Poetry performed by Val Cole

—-
POEM;

Upon ox-eyed daisies, a curse seemed struck
every mid-summer, when I was a child.
One by one, their petals, girls would pluck
‘til no stem held white blossoms in the wild.

Thus-tortured flora, guilty of no crime,
would stoically endure their gruesome fate,
consoled that after ritual and rhyme,
their tossed, forgotten pods would germinate.

Those girls weren’t wicked witches – only self-
possessed by that amatory impulse
which births propensity to venial sin.
Yet I prayed, “might our continental shelf
be blessed with hardier daisies that expulse
their seeds when it is cold and girls stay in?”

Animal Story
A Pantoum with Consonance

by Ardalan Pourvali

Squawking seagull beaks prey upon candlefish
while a high tide invades the mainland
but barriers block a tsunami
the storm surges; people withstand

While a high tide invades the mainland
raiding squirrels invade the coots nest
but barriers block a tsunami
and gawking crows raid the rodents quest

raiding squirrels invade the coots nest
rifles round on the holster of hunters
and gawking crows raid the rodents quest
“Shots fired!” said the squirrel thumpers

Rifles round on the holster of hunters
and scavenging ravens exterminate pests
“Shots fired!” said the squirrel thumpers
while dictators leave their people oppressed

And scavenging ravens exterminate pests
But sportsmen kill ducks for wild meat
While dictators leave their people oppressed
and assassins kill humans for the elite

But sportsmen kill ducks for wild meat
“Hunters Judgment night!” Commanded His wish,
“and assassins kill humans for the elite!”
Squawking seagull beaks prey upon candlefish

Performed by Val Cole

Poetry reading by Val Cole

—-
POEM:

Oh, The Baby Farted Under The Christmas Tree
(By Edgar Galeano)

In a cozy little living room, the lights are shining bright,
Presents piled underneath, what a lovely Christmas night.
But in the midst of all the cheer, something’s gone astray,
A little bundle of joy lets a squeaky surprise today!

Oh, the baby farted under the Christmas tree,
The tinsel shook, and the dog ran free!
With a giggle and a wiggle, what a sight to see,
That little toot was the best gift of the spree!

Mom and Dad are laughing now, they’ve lost their holiday cheer,
Grandma’s clutching her pearls, saying, “What’s that I hear?”
But the baby just grins wide, like they know the game,
They gave us all a little joy, and now we’re all the same!

Now every year we gather ‘round, to tell the tale once more,
Of the cutest little culprit who started the uproar.
So if you hear a little sound this holiday season cheer,
Just look around and smile big, it’s the best time of the year!

So here’s to joyful moments, and laughter through the night,
A little toot, a merry tune, makes everything feel right.
Merry Christmas to all, let the good vibes flow,
And if there’s a little sound, just let the laughter grow!

Performed by Val Cole

A showcase of the best FAMILY films in the world today.

AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best Short Film: PISHO
Best Micro-Short: each note to a melody
Best Story: WHEN I SEE YOU AGAIN
Best Direction: LONELY SEASON

each note to a melody, 1min,. USA
Directed by Lindsey Morrison Grant
The Creator’s digital rendering of a patchwork quilt is the primary image as it goes through a series of aesthetic changes of hue and value.to illustrate that each patch, thread, and stitch is integral to the whole. It concludes with a silhouette of a world map, followed by a view of Earth from outer space.

WHEN I SEE YOU AGAIN, 36min., Argentina
Directed by Ileana Andrea Gómez GAVINOSER
VICTORIA DISCOVERS ALL THE TRUTH ABOUT HER FATHER ´S ROLE DURING THE LAST DICTATORSHIP IN ARGENTINA
i
http://www.cuandoyotevuelvaavercortometraje.blogspot.com/

Pisho, 16min., Pakistan
Directed by Aun Ul Haider
Journey of a seven-year-old girl, Ruqayya, on a mission to find her lost kitten. Suspecting her mother and neighbors, she embarks on a whimsical search. During her quest, Ruqayya stumbles upon a protest against a recent terrorist attack. Inspired by the demonstrators’ placards, she creates her own sign seeking help to find her missing kitten.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32118909/

LONELY SEASON, 14min., Iran
Directed by Hamid Reza Mahmoudi Mehrizi
Farzaneh was a compassionate mother and a faithful wife. The life with love was going on, but unfortunately, her life was overshadowed by the shadow of darkness. While she was struggling with problems and circumstances, she accidentally found a secret that changed her life course completely….

https://instagram.com/mahmoudi8873

Voice over by Val Cole

Performed by Val Cole

Performed by Val Cole

Performed by Val Cole