POETRY EXPO 2025
VERSES OF DIVERSITY
LIST OF PARTICIPATING POETS
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Dušan Stojković, Serbia
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Bogdana Găgeanu, Romania
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Aleksandra Lekić Vujisić, Montenegro
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Ana Stjelja, Serbia
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Igor Pop Trajkov, North Macedonia
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Jasna Šamić, France
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Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, Egypt
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David Haotian Dai, USA
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Khalil Sheikh, Iran
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Priyanka Neogi, India
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Dorina Vojinović, Serbia
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Marina Žinić Ilić, Serbia
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Ana Atanasković, Serbia
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Taghrid BouMerhi, Brazil
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Cao Shui, China
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Ivana Knežević, Croatia
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Ivan Dimoski, Serbia
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Simble Sebastian, UAE
Dušan Stojković, Serbia
Poem “A Cloud in Trausers (Oblak u pantalonama)”
The poem evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia and introspective questioning of one's identity through the lens of love and creativity. The author uses the symbolism of "a cloud in trousers," alluding to Mayakovsky, to express their emotional state and life philosophy. Rejecting the notion that a poet is defined solely by suffering or others, the author emphasizes the autonomy of their art and existence, highlighting that they have lived love in its full scope, beyond the boundaries imposed by society.
Bogdana Găgeanu, Romania
Poem “The Other Side”
The poem explores the theme of perspective and resilience, emphasizing the importance of seeing beyond obstacles and challenges. It encourages readers to avoid being confined by a single viewpoint and to embrace the possibility of change. The message is one of hope and determination, reminding us that there is always another solution, another path, or another door waiting to be opened. It celebrates adaptability and the power of shifting our perspective to overcome difficulties.
Aleksandra Lekić Vujisić, Montenegro
Poem “Theorem of Origine”
This poem explores the idea that change is not random but guided by an intrinsic logic, a foundational principle from which new worlds and identities emerge. It encourages embracing fluidity and multiplicity of existence, inviting the other to “branch out” rather than conform to a singular identity. Using nature as a powerful metaphor, the poem reflects on transformation and the continual emergence of new possibilities.
Tanja Ajtić, Serbia
Poem “Silence”
This poem tells the story of resilience and self-love, even in the face of mental illness. It explores the idea that one can embrace and deeply love themselves, even during moments of struggle, to the point of embodying pure love. Healing, the poem suggests, is found not in the chaos of voices or mysterious messages but in the profound silence of the mind. This silence becomes a path to recovery, a sanctuary where thoughts rest and peace begins. The poem reflects a journey of finding strength in vulnerability and discovering the quiet power of self-acceptance.
Lidia Chiarelli, Italy
Video Poem “Lights from the Future”
This poem is a tribute to Nick Holoyank Jr who, as a result of his extensive studies on electromagnetism, invented a semiconductor laser diode, the forerunner of LEDs. (LEDs have many advantages over incandescent light sources, including lower power consumption, a longer lifetime, smaller sizes, and faster switching). This certainly represents a big change, a real lighting revolution in public, industrial settings and in our homes. In the last stanza the poetess envisions further advances and innovations that could lead to the emergence of a new world increasingly based on sustainable technologies.
Ana Stjelja, Serbia
Poem “A Clay Jar”
A heartfelt ode to the simple yet profound moments in nature that ground us and remind us of life's beauty. The poem captures the narrator's deep connection with the Earth, evoking a sense of serenity and renewal. The clay jar symbolizes the desire to preserve the whispers of nature—gentle reminders of harmony and peace—to revisit during challenging times. It’s a celebration of mindfulness, the divine symphony of existence, and finding solace in the embrace of the natural world.
Igor Pop Trajkov, North Macedonia
Poem “Paradise”
The context of my flame of change in this poem is that once the analogue techniques were slower but with real values, which are benumbed by the fast digital technologies. We have to bring the real values back- the honesty, the environment... So that we can save our souls and our planet. Now the only real thing is that fake news are fake. We live believing in lies, believing the hell we live in is paradise.
Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, Egypt
Poem “Evenings”
Poem explores themes of loss, longing, and the inner turmoil that lingers in the quiet hours of the night. Through vivid imagery and fragmented reflections, it delves into the emotional weight of unspoken sadness, memories of death, and the relentless passage of time. The poet uses metaphors like masks, closed doors, and the sea of sleep to symbolize attempts at concealing pain and seeking solace, while the recurring motif of storytelling highlights the interruption of dreams and the struggle for resolution. Set in an intimate and introspective context, the poem reflects a personal battle with sorrow and the quest for peace amid life’s unresolved narratives.
Jasna Šamić, France
Poem “Paris”
The poem speaks of exile, or life in another place that has become home – in this case, for the poet, it is Paris. It juxtaposes images of the past, carrying traces of happiness, with visions of a catastrophe that could engulf the entire Planet. Video by David Šamić.
