I am so pleased to announce that my poem, something altogether unbelievable, is now available at MasticadoresUSA. A big thank you to, Gabriela Marie Milton, and the team at MasticadoresUSA for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.
something altogether unbelievable
the iridescent
lamp
casts a shadow
over the carnage
seen, within the myriad
of moments
taken away from meโฆ
I would be honored if you would go here and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!
I am super excited to announce that my poem, Smolder Now and Forever, is now available at Spillwords Press. I big thank you to Dagmara K., and the whole team at Spillwords for publishing this poem, and for their continued support.
Smolder Now and Forever
gazing,
and praising
the reality
you see,
while
knowing
the broken
bits of ember
are aflame
againโฆ
I would be honored if you would go here, and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!
Over the past couple of weeks, the team has been preparing for school to begin, which means the registration team has been, is, well, super duper busy, which is awesome. Instructors are prepping for classes, as the rest of the staff are doing things like, getting computers out to in-person locations for late registrations, and supporting instructors as and where needed.ย
Itโs been an amazing couple of weeks, filled with registration numbers the likes of which we havenโt seen since prior to the pandemic. Amazing.
The past couple of weeks, Iโve also been reflecting upon the concept of self-expression in relation to human beingness; and, then in relation to leadership more specifically. Iโll have a little more to write about that in a moment. First, letโs take a quick look at some writing reflections from the past couple of weeks.
About two months ago now, I switched my blogging schedule. Previous to that time, I was posting every day, which just became too much to manage. Now, I am posting an average of 4 to 5 times a week, and that is working well for now.ย
Iโve been thinking of possibly reducing it to 3 to 4 times a week, yet, we will see.
Iโve been writing a lot, as I always do; sometimes that means I write a poem each day, sometimes 3 or 4. It depends.ย
Most of my poems over the past couple of weeks have taken love at their center, which is, well, quite wonderful. I never really know what is going to come from my heart, through my fingers, and onto the page youโre reading; really, I never really do.
I usually begin with a concept, or more likely, a sentence or two, and go from there. It is so much fun.ย
For instance, the poem heart-related centeredness was a response to the WDYS photo prompt, hosted by Sadje, from Keep it Alive. I love to participate in this prompt, as I am able. The photo, to me, sparked an immediate response about the connectedness of all that we see, sky, clouds, sea, and, well, you; and me, of course. It just works that way for me today; it is what I see and feel.
And, the poem referenced above, from my heart, and through my fingers, was literally a reflection on the process of writing from my heart; and how it feels to me. Is simple, and quite beautiful to me.ย
Iโve also been blessed with another publishing opportunity, and have just heard back from Spillwords Press on one other submission. How fun!
Iโm super excited about being a part of the first ever Word Weaving โ A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse, the kindle version of which is available now. You can access it from the link above. If you are interested, you can also learn more at the word weaving blog.
I also just learned that my poem, Smoulder Now and Forever, has been accepted by Spillwords Press. Excited. When the poem is scheduled for publication, I will let you all know.
I also have a few more pieces coming up in both MasticadoresUSA, and MasticadoresIndia. When those are scheduled for publication, I will also let you know.ย
If youโve not yet checked out these cool publication houses, please do so when you have time. Amazing people, and talented writers. Much fun!
Oh, before I forget, here is one of the poems that wasnโt accepted recently. I am including it here, well, because it reminds me of some of my recent reflections on the moon, which has been so beautiful in the night sky recently.
Dazzling delight
the moon
dazzling delight
transformed ages of night
called on by gods and goddesses
alike
Alright, in my last diary entry, several of us had a conversation about blogs that we follow not showing up in our reader. I did contact WP, after some coaching from our friend Cindy, from Unique Times with Cindy, thank you, dear Cindy, and here is what I learned.
There is no solution at WP for this issue. Their suggestion was to do, well, what most of us already know how to do, which is unfollow, and then refollow. Usually this will work, and the blog posts will once again begin to show in our reader.
Therefore, I will be unfollowing and refollowing some of you. We will see how that works.
The past couple of weeks, Iโve also been reflecting upon self-expression. As a human being on this planet, it is so important to be fully self-expressed. I know this, as I spent some years not being fully self-expressed.
When we are fully self-expressed, we get out all of the ideas, concepts, and love we have for life. We experience aliveness, through the difficulty and ease that comes with life. And, for me, itโs inside of this aliveness, through all that we receive from life, where the beauty for and of life lives.ย
It is interesting to write about self-expression within a beautiful community that self-expresses continuously; yet, what I also know about being a human being on this planet, is that even those of us who are fully self-expressed, have times when we feel not fully self-expressed.
In those moments, I usually take a walk, sit quietly, and just detach myself from all things. Inside of this space lives the possibility of reconnecting within, which for me, means insights will arise, and self-expression will follow.
Alright, thatโs all for this entry.
Have a beautifully blessed week, everyone.
the city sleeps, in an
indecent, and incandescent
display
tired, drowsy, and
dreaming of better days, or
is it of
the oft betrayedโฆ
itโs heart beating
a rhythm of long ago,
it wonders, and sheds
its skin
often flayed
wide open
for all to see,
like the skyโs,
transparency
walking the streets,
you can feel
the pulse
beneath your feet,
and within
the panes
of the people-less, and
windowed scene, it seems
hallow, and yet also
full of lifeโs drawings,
created long ago, by the people
left behind
when time
stood still,
and we were all
left wonderingโฆ
as the dreams
kept comingโฆ
In response to the WDYS#101 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Image credit; Maksym Harbar @ Unsplash
the tree grows taller, and
sometimes I feel smaller
than life as it manifests before me
moments like these
come and go, we know,
and yet, as they arise,
we continually striveโฆ
to know
the answers, yet,
will we remember to abideโฆ
instead
of fighting
against the current
we feel inside, let it subside
and know,
this energy
will carry us
toward
our final destination, a ride
for the ages
are we not all sages?
I know not, yet
wonโt let the conversation
drop, because
itโs not
about dropping,
or stopping, more learning
to love
more than your heart
has ever known
the capacity forโฆbecoming
like the flowers,
and the trees, did
you know they speak of theeโฆ
every day, watching
as we run around
limiting what we see,
within this dream
yet, we speak, and, they seeโฆ
instead, maybe,
feel free, and just beโฆ
Photo by Lรฉonard Cotte on Unsplash
sometimes,
the words just come
forward, flowing
through my heart, and
head, and
onto the page youโve read
and, at other times,
itโs as if the page
youโve read,
has never been saidโฆ
contemplations like these,
remind me
of the love we feel,
easy, coming, and going,
like the seasons,
as we continue runningโฆ
here, and then gone,
a whisper,
soft and kindled
with love and care,
we wonder
where theyโve always been, and
foundered, yes,
at times, still
try as we might,
forcing the issue
will only lead
to more isolation,
frustration,
and eager anticipationโฆ
yet,
when we can
reside in the heart,
and realize the words, and love,
will come in their time,
just like weโve always
understood they would
we create
a new space,
filled with light,
and faith in growing,
because weโve been showing
our heart
to the world, and
as we slow down,
and recognize this proof,
we become one
with our hearts inner truth
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash
moments
come and go,
itโs these
weโve been bestowed
upon a sea
of tranquility,
at times, yes,
past our ability
to understand completely
and, yet,
when quiet, and
seeking
understanding,
we can learn more
from the seas ability
to transcend
our individuality,
into a one commonality
uniting us,
like the flowers,
trees, and the streams,
we dream
of this togetherness,
within our hearts
held tight, as the light
goes out from this planets beings
and, for you and me,
we then seeโฆ
possibilities expand
as we let go of our
preconceived notions
of what we think
love should be,
and stay open
to new realities of being,
with a love, so freeingโฆ
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
hand-in-hand,
we traipse this land,
passing by trees, and foliage
as we glide,
together, one step
in front of the otherโฆ
we hold
within our hearts
a special place
for our mother, and
look up
with adoration,
a sense of satisfaction,
and the most gentle elation
as the light
cascades softly
off the trees,
through the glade,
and in front of me, and
I see,
and feel freeโฆ
as the warmth
caresses my being
in its entirety, I say
a silent prayer, and
give thanks
on this day,
for this moment
of time alone with my mother
oh, how deeply I love herโฆ
In response to the WDYS #100 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Image credit; James Wheelerย @ Unsplash
walking
along the cliff,
I feel somewhat adrift,
floating in a sea
of unknown possibility
I look
around
for guidance, and
notice the resistance
from within, yes kin,
and known well to me, my friend
yet,
also there
is the utmost care, and
feeling of creativity,
within my own reachability
I can feel it
through every
fiber of my being,
calling me forward,
as I continue to struggle
with the movement onwardโฆ
ability
notwithstanding,
the mind dances, and creates
like a mirror on a lake,
images come into view,
and, we, at times,
take them at face value
yet, thereโs another way
to determine
all thatโs in store,
by continuing to
pull apart the minds
creations, as they dance
along, and soar,
so seemingly secureโฆ
love
is at the center
of this understanding
remember, therefore,
thatโฆ
as we watch
the mind create waves,
and they crash along our shore
to sit
secure in your heart,
and know,
that the center
is always there, now,
and forevermore
Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash
I drop to my knees,
and give thanks
for the silence
in-between
this moment
and that, as common
as past circumstance
notwithstanding
I dream of you
in the blue,
and look forward
to our next meeting, stay in tune
would you?
lead me
from this dream,
into another phase
of the magical stream
flowing this way, and that,
I consider all the options,
weighing down
the rocks and trees,
and choose to sit silently
breathing in and out,
respiration,
just like the flower
sends love to the bee,
I think about
the ways in which
you touch my being, and
make the twirls go around and under
the love of one another
Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash
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