Ink runs from the corners of my mouth
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.
-Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968

What better way of representing what poetry is all about? The ecstasy offered by inspired poetry is unparalleled. It is solid sustenance for the mind as well as the body. Caught in the magic of words, you tend to forget the pangs of the stomach. Or is it that in a transcendental state, your physical cravings are trifled? Well, at Kritya, it remains our vested goal to introduce the best of poets and poems to you, our dear readers. It is with that mission that in every issue we strive to bring poems from all parts of the world, so at Kritya we are a world by itself. Thinking from that angle, it is evident that poetry is indeed an excellent tool for forging strong relationships. This has been proved by our experience with the Kritya poetry festivals, which bring together not only poets but those from its sister arts as well. People meet, interact and leave the best of friends. And the warmth of that friendship is something unique.

 Poetry has the distinctive quality of being able to say so much in so few words. A single line of a poem can succinctly present what might take up pages and pages of prose. That is exactly the reason why poetry can be put to so many constructive uses. Speaking of poetry, we have some excellent pieces in this issue of Kritya, which are enjoyable as well as thought provoking. In Our Masters, we offer Rasul Gamzatov, the People's Poet of Daghestan, one of the most admired poets in the world. 'On the Road' is a beautiful, rhythmic poem which clearly unveils the sensitivity and talent of this great master. He proclaims the shortcoming of lyric poetry to express the injustice often meted out to women in his poem 'On the Road':
Here lyric verse is not enough,
Let lines of wrath begin
So mountain folk need never blush
For any of their kin!
 

 Lisa Zaran is another inspired poet we present in the section Poetry in Our Time. She gives voice to the human condition in a touching manner, offering poems that are virtually paintings by themselves. The Editor's Choice this time is Nazım Hikmet Ran, a Turkish poet hailed as a romantic revolutionary. His poems are elegantly penned, but exhibit real spark. They spread the message of universal love and how man alone is responsible for his wellbeing and downfall.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Kritya with its rare assortment of delightful poems. As usual we have some great paintings as well for your appreciation.

Jayasree Ramakrishnan Nair