, Georgia, eventually left to attend colleges around the country, and served in the U.S. Air Force for 8 years total.

I lucked out and got so furiously inspired in the course of producing some of my work that folks were kind enough to give me awards for it. These include the CONNECT SAVANNAH 2006 Readers Poll for Best Poet and Spoken Word Artist; the Choice Academic Title Award for "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance," (co-authored by Sandra L. West); the Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award; and the Freedom Foundation essay competition bronze medal.

The year 2007 marked my 10th publishing works in ESSENCE Magazine. I'm particularly happy about the fact that my "Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance" was listed by Black Issues Book Review as one of its “essential reference books for the home library.”

Reviews

[Aberjhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel particularly honored to see The Bridge of Silver Wings 2009 in publication because of its poemized documentation of recent historical events, including the Virginia Tech massacre and U.S. presidential election.

The revised edition of this book is now titled THE RIVER OF WINGED DREAMS and you can read review comments about it here: https://www.amazon.com/River-Winged-D...

[Aberjhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bridge of Silver Wings started out as a single poem--titled "The Angel of Gratitude"--intended to express appreciation to various fellow poets and readers who had extended a great kindness to me. It grew into a series of poems exploring different aspects and qualities of angelic presences and influences. Initially the series was called "Songs of the Angelic Gaze" and some were posted under that title by individuals on various sites, including the Deviant Art web site.

The series grew into a book that both contrasts and blends meditations on the human angelic experience. Some of the works have been described as sacred and others profane. The intent behind the composition of each was an honest expression of experience, whether grounded in a context of that which we call Divine, or that which we know as Human. For more, please see the posts titled "Deliverance in Action" and "The Bridge of Silver Wings."

Aberjhani