Poetry and Prose by #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, Co-Author of #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and Jan/Feb 2022 Spillwords Press Author of the Month
I am both excited and sad to share this wrap-up post of the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration. It was a lot of fun, and while I am sad to see it end, I am even more excited about the initiatives and projects I am working on, which you will learn more about in the near future.
First, let’s take a quick look at the gorgeous poetry that each of the writers created for the 30/30 collaboration.
I would like to thank all of these wonderful poets and friends again for collaborating with me, and for sharing their talent, and hearts with all of us. I remain honored you chose to submit and to have your gorgeous poetry here.
As always, thank you to all of you for always being here, for your friendship, and loving support.
I am so excited by the response to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration and the beginning of this initiative tomorrow.
As of today, I’ve received 18 gorgeous poems, and they all speak to my heart.
For now, I have decided to leave the submission window open. Therefore, if you’ve not yet submitted, and would like to, please do so, following the submission guidelines here.
I will begin posting these beautiful poems tomorrow morning. All of the poems will be posted daily to this blog at 6 am PT (USA).
I’ve been so touched and moved by the poems received, I have written some poems inspired by these talented writers, which I will share over the next 30 days.
I hope you are ready for some heartwarmingly powerful poetry, as we have that in store for you!
I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow morning. Thank you!
Submissions are still open for the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration. The submission details are located here.
I am continuously humbled by the generosity and kindness of our loving community. I recently read two new reviews of #1 Amazon New Release Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, and they both touched my heart.
Nature speaks of love and sorrow is the debut poetry book of Jeff Flesch, but I’m sure there will be many more! Jeff is known for his beautiful poetry and is quite active on his blog on WordPress. Jeff is a kind, considerate and caring person whose poetry also mirrors his personality. The poems are both profound and playful. They take you in and make you think and then some would also amuse and entertain you. A beautiful book which you will read again and again. This book is available in Kindle and paperback as well. Do pick u your copy today.
I just bought and read this powerful poetry book by Jeff Flesch! Jeff has done an amazing job with his new book! I loved the feel of this book! Every word was relatable and spoke to my heart! If your looking for a good poetry book, pick up this book! You won’t be disappointed! The poems are all so heartfelt! Its available on amazon in paperback and on kindle. Thanks for creating this wonderful book Jeff! I look forward to reading more from you!
Such lovely words, and wonderful people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Sadje, and Carol Anne. I am deeply touched by your beautiful reviews.
30 Poems in 30 Days
We are one week and one day away from the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration beginning. The poems that have come in are diverse, and absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to share them with you!
I’ve recently been reflecting more about how much of an honor it is to know that my book is in some of your homes, and in your hands. The feeling is one of deep gratitude and appreciation. A deep appreciation and gratitude for each of you. Thank you for always being here, for your support, and for your friendship.
I’ve also been reflecting upon the new reviews of #1 Amazon New Release Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, which I’ve seen come up on Amazon and Goodreads. They are amazing. Here are the newest reviews.
Jeff’s poetry is like a walk with a friend at dawn. He weaves earthy images with heartfelt emotions to create a beautiful tapestry of wonder. From his first poem “Neutral Stances,” which admits to mysteries of the heart, we take a journey through love and loss–“Ocean and Sand”–breathing in the scents and sounds of the natural world, until we come to a place where we glimpse the radiance of hope. Jeff transforms a simple “Blueberry Tree” into memory’s healing power. From great tumult, “Blooming Tears,” comes great peace, “Mystical Rain.” Nestled within the sheltering trees and floral breezes, he transports us to a realm of magic–“The Sweetest Lullaby”– which is available to anyone who opens their eyes and heart to drink in nature’s lessons. “Moments Grasped” is the perfect finale. Illuminating!
Kathy L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love and nature beautifully intertwined
Jeff Flesch’s poems use words to paint canvases in our minds. The theme of most of his poems deal with love and nature combined in a unique and engaging style that takes the reader on an enjoyable trek through the natural world around us, and the unseen one of our imaginations, where love resides in each leaf and blade of grass. Each poem is a testament to the eternality of nature, love, and not least of all, hope.
