The Year of the Poet VI August 2019

ForewordSouthwest Asia, the westernmost region of Asia possesses a "crossroad of different cultures." The culture of Southwest Asia are most generally known as the cultures of the Middle East. The Arab World and Islamic World are the realm's two biggest cultural links. Endowed with a rich history, several of the civilizations described by Arnold Toynbee in his survey of world history had their cradle in this exotic region. Many of the recorded events took place in towns like Jericho going back to 6800 B. C. The great empires, Babylonian and the Assyrians, Persian Empires, and Arab Empire centered in Baghdad and Damascus, as well as that of the Turkish Ottomans. The region consists of five largest ethnic groups: Arabs, Azebaijans, Kurds, Persians, and the Turks. Many poems have been written as odes to the epic history enveloping the exotic region. The deserts alone make wonderful subjects depicting the desert nomads and their elusive, wandering way of life. Beautiful verses from the heart can be created after one discovers the melodramatic stories hidden in each place as accounts of time long gone resurface. The Poetry Posse Family will take you to a beautiful cascade of memories and rhythmic compositions as we bring you with us to a delightful and enriching journey of the Arab World. I hope you enjoy our diverse poetry offerings for this month of August. Elizabeth Esguerra CastilloInternational Author and PoetPhilippines