Dear Readers, It is my pleasure to present the revival issue of The Literary Nest. I had to take a prolonged break from publishing the journal. During that time, I wasn’t certain that I would ever be back. But as with any creative venture, inspiration strikes when you are sitting idly. I read some amazing metrical poetry and wanted you all to have a taste of it. Who knows, more people would be submitting metrical, formal poetry in addition to the free verse and prose poetry. I do hope you enjoy this issue. I am going back to the quarterly publishing schedule as before. The next issue will be the winter issue coming out mid-January. Please comment below on this issue. I look forward to engaging with the readers.
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We are back.
After a long hiatus, The Literary Nest is back.
Thank you, dear readers, for your continuous support. The Literary Nest is back with a few changes, primarily in the publishing calendar and the submission processing. The poems will appear online as soon as they are accepted. The complete issue will be deemed published twice a year, most likely in January and July. I will let you know the details as I iron them out. Meanwhile, I look forward to reading your poems. I have missed that for the last few years when The Literary Nest was on hiatus. I welcome you with all my heart. — Pratibha
Phillis Wheatley
Black History Month Day 1.
On Being Brought from Africa to America
By Phillis Wheatley
‘Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
“Their colour is a diabolic die.”
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.
***
This poem is in Public Domain.
June 2020 Poetic Response – Call for Submissions
Poets, if you are agitated, angry, sad, or confused by the current racially charged situation in the USA, speak out. We are all trying to make sense of the killing of George Floyd, the latest black man to die in police custody. While we, as artists, grapple with our own conscience, try to understand how we can bring the change to our own actions and attitudes that will make a small change in the world around us, we can use the one tool at our disposal, our voice.
You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger, yes. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.”
― Maya Angelou
Speak up, write, and send us your poems. We will have a separate “Poetic Response” section in the summer issue to be released on June 30th. The details are on the submissions page. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at theliterarynest@gmail.com.
A Poetic Challenge
Dear Readers,
I am almost at the end of a poetry-writing marathon and fundraiser for Tupelo Press—one of the premier independent publishers of contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in the United States. They have published the early books of many renowned poets such as Annie Finch, Ilya Kaminski, Maggie Smith, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Gary Soto, Kazim Ali, Lise Goett, Matthew Zapruder, Rajiv Mohabir, Rusty Morrison, and so many more.
The challenge is to write a poem a day for 30 days, Tupelo 30/30 project. I am asking you to take a look at the many contest and submission opportunities at Tupelo Press and also support the press in honor of your favorite participating poet in this challenge, although I hope you would support my (Pratibha’s) campaign.
If you enjoy reading and contributing to The Literary Nest, I would urge you to support my campaign by donating a small amount by clicking here.
Also, keep those sonnets coming for our summer issue. The deadline is June 15. Here are the submission guidelines.
Stay well out there, readers.
The Literary Nest 