I am sure you have heard the word “champion” used in reference to folks who extoll and proclaim the value of an idea or planned project.   There are champions in all fields of endeavor, and the creative arts are firmly included.   And in the genre of poetry, there is one who aaduna treasures. This champion has been a special and gracious guest at all aaduna annual fundraisers for the past four years including this past May where he read the poem that we are presenting on today’s "Avenue." Without a doubt, we appreciate his ongoing support, continuing creative literary contributions, scholarship, and exploration of musical legacies through poetry. We sincerely offer our abundant thanks to...   Howard Nelson Howard Nelson, featured poet, aaduna fundraiser gala (photo by:  Lisa Brennan) SISTER ROSETTA THARPE Glad to hear that Sister Rosetta Tharpe has been elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It’s a nice recognition to have— even thou

For some of us, it may just be another Wednesday, the middle of the work week, hump day. At aaduna , it is our day to celebrate poetry and extol the sparkling words and intriguing themes that we get to present to our readership.   Zavi Kang Engles (photo provided) Today, Zavi Kang Engles takes us to her avenue; grabs our spirit, and propels us to skip, run, jump up, and then contemplate the Zavi spirit of discovery and reflection.     Modernized Love I get shy feeling the velvet of your eye So many hands prune the lively tendrils of the world From far away everything man-made looks like candy But how many of us are still capable of a child’s delight? Yet the up-close of the world is cloying too Proximity nauseates The blankets begin to stink of us The evangelicals and techno-optimists dream the same warm dream Of angelic hands churning another world like the miracle of butter   But, stuck here for now, razing on reveals skulls—the condensed mag