USA

James Berkowitz is a poet, writer, filmmaker, and event producer living in Manhattan, NY. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Emerson College (Boston, MA) and a certificate from the UCLA Extension film program (Los Angeles, CA). His poetry has been published in Downtown LA Life Magazine, Indo-American times, Los Angeles Independent Newspaper, Newsbridge Magazine, Pasadena Weekly, The Pacific Grove Press, Vision Magazine, and www.pacosvillage.com. He has self-published two collections of poetry "The Angels are Watching" in 2003 and "Canteen Trumpets at Noon" which debuted in 1997. James achieved literary artist of the month status in September 2006 on New York City based www.raintiger.com James is currently at work on his third book of poetry and short stories as well as directing a music video for a nationally touring singer/songwriter. You can hear and see James perform via radio, film, and live appearances.

NEW YORK CITY STREETS 

New York City streets 
Alive 
Burning 
Kissing the senses 
Singing through pavement 
Every corner unfolding 
A theatrical stage 
People in motion 
Life in the raw 
Heart beating pulse 
Center of the universe 
Heated core 
Human aggression cylinders 
Steeped in creativity 
Artistic fire 
Blazing media banners 
Ringing cell phones 
Ipod stuffed ears 
Distracted window shoppers 
Vertically gazing heads 
Architectural magnificence 
Walk faster 
Jump sidewalk lanes 
Maniacal saxophone sounds 
Camera shutters snapping 
Mind racing 
Sensory overload 
Go Go Go!!! 
 
When do we stop? 
Where do we stop? 
How do we stop? 
Why should we stop? 
 
Mother Earth keeps turning 
 
James Berkowitz COPYRIGHT 2007 
 

SOME SOULS HEEDED THE CALL 

The summer rain swept night 
peaked into all window panes 
as it passed through the city 
with an alluring force. 
 
Lights of businesses and homes 
flickered with a dampened smile 
then twitched incessantly 
before regaining visual clarity. 
 
People kept themselves distracted 
with modern technological gadgetry 
and processed foods. 
 
The raindrops grew heavier and 
formed into hailstones that 
tapped relentlessly to no avail. 
 
Thunder and lightning boomed and crashed. 
 
The natural world was making its presence known. 
Some souls heeded the call. 
 
James Berkowitz COPYRIGHT 2008 
 
THE DEEP WET CAFÉ KISS 
 
The deep wet café kiss 
sent a sensual orchestra 
of music across the room, 
dangling in conversation 
sweet and delightful. 
 
Her wind blown blonde hair 
shone radiantly amongst literary 
photographs and vivid red brick. 
Her dark haired counterpart 
was shaded in debonair speech 
and unkempt hair. 
 
They sat under an electric halo 
of steaming coffee cups 
while the young waiter determined 
where he should go 
to prevent being intrusive. 
 
They held hands, fingers intertwined 
when the operatic singer reached 
crescendo through the speakers 
reciting words of passion from deep 
within the heart. 
 
Their kiss grew in volume with each elevating note. 
The hearth of love crackled in joyous divine. 
A vibrant light wave zoomed back and forth. 
They exited arm in arm 
 
James Berkowitz COPYRIGHT 2008 

 

THIS MORNING I WOKE UP AND SPLASHED MY FACE WITH GOD 

This morning I woke up and splashed my face with God. 
Birds chirped joyously as beads of love descended from my cheeks. 
Lost amidst a razor stubble forest, I was swept away and cleaned by the soft beautiful sunlight that entered a nearby window; revealing the shapes and curves of a face which have traveled a great distance along the many roads of life. 
 
An elongated mirror continued to answer my reflection with comforting words; “I am here.” 
My pupils were reaching full aperture 
then sharply opened to their fullest extent. 
I stood motionless, watching my slowly moving lips form into an eternal smile. 
 
James Berkowitz COPYRIGHT 2008