Contents

From the Editor
Omar Azam

Open
by magician

Mother
by Imran Virk

Bush Against the World!
by Amer A. Mirza

Depression
by Omar Azam

From the Editor

Thank you for stopping by! With Subjective Substance, I welcome members of the online community to join me in making a commitment to poetry and the creative, honest souls that provide us with the beautiful works of art that we call "poetry." This is a humble first issue, but my commitment is to grow and develop a monthly journal with the support of those who share a commitment to the art of poetry.

Why another journal of poetry, you may ask? Earlier this year, I was looking around the internet to see what forums there were for publishing my poetry, some of which deals with my struggles of spirituality and faith. I was impressed by the diversity of websites, but few which had as centerpiece the kind of poetry that people of faith might write. I started thinking about how important I thought it was for people to share this kind of poetry, and how I would like to help elevate this form of art. In the end, I tried to keep the idea as open as possible; the poets that contribute will shape this journal with their creative force. This journal is but a forum.

Nevertheless, there is a vision. For me, the title of this journal reflects the values that I find most cogent about poetry. As a stream of consciousness, poetry can provide a way for a person to be totally authentic to themselves, and the reader is drawn into this if the message is portrayed dramatically. It is at this juncture between subjective authenticity and objective aesthetics that great poetry can flourish. And this is where the "Subjective" comes in, with all its ramifications. The emphasis on the inner as opposed to outer, perception as opposed to reality, feeling as opposed to fact. Balance this with "substance," the caveat that the subject matter, emotion, or audience we are addressing is not a trivial one. There is a relevancy, an urgency, a sense that this poetry needs to be heard. "Subjective Substance" captured this well, I hoped!

No doubt everybody's conception of "good" poetry differs. But as editor of this new journal, I promise to help deliver consistently meaningful and artful work to the online community on a monthly basis. And I encourage anyone who is inspired to take up pen if they have not done so already, and celebrate their creative muse!

Omar Azam

Open
by magician

  things I only speak of
           things I know of
       Ideas, which are honestly revealed!
  I know you 
I've known you?!
the simple-precious-memorable
         thoughts of you!
my passion
my admiration
my true inspiration
all shines through!
    I was asked a question
             a question about me?
                I was asked, if I knew me
                                    the real me--
                         I began to speak 
                         I spoke
                           I was describing-to answer the question,
                                    simple questions
                          I was asked....
                                   the truth and simplicity
                         the reality of myself (in description)
                              all came unrevealed 
                              they knew
                              my friend knew( my best friend knew)
                                    now
                             I now knew?!
                               from the beginning---
                                            I understand know
                                              that
                               they understand and see me (from within--)
                                      and
                              I am for sure
                              I know me (the both of us)
                                          the true, honest...
                                               OPEN relationship!
                                               it all comes unexpected
                                                  when you reveal, the unrevealed!

© 2003 magician

Mother
by Imran Virk

Mother,
You brought me into this life,
You showed me right from wrong
So tell me,
How is right that you wronged me
By leaving this life of mine

© 2003 Imran Virk

Bush Against the World!
by Amer A. Mirza

Evil War Mongers celebrate as they order the bombers to prepare.
Without thinking of lives that are going to be shattered,
in their glasses are Champaign,
hoping for the success of their Campaign.  

Mr. Bush, Mr. “Dick” Cheney, Mr. Powell, Mr. Blair, Explain the RAGE to WAGE a WAR?  What has Iraq done to you?

Your Administration claims Iraq possesses ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’,
thus sending our Troops for war on their Soil.
(((Emotional))) You can’t fool us; we know it is for the Oil. (((Emotional)))

We have the Highest Number of ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’.  (((Anger))) This is Hypocrisy, Not Democracy! (((Anger)))

THIS ARMS RACE
is going to cause nothing but
the destruction of the HUMAN RACE.

In Iraq, you want to establish your Rule,
so you and your daddy can take control of their Fuel,
lying to the World about building over there a School???
Dont take us for a Fool!

You want to send the forces to war claiming its their Duty.
If that is true, why not send ur little Sweetie (Jenna Bush)!

((( SILENCE )))
THE WAR
Ground shakes as the war breaks: Missile Sounds, Dead Bodies Found, Flat Ground, and Silence Profound.
Streets Flood with Blood.
These Innocent Lives should not have Tragedy as their Fate,
Peace and Love is what they deserve, Not Hate.
((( SILENCE )))

(((Ask the Audience))) Are you willing to say “YES” to this Killing? (((Ask the Audience)))

This idea of the Bush Administration for war is lame,
and for us ‘peaceful Americans’ he has brought shame.

For these Innocent Children, Every moment is a Dark Night, because they have lost their Eye Sight.
(((TUNE))) The Parents Vision for their Innocent Kids,
destroyed by the Mission of the War Pigs. (((TUNE)))

“BLOOD FOR OIL” theory is NOT a Mystery,
but the Bush Family and Administration History.

© 2003 Amer A. Mirza
"Love from the Heart breaks all the barriers and differences"

Depression
by Omar Azam

What was it I learned
From unspeakable misery
Incontrovertible loneliness?

What has haunted
me since
made me ready kin
to others who
felt a likewise touch?

What glimpse was there
of truth
made me hold on
to that sickening feeling

and revere it?

I learned transcendence.

That reality is not 
within 
this world of sense, (nor)
in the world of relation, (nor)
in knowledge;

It is out there with
You! 
What has haunted
me has been that
glimpse I got of You,

Who came unannounced
invisible
Made Yourself welcome, 
a guest
becoming the master of my house

changed the trajectory of my days
back to the olden days

before we parted ways

and me
innocent child falling
headlong
away from You
with promise of return.


One Day!

© 2003 Omar Azam