
Breathe



I read, and write
about the source
and about the legacy of you closeโ
dappled light
is hard to find
yet, picturesque moments continue to bespeak the wind
and all youโve given
to me, and to the trees
a sonorous sound twinkling in the sky
reminding me it is always you
upon which I will rely
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: sumptuous. Follow me on Twitter here, and Instagram here.
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

There are ways the earth feels
underfoot
an extinction
and extension of self
boiled over
with the last of the snowflakes that
dwell
within bridges
made of surrender
and of love
a predesigned configuration
of
your heartโs harmony
felled
like a star
from the sky above
Photo by AlanFrijns, Pixabay
Twitter #vss365 prompt word used: extinct. Follow me on Twitter here.
Petite Pen is a fun and collaborative prompt that my dear friend, K Hartless posts approximately once a week. If you are interested in inspiring poetry prompts, I recommend checking out Kโs website. Usually the Petite Pen prompts are posted on Tuesdays.
Here are a few poems that Iโve written in response to the Petite Pen prompts in the past several months.
I dream
of the space
in between you
and me
a serendipitous feeling
this
unseen majesty
of calm and quiet progress
demanding
we pay attention
and notice
I in wait
calming my spirit, and mind
seeds unadorned
spend time
securely in my heart
shifting
energies
from callous hands
dripping with fever tense
and moist
with tears remorse
I look for you
in the notes, and sounds
dripping
honey, profound
a secret lullaby
washing over my mind
letting limbs of the dead
and old
come alive
with a misty hello
I remember
it is night
and
almost time to say
goodbye
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

I sit in silence
watching
wicked blues, and greens
arise
across the horizon of mind
a prompt
and nature of cosmos
in, and out of time
days once lost
are now filled with love, and with the
promise
of you close
realizing this truth
I hold tight
and never let you go
Photo by M_Graham, Pixabay
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: wicked, prompt, day, lost. Follow me on Twitter here.
I am pleased to announce that my poem, Prized Possession, is now available at MasticadoresUSA. Thank you, Barbara Leonhard, and the team at MasticadoresUSA for your continued support, and for publishing this piece.
Prized Possession
I look in the mirror
and find
a reflection, known to none, yet
known to all
a persona of nature
and of soul, dancing within
an interlude, a prized possession โ
desireโฆ
Iโd be honored if you would read the full poem here. Thank you!
Here is the last poetic response to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration that I have written at this time. If time permits, I will write poetic responses to the last 4 or 5 beautiful poems that were submitted to this collaboration.
Rise Again
sitting with the feelings that arise
it was your eyes
I
always looked into
like the sun
among
a shadowed world
grays, mixed with other fragrant
colors
creating
a burgeoning in my heart
when you chose to depart
this plane for another, it kept me
lingering
among the pain and mourning
deep within
though I now realize
this pain wasnโt a sin
so, I rise again
Rise Again was inspired by the poem, The Resurrection of Red by, Camellia.
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

I stand on a pedestal of
ice, a cold wind blown from afar and
wide
escaping lips
of tender, and delicate
skin
a shift
in consciousness, and
in a history
dosed
with fields of understanding
a common feeling
coming home to roost
in hearts filled with loveโs muse
Photo by 12019, Pixabay
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: shift, history, dose. Follow me on Twitter here.
I am pleased to announce that my poem, Hidden Dreams, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.
Hidden Dreams
There are dreams
hidden
within buildings
towering upon hills
and beneath
the surface of the sky
a transparent beautyโฆ
Iโd be honored if you would read the full poem here. Thank you!
Here are two more poetic responses to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration.
Loveโs Heights
love is like the tether of
a kite
grasping, and holding tight
the sun
into the heights
it flies
wonderment and awe
fill time, and trepidation does too
arise
a balance of mutually beneficial
allies
riding through the sky
Loveโs Heights was inspired by the poem Loveโs Trial by Dawn Minott.
Final Sigh
I sit in silence
and ponder the sky
the celestial bodies
linger
in the night
and
in my heart
where
I find the divine
ascending toward infinity, I realize
she
makes love possible in every shape and size
and in every eye
awaiting, am I
the faintest breath
and this, the final sigh
Final Sigh was inspired by the poem, Divine Flight by Layla Todd.
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

I search for you
in tears
raining
in the afternoon
a complex
land of emotion, are tides
of becoming, and of unbecoming
something far more than
before
a heart
filled with choice
a powerful feeling
empowermentโs
scope
shining
in the noontime sky
glistening
like so many bells
sounding
itโs their time
to move on
leaving behind
a ghost
of what once was
to learn more about
all that is
this
beautiful afternoon
Photo by MenielDM, Pixabay
I would like to thank Barbara Leonhard, and the team at MasticadoresUSA for publishing my poem, Twilight State. If youโve not yet read it, you can find it here. Thank you!
A quick update on me; all is well. As I write this, I am currently in Bend, Oregon, at the Oregon Workforce Partnership (OWP) Conference, which has been educational, and fun. Next week, I will travel to Yachats at the Oregon Coast for some rest and rejuvenation. I love to visit the Oregon Coast in the winter, itโs less crowded, and always so beautiful. Iโll share some pictures with you upon my return.
Wishing you all a gorgeous 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 Pres

I am so pleased to announce that my poem, Timeโs Ashes, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.
Timeโs Ashes
I drive in circles
manifesting
a purpose
given to me as a child
itโs these coattails of peace and love
I ride
transcending pain, a realizationโฆ
I would be honored if you would go here, and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!
Photo by capturer, Pixabay
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

I see you in my dreams, you
speak in tounges
about
an apocalyptic sun
rising
over fields of wheat and ash
where
we last danced, and
flowers
have black heads of sand
a land of love
with skies of blood, and
rivers, our veins
connecting two worlds
into one
Photo by Engin_Akyurt, Pixabay
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

I am excited to announce that my poem, Glowing Sunrise is now available at Spillwords Press. A big thank you to Dagmara K., and the whole team at Spillwords for publishing this piece, and for their continued support.
Blood Sky
I sit with my mind
realizing
the names and forms
dawning
like the sun, were given to me
as a child
conditioning for saleโฆ
I would be honored if you would go here, and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!
Photo by LN_Photoart, Pixabay
Submissions are still open for the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration. The submission details are located here.
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

I walk through flower fields
feeling of
home
where we once met
long ago
the cattail tops, and butterflies
float in air
transfixed, and
in awe
I compare
the blood running through veins
and the nature
of name
this
a paradoxical serenade
paradoxical serenade was inspired by the poem My Blood, by Eunice Aformanor.
Photo by ArtTower, Pixabay
Submissions are still open for the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration. The submission details are located here.
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