poetry in motion

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RUMI; Mewlana Jalal ad-Din Muḥammad Balkhi > Full Length Documentary

Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, has worldwide recognition. The name Mowlana Jalaluddin Rumi stands for Love and ecstatic flight into the infinite. Rumi is one of the great spiritual masters and poetical geniuses of mankind and was the founder of the Mawlawi Sufi order, a leading mystical brotherhood of Islam. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish and a Sufi mystic. He is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poetical intellects. Born in 1207 AD, he belonged to a family of learned theologians. He made use of everyday life’s circumstances to describe the spiritual world. Rumi’s poems have acquired immense popularity, especially among the Persian speakers of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan. Numerous poems written by the great poet have been translated to different languages.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~
(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)

THE 4TH WORLD WAR > BIG NOISE FILMS

The 4th World War is a powerful tale of the global justice movement at the beginning of the 21st Century told through poetry, interview, music and historical footage into a seamless journey into a portrait of international struggle.

“We walked and these moments changed us. We saw the buildings burning and the pain in our neighbor’s eyes. We rushed bayonets in the mountain and lines of police in the city.

We were touched by too much death. We loved and felt alive. We heard the echo of our word in other voices. We watched the moon rise over the barricades.

We were wounded by the courage of small children. This is not the whole story or the only story.

It is an introduction to some of the people with whom we share this planet.

A much greater story remains to be told. A story that we will write together.”

http://www.bignoisefilms.com/films/features/89-fourth-world-war

SEARCH > Joel McKerrow

Filmed in North America, Iceland, France, Ireland and England.
Film and production by Joel McKerrow.

Words and Voice by Joel McKerrow (www.joelmckerrow.com).
Featuring Heidi McKerrow (www.heidimckerrow.com)
With the music of Tom Hoey (www.thompost.bandcamp.com).

PARANG > OMAR MUSA

“PARANG” the new book of poetry and writing by Omar Musa, and this video is a preview of the insights and beauty of this leading Australian poet.

“To order a copy of “Parang” send $25 to my paypal account (omar_bin_musa@hotmail.com) and I’ll sign and personally send one off immediately. This is all very independent but I like it that way, because I know it will get right from my hand into yours, the reader’s. Be sure to get in there quickly because it’s a limited run. Cheers!
-Omar”

http://www.facebook.com/omarmusaqbn
twitter.com/obmmusic

Video by Vis Pajori

Growing Is Forever > words: Kallie Markle > video by Jess Rosten

A meditative ode to the transcendental beauty in nature.

A film by Jesse Rosten – twitter.com/JesseRosten
Words by Kallie Markle – twitter.com/lightningvsbug
Music – “Window” The Album Leaf

Video

Onwards, etc

Onward, Etc. from gnarly bay productions, Inc. on Vimeo.

…Spinning through the world, half musicians, half tornadoes, they carry with them a uniquely contagious will to live. Not in the sense of staying alive – far from it – but rather in living each day fearlessly, creatively, spontaneously and generously. -Forest Woodward Onward, Etc.

SEEING (May Your Pen Grace The Page) >> Luka Lesson >> video: Wang Di

In anticipation of Luka Lesson’s 2012 visit to Beijing, a short film competition asking participants to use the message of his poem ‘May Your Pen Grace The Page’ was established. This film is the result of that competition. It is underground filmmaker Wang Di’s portrayal of blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng’s struggle for freedom and the recognition of human rights in China and abroad.

Made with no budget, the film uses local actors, media footage banned in China and Luka Lesson’s recording of ‘May Your Pen Grace The Page’ to bring light to this important issue. It is now the only ‘Official’ video made for the inspirational poem ‘May Your Pen Grace The Page’ in existence.

For the full poem go to
http://lesson.bandcamp.com/track/may-your-pen-grace-the-page.

For more by this artist, check out:
http://www.lukalesson.org
http://www.facebook.com/lukalesson

SHE COTTON SUMMER DRESSES > ALIA GABRES

A powerful, yet intimate vision of war, beauty and life in refuge by Melbourne spoken word artist Alia Gabres.

Produced by Shuttermain

Decoded: RZA > ‘Unspoken Word’ & ‘Protect Ya Neck’

Wu-Tang Clan leader and hip-hop production genius, The RZA breaks down “Unspoken Word” off his alter-ego solo album, The RZA as Bobby Digital In Stereo and his verse from Wu-Tang’s break out hit, “Protect Ya Neck.”

