prodigal sun

I find callousness at noon
desirous
of the prodigal sun

washing
my hands of understanding
and of ignorance

I call out to you

recognizing the moon
carries the seeds of our love
and

the cognition of the stars above


Photos by me, Oregon Coast


New and Forthcoming Publications

Angels Outlined, Published at MasticadoresIndia

I am pleased to announce that my poem, Angels Outlined, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece. I’d be honored if you would read the full poem here. Thank you!

Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

I am elated to share that one ore more of the poems I submitted to Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology, edited by Gabriela Marie Milton, have been accepted. Thank you, Gabriela, and the editing team at Literary Revelations Press for this acceptance, and for supporting my work. I am honored and humbled beyond words.


It is amazing to reflect back upon this year, so full of wonderful memories and experiences, which you are all a part of. I am thankful everyday to be a part of this loving community, and I want to thank all of you for your continued support and friendship.

You all continue to inspire me, and I look forward to creating new experiences and memories with all of you in 2023!

Wishing you all a joyous, peaceful, and wonderful holiday season.

All my love and blessings,

Jeff


Jeff Flesch

#1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow

Co-Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Jan/Feb 2022 Author of the Month, Spillwords Press


#poetry, #cognition, #contemplation, #contentment, #desire, #hidden-in-childhood-a-poetry-anthology, #ignorance, #intuition, #life, #literary-revelations-press, #love, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #new-publication, #poem, #prodigal-sun, #realization, #seeds, #stars, #transformation, #understanding

dusted stars

I live along thin
and narrow streets, and
there are dreams
which always seem to
be

hiding
just behind the next bend
in the road

where
a flower grows
from a seed

and a building
comes to fruition
from steel, and cables
released

from
the center of the Universe
a quantum theory
practiced underneath

the dusted stars
sparkling across the sky

a realization of truth
we’ve known
have forgotten, and remember
to scale this night


Photo by Prawny, Pixabay


Threads, Published at MasticadoresUSA

I am honored to have my new poem, Threads, published at MasticadoresUSA. Thank you Barbara Leonhard for supporting my work, and for all that you do. I look forward to working with you more in the new year!

I would be honored if you would go here, and read my new poem. Thank you!

Book Reviews

As you all know, I began the year with a wrap-up post each month, and in each of these posts, I included book reviews. Due to the preparation for, and release of #1 Amazon Bestseller Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, the demands of my job, and other personal responsibilities, the monthly wrap-up posts didn’t make it too far into the year, yet I did continue to read and review some amazing books. Here are a few more of these reviews.

40 Poems at 40, by Ingrid Wilson

40 Poems at 40, by Ingrid Wilson is a brilliant compilation of poems that takes the reader into their heart. A journey through pain, suffering, and great elation and joy; Ingrid connects to the reader through experience and through nature, by creating and weaving elegant language around the challenges and opportunities we all face in life. Challenges and opportunities of confidence, resistance, love, beauty, rapture, hope, sadness, and much more are contained in this beautiful book. Ingrid walks the reader by the hand through each poem, carrying them with an elegance and cadence that leaves the reader wanting more. 40 Poems at 40, by Ingrid Wilson is a treat, a delightful read that every reader will connect to, and love. I highly recommend this wonderful compilation.

Once Upon A You And Me, Anabel Kluny

Once Upon A You And Me, by Anabel Kluny takes the reader through the world of the seen and unseen, and everything in between. Anabel invites the reader to reflect upon the love felt within their heart, as they engage in beautiful words and imagery, evoking sentiments of deep love, transformation, self-awareness, passion, destiny, and much more. Anabel’s poetry speaks to the soul through vivid and engaging language focusing on the inner and outer worlds, and their connections to each other. Once Upon A You And Me is beautiful, expressive, and is a must read. I highly recommend this gorgeous collection of poems.

Kindled Roots, Love Poetry, By Ujjal Halder

Kindled Roots, Love Poetry, by Ujjal Halder takes the reader into the heart and mind, exploring the paradox of life, through manifestations of nature, and a self awareness that leaves the reader reflecting deep within themselves. Ujjal explores pain and love via transformation, and relates these concepts and the experiences behind them to nature in a language of love. Kindled Roots, Love Poetry, by Ujjal Halder is a book full of heart, leaving the reader questioning their perceptions of our individual and collective connections to nature. A lovely read.

Write Out Loud, by Daphny Nianghoi

Write Out Loud, by Daphny Nianghoi is an exploration of the deepest and darkest places we all navigate as human beings, from horribly traumatic events to the breaking of one’s heart again and again; yet, this book shines through the authors beautiful heart and deep love for everyone and everything on this planet.

