Monday 27 September 2010

CHA's Pushcart Nominations 2011

Each nominee will receive a handmade dragonfly card from Cha. The cards are made by a former contributor.

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*Voting is now closed. 


Cha co-editors Tammy Ho & Jeff Zroback will nominate the following poems for the Pushcart Prize 2010. There is one more slot: we have several pieces in mind but would love to know your thoughts. Which piece from issue 10, issue 11 and issue 12 of the journal do you recommend?

Leave us a comment below or send your suggestions to editorsATasianchaDOTcom (Subject line: "Pushcart") if you prefer anonymity. If possible, please explain briefly why you liked a particular piece. We will consider your input when deciding the sixth nominee. We intend to post the nominations 1st November 2010.

Last year, we faced the same problem and in the end only nominated five poems (see the nominees here). You can help us this time.

3) Rosanna Oh, "Etude" (issue #11, May 2010)
6) The sixth nominee is revealed in this post
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Also see our Best of the Web, Best of the Net and Micro Award nominations this year.
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Congratulations to all the nominees. We wish you the best of luck and thank you for letting us publish your wonderful work.


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    84 comments:

    1. Wow! Thank you guys so much!!! And I 100 percent agree with the decision to go with 'Night Thoughts.' Let me read the rest of #12 and get back to you with a suggestion.

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    2. OK, my vote for the sixth nom. goes to "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas. That is one hell of a poem too.:-)

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    3. I am deeply moved by Kim-An Lieberman's poems.
      I especially love 'Harvest'

      This song of a daughter
      Still in her innocence
      Collecting fragments
      Beads, Buttons and Twigs
      With oracular prescience
      Reminds us of our earlier selves
      That disappeared from most of us
      When we stopped seeing dreams
      In the world we inhabit daily

      Beautifully written
      And the ending
      Twists around
      To the loss
      That comes
      Inevitably

      Please nominate 'Harvest'

      yamabuki

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    4. Daniel Bowman Jr.'s "April Poem", published in the February 2010 issue of Cha, has just received a vote. Our reader said: "Loved it for the depth and frivolous nature, a tough act to combine, I thought..."

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    5. From a new contributor: "I was very impressed with the work of Kim-An Lieberman, Fiona Sze-Lorrain and many others in your current issue."

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    6. Definitely 'Night Thoughts' by Eddie Tay.



      Henry Daquipel

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    7. Robert E. Wood's "Li Po Admiring the Waterfall at Lo-Shan Hokusai" has a fan. We received an email from a reader saying "I loved the imagery in the poem."

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    8. There were so many terrific poems this year, as always....My favorite poem this year was was "Suicide Note". That said, I would consider for a sixth nomination "Chrysanthemum" by Fiona Lam, "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas and "Li Po Admiring the Waterfall..." by Robert Wood.

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    9. A reader said: "Also, loved loved loved "Country" by Eddie Tay... He's such a wizard.:)"

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    10. Thanks again for the nomination!

      After rereading the issues multiple times, I vote for Robert Woods's "Li-Po Admiring the Waterfall." Though the poem is spare, the sparseness suits the poem-- and I especially admire how the elements of Chinese poetry appear as authentic, rather than imitative.

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    11. I would like What I Said to Her Was Not a Lie" to be nominated too.

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    12. A reader told us: "Eddie Tay's poems are good. They are interesting to study as postcolonial texts. His language is plain but forceful. The pieces are authentic to me as someone from Hong Kong."

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    13. Arthur told us: "I just read the poems of the new issue, which were nicely selected. The two poems by Kim-An are particularly awesome."

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    14. "What I Said To Her Was Not A Lie" should be nominated. Definitely nominated, yeah.

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    15. From the most recent issue (because of an attention span of a squirrel) I liked Shirley Lee's Letter to a Prominent Korean Man And to You, partly because it mashes together Eastern and Western cultures in a way that forces the reader to decipher and dive into the allegories of the poem, and partly because I am not much of a connoiseur of poetry and I thrive on the mere promise of a puzzle.

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    16. Is there any chance that "What I Said to Her Was Not a Lie" can be nominated too?

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    17. My vote goes to a write in: Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Nabina Das http://www.asiancha.com/issue/11/nabinadas

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    18. I vote for Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Ms Nabina Das. Beautiful and soulful.

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    19. "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925" by Nabina Das.

