4000 Strong: Exclusive Poetry, Special Tributes, and Your Chance to Shine!💎
Dear Medium Community of 4K followers, this celebration is all about YOU! Based on several requests from my wonderful readers and followers, I’m excited to bring you this special gift. I’m wrapping you in an embrace of love and gratitude for following me on this journey. I’ve tagged you — the writers closest to my heart, whom I honor and admire. This is my way of giving you a special shout-out. Make sure you read to the end and drop a comment quickly; only the first three will get a special spotlight. And hey, if you’d rather not be tagged in future articles, please let me know!
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Looking Back on a Year of Writing and Community
It’s been a year since I began my Medium adventure — a year filled with hundreds of stories, numerous reading marathons, and the excitement of meeting thousands of new friends.
The emotions have been all over the place, from being overwhelmed and exhausted in August 2023 to becoming resolute in September, hopeful and excited in October, surprised and grateful in November, and ambitious yet satisfied in December.
January 2024 brought even greater commitment, resulting in the happy accomplishment of founding the New Literary Society.
I anticipated a difficult journey, but I was fortunate to have the guidance of a skilled writer, Sal Gallaher — a gifted Australian with a Danish background — as well as the warmth and support of our incredible community.
Our community has been a source of strength, in work and in life.
We’ve had wonderful Author Interviews with some of you and writers from all over, most of which have been translated into Romanian or German.
But… 2024 has been a difficult year for me, characterized by the deaths of three literary mentors and my beloved uncle.
Despite these difficulties, I took comfort in your generosity and in the support of close family friends, who encouraged me to embark on worthwhile personal and professional projects.
Even in the darkest moments, I discovered light and hope.
And now… to elevate our spirits even higher, let us immerse ourselves in some beautiful German love poems, which I have translated into English.
Also, remember to stay until the end for our little surprise.
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Title: What is a Kiss?
Author: Friedrich Halm (1806–1871)
Translated by: Julia Kalman
A wonder, a secret, the kiss we share;
As Eastern sages sang with grace so rare,
The lips seek where the heart’s desires lay,
Respect to hands, servitude to attire’s sway,
Friendship on cheeks finds its tender space,
On foreheads, solace’s gentle embrace.
But on the lips, love imprints its seal,
A fiery passion that hearts reveal.
Longing presses on weary, closed eyes,
And sighs of yearning into the air rise.
Yet more! A kiss holds what you cherish dear,
Nothing when jesting, when earnest, all to cheer;
It cools and burns, questions and replies,
Heals and poisons, parts and ties.
It reconciles or divides with its power,
Brings bliss or wakes the dormant bower.
And beyond, beyond! What might a kiss not attain?
Friedrich Halm, born Baron Eligius Franz Joseph von Münch-Bellinghausen (1806–1871), was an Austrian dramatist, poet, and novella writer. A prominent figure of the Austrian Biedermeier period, Halm is best known for his works that blend romanticism with a keen exploration of human emotions. Writing under the pseudonym Friedrich Halm, he made significant contributions to Austrian literature, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of his time.
Source: Wikipedia — Friedrich Halm
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Title: Feel Alone
Author: Otto Julius Bierbaum (1865–1910)
Translated by: Julia Kalman
Feeling lonely? Look above,
Stars crown you, a celestial trove,
Linden trees, their fragrances rove,
Feel, breathe, embrace this love.
Scorn no one, yourself above,
Know, on this earth, you’re free to rove,
Through sunny skies, you soar, you move,
Your heart, among the stars, behoove,
A little light, a little warmth, a dove.
Otto Julius Bierbaum (1865–1910) was a German writer known for his diverse literary contributions. Born in Grünberg, Silesia, he became a journalist and editor for influential journals like Die freie Bühne, Pan, and Die Insel. Bierbaum’s poetry often drew on traditional forms such as Minnesang, folksongs, and the Anacreontic style, and his work inspired composers like Pauline Volkstein to set his texts to music.
Source: Wikipedia — Otto Julius Bierbaum
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Title: Love Teaches…
Author: Clemens Brentano, (1778–1842)
Translated by: Julia Kalman
Love teaches
me to speak sweetly,
since sweetness
taught me to love.
I am not poor
in your arms,
embracing me
you sweet poverty.
How rich I am
in your kingdom,
Love’s wealth
you give to me.
Oh sweetness!
Oh rich poverty!
Embrace me
in love’s embrace.
Clemens Wenzeslaus Brentano (1778–1842) was a prominent German poet and novelist, known for his role in the Romantic movement. Writing under the pseudonym Clemens Maria Brentano, he crafted lyrical poetry and tales steeped in German folklore. Brentano was also the uncle of philosophers Franz and Lujo Brentano, further cementing his influence on German literature and culture.
