Prose and poetry by Leen Raats
What an evening! Yesterday, I had the privilege of reading during a magical event, organized by local nature organization Natuurpunt at Kiewit (Hasselt, Belgium). Surrounded by ancient creatures unfurling their almost bare crowns above me. The rain provided a fitting background concert.
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Whether it's something or someone
I'm waiting for you ask
with a lip that trembles
for reasons I don’t know.
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“What a better way to understand one another in this world but by the glimmering sparkle that unites us in this lighthouse?”
These are beautiful words from the editors of the Poetry Lighthouse. My poem Asphalt found a wonderful home at this creative writing community.
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I followed the factory spills, the fumes
of Diesel cars banned from the city center
that gathered in carpool parking lots
like civil servants at a fire drill.
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I'm thrilled to share that my poem, 'Fatherland,' is featured in a special issue of Homeland, a magazine published by Livina Press (Louisiana, USA). This beautiful piece of art contains poetry, creative non-fiction, and essays from writers from all around the world, reflecting on the topic of homeland. All profits go to Palestine refugees.
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In the dead of night, she becomes a better version of herself. Her red pumps lead her to the little table in the corner where no one bothers her except for men who smell desperation. Bloodhounds.
There's one already. A somewhat older specimen, clearly still in denial. Ironed shirt, too much aftershave. Not her type, but hunger is the best sauce.
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What lies beyond these mountains
rests within me, deep and low
an unspoiled valley
where mythical creatures
with unearthly motives
lead late travelers to their destiny.
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Something wicked this way comes… This cover just flew right into my mailbox. I’m so thrilled to be a part of this: a collection of short stories, coming out in the US this very Halloween, published by The Godmother of Horror Press.
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My poem ‘What the universe wanted’ is part of issue 41 of The Pointed Circle, a magazine run by students and faculty members at Portland Community College.
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The universe wanted it that way
he claims, and everything happens for a reason
as we’re all made up of pieces of a primordial planet
overwhelmed with nostalgia for the cosmos.
He talks about black holes, the Big Bang
and the evolution from single-celled creature
to fish to mammal to man.
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Leen writes 