15 July 2015
IMAGINATION and THE CRITICAL SPIRIT
The inspiration for this month’s theme is a quotation we think is Oscar Wilde’s. That hasn’t been confirmed to everyone’s satisfaction, but it did grab our interest generating a bit of Facebook discussion and a few flying emails.
“The imagination imitates. It is the critical spirit that creates.”
Oscar Wilde
Three of our stars – Priscilla Galasso, Liliana Negoi and Corina Ravenscraft – have explored the theme in their essays. They have a few thin threads in common but they each also have a unique view. Read and join the conversation. Does imagination imitate and critical spirit create? If so, why and how? If not ??? … Share your thoughts in the comments section below each essay.
We are thigh-deep in 100,000 Poets (and writers, artists, photographers, musicians and friends) for Change [100TPC]. In this issue we feature Michael Dickel’s article and photographs, Salerno, il mio amore about the first world conference on the future of 100TPC, which was held in Salerno, Italy just this past June. Michael, an American-Israeli Reform Jew, has organized two 100TPC events in Israel and is working on one scheduled for October this year. Michael is also the lead person on The BeZine for our virtual event this September, which involves reader participation.
Not all of us are professional photographers but thanks to our smart phones many of us have become avocational photographers and will appreciate Seattle-based Rev. Terri Stewart’s thoughts in her two-part feature, Sacred Space and Photography.
Our poetry collection this month includes Algerian poet and Renaissance woman Imen Benyoub’s Elements, which will charm you and you might be surprised by some of the elements she includes. You’ll be made to think, chuckle wryly and sigh as you read Michael Dickel’s My Free Poetry Book (a poem). Joe Hesch and Lily Negoi delight as always with their singular work. (Lily’s work, by the way, can be read in her native Romanian as well as in English at curcubee în alb şi negru.) And hang onto your seats for a good laugh with Naomi Shihab Nye’s When Did You Stop Being a Poet (One Boy Told Me).
Los Angeles-based Simone Frame MA CCC-SLP, RP is a new guest writer here with her feature Clarity Is Just Above Your Problems. Simone is the founder of Healing Life Insights. Welcome, Simone!
Opsimaths, Polymaths and Poets is an update including poems on Second Light Network of Women Poets (UK based but not restricted to the UK) and on ARTEMISpoetry. Second Light partnered with The BeZine for interNational Poetry Month in April. Three poems are included in the feature and – as I often say – the network is for women but the poetry is for everyone.
Liliana Negoi’s A Closer God and Naomi Baltuck’s photostory, The Seeds of Creativity will both do your hearts good.
Enjoy the reading, learning and inspiration, be the peace, and visit us again. Please support our efforts with your comments and “likes.” You and your ideals and ideas are valued.
On behalf of Beguine Again and The Bardo Group and in the spirit of peace and community,
Jamie Dedes
TABLE OF CONTENTS WITH LINKS
Special Feature:
The First World Conference on the Future of 100TPC
Salerno, il mio amore, Michael Dickel
THEME:
IMAGINATION and THE CRITICAL SPIRIT
The tomb of Oscar Wilde in Division 89 of the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.
“The imagination imitates. It is the critical spirit that creates.”
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde and “The Critical Spirit”, Priscilla Galasso
God Particles, Liliana Negoi
What if?, Corina Ravenscraft
Photostory
The Seeds of Creativity, Naomi Baltuck
GENERAL INTEREST
Sacred Space and Photography
Sacred Space and Photography: Light, Terri Stewart
Sacred Space and Photography: Shadow, Terri Stewart
Poetry
Elements, Imen Benyoub
The Taste of Baklava, Jamie Dedes
The Transformation of Things, Jamie Dedes
My Free Poetry Book (a poem), Michael Dickel
Dust to Dust, Joseph Hesch
bladed, Liliana Negoi
When Did You Stop Being a Poet, Naomi Shihab Nye
Feature Articles/Essays
Opsimaths, Polymaths and Poets, Jamie Dedes
Clarity Is Just Above Your Problems, Simone Frame
The Closer God, Liliana Negoi
BIOS WITH LINKS TO OTHER WORKS BY OUR CORE TEAM AND GUEST WRITERS
FOR UPDATES AND INSPIRATION “LIKE” OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, THE BARDO GROUP/BEGUINE AGAIN
The BeZine 
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