Harvest of a New Millenium (2008)

by Editor: Santosh Kumar

Reviewed by Janet K. Brennan

Cyberwit Publications has gone and done it again in the production of another masterpiece with its newest release, Harvests of New Millennium. This magnificent book is a composition of fine art and poetry from artists around the literary world.

Chock to the brim with intensity and savor, "Harvests" kept me going from page to page not knowing what I would find next, and which of the artists and poets best deserved recognition because they are all excellent!

Harvests, is an eclectic view of the world through the eyes of some of the best writers and artists of our time who have spun their magic through verse and picture.

Within these pages, one travels through various cites of the world as in Pato Van Hecke,s "In the Garden, " and "Scotland" where the artist has blended erotica with fine art in a mutual convergence of life and sumptuous human imagery.

Adam Donaldson Powell's-"The Path" is reminiscent of many dreams converging into one final road that leads to the portal of human soul, and indeed, I found myself stretching myself to see what might be on the other end. This photograph has a gorgeous blend of colors and shades that are natural and soothing.

In Herman Smorenburg's "The Discovery Two," we are being shown a moment in history that has many sagas and layers of fine art behind it. One needs only to take the leap into the painting and sit with it for a while. The result is an overwhelming desire to know the story behind the painting. This, along with his oil on wood painting of "Moonlight Secret", seduces the viewer with its bold choices and delicate messages in color and dream like quality. We are convinced that there is far more than what meets the eye to these portraits.

Katherine Luke caught my eye with her surrealistic and dreamy wizardries in her oil painting of "Calalily." This painting is a subdued vision-dance done in reds and hints of teal and charcoal that exercises the art form of allusion. Her "Margherita" is sumptuous in its intoxicating affect of blends of pastel and mists, all executed on bare canvas with oil. When viewing Luke's unique style one gets the impression that we are looking through the rabbit hole into an unexplored world of well executed articulated artistry.

Master photographer and poet, Louie Levy does not disappoint with his "Lonesome Senior Reader. Levy writes:
    "He, like myself and countless others, being elderly, have sadly out-lived most of our parental relatives. Nostalgic and happy of cultural holidays that we had livingly shared with song, dance and feast."

His touching and poignant photograph captures these words and gives us pause to wonder at the personality he has captured from behind the book.

Moving on to the final pages of this human journey art-form, we have some of the best poetry in the world.

Jim Ganley writes with perfect calculation in his rhyme and stance poem, "Time" as he explores the subject with a bit of a slant. The reader will want to go back into this fine pour for several reads.

    "Time is God; God is time said with each breath
    Though none gets to find out until we've faced death
    To learn of space and time would up like a vine
    The fabric of existence so precisely fine"

Dr. Santosh Kumar, whose poetry has been read around the world, stirs things up in his urgent pleas for salvation of mankind in his timely "Come, for a while"

    "Honour your spirit guide, communicate to protect the planet
    Place symbol of your worship
    Build Medicine Wheel in the directions four
    East, West North South after reality"

In Shirley Bolstock's "Who Will Rake The Leaves?" we find a beautiful tale of aging and questioning and remembrance written in a sublime metaphorical style that only accomplished poets can achieve

    "Leaves landing upon the ravages of bittersweet memories
    The debris is now flying through years of laughter and tears
    The stillness arises and encompasses me, and I wonder,
    Who will rake the leaves, in the autumn of my years?"

This family and life poem, much like my own "Gentle Tugs" sends the reader on a journey of exploration into what may be the most important values in life and how we will spend our last years.

    "Most nights I sit
    Watching a perfect sun
    set over the mesa-wide,
    Dreaming of a place, new
    to hang my hat
    should I wander from this place
    to greener pastures by the sea
    A lake with Loons
    How I love Loons!
    Pattering rain on a tin-roof
    Snow frosting a window, south

    My reverie ended
    "We're here"
    Children, grandchildren and pets
    Passing hugs
    Telling jokes
    Ice-cold drinks
    Firing the grill
    Laughter
    Through old Bryce Canyon
    Gentle tugs
    "Where is your hat, Gram?"
    A hearty reply
    "Right where it belongs, love
    Right where it belongs."
Peace poet, Louie Levy is no stranger to the art form of poetry and once again regales us with his genius style and flow with "Tomorrow's yesterday, B'klyn Nu Yawk Kids,"

He writes:
    "Remembering guttered sidewalk streets and
    my life in Brooklyn NY"

This magical poem is a treat for the mind as it takes one into the world that was New York City once upon a time. His "Shadows, And Time of Day" is a riveting piece that allows the reader to wander into the depths of their minds to question the importance of simple acts of kindness

    "Shit, I thought, another Wino who should be working
    I'll just keep walking and pass up another homeless bum"

To the ravages of war and the atrocity of human suffering. Levy never minces words in his larger than life style. Yet behind this hard hitting and gritty prose is the soul of a compassionate lover of life.


    "Hey enemy. With that there rifle and me with mine!
    Ready aim fire! So we shoot us both down dead.
    Hey! Please not in the head, who would know us then?
    We enemies aren't supposed to have no guilt...
    So Bang Bang!

Encapsulated, this fine publication, Harvests of Millennium delves into the questions and possible answers of life from youth to old age. It is without question a literary accomplishment not to be missed.

Highly recommended reading! Entertaining from start to finish.

For more information on this book or where to buy it, go to Harvests of a New Millenium at Amazon.com