The Crowded World of Solitude

Preface by LEIGH EDUARDO, British poet and musician.

I have never met Albert Russo and yet, through his writing, I feel I have had that privilege. He possesses that rare and enviable talent of being able to say what is important in a very few words. His contributions to the literary world are amazingly varied, reminding one of an intellectual butterfly - able to flit from one topic to another, but having first drained it of its essential qualities. Russo writes at all levels - a compulsive creator who is always going to have something important, or different, or both, to say. His work reaches into the very soul of contemporary living. Here, one comes to grips with many contemporary problems, all beautifully crafted and possessing the Russo hallmark of subtle observation. Each poem is a gem in its own right.

"Albert Russo possesses that rare and enviable talent of being able to say what is important in a very few words. His contributions to the literary world are amazingly varied, reminding one of an intellectual butterfly - able to flit from one topic to another, but having first drained it of its essential qualities -, a compulsive creator who is always going to have something important, or different, or both, to say. Here, one comes to grips with many contemporary problems, all beautifully crafted and possessing the Russo hallmark of subtle observation. Each poem is a gem in its own right."

EXPECTANCY

there's a world at peace and there's a world at war
the frontiers between the two shift and overlap
like waves over the breakers at low tide
and as you watch the evening news
you feel your heart skitter across the water
on the safe side, or so you will yourself to believe
but when in the dead of night you switch off the bedlamp
the rumblings under your skin
at first distant and familiar
start sending out portentous signals
then, somewhere around the solar plexus
there's an expectancy of pain
searing as the alarm caused by a misfired thunder
it shoots through the arteries to the cortex
making the flesh quiver in its wake
and suddenly the echo of a reverberating crackle
turns your entire body into an electric web
so tightly packed you instinctively
embrace all the destructive power
of mankind's folly N E W S N E W S N E W S
Congratulations Your submission to Writer s Digest s most recent Self-Published Book Competition was chosen as an honorable mention in its category

Your submission: The Crowded World of Solitude: The Collected Stories Category: mainstream/literary

As an honorable mention winner, you will be listed along with other winners in the March 2006 issue. To get a sample of what the listing will look like, see the August 2005 issue, which profiles our most recent winners. Soon you will receive a formal letter from our competitions department. That letter will be accompanied by a Notable Award Certificate and instructions on how to collect your $50 worth of Writer s Digest Books.

Once again, congratulations

Chuck Sambuchino
Assistant Editor
Writer s Digest magazine

2008 BEACH BOOK BOOK FESTIVAL WINNERS ATLANTIC CITY (May 3, 2008)

POETRY:

WINNER:

# "Weapon of Choice," Jeffery Martin

RUNNER-UP:
# "The Crowded World of Solitude: Volume 2," Albert Russo

JM Northern Media LLC, Beach Book Festival - 323-665-8080
7095 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 864, Hollywood, CA 90028
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