David Haotian Dai, USA
Poem “Love Preveils over Hate”
There are two fundamental forces that power human world—-love and hate. Love is constructive force that makes the world a better place to live. Hate, on the contrary, is destructive force that makes the world a Hell-like place to suffer. Human beings must let love prevail over hate to make the world like a paradise, not like a hell.
Khalil Sheikh, Iran
Poem “Sunrise”
“Sunrise” is a poetic exploration of resilience and hope in the face of despair. Set in a forgotten world where shadows linger and hatred festers, it paints a vivid picture of dreams shattered and silence overpowering. Yet, amidst the desolation, a glimmer of peace ignites—a flame unwavering in the endless night. Like the first rays of a sunrise breaking through solitude’s grip, the poem captures the triumph of light over darkness, embodying the eternal promise of renewal and healing. Music and video by Khalil Sheikh.
Priyanka Neogi, India
The poem soars with the heartfelt voice of a woman who embodies love, devotion, and passion. She paints a vivid picture of her role in her beloved’s life—his confidant, muse, and sanctuary. Through tender verses, she explores the depth of their connection, her unwavering presence, and the unspoken bond that ties them together. It’s a poetic ode to love that transcends mere words, capturing the essence of being someone’s everything.
Dorina Vojinović, Serbia
The poem reflects themes of cosmic connection, reincarnation, and eternal unity. It speaks of souls meeting across lifetimes, recognizing each other despite the passage of time and the changes of form. The imagery of stars and the universe symbolizes a spiritual bond that transcends the physical world. The poem portrays a reunion of kindred spirits, emphasizing the profound emotions and timeless nature of their relationship. It suggests that these connections are part of a greater cosmic dance, with the inevitability of reuniting and merging into one soul. Its tone is mystical and tender, celebrating the eternal cycle of life and the enduring link between souls.
Marina Žinić Ilić, Serbia
This poem is a contemplative and poetic exploration of life's journey, inviting readers to reflect on their accomplishments, relationships, and the legacy they leave behind. Through vivid imagery and references to literary and spiritual figures, the poem delves into themes of introspection, spiritual growth, and the enduring quest for meaning. With its evocative language and universal appeal, it encourages embracing authenticity, discarding superficialities, and finding solace in life's simple yet profound truths. A true ode to the human spirit, it bridges the temporal with the eternal.
Ana Atanasković, Serbia
The poem explores the profound and challenging transition that a woman—and every individual—experiences upon reaching the age of 50. It delves into the emotional and psychological journey of embracing this milestone, reflecting on the passage of time, personal growth, and the courage required to step into a new chapter of life. The poem is a celebration of resilience and transformation, capturing the essence of wisdom and strength that comes with age.
Taghrid BouMerhi, Brazil
“The Symphony of Change” is a heartfelt invitation to reflect on the transformative power of art and music—a force that turns pain into hope. Through its words, it seeks to reach the depths of your soul, offering a sense of peace, inspiration, and the possibility of renewal.
Cao Shui, China
Flowers of the Empire, the original meaning of the empire in ancient Chinese is the flower stem, and the original meaning of China is also the flower. Cao Shui lives in Beijing, where is a representative of Chinese culture. In terms of layout, it spreads outwards in a symmetrical circular pattern centered on the Forbidden City, as if a huge flower is blooming. Chinese culture is a centralist culture, which is opposite to the non centralism of modernism. In this comparison, Cao Shui finds the significance of Chinese culture in the world. Cao Shui hopes to write about the peculiar forms of Eastern civilization in modern transformation through “The Flower of the Empire”.
Ivana Knežević, Serbia
Hope is the theme of this poem. Beautiful picture of the flowers in the sky is a starting point which is revealing the secret of wisdom. Sometimes, it is enough to look at the blue sky and to chat with the clouds to find a blissful moment in life, to discover a universe of promising wishes and thoughts colored with the hope. The reality is presented as a cruel life with hopeless souls, loneliness and suffer but the end of the poem is bringing love for all to feed each and every soul.
Ivan Dimoski, Croatia
The poem delves into the profound struggles of human existence, exploring the daily challenges, failures, and moments of self-doubt that we all face. It reflects on the tendency to measure our worth through material success and earthly achievements, forgetting the deeper, divine plan that is ever-present in our lives. The verses express a yearning to break free from fear, which stems from our resistance to embracing God's constant presence. Through an introspective journey, the poem ultimately encourages gratitude and surrender to divine guidance as the path to inner peace and fulfillment. It’s a spiritual reflection on faith, humility, and trust in the unseen.
Simble Sebastian, UAE
Poem “Ignite the Change”
Poem tells that the development is impossible without change. Change is inevitable. It convey message: “Lets embrace and ignite change!”