Canadian Poetry: July 2006 Canadian Federation of Poets & Poetry Canada Newsletter

"I'm speechless about the opportunity that was given to me by Tracy Repchuk and the Canadian Federation of Poets. I can try to humbly express my thankfulness to her for helping manifest a dream I've long had since I was age twelve, the day I wrote my first work. Tracy gave me life. Collectively they have strengthened my faith, even though I'm incarcerated.

I would like to profess my eternal gratitude to someone that could have easily turned her back on me, like all else did. However, she elected to give me a chance.

Tracy Repchuk has given me the drive and the determination to keep on writing. and I've never been a part of an experience like this, an experience I enjoy. They have helped me show that if I apply myself, I too can be a productive citizen. So to Ms. Tracy Repchuk and the Canadian Federation of Poets, I thank you!" Read the whole testimonial

CONTESTS & CALLS

Check out the current contests:

NEW! The Way to Happiness and

Rhyming Poetry; where the winner of each will appear in Poetry Canada magazine and get a free copy! Call now open.

SPEAKING OUT

Teresa Rhoades, the creator of a petition is the mother suing in federal court over her child being screened and diagnosed with mental disorders without parental consent.

Stop TeenScreen's Unscientific and Experimental "Mental Health Screening" of School Children.

This petition is an excellent way to educate about the TeenScreen program which is trying to become a standard in the education system. When you know about something, it gives you the power to decide.

Please read and sign the petition here

	My favourite time of the year is settling in, and it is such fun to write about it. My three kids are off of school, so there is no morning rush with slips, and lunches, and hair styles, just a leisurely wake as they figure out what to do with their day. Remember the old days where everything wasn't planned for us, and we pretty much sat at the end of the driveway with our friends, rode our bikes until supper time, or practiced our favourite hobby - which for me was skateboarding. What a great topic for your next poem. Take yourself back to age 12, and the official start of your summer holiday. Did you go on a long drive across country with your family that you complained about then, but cherish now? Go on up to the Forum and post your memories for all of us to appreciate! Ready to join the CFP? Check out the benefits and join. A free subscription to Poetry Canada magazine and over 20 other benefits, to help you really get your money's worth. Tracy Lynn Repchuk President and Founder of the Canadian Federation of Poets

A POET'S JOURNEY

	Many of you have heard me speaking about Nikhil Parekh, a Canadian Federation of Poets member from India who is getting a lot of press. I thought I would share a bit of his journey with you, so you could see what it took to become a World Record Holder in poetry. Nikhil has composed thousands of poems on global cause such as immortal love, HIV-AIDS, friendship, environment and wildlife conservation, blindness, Tsunami, peace, brotherhood, poverty - and over the course of 2 years has shared them with hundreds of World Leaders and World Organizations. Approximately 160 of them replied back to accolading/acknowledging his poetry, and supplementing further in his cause of disseminating the essence of peace to the furthest quarters of the globe. This resulted in a world record with Limca Book of World records India for having written the most number of letters to, and received the most number of replies from World Leaders/Organizations. This is a proud moment for Nikhil, representing his country in the Limca Book of Records India, and for the Canadian Federation of Poets. Congratulations from all of us! To get a look at his certificate, click here