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book, which connects love to nature
I loved this book by Jeff Flesch. The theme of the book is so relatable as he links our love for each other to our love for the universe and the nature around us. A must buy for the lovers of nature and poetry.
A sensory and at times metaphoric look at life through the Poet’s eyes of the past and present using nature as a healer. Voyage with Jeff through Blackberry Brambles, Cascading Water, Cosmic Arts (my three favorites), and more. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Paula, Kathy, Sadje, and Melisa. I am touched and deeply honored by your beautiful words.
I will publish another post later this week with a few more beautiful reviews. Such an honor.
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration
I am overjoyed with the response thus far to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days collaborative invitation. Every poem I received has touched my heart.
If you’d like to be a part of this collaboration, submissions are currently open and will remain open through September 23. You can read thesubmission details here.
One last thing before we go.
About two months ago I was reading Off Center & Not Even, by Timothy Price, and there was this stunning image, which led the photos that day, you can see it here. I commented that I would love to have that image hanging on a wall in my house. Well, Tim responded with, what size would you like. I told him the size, and here is what it looks like hanging on my wall. I love it. Thank you again, Tim.
After some much needed rest following the book launch last week, I have chosen a new event for the month of September to celebrate #1 Amazon New Realease Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow and each of you.
Here is my invitation to you.
Beginning today, and lasting until September 23, I am inviting you to submit a poetic response to your favorite poem from Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow. The poetic response must be in the written word, and can be a poem or a piece of prose.
Please submit your poetic response to jeffflesch.com@gmail.com
In your email, please include the following:
Your name, or Pename.
Your website URL, and/or social media username.
The title of your favorite poem from Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow.
The title of your poetic response.
Your poetic response. Please add your poetic response to the body of the email. No written word attachments, please. You may, however, submit a photo to accompany your poetic response. Please include the photo credit with the image.
Once received, I will, for a timespan of 30 days and up to 30 poetic responses, post your pieces on my blog. I am accepting these poetic responses on a first-received basis.
It is my intention to post everyday for 30 days, yet there may be times, due to other obligations, where I need to miss a day, and post two or more poetic responses on the following day. Either way, I will post your 30 poetic responses to this blog in 30 days.
I will let you know at least 24 hours prior to the posting of your poetic response, so you know when it will be published.
Though I know all of your submissions will resonate with me, at the end of the 30 days, I will select the 5 poetic responses that resonated with me most, and send these poets/writers a signed copy of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow.
This event will also serve as the basis for a weekly prompt idea I have, which will launch at the conclusion of this collaboration.
Remember, submissions open today, and will remain open for two weeks, closing at 11:59 PM PT (USA) on September 23.
I will begin posting your submissions on September 24.
I look forward to reading your poetic responses.
If you have questions, please email me at the email address listed above.
It occurred to me recently that it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on leadership; and, considering I spend a large portion of my week, nay, my life, conducting leadership activities, conversations, and collaborations, it seemed like just the time to create a new conversation.
In lieu of a diary entry this week, I’m going back to a previous post about servant leadership, and picking up from there, with new eyes, as it were. Meaning, it’s been almost a year since the last post on servant leadership, and I’ve learned a lot about, well, everything in the last year. Update needed.
Ready? Good. Here we go.
What is servant leadership? Good question. Here is the definition.
“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.”
I like to think about servant leadership as a leadership style that upends traditional notions of what leadership looks, sounds, and feels like. It is, thus, quite different. It is also harder.
Harder because servant leadership incorporates subtle elements of leadership. For instance, the emotional well-being of the self, and each person in the organization, business, and or team are of utmost importance. These more subtle elements of leadership are not always captured in other, more traditional leadership styles.
In order to fully grasp the distinction between traditional leadership, and servant leadership, let’s first take a quick look at organizational hierarchies.
