Author Archives: Jeff Flesch

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 23, 2023
Tags: , , content, , heart's stone, , , , , , , , terrified, , , ,   

Hearts’ Stone

I manifest
the past, and the present
a prompt
riddled with uneasiness
and contentment —
colors

swirling in mind
reaching underneath a heart confused
and terrified

of acting rashly
and of being understood
absently

less known, than unknown
believing in the truth
within your hearts’ stone

by Moth, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: manifest, present, prompt. Follow me on Twitter here, and Instagram here.

I am blogging less this weekend, and am off from blogging entirely next weekend, as I travel with a friend to a meditation retreat on Saturday. I will, however, catch up with all of you this weekend, and throughout the next week.

Wishing you all my best, and sending all of 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, #confusion, #content, #heart, #hearts-stone, #life, #love, #nature, #past, #poem, #possibility, #present, #terrified, #truth, #understanding, #uneasy

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 16, 2023
Tags: , awarness, , , , , , , , , , , , , , realizationm, spectrum, , , ,   

Mosaic Sun

I communicate
and commune with the stars
a haven
and heaven sitting inside my heart —
relatable

yet, not at all

a disconnection
breeding restlessness
and contentment
are shadows speaking in tongues
leaving behind
a viscerally experienced mosaic
sun

Image by Moth, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: communicate, relatable, disconnection, rest. Follow me on Twitter here, and Instagram here.

MasticadoresIndia/USA Publications

I am always honored to have my poetry at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems on these two exceptional online magazines.

Here are my two newest pieces.

I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, thank you!

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, #awarness, #centered, #confusion, #despair, #emotions, #feeling, #heart, #hope, #knowing, #life, #love, #nature, #peace, #poem, #realizationm, #spectrum, #tranquility, #understanding, #waves

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 9, 2023
Tags: , , , , , , , , metaphors, , , , , , shadow self, , symbols, , ,   

Your Shadow and Mine

I’ve hiked
up and over mountains of love
and of pain

wandering
through fields of metaphors
and valleys of symbolism

exploring within
while watching
minimal expectations
arise again

a balance
of body and mind

and of the love manifesting
in between
your shadow and mine

©JeffFlesch.com
Image by MenielDM, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: hike, explore, minimal, balance. Follow me on Twitter here, and on Instagram here.

I wrote two poems with the word prompts from Twitter this week. Here is the second one.

Shadow’s Sown

I explore the depths
of the wind
and the space that lives in between
this moment and the next

a balance of learning
and of unlearning
arises again

when
minimal expectations
are drawn together
like a bow

representing
the shadow of words
left behind to sow

We are at that time of year in the Pacific Northwest when the hiking trails begin to dry out, and hiking becomes something that I will take part in each week. For those of you who’ve followed me for years, you know how much I love to be out in the forest and at the coast, two of my favorite places, regardless of where I am living and or visiting.

Here are some pics from my first short hike of the season.

For those of you celebrating Easter, Happy Easter, for those celebrating Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak, and for all of you, may your day, and week be peaceful, and full of love.

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, #balance, #beauty, #expectations, #healing, #known, #life, #love, #metaphors, #nature, #pain, #poem, #reality, #realization, #shadow-self, #sorrow, #symbols, #truth, #unknown

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 9:00 am on April 2, 2023
Tags: , , ancient bliss, awakeing, body/mind, , , , , , , rejection, , , taste,   

Ancient Bliss

I linger in the mist
and within the folds of ancient
bliss

a taste of acceptance
and of rejection

dwelling
within a body and mind
rejuvenated
by a scintillating sky
and by the sights, sounds
and smells
weaved
through the paradox of humankind

©JeffFlesch.com
Image by prettysleepy1, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: taste, acceptance, rejection, smell. Follow me on Twitter here.

MasticadoresIndia/USA Publications

I am always honored to have my poetry at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems in these two exceptional online magazines.

Here are my two newest pieces.

I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, thank you!