Source: Wikipedia — Clemens Brentano
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Title: Sweet Reward
Author: Otto Julius Bierbaum (1865–1910)
Translated by: Julia Kalman
Morning’s splendor, bright and fine,
World is fresh, with wind entwine,
Heart beats fast, on time’s design -:
A minute past, should you be mine!
Oh, how many times I said, my dear,
“Punctuality!” in whispers near,
Now I peer with eyes severe,
Ten minutes past, yet you’re not here!
Should I wait, an endless fear,
Wait and yearn!? Time, oh time, austere,
Your minutes like hours, severe!
See, there flutters your dress, so clear,
In the wind! All waiting disappears,
Mouth to mouth, our kiss adheres,
Eye to eye, our souls endears,
Should seconds now stretch into years,
It’d be no burden, no cause for tears,
As the wind waves, softly veers,
A banner of spring, love appears.
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Title: Love
Author: Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter, (1746–1797)
Translated by: Julia Kalman
Oh, what is love
For a sweet thing!
Carefree, like children,
It leads us through life.
Our whole life
Flees faster with it,
Than without love
Did a day pass!
Oh, what is love
For a sweet thing!
Oh, what is love
For a sweet thing!
It gives courage for work,
Helps us accomplish it.
Our duties become a garland of flowers,
And on love’s throne
Hangs the ring of the garland.
Oh, what is love
For a sweet thing!
Oh, what is love
For a sweet thing!
Our soul rises
On its wings,
Our soul hovers,
Newly revived by it,
Over valley and hill,
Like a butterfly.
Oh, what is love
For a sweet thing!
Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter (1746–1797) was a German poet and dramatist, known for his contributions to 18th-century German literature. His works often blended classical and contemporary influences, making him a significant figure in the literary scene of his time.
Source: Wikipedia — Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter
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Title: Final Wish
Author: Otto Julius Bierbaum (1865–1910)
Translated by: Julia Kalman
To feel your hand upon my brow,
As life’s cradle rocks me now,
Gently swaying into the unknown,
By dark butterflies, I’m gently flown.
A final gaze into your eyes so brown:
All our joys now pass, then drown,
In a bittersweet last embrace,
Your warm lips, my final grace,
Your tender words, a soft crown:
Before I depart, heaven I’ve found,
Sinking blissfully into peace profound,
Earth’s sweetest gift, by love, I’m bound.
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Please, clap, engage, and stay tuned for the next story…! Most importantly, a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you. Your incredible support means the world to me. If you haven’t already, I warmly invite you to follow our publication:
Dear Wonderful Writers, Followers, and Friends,
Although The New Literary Society won’t accept new Author Interview submissions until November 2024, I have something special for you, based on several requests from my amazing readers and followers! The first three people to comment below will have the opportunity to be featured in a promotional interview to boost their author’s brand. We’ll translate and post these interviews on WordPress to reach a wider audience, and standout interviews will be included in a book. So… don’t miss out — this is my way of saying THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!
ALEX KIRKLAND , Frank Ontario 🦋 Balance 🕊️ Peace 🍏 Earth Lover , Brenda Hukel, MBA , Linda Rittenhouse , Melissa Smith , Chris Köpruner , Desert Queen KG , Paul – Entrepreneurial Voyager/Founder-4 startups , Alejandro Werther , Anique van der Putten, MPsych, BBA , Damion Davis , Frankie Hau , StorySculptres , Monarch (Glenda) Morey , Glen Jensen #RealWildGinseng , G. J. Kemp , Michael Rhodes , Athena , Miguel Santiago , Martijn Vos , Pixel Floyd , Peter Last , Thermoaesthetics , Juliet Romeo , Margie Willis , ✨Lela Jules✨, Marie Krnakova , Kim Kelly Stamp , HAROLD BIGGS , Dr John Frederick Rose, Angela W. , Chaudhry Writes , Giuseppe Bartoli , Scott Elrod , Myles Pearce , Grace Delphia , Mernie Buchanan , Farida Haque , Sue Banerji , Lily Lum , Shannon D. Smith , Cybridge , Anita Osasona , Aslynn Roe 🐈 , Sceriff , Jamel Hendley/Greenviool , James Mullen , Ilana Estelle Author , Danielle Herring , KW Views From the Fringe , The Lion the Bunny and the Bear , Crystalclearcandace , CD Richardson , Long After the Thrill of Living is Gone , Paul A Domenick , Elaine Hilides , Ronwriter , Jason Almirez-Taglianetti , @Bigasdru , Jacqueline Lay , MPH , Jay G , Ali Elmalı , sea-at-sunrise ,💛 Jane Grismer , J. A. Jackson Author , MCristina Content by Maria Cristina DeBriyn , Jessica Samuels , Mukundarajan V N , Kimberly ,