DECODED: The RZA “Unspoken Word” & “Protect Ya Neck”

Abe Ape > Made In Australia (Youthful Truth)

A hard hitting spoken word by Abe Ape condemning police violence against African youth in Australia.

Go The Fuck Back To Sleep > Adam Mansbach

Noni Hazelhurst, reads a story about a naughty baby who won’t go to sleep.

Here is also a version of the same book being read by Samuel L Jackson:

White Flour > David LaMotte

A video version of David LaMotte’s book White Flour, illustrated by Jenn Hales. Read by the author.

Feel free to link to this video, embed it in blogs or show it in any public gathering or virtual space that stands for love, against racism and against violence. We reserve the right to deny its usage if we do not agree with the goals it is being used in service of.

Follow David LaMotte on Twitter: @davidlamotte.

Subscribe on Facebook via facebook.com/davidlamotte.

http://www.whiteflourbook.com/

I Slam (Ya Muslimeen) > Husam Aldiery

I Slam (Ya Muslimeen) by Husam Aldiery

Lyrics:

I slam in slams to slam stereotypical labels out of your mind
And I’ll slam six hundred and sixty six thousand times for you to enter mine
I’ll grab your finger and let it grace that button to re-wind
Rewind your mind back to the ages of pre-ignorance
When your view of me was pre-militant
You see..
My words are melodic, hypnotic, sporadic and slightly spastic
And my thought process is futile when I’m twelve hours fastin’
If you cross me I’ll smile at you and swallow my anger
Aint nothing in this world worth fighting for so take a step back.. son
Brother, sister, father, mother, grand-father and teacher you all are my equals
Take my hand as we circle around our ka3ba like oceans are circled by eagles
Let us walk amongst the mountains of our forefathers
And may the mercy of allah be on the souls of all our beloved martyrs
Let us breathe in the air that is purified by the light that our heart shines
There voices echo between each and every one of my weighted rhymes
This is for Hamza al khatib, Ibrahim al hayjee, mohammed turki
This is for you and you and you and me
I write these poems to show you the truth of who we could be
Ya Muslimeen…
Let us pack sandcastle mountains of knowledge on the shores of our lands
Far enough from the oceans waves for our hands to crash softly into the sand
Let us illimunate around our brothers like the moon lights the stars and the sun glistens off the seas
Let us grow like dafodils in the cracks of broken stone like the bones of our knees
Let us smell like the roses at dusk after a hurricane
And let our words sweeten the eardrums of our brothers like sugar cane
So take my hand and walk with me to the gates of heaven
Grab a group with you blessed like the skies and seas.. seven
Circle around the oceans and fill your pens with the ink that god has given
Hold your voice between your fingers and widen your vision
Write like the instrument that god made you
Write till your soul shakes you
Till your breath overtakes you
Till your mind can’t take you any further
Write for your brothers and your sisters struggling
Write because the truth is humbling
Write because you have a purpose
Write because we are all worth it
Shrug aside facebook, twitter, tumblr, and youtube
Our voices are the social media that God speaks through

Ya muslimeen…
We are the bird’s chirp at dawn
We are the rhythm of the ocean’s waves
We are the rigidity of Mountains
We are the rays of the sun
The shine of the moon
The smell of truth
We are the taste of grace
We are fresh cut grass
A cold glass of water
The warmth of a campfire
The beating of a drum
The meaning of music
The rumble of thunder
The spark of lighting
We are Muslims
So let us spread our existence like perfume fills a room
And let our scent descend and transcend the existence of men like flowers about to bloom
Because we are the instruments through which god speaks through
So speak with me and shine light on the truth

The City of Saba > Rumi

The City of SABA was written in the 13th century by the Sufi mystic poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi and translated and recited in our film by Coleman Barks. What is so striking about this poem is it’s relevance to what is happening in our SABA – Washington, D.C.

One of 21 video poems in Four Seasons Productions newly released Moving Poetry Series – Three innovative new films – RANT * RAVE * RIFF.

http://www.4spFilm.com

My City > George the Poet

‘My City’ a poem about the forgotten parts of London, A collaboration between George the Poet and director Rob Ryan.

Filmed by Paul Kirsop
Graded by Fergus Hally (in Melbourne!)

Part II – ‘creativity in adversity’ is now in production.

For more info contact rob@deuce-films.com

Below is a profile of George the Poet by Link Up TV: