POETRY / PODCAST
German Literature / German Poetry
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We’re Like a Breeze
on a Summer Night
— POEM by
Belinda Subraman
— Recitation by
Helen Pletts
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There’s a fine line between oblivion and sleep.
In twilight sleep the fairies dance;
Blessed by an ocean of air;
And chime fingers playing the wind.
I want expansion but cling.
I forget it’s all an illusion.
Everything fades.
The sun teaches that.
Colors bleach, objects rust and tear.
Death fades us into the stars.
….
(Self-translation from GERMAN)
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Belinda Subraman
While living close to Nuremberg, Germany, Belinda Subraman developed many international literary and musical connections, and one day decided to start a magazine. Other editors were also generous in sending her literary contacts. So, Bukowski was in the first three issues and an interview with Burroughs was in the second issue of Gypsy Literary Magazine (1984-1994). Additionally, during this same time period she edited books by Vergin’ Press, among them: Henry Miller and My Big Sur Days by Judson Crews. Also, she published Sanctuary Tape Series (1983-90) which was a mastered compilation of audio poetry and original music from around the world.
Earlier in the 2000s, she had a podcast interview show broadcast on several internet stations. Hence, through all these venues she’s published and interviewed many notable poets, artists and musicians.
Belinda Subraman, from El Paso Texas, began an online show in 2020, called GAS: Poetry, Art and Music. This show features interviews, readings, performances and art show in a video format as well as online journal and arts group by the same name. A few of her many poetry publications include The Storms; Journal of Transnational Literature; Maintenant 17; New Generation Beats; Setu, Keeping the Flame Alive; The Orchards Poetry Journal; Voices: Mysticism; Prophecies & Marigolds and Nerve Cowboy. Moreover, her books include Blue Rooms, Black Holes, White Lights, Left Hand Dharma and Full Moon Midnight. So far she has been translated into Chinese, Italian, Hungarian and Albanian. Also, she was appointed Texas Beat Laureate (2023-2025) by the National Beat Poetry Foundation.
Belinda is a mixed media artist working mostly with ink. And, her work has been featured internationally on several book and magazine covers. Also, her art has been featured in many literary and arts magazine including Beyond Words; Epoch; Flora Fiction; Unlikely Stories; Eclectica; North of Oxford; RawArt Review; El Paso News; Litterateur RW; Setu; Texlandia; The Bayou Review; Red Fez; Chrysalis; Ghost City; Maintenant 16, 18 & 19; The Storms and many others. Furthermore, in November 2022 she won 2nd Place in the Sun Bowl Exhibit, the longest running art show in the Southwest (since 1949). And, in 2024 she won Best in Show at the precious objects exhibit at Crossland Gallery in El Paso. Moreover, her work is currently featured in five galleries in the Southwest.
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Helen Pletts
A British poetess based in Cambridge. But, she is the English co-translator of Chinese poet Ma Yongbo 马永波. Also, she is a member of the committee for CB1 Poetry, the monthly poetry reading event in Cambridge. Until now, her work has been translated into Chinese, Bangla, Greek, Vietnamese, Serbian, Korean, Arabic, Italian, Albanian and Romanian. Additionally, she and Ma Yongbo are joint creators of the ongoing ‘Ma Yongbo Poetry Road Trip – Summer Tour 2025’, for International Times.IT, currently at Volume 30.
Moreover, her poetry has five shortlistings for the Bridport Poetry Prize (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) as well; two longlistings for The Rialto Nature & Place Prize (2018, 2022); a longlisting for the Ginkgo Prize (2019); a longlisting for the National Poetry Competition (2022); 2nd Prize in the Plaza Prose Poetry Competition (2022-23), and a shortlisting for the Plaza Prose Poetry Competition (2023-24).
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