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    20. My vote goes to :
      Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Nabina Das http://www.asiancha.com/issue/11/nabinadas

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    21. My choice is "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925" by Nabina Das. Her poem is subtly evocative. It moves beyond self and into a cultural mysterium. Reading a work like this, my imagination quivers with new experience. Surely, this is a prize-worthy creation.

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    22. 'dera ghazi khan', definitely.

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    23. Papa told us: "I like "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas. It is the kind of poety I wish I had written. It came close to and slightly ahead of "A Talk with Mao Tze-Tung". Anyway, I iterate "Bones" gets my nod."

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    24. A reader told us: "I choose Daniel Bowman Jr.'s "April Poem". It's musical, the ending is dreamy and yet the content is not... whatever poem you choose is going to be great, regardless, as the general quality is so good... All of the poems which've been mentioned're wonderful... "

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    25. Violet Glaze sent us an email:

      "Dear editors, I saw you were nominating poems and I have to say I really loved "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925" by Nabina Das.

      Please nominate it! It would make me so happy."

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    26. A reader told us: ""Bones" is an incredibly emotional and moving poem. The poem is full of feelings and the more I read it the more I love it... thank you so much for writing it..."

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    27. 'Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925' by Nabina Das.

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    28. one vote to The Dera Ghazi Khan!

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    29. Dera Ghazi Khan 1925 by Nabina Das for the

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    30. I vote for "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925"
      by Nabina Das. Excellent work!

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    31. Royston (guest editor of Issue 12) said:

      "I've been following the Puschart nominations on the blog. All good selections.

      I give my vote to these three poems (from September's issue):

      "Bones" by Rumijhum Biswas

      "Cities" by Eddie Tay

      "After Ten Years in America" by Kim-An Lieberman

      .....in that order."

      NOTE: Votes from our guest editors (including Bob's and Arthur's) are especially important and we consider them weightily.

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    32. "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925"
      by Nabina Das. It is a beautifully written and very moving piece. What I believe poetry should be?

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    33. My vote goes to "Dera Ghazi Khan" by Nabina Das.

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    34. Gillian (guest editor of Issue 10) said:

      "three that spoke the most to me:

      Copernicus for a Singaporean Grandmother
      by Wena Poon

      Paramour
      by Ocean Vuong

      Options
      by Elizabeth Schultz"

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    35. A reader wrote us: "I read the poems that came out after the issue with Papa Osmubal (and I'm glad that poem is on your nomination list), and thought "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas was really good. The lines were concise enough to show (not tell) and we loved the surprise emotive of the last few lines. Shocking, these lines tell a lot of stories. It has my vote."

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    36. Yes, my vote for the sixth nomination is definitely "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas. I also like "Etude" by Oh a lot.

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    37. A reader told us: "I was reading the three issues again - most of my favourites are already in your list. One other writer/piece I particularly liked was Ocean Vuong's "Paramour"."

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    38. Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Nabina Das http://www.asiancha.com/issue/11/nabinadas

      It has a very soulful and ethnic feel to it. Painted pictures in my mind

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    39. Robert told us: "I like "Another City Which You Leave" in issue 12. It's ambitious, it seems to work over the three cities, and I like the imagery, the play on the words, and it lingers in my mind in the way that others do not. I also liked "Diaphragm", too.

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    40. I vote for "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925" By Nabina Das

      http://www.asiancha.com/issue/11/nabinadas/

      Excellent work Nabs. Very soulful.

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    41. Dear Tammy,

      I don't know if this poem can be nominated, as it seems from some collection, but if it can be, it's a stunningly powerful poem, and with a force that I seldom come across in poetry; I am talking about "A Talk with Mao Tze-tung" by Fiona Sze-Lorrain.

      If it can't be nominated, then my other choices, in the order I like them, would be any of these:

      The Harvest Shaman by Angela Eun Ji Koh (this is also just such a wonderful poem!)

      Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Nabina Das

      Displaced by Selina Libi Bjorlie

      I must say it was highly difficult, as almost all poems on Cha are just so good. Also, because there are many Asian writers, one hears voices one is unused to; new rhythms, new gazes.