Organizational Hierarchies
In traditional conversations and discussions about servant leadership, it is common to see, read, and hear about the concept of flipping the traditional leadership hierarchy.
Traditional Leadership Hierarchy
Distribution Property Solutions, Inc.
Servant Leadership Hierarchy
Distribution Property Solutions, Inc.
The concept of the inverted triangle, seen above, is common, and while I agree with this concept, in practice, servant leadership actually plays out a little differently.
It plays out in practice differently, because the flow of information happens between everyone all the time, and does not occur in a one-way directionality, as the above example illustrates.
Let’s take a look at what I am pointing to here.
Servant Leadership and Traditional Leadership
In my previous article on servant leadership, I elaborated on the distinction between a traditional approach to leadership, and a servant leadership approach to leadership.
Simply, in many traditional leadership theories, the leader is charged with distilling information, sending it out, and then holding people accountable.
In servant leadership, however, there is a dynamic context created through leadership of the self, of which all members of the team are responsible, creating a synergy of relationships and communication.
And, yet, even in the inverted servant leadership triangle, we see that the flow of information is distinguished with arrows, which still have a one-way directionality. As we will see in the next section, this concept is inadequate to fully describe how servant leadership is practiced.
Servant Leadership in Practice: A Diamond in Theory and Practice
In a context where servant leadership is practiced, information and communication is free flowing, collaborative, authentic, vulnerable, safe, and accountable. All of these things are true.
Information and Communication
Information does not flow from the top alone, as in a traditional leadership hierarchical model, nor does it only flow from the bottom, as in a servant leadership hierarchical model.
Rather, information and communication flow all throughout the organization, business, and or team, in such a way that at all times, each person is leading their portions of work, and is in continual communication about their progress and barriers.
It is then up to the CEO or Director to ensure that the flow of information and communication is continually moving throughout the entire organization, business, and or team.
Here is a simple diagram of how I see and experience servant leadership actually being practiced.
As you can see from the three-dimensional pyramid diagram, both traditional leadership and servant leadership hierarchies are disrupted, and replaced by a nonhierarchical model.
The implementation of a nonhierarchical model ensures that each person in the organization, business, and or on the team has a voice in all matters, including the vision, mission, values, and the future direction of the organization, business, and or team.
Though the servant leadership diamond diagram is not inclusive of all of the possible communication flows, many are outlined, which gives us the basis of the conceptual framework.
The servant leadership diamond diagram, and associated conceptual framework are also practical. Meaning, it is entirely possible to implement the servant leadership diamond conceptual framework into any organization, business, and or team.
In fact, it has been done, and is done every day by the team I work on and with; and, though harder at times, it is a beautiful experience.
In the next post on the Servant Leadership Diamond Framework, we will explore several concepts that leaders will need to understand to create the appropriate context for the successful implementation of a leadership framework that disrupts all hierarchies in favor of a nonhierarchical model; creating more voice and empowerment for everyone in the organization, business, and or team.
Well, as you all know, this past week, I traveled to Los Angeles (LA) to see my family. First time in an airport and on an airplane in over 15 months. It was, well, amazing.
I flew out of the Eugene airport, which is a small airport about 45 miles south of Corvallis, where I live, and is super easy to fly out of and into. The airport was not crowded at all. In fact, it was super slow, and the plane was only about half full. However….
Upon landing in Los Angeles, that all changed. LAX was super busy. In fact, when I finally made it to the rental car company, there were about 30 people ahead of me in line.
Now, I had two meetings that afternoon, yes, working while on my trip, so after waiting in the line for about 25 minutes, I chose to call an Uber and cancel my reservation. Was a good idea, as the line didn’t move much as I waited for the Uber driver.
It was great to see my mom, sisters, and nieces and nephews. Here are a couple things we did, while I was in LA.
Griffith Observatory and Hollywood
In the hills of LA there is the Griffith Observatory, which looks out over the city. Beautiful. Though the Observatory wasn’t open, you could walk around the grounds and take in all of the views. Here are some pics from our time at the Observatory, and our drive through Hollywood.
A High School Graduation
It was wonderful to see my niece graduate High School on my trip. I was surprised to see so many people, and, well, not surprised. It was a lovely ceremony. Here are some pics of the graduation.
After graduation, we went to the Lazy Dog restaurant, which I had never been to. The food was excellent, and the service was outstanding.
Seal Beach and Taco Surf
On my last day in LA, we took my niece and nephew to the beach in Seal Beach. It was a lovely day, sunny, yet cool. The beach was not overcrowded, and the water was, well, rather cold, yet felt lovely. Here are some pics of the beach.
After spending some time at the beach, we went to a local restaurant I loved to patronize when I was living in LA and working in Seal Beach, Taco Surf; and then stopped in a local bakery, Sweet Jill’s, delicious. Excellent food.
Utmost Feelings, Coming Soon!
About two months ago now, I learned that Astha, of Writing feels good, passed away. I learned of this very sad news from our dear friend Cindy, of Unique Times. Cindy’s post talked about Astha’s Anthology that was being carried forward by Navin, of Navin’s Poetry.
I immediately visited Navin’s blog, and left a message. Navin responded very quickly, and asked for a poem, and said he would speak with the publishers, True Dreamster, about the possibility of making a late addition.
I was astonished and honored when they accepted the poem I shared with Navin. I am so honored to be a part of the beautiful Utmost FeelingsAnthology. The Anthology is full of wonderfully inspirational poets, and is a beautiful tribute to Astha.
Thanks again, to Navin, True Dreamster, and all of the poets in Astha’s Anthology, Utmost Feelings.
Please visit the True Dreamster Instagram page, when you have a moment, and share the news about Utmost Feelings. Thank you.
Here are all of the co-authors of Astha’s Anthology, Utmost Feelings.
When I look inside, sometimes is found a diatribe, of ideas, which are moving and shaping experience without the knowledge of the receiver.
Egoic mind in motion, suffering extending roots from craving to attachment. Blinding light of awareness, are you afraid of the parallax light would perform?
Following these ideas from here to there is often pale, until that is, we get beyond the veil.
We often accessorize to people and ideas too comfortably with the gates to our heart unlocked with hope, the void of emptiness remains when the filled absence has dissolved.
We must then make headway, and, stay resolved, by being open to all that’s at our door, while we learn more about humanities very core.
Welcome others to be who they truly are, by mirroring and refracting off Self. Don’t force situations, solutions once submerged emerge, uncertainty is reality, delve into it.
Experience is a wise teacher, and can shed light on the ideas we struggle with, while we bundle close together, and pray for our very souls.
Detachment does not mean that you should own nothing, but that nothing should own you. Soaring above the high planes, be enrolled experience yet not of it.
Experience as the guide, please abide, and delight yourself in the fabric of reality within view, while ensconcing yourself in the mystery of all that is hidden within you.
Godly pure clay they came, shaped then crafted by environmental ruptures, connected to Spirit, adjacent to our home world, this molded fabric weaves, through the veil of amnesia.
Cloaked in a brocade of vibrant colors and images of another place and paradigm, as we left that ruptured line and connection for a time.
Mirroring parental behaviour, in the earthly realm, observative as they are, education brings the moment we see children as innately wise and capable beings; only then can we play along in their world.
Fitting into God’s plan, to be of service to the divine.
Our invitation?
Shine a light on all that you find within, which came prior to the social necessities laid bare before you. Reconnection with Truth is one of the greatest gifts we can deliver to ourselves, and all the rest of the fauna and flora we find everywhere.
Breaking the chains of illusion necessitate the familiarization with the Atman, residing within the chambers of the heart.
Seeded offspring from the universal intelligence, when you utter, leave an impression on the young, allowing them to embody and fully love who they have become.
To see the magical in the all and be the teachers of the old by remembering what you already know, which lives within, and is free