"When I'm on a crowded bus and someone says something bad to me, in my heart I want to give him a tight slap, but I've learned to ignore it," says Gogia, the New Delhi receptionist. "What's the use? All the blame always comes back to the woman.” -MUNEEZA NAQVI Associated Press, NEW DELHI, January 7, 2013 INDIA BLOSSOM (A Poem for Jyoti Singh Pandey) Wither spreads upon flora petals sin slits and plucks. Its venom darkens waves twigs stretch to drink. Lotus is life correlation men cannot emulate yet some willfully berate bloom of its epic stems. Amid this hell lotus struggles as a woman. Wilted, torn like a ragged root slumped in a fist above soil, motionless in Satan’s death breeze before dawn. Light emerges— life is born. Lotus flower is a timeless creation.                              ...

In each of us, there is a special place where we isolate our center being… a place where we hope to find inner peace and tranquil safety.  This is the place where forces that are beyond our control quietly influence and guide us and bring forth our intuition and sense of purpose.  As we get ready to celebrate a new year, I ask you to go to your inner place and reflect on this past year and all that you have achieved.  And hope you truly welcome a new year with a wide embrace, a joyful heart, love, and many expectations for a bright future.  My colleagues and I wish you and your loved ones a very happy and blessed new year.  In this particular season, it is timely that Sheila Applegate’s book, Enchanted One, The Portal to Love is being released.   aaduna published excerpts from the then unpublished manuscript in its spring 2011 issue.  So, as can be expected, we take some pride in announcing that the book is now available for ordering. ...

this Holiday Season of Chanukah/Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the Feast of the Three Kings in whatever way you choose, please know that aaduna wishes its contributors (those talented writers, poets and visual artists,) Board of Directors, readers, supporters and followers a Season that is graced by joy, blessings and wonderful festivities. As we move towards the end of 2012's twelve month cycle and welcome in a new year, my colleagues and I hope that each of you find tranquility for the soul, purpose and determination for the spirit and discover unexpected surprises to nourish your overall being.  Enjoy!!! bill  

Timothy Ogene, aaduna featured artist, summer 2012 issue Check out the Timothy Ogene at bill berry’s E-View Points.   CLICK HERE Tim’s poetry premiered in the summer 2012 issue of aaduna .   Here is one of his poems from that issue: Nostalgia (For Kru town, Liberia )   I’ve only been away for two days – but I already miss kru-town and the multiplicity of simplicity it offers; the serenity and slow pace of existence; the quietness of being in touch with untouched quietness; The chaotic scream of street kids yelling at nothing in particular, the combine screech of their scream is better than the piercing, peace-stealing hunk of city cars; I miss walking barefoot on sand, close to the lip of the ocean where salt water kiss my brown feet against white earth. I long to return to the melody of raindrops on my roof; to the undiluted freshness of dawn free from fumes and disturbing city smell.

The wait is over.  We appreciate and thank you for your patience.  The fall 2012 aaduna galleries are now open.   Take some time and view the forceful and captivating art of Geoffrey Holman; the sublime nuances of Ashley Lane's photography and the graceful poignancy of Gladys Garcia's video on a place many of us have yet to visit. Here are some "short takes:" HOLMAN Title:  Don't Git It Twisted, Geoffrey D. Holman, Artist (c) 2012   "Holman’s images may bring to mind, the “street corner people’’ that Miles Davis and Prince captured in their music.  Like both musicians, Holman’s work has a gritty rhythm, fluidity, coolness and swagger just like the people who may live in your neighborhood."  Click HERE to view Geoffrey's Exhibit in aaduna's Bor de r s Gallery   LANE s "Untitled" - Ashley Lane, Photographer (c) 2012  "She often does not show faces to encourage her viewer to pay close attention...

Not to worry, we have Shiela Applegate for you. Sheila Applegate, (Photo Provided) Kelvin Ringold Sr. & Mariana Roberts, Photographers  As you may know,  Ms. Applegate is a dedicated aa duna Board of Directors member, who is having her finished manuscript published in December 2012.  Last year, aaduna published excerpts from her manuscript, Enchanted One , most notably sections from “Chapter One: Love; Chapter Two:  True Forgiveness, and Chapter Three: Remembering our Wholeness.”    Read Excerpts Here (aaduna Spring 2011 issue) Click Here to View Book Trailer Reserve your copy now - Visit: www.sheilaapplegate.com for details

In the past few days, many readers asked for the meaning of the cover photo for aaduna's fall 2012 issue.  We contacted photographer, Yuge Zhou this past weeken d w ho shared her  insight behind this particular photograph. Scroll Below. aaduna Fall 2012 Cover Photo:  "Corruption of the Modern Snow White" by Yuge Zhou, Photographer (c) 2012 Corruption of the modern Snow White 现代白雪公主的贪婪 "The poison of greed creates an inner hunger so that we always seem to be striving towards an unattainable goal. We mistakenly believe our happiness is dependent upon that goal, but once we attain it, we get no lasting satisfaction. Then once again, our greed and desire will arise, looking outside of ourselves for the next thing that will hopefully bring satisfaction. Influenced by greed, we are never content. Living in this material world, people are greedy and obsessed with material things. But eventually, no matter how beautiful or expensive t...