      Ankur

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    42. "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925" by Nabina Das has another supporter. A reader told us:

      "All the other stanzas having been written in the past tense, with the last stanza – written in the present tense – one finally realizes the existence of an interplay between the past and the present. As also one understand s on reading the middle (from “Older than…” till “…never were”) that “stories” from the past about crossing over the “border lines“ are quite literally at the center of this poem. How poignant indeed to read of forced migrations (“not the footsteps both ways”). The “coarse”ness of the beginning contrasts the richness of the brass jar. But, so do the life movements (weaving, milking) carried out with this coarseness contrast the desire for stillness of water, also for containment of history within the brass jar.



      What then do we make of the last line – standing as that extra line in this four-line stanza that is part of a poem made of three line stanzas? Mirroring both the title of the poem – Dera Ghazi Khan - and the last word – jar – of the preceding line, this very last verse produces a circular effect when it reads: “From a Dera Ghazi Khan” to the “doors left ajar”. The similarity between jar and ajar reminding us that the containers of the present can only be understood retrospectively through those doors forced to be left ajar in the past. There is no doubt in my mind that Dera Ghazi Khan is the poem that deserves nomination. It is a beautifully sad poem."

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    43. My vote goes to 'Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925' by Nabina Das. All my best wishes to her.

      priti aisola

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    44. A reader told us: "There are many good poems in Cha but my vote definitely goes to Ocean Vuong's "Paramour". Vivid imagery and authentic feelings. This stanza is just too good:

      Behind these walls, we are allowed
      to be no one, and it's easy
      to dive into sheets that reek
      of urine, the sweat of whores,
      our shoulders wrapped
      in printed roses, eaten through
      by cigarettes."

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    45. I agree that Ocean Vuong's "Paramour" is very good and the stanza below is one of the strongest in that issue:

      Behind these walls, we are allowed
      to be no one, and it's easy
      to dive into sheets that reek
      of urine, the sweat of whores,
      our shoulders wrapped
      in printed roses, eaten through
      by cigarettes.

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    46. "hello dear Tammy,

      among the poems recently published in Cha, Papa Osmubal's 'A Bum's Demise' (sept. 2010) is my most favourite piece. The language is simple but effective, the character of the bum is homorously presented and, most important, the subject matter is cleverly chosen and well explored. a highly intelligent and enjoyable poem. i hope to read more of this kind in the upcoming issues. thank you editors for having chosen such delightfuy work!

      have a great national day as well as a nice weekend!

      -changming"

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    47. "Diaphragm" by Annie Zaidi is quite exceptional.

      The descriptions of the body and the intimacy between bodies is true true and true.


      -O

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    48. Thank you, Ocean, for dropping by.
      Annie Zaidi's "Diaphragm" is indeed beautiful. It is, as Royston said,'as taut as breath held'.

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    49. The more I keep re-reading Bones, the more I like it. The last two lines in particular put the whole poem into a new light, as the reader gets a glimpse of the relationship between the narrator and her mother.

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    50. From a reader:

      Tammy, these are all very strong poems you and Jeff are nominating. I enjoyed discussing them with you immensely.

      After re-reading the recent issues, I'm going to give my 'vote' to "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas.

      This is my interpretation of the poem: the persona and her mother had a strenuous relationship. The daughter never did anything sincerely and she did not respect her mother. But after the latter's death, she picks those memories of her that she despised, that made her mother so disrespectable. She lets them sink into the Ganges, in a way to forgive her mother and her misgivings.

      This is of course inspired by your own interpretation, which is succinct and insightful.

      Thank you for this wonderful new issue.

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    51. Dear Tammy,

      I consider Papa Osmubal's "A Bum's Demise", published in your Sept. 2010 issue, as a true winner. The simplicty of the words used blends well with the deep and meaningful message it conveys powerfully narrated with scenarios and images that a reader could easily identify him or herself with. The piece got my vote.

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    52. Trevor Barnes told us: "I would like to cast my vote for your sixth Pushcart nomination slot: Daniel Bowman Jr’s “April Poem,” with its understated clarity and subtle magical realism, is easily one of the most beautiful pieces I have read this year. I have been a fan of Bowman’s work for a while now, having discovered his poems in several of my favorite journals (including your own). It would be wonderful to see such a deserving poet gain some further recognition."

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    53. I loved Daniel Bowman's poem, "April." The speaking through images reminds me of haiku. The form itself, the references to the cycling of the seasons, reinforces one of the themes of the poem.

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    54. I enjoyed reading "Suicide Note," "A Bum's Demise," and "Stone Fruit." Congratulations to the nominees and I look forward to reading more of their poetry.

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    55. Jonathan told us: "Phill Provance's "What I Said to Her Was Not a Lie," one of the poem in your latest issue of Cha, is stunning. Some striking imagery. Just left him a note on his site. But thanks for sharing. You guys rock!"

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    56. A reader told us: "Of all the poems mentioned here, I vote for Rumijhum Biswas's "Bones" and Ocean Vuong's "Paramour". "Bones" is beautifully written and the ending prompts you to re-read the entire piece. "Paramour" – just because of the stanza from the poem singled out by Tammy."

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    57. CHA's Pushcart Nominations for 2010

      Because every year we do this!

      "April Poem" from Issue 10

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    58. Asterio Gutierrez25 October 2010 at 09:46

      Ocean's 'Paramour' all the way!!

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    59. Eddie Tay's "Country" has just received a vote.

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    60. Paramour gets my vote!

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    61. Eddie Tay's "Country" is my favorite one from here, the last 2 lines do it for me.

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    62. A reader told us: "Eddie Tay's "Country" is pitch perfect; assertive but not deliberately reaching for poetry. I find that the toughest part of writing a poem - achieving that window."

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    63. Bones by Rumjhum Biswas and Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Nabina Das are my favourites for the Pushcart

      Amitabh Mitra
      http://www.hudsonview.us
      http://www.amitabhmitra.com

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    64. I am hoping Rumjhum Biswas' 'Bones' is nominated. A poem that says much sparsely but very evocatively and effectively. In the narration of one life, one death, it speaks for many others. Its very starkness makes it even more memorable.
      Thanks for this space, I am glad I could write this about a poem a liked immensely!

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    65. Bones by Rumjhum Biswas is a poem that goes beyond poetry- it becomes your own experience. I relived my emotions and feelings that had flooded through me when my mother died, and every Hindu who goes through the cremation rites for a beloved parent automatically becomes the speaker in the poem- such is the power and strength of this poem that speaks with a low and quiet voice and yet resonates in our hearts. My nomination is Bones by Rumjhum Biswas

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    66. A reader told us: "I think "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas fills the slot perfectly.

      Mothers are hard to put into words, especially when they are gone. This somehow captures those bittersweet feelings. I fell in love with it, or rather it haunted me."

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    67. I'd vote for Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925 by Nabina Das

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    68. My vote is for Bones by Rumjhum Biswas, loved it absolutely

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    69. Bones by Rumjhum Biswas is beautiful and deeply moving.It deserves to be nominated.

      Hema

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    70. Ocean Vuong's Paramour, Annie Zaidi's work and many, many other poems that Cha has brought to light

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    71. It is a difficult choice; the two poems that speak most to me though are "Country" and "What I Said to Her Was Not a Lie". Both also have a great last two lines (as does "Bones").

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    72. "Harvest" by Kim-An Lieberman earns my vote ;-p

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    73. Read all the entries and they are all pretty good! But of all the entries "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas really intrigued me and it deserves a lot of votes.

      Gurleen

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    74. We received this message from a reader: "Hmm... tough call. I guess I'll vote for "Bones". Very well constructed!"

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    75. Bones by Rumjhum Biswas is the best

      Very powerful and evocative narration!

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    76. My vote goes to "Suicide Note". I like it's simplicity and the mood the author has created. It's incompleteness is a wise device to illustrate the theme "suicide". I like it!

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    77. Ooops, I made a mistake above - My vote for this year's poems goes to "Bones".

      What usually reminds us of our departed and beloved relatives? Usually it's the remains of their bodies, i.e. their bones. The poet has captured a very wise device (just as Anuradha Vijayakrishnan used various addresses in "Suicide Note") to enhance the power of death.

      I really like how the poet uses her nostalgia to influence her readers. Nice poem!

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    78. Tammy,

      My vote is for Ocean Vuong's "Paramour".
      If it matters, Eddie Tay's "Night Thoughts" is a close second.

      Surajit

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    79. Bob's further remark on "Bones" by Rumjhum Biswas: "One of the finest poems that I have read in some time….it’s concise and troubling and touching all at once… beautiful job!"

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    80. So many great poems! I'll have to give three cheers to:

      "Dera Ghazi Khan, 1925" by Nabina Das
      "After Ten Years" by Kim-An Lieberman
      "April Poem" by Daniel Bowman Jr

      p.s. the link to "Diaphragm" doesn't appear to be working.

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