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, #acceptance, #ancient-bliss, #awakeing, #body-mind, #masticadoresindia-masticadoresusa, #nature, #new-publications, #paradox, #poem, #realization, #rejection, #sensation, #sky, #taste

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on April 2, 2023
Tags: , , , C.X Turner, emotional turbulence, hiding, , , , , mistake, , , , , , , , , white-tipped waves,   

October Rain

My father
a talisman of probability
and of broken hope, found
underneath a staircase
drunk
on October rain.

A teacher
who left probability aside
in favor of developing brokenness
into the night —
he fashioned emotions
into sleeves
of tears held at bay
a dam no one wants to make.

It is a skill learned
out of survival
when we feel like a mistake, and
a burden to life
and to an imagined view
staring back at me in the mirror —
You.

©JeffFlesch.com
Image by Mysticsartdesign, Pixabay

Recently I sent two poems to Rust & Moth, an amazing online poetry journal. While both were rejected, it reminded me that acceptance lives inside rejection, and is part of the writing process. It also reminded me to continue to pursue new topics and feelings in my writing. October Rain is a poem that explores both of these.

White-tipped Waves, by C.X. Turner

cradling the light
I didn’t ever hope
to find you

wave after wave
breaking down

retreating with the tide

awash
with past mistakes
in an ocean of loss

love
came to
remind me
take me with you
but let me go

I contemplate the seasons
you and I went through

find myself
inland on foreign soil
alone yet not lonely

discover
peaceful opportunities
to carry light
however deep the fight

White-tipped Waves is a poem that was created by a dear friend of mine, C.X. Turner, in response to velvet soft, which was a response poem to Scattered Sakura. Scattered Sakura was submitted to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow 30 Poems in 30 Days collaboration by C.X. Turner. I love this poem with all of my heart.

#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, #broken, #burden, #c-x-turner, #emotional-turbulence, #hiding, #learning, #life, #love, #mirror, #mistake, #naturespeaks, #pain, #poem, #realization, #seeking, #sorrow, #tears, #trauma, #white-tipped-waves, #whole

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on March 26, 2023
Tags: , , closure, , , , , , , , , , star, , time's relapse, ,   

Time’s Relapse

I drink you in
a star of yesteryear
and of a future
shared

a day
like the next
continuing
to reimagine time’s relapse

of memories
transformed into dreams
amongst stars
encrusted with sleep

and
with the closure
needed

to regulate our heartbeat

Image by Prettysleepy, Pixabay Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: drink, sleep, closure. Follow me on Twitter here.

A Spillwords Press Nomination

I’m honored to relate that my poem Field Full of Flowers was nominated for March publication of the month at Spillwords Press. Thank you to Dagmara K, and the team at Spillwords for their support, and to each and every one of you for your continued support, and friendship.

I would be grateful if you would take a moment and vote here. Thank you!

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, #awakening, #closure, #healing, #heart, #life, #love, #nature, #no-time, #paradox, #poem, #realization, #star, #time, #times-relapse, #transformation

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on March 19, 2023
Tags: , celebration, , hopeful, , , , , , , painful, , , , serendipity,   

serendipitous vortex

I see you
in the peaceful sky, and in
the anticipation of the lost souls
that tried

to feel more
and to become more

a celebration
and an adventure
of learning, and of love

and
of a serendipitous vortex
calling us both back
for more

Image by Prettysleepy, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: peace, anticipation, celebration, adventure. Follow me on Twitter here.

MasticadoresIndia/USA Publications

I am always honored to have my poetry at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems on these two exceptional online magazines.

Here are my two newest pieces.

I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, thank you!

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, #celebration, #feelings, #hopeful, #life, #love, #masticadoresindia-masticadoresusa, #mind-body, #nature, #new-publications, #painful, #peace, #poem, #realization, #serendipity

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 pm on March 18, 2023
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , mindset, , perserverence, pics, , , ,   

hope grows

I cry
and sometimes the reason
why

eludes me
though

the significance
permeates each cell of the body
and mind

creating a touchstone
of love

and of hope
carrying seeds destined
to take root

and grow

Image by cocoparisienne, Pixabay

Last week, I went to visit my mom and sisters in Los Angeles, and had a wonderful time. It was so good to spend quality time with my mom, and to see my sisters and their beautiful families. We also went up to Camarillo and visited my niece who is studying at California State Channel Islands. A lovely University in the hills of Camarillo.

