Above Ground Testing
Issue #12                                                                                 issn 1448-0024

 
 
 
tomorrow is the dream we had yesterday

Table of Contents

 Opening Words
 Reviews
 Submissions
 New Works
 Closing Words



Opening Words

    Welcome to the 12th issue of this ezine.  The weather is turning nice.  Its now time to turn off the computer, get out and enjoy the sun.  Grab the bike, find a trail and get out.  Enjoy the fresh air.  Wear the hat and experience the light of the sun, rather then the glow of cathode ray.  Take your notebook out;  allow nature to stimulate your muses.   Plan that holiday, if you can do so.  Just enjoy life.
    I've been kept busy with the refugees from Kosovo.  Its a bit exhausting but worth it when you realize your helping.  I could sit down and tell some of the stories, maybe I will.  Not at this time, though.
    With the first year of  "publishing" drawing to a close, it can be time for reflection.  Where have I gone, what have I done or learned.  Well, my first bit of learning is that this takes time.   I don't think I appreciated the work I would have to put into this zine.  I take my hat off to those who make paper zines.  I mean with this its just a matter of typing, copying and pasting- its all done by the computer.  Those people who make magazines and such, they are champions.  The time and effort must be incredible.  I've also learned never to use the "marlett" font.  Its odd, on one screen its letter but in the web-browser its symbols.  Ah well, we live and learn don't we.
    I want to thank all the people who have sent words of support and encouragement over the year.  Thanks for your warm thought and comments.  All have been taken and read carefully.
    I should quit the maudlin stuff and get to the rest of the zine.

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Reviews
    The hype has been directed to only one thing, and that is the movie, "Star Wars: the Phantom Menace". Well, I finally went to see it.  My review is this;  I liked it.  It isnt' like the previous ones, I guess its because Mr. Lucas had to have a plot.  It begins with the writing on the screen, and its funny, the whole incident is based upon taxation- my can't we relate to that.
     The action is fast and furious- great moments, the pod races- I would call this the 'chariot race' of the 90's ( reference to "Ben-Hur") and the light sabre fight.  Incredible action.
    You have heard much about Jar-Jar Binks- some say its a racist figure of the "Steppin' Fetchin' " variety.   Let's realize one this, this creature is computer animated- it doesn't exist.  As for racist, it is a very annoying creature..  The creature is there for comic relief.  At times, it works, but most of the time, the character is overused.  The character does not add anything to the movie.

Submissions
 Charlotte Mair
 Valerie Schwader
 

    This zine exists and thrives on the work of others.  Trust me, I couldn't produce this each month if it wasn't for people willing to allow their thoughts and writings to be printed.  I always hope for a mixture of old favourites and new writers, willing to take this step.
     Our first submitter is Charlotte Mair.  Her poem is entitled "Cry for the World".  Read the pain of the world.  I've also included a her bio..  She is producing a new book of poetry.  As I receive information, I will pass it on to you.

Cry for the World

Cry for the refugees of Kosovo
For the children of India - - shed a tear
Weep for the internment of the Japanese
For the hunger, the pestilence
The fear
and cruelties of humanity
towards humanity

Tear my heart out!
The cleansing of the Jews
The hatred of a colour - - the African
Irish folk who fathomed more than stormy seas
Tears flow freely for Poland's orphans
Flood victims of Chile,
 I weep 10,000 tears
Railroad tracks rusted in China's blood, sweat and tears
All these cruelties

Tear my heart out!
The lady of the night, caught in her unwanted vise
A lonely bag lady - - pushing her basket of vacant dreams
While abused children cry out in vein

And I cry out in pain!
And I will never understand
So-called human beings of this earth
As I march to the beat of my own private heart
With each step of my life
Trying to change what I can
Then - - I cry for the sake of my fellow man

I am a former singer-musician, born, raised and residing on the lower
mainland of British Columbia.  During a two year period I have written
 7 children's stories and over 150  poems, earning 7 Honourable Mentions,
two recordings and 17 publishings in  various Anthologies  and Websites across United States , Canada and
United Kingdom.
I am also a member of the Canadian Poetry Association.

Charlotte Mair

 submissions

The next work is from Valerie Schwader.  If you subscribe to Cjack, you know the effort she makes in her writing and her willingness to make space available for us to have our work published.  If you want more information, write her at:

Distance

I feel you
faraway from my shore,
marooned as it were
on a rocky isle against
which the angry surf
crashes but can not touch
you
just as I
can not.
I feel you
far
within yourself
and I can but see
a wavering reflection
of what was there
seemingly eons ago.
you
balance on your eye,
the one inside
Introspection
places you there
far
from me.

Valerie K. Schwader
April 22 1999

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New Works

Will there be any?

Will there be any
music to listen to
that will get my feet moving?

Will there be any
food that I can share
with my company?

Will there be any
gossip that I can
whisper into your ear?

Will there be any
night
that we can stay together?

I Hear you Speak

I hear you speak
and share your pain.

I wonder how things
could have gone so wrong

It only seemed
a few months ago
I watched you move
into your work
with enthusiasm.

Now
I wonder
where is your passion
where is your care
why are you now
tired and sick
and
sick and tired

Where is your passion
what sucked it out?
 

Music at Midnight

Moving the dial
at midnight
trying to find that one song
to help me forget
I'm not beside you.

Loud rock, banging on my ears
keeping me awake for the miles
I still have to travel.

Lounge music
cool jazz
reminds me too much
of the times
we are together....

No, no, no,
not the time for
maudlin
too easy at the time of night.

Keep going,
hit the seek button
maybe a game
will fill my ears
with noise.

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Closing Words

    Another issue has come to the end.

    If anyone wants to write a column of reviews, its open. Just send a copy of a review you have done.  There is no pay, this is a work of love after all.  Plus I'm usually flat broke. If you know of a poet who would like to have their work printed, let them know about this little ezine.  Next issue is the "First Anniversary Issue"- wow, hard to believe, one full year.  If you have work, submit it, I want it to be the biggest and best issue of them all.  If you have letters, send letters.  Want to disagree with my "Star Wars" review, please do.  I personally think "The Matrix" was a far better movie.  One of these days, I'm going to buy the soundtrack, I just know it.
    The music for this zine- well, its been all over the place.  I guess if I have one inspiration it would be:
Pet shop Boys -"Discography".  A collection of their top ten tunes over the decade.  I saw a video of them in concert recently.  They're one of those groups you either love or hate.

As always, the works in this publication are copyright by the various authors.  Respect their creativity. ©1999.  Produced by Paul, from his computer- at home and sometime late at night at work.( don't tell anyone).

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