Daphny expresses resilience stunningly, leaving the reader with tears streaming down their face, while also feeling that internal smile bourgeon like the sun; knowing that even in our darkest hours we will be okay. 

Daphny also expertly evokes nature though beautifully imagery connecting that which we see to every fiber of who we are as human beings. Write Out Loud is a gorgeous book, which will leave you feeling connected to the beauty of nature and humanity. I highly recommend this lovely book.

I still have lots of books to read and review, and will continue to share these reviews when they are complete. If you’ve not yet picked up copies of these amazing books, I recommend doing so.


As we continue through the end of this year, and into next year, I will continue to read all of your wonderful poems, writings, and posts on the weekend. I will also post once a week on the weekend. This new blogging schedule will continue into the foreseeable future, making room for my new job and life responsibilities, which are super exciting. I will have more to say about these new developments in future posts.

Alright, that’s all for this week.

I wish you all a beautiful Sunday, and a glorious coming week.

All my love and blessings,

Jeff


Jeff Flesch

Author, #1 Amazon New Release Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow

Co-Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Author of the Month, Jan/Feb 2022, Spillwords Press


#poetry, #book-reviews, #dreams, #dusted-stars, #growth, #hidden, #insight, #life, #love, #masticadoresusa, #memory, #nature, #poem, #punlications, #realization, #reslience, #seeds, #truth, #universe

coming home

I cross cross the earth
in search of something fleeting
knowing

the unknown
is a place of peace

of mind, and of body

a souls destination
housed

within a fractured
system
of thoughts, and of feelings

coming home
a respite from the storm

sitting
in the center of silence
watching

things come, and go

attraction
to the poles of
opposites

the healing of ego
and of the soul’s companion
on the way home


Photo by me, Oregon Coast


Soul’s Sojourn, Published at MasticadoresIndia

I am always honored when a piece of my poetry is published at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It’s such a joy, and this publication at MasticadoresIndia is no different. Thank you, Terveen, for always supporting my work. I am beyond grateful.

I would be honored if you would go here, and read my new poem.

If you’ve not yet submitted to either of these fine publications, I invite you to; it’s an amazing experience.


Last week, I visited Justin and Izzy in Portland, and we had a great time. We went to a boutique event supporting local small business, ate some wonderful food at Blossoming Lotus, and then went to the Portland Trailblazers game on Sunday evening. It was grand.

I wish you all a wonderful week; see you next weekend!

All my love and blessings,

Jeff


Jeff Flesch

Author, #1 Amazon New Release Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow

Co-Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Author of the Month, Jan/Feb 2022, Spillwords Press


#poetry, #body, #coming-home, #ego, #feelings, #healing, #known, #life, #love, #mind, #nature, #pain, #peace, #poem, #respite, #silence, #soul, #storm, #thoughts, #unknown

memories left

I walk, and watch
a time of trees
and of the silences that speaks
of mist

covered evenings
and of the memories
you left

by the gravestone
etched with the blood of
our love

a time of desperation
and of sorrow

dwelling in hearts
beating in sync with lost
time

and
with the cosmic qualities
of our lives


Photo by jplenio, Pixabay


We Are Poetry: Lessons I Didn’t Learn in a Textbook, by Kym Gordon Moore

I was elated to receive Kym Gordon Moore’s new book about a month ago, and though I’ve only read a few selected chapters thus far, I can write here that it is an amazing read. Here is an example:

I Am

“They say I am nothing

in my someone-ness

traverse into a flow

of the seen but not heard

nonexistent, divisible where liberty is not just

not considered worthy to speak,

or to be respected

just an invisible occupation of space,

you think that of me

yet my existence is more

than the archives of silence

I am.

Refusing to conform […]”

Absolutely stunning. If you’ve not yet picked up a copy of this amazing book, you can do so here.

Update on Me

It was great to catch up with many of you last night. I am doing very well, and enjoying the travels. There is so much beauty in the world, and it is a privilege, and a joy to get out and see it.

Today, I am off to see Justin, which will be a lot of fun. We will do some shopping, and farmer’s marketing on Sunday, and then we are going to see the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday night. I’ve not been to an event of this size in years, thus I’m filled with excitement and some anxiety. Very normal.

I look forward to catching up with all of you again next weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend, and upcoming week.

All my love and blessings,

Jeff


Jeff Flesch

#1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow

Co-Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Jan/Feb 2022 Author of the Month, Spillwords Press


#poetry, #contemplation, #cosmic, #despair, #experience, #healing, #introspection, #knowledge, #life, #love, #mist, #nature, #poem, #publications, #silence, #sorrow, #travels