While trips are nice, it was also lovely to be home, and to visit all of you today. I missed reading and interacting with all of you last week. Because I chose to forgo posting last weekend, I am posting twice this week (tonight, and tomorrow morning, as usual).

Below are some pics from the trip.

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday, Sunday.

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, #family, #feelings, #growth, #hope, #illusion, #life, #los-angeles, #love, #mind-body, #mindset, #pain, #perserverence, #pics, #poem, #reality, #seeds, #transformation

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on March 5, 2023
Tags: , , , , , incomplete, , , , , , publiucation, , , sun's paradox, , vulernability   

the sun’s paradox

I rest my head
in a catalyst of stars

a blanket
nourishing the mind
and the body

the result
of a cherished, and
vulnerable heart

are
memories
brought about
by the sun’s paradox

a song
of complete, and incomplete
and everything
in between

Photo by Darkmoon_Art, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: catalyst, cherish, vulnerable, incomplete. Follow me on Twitter here.

A Field Full of Flowers, Published at Spillwords Press

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Dagmara K, and the team at Spillwords Press for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.

A Field Full of Flowers

a field full of flowers…

dreams wake me from beyond, telling tales
of hope and despair
lost
to the stars

as they linger in the sky, just like the last time,
we said goodbye, holding you
close to heart, becomes
needed, and
necessary,

reminiscent….

I would be honored if you would go here, and read the entire poem. Thank you!

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, #body, #catalyst, #complete, #heart, #incomplete, #life, #love, #mind, #nature, #poem, #publiucation, #spillwords-press, #stars, #suns-paradox, #vulernability

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on February 26, 2023
Tags: , , archeryintheUK, , calmness, depression, , , , , ingridwilson, , , , , , , nickreeves, , , perserverance, , , quietude, , , ,   

soldered heart

I see you
in the majestic & the forlorn

a depressive state
bereft
of indifference, and of alienation

tales
of evenings
alone

a soldered heart
wanting to learn more

about peace
and love

a tangent scale to climb
when

hanging
upside down from
the clouds
in the starry sky

Photo by ausbitbank, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: bereft, evening, solder, tangent. Follow me on Twitter here.

MasticadoresIndia/USA Publications

I am always honored to have my poetry in MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems on these two exceptional online magazines.

Here are my two newest pieces.

I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, thank you!

Book Reviews

Archery In The UK

A good friend of mine and publisher of #1 Amazon Bestseller Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, Ingrid Wilson, released a new book recently. Archery In The UK is a collaboration with Nick Reeves, and is a beautiful and passionate book.

Once I started reading Archery In The UK it was hard to put down. The book mixes poetic forms, inviting the reader on a journey of beautifully flowing language, touching hearts, and minds, and leaving me teary-eyed, joyful, and inspired. It is an amazing collaboration.

I highly recommend Archery in the UK, which you can purchase on Amazon here.

The Light in The Cave

The Light in The Cave, by Tricia Sankey is a wonderful Novela full of richly crafted details, and characters developed with depth, and an intensity that fills the reader with a desire to read more, and more. I enjoyed the way Tricia developed the characters and the plot line in a way that left me guessing as to the story behind the story until well into the later chapters, which is where we find that the characters we’ve come to know and love are not exactly who we thought they were. The Light in The Cave is an amazing work of science fiction. I highly recommend reading this wonderful book.

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, #anxiety, #archeryintheuk, #beauty, #calmness, #depression, #determination, #experimentsinfiction, #happiness, #heart, #ingridwilson, #joy, #life, #love, #masticadoresindia, #masticadoresusa, #nature, #nickreeves, #pain, #peace, #perserverance, #poem, #publications, #quietude, #reslience, #review, #sorrow