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Nicole Alyse , Quson Brown , Jordan Lubov , Teresa Trimm , DJ Hopkins , Sammy Naicker , G.P. Gottlieb , Sergii Starodubtsev , Siggy – Fighting Monsters , Bertha Elena Valdivia S.B. , Amy Lee Kite , Ulf Wolf , Diane Nilan , Judy Walker , Elizabeth Sobieski , Kit Tara , Gael MacLean , Lori Stratton , Ai WanderingNut News and Blog , Eloquent Expressions , Sam & Kate , Michael McLain , Laney Mills , Constance Williams , Runa Heilung 🌻 , J.D. Harms , Mark Boyle , Jane Trombley , Ashely L. Crouch , Bob Cristello , Sara Flower , Wren Anthony , Ellie Kingswell 🐑 , Michelle Hoffmann , OMY – Planned Longevity™ , Anne Bellamy , Annelise Lords , Jonesy’s Arti-facts of the Mind: Art-Mind-Musings ,Wilson Burrell , Aaron Meaders , Ignatious C A , Rocco Pendola , Kris Downey , DIY Affiliate Soul Journey , Oksana Kukurudza’s Sunflowers Rarely Break , Dustin Mark , René Beauchemin – [he/him] , Risa Hamada , Olive Wilson , Vanessa Gallman , Vivian Robert , Remiforce Mils , DJO , Vernalisa (Doyenne Dreamer) , Manisha Dhalani , NRWillick , Jon Myers, The AI Alchemist🧙♂️ , titis.app , David Fertitta , Ismail R. , Frank Racioppi , Chas Newport , H.H. James , Kenyan Somali Mama , Livia , David Hoffman , Franco Amati , Brenda H. , Rudy LB , Claros Farm , Elwood Watson, Ph.D. , Don Martin, real-life writer , Sarah Sandidge
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Cindy Heath , KRE , Leslie Flemons , Janice Osei-Boamah , Anjali Amit , Varun Vijay , Gras Lux , Spiritwhisper , Jason Vincent , Firatocal , Brendan Donaghy ☘️ , Infiniti God , Stan Byrdy , Martin Reaves , Dayton Pruet , Julia Kim , Niraj Shah , Over-50 Empress , Michael R McNeely , Sandra Plourde , Holly Paige , John Loewen, PhD , Aimie O’Callahan , Andy B. Hahn , An Old MadDog , Vincent Pisano , Justiss Goode | F😄M , MindLake.co.uk (Alex) , Jeremy P. Ware , Erik S. Meyers , Mike Butler , Velvetstar64 , David C. Wyld , ‘bumpyjonas… , Gill McCulloch , Kingsley Asuamah , Ayeshashfaq , Eliana Ibrahimi , Stanley Chibuike , Rhea K. , A Shayens Abran , Leonardo Del Toro , Dawn Ulmer , EJ Thornton , Hannah Andrews , Daniel Williams , MsFireballsmom ,Nurunnubi Talukder , Carolyn F. Chryst, Ph.D. , Richard Mark Williams , Brian Dickens Barrabee , Stephanie Ann Grant , Raphael Kim, PhD , R.S. Colorado , Bmoreno , Patricia Vicary, Pyrros Mathios , Leonard Tillerman , Jay Vaananen , Abbey Wade , tzenlong goh , Yana G.Y. , Chelsea Rose , Libby Winkler , Jeff Hayward , Happy Ava , Jessica Kiragu , JoEllen Claypool , Otba , Nicola Farnhill (Connectedtoself coaching) , Raechel “Rael Thymes” , MuRu , Scott Wood , Aaron Paulson , Maxim Behar , Mrs. Tonya D , Douglas Lim , Tricia L. , Sam David Parker🌸 , Edith Gallagher Boyd , Katie Michaelson
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The New Literary Society is thrilled to share that we’ve conducted around twenty-five insightful Author Interviews this year, and we’re incredibly grateful for the journey so far. It’s been a joy to publish some of these interviews on WordPress and share them on Facebook, connecting a wider audience with the brilliant minds behind the words.
Soon, all of these interviews will be translated and made freely accessible online, allowing even more readers to enjoy them.
We’re also excited to announce that the best of these conversations will be featured in a special anthology, set to be published in January 2025.
Comment now, and you might also be featured in our publication, the New Literary Society.
Only the first three will have this chance!
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey; your support and engagement mean the world to us.
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Here are a few links to our Author Interviews. You can find the rest in our pub. I apologize for not including all the links and translations this time — I’ll share them in another post soon. Once again, congrats to the Authors, and thank you for sharing your stories with us. Wishing everyone a wonderfully creative time ahead!
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Julia Kalman 