Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver

The anthology Social Possibilities: Poetic Voices of Hope (Prolific Pulse Press, 2025) is available now in Amazon. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m delighted to share the Amazon blurbs and a poem I have in the book. I’m sure you all can relate to the need for hope during these fraught times. Zaneta V. Johns wrote the introduction, which I quote next.

Social Possibilities – Poetic Voices of Hope is the result of a submissions call with the focus about possibilities to improve society. We asked the question” ” How can we bring hope?”

Zaneta V. Johns, Contributor and Co-Editor says it best with her introduction:

“Social Possibilitiesis a literary sanctuary at a time of heightened uncertainty and distress. We assembled global poetic voices to ease our growing anxieties. We are faced with conflicting perspectives and occasional despair. This anthology is filled with thoughtful optimism. Rather than ignore the challenges facing our humanity, we lean in to acknowledge them while remaining hopeful. Poetry promotes understanding, empathy and compassion, which are crucial to bridging social and political divides. Featured poets illuminate a path to help you uphold justice. Similarly, we encourage you to challenge the status quo and not remain silent. Silence does not promote justice for the underserved. With unwavering devotion, please share your voice and light for the betterment of our global community.

This collection features poems that address themes of unity and serenity, ranging from calm to intense. From the first poem, “I Let Go,” through the last poem, “Into the Light,” these expressions are a compelling call to action. You will find personal insights, reassurance, and invaluable alternatives to fear and adversity. We celebrate these profound aspirations for a future of social connectedness.

It is not too late for The Beloved Community, envisioned and coined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Armed with these impactful messages, let’s normalize kindness as an essential initial step toward harmony.”

Contributing poets include:

Sarfraz Ahmed, Rita Anderson, Nell Anthony, Nanci Arvizu, David B. Barnes, Nayanjyoti Baruah, Roberta Batorsky, Thomas Beckwith, Arlene S. Bice, Susi Bocks, Yasmin S Brown, Stephen W. Buchanan, Joni Karen Caggiano, Vanessa Caraveo, Theresa Carlie, Cassa Bassa, Carla M. Cherry, Loralee Clark, Lauren M. Clemmons, Candice Louisa Daquin, Peter Devonald, Aaliyah El-Amin, Nolcha Fox, Barbara Harris Leonhard, Mark Andrew Heathcote, Duane L Herrmann, Tina Hudak, Michael Ingram, Chyrel J. Jackson, Zaneta V. Johns, Lin Marshall Brummels, Danielle Martin, David Martin, Sarah Merritt Ryan, Terri Michels, Karuna Mistry, Davion Moore, Nimitok, Ami Offenbacher Ferris, Dawn Pisturino, PoemsofCAMA, Linette Rabsatt, Ivan Salazar, Munmun Samanta (Sam), Shiela Denise Scott, Anupama Sham Budhrani, Nicole Smith, Ronda M. Smith, Phd, Lindsay Soberano Wilson, Vivi Sojorhn, Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld and Lynn White.

DUPLEX POEMS

One of my poems in the anthology is a Duplex poem. Jericho Brown, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, created this form in The Tradition (Copper Canyon Press, 2019j.

A duplex poem combines three forms: the sonnet, ghazal, and blues poems. It has 14 lines arranged in seven couplets. Each line has 11 syllables. The content of the second line is restated and expanded upon in the first line of the next couplet. The poem’s last line echoes the poem’s first line.

The duplex form made sense for the subject and theme of my poem, “Bully Pain”. My dad frequently relived his childhood traumas, so having the agony echoed throughout the poem reflects how he replayed these stories. As well, I relive my trauma with bullying and find strength and hope in Dad’s resolve to prevail over his adversity.

Bully Pain: A duplex poem
          Upon hearing Jericho Brown live during Black History Month 2025

The bullies savage my open wounds.
I massage their souls on the stone school yard.

Their souls reek of rank socks and clotted blood.
I bear my soul to my father, a pastor.

He knows of souls; the pastor of prayers.
He was a victim of childhood trauma, too.

A child traumatized by generations of grief
That nearly smothered him in a winter drift.

Packed in snow, his soul set a searing fire
That freed him from an icy death. Resolve

Released him from a burial in snow and ice.
His prayers fired hope in that lake-effect storm.

Hope storms fires in prayers, resolving trauma
And salving wounds that bullies openly savage.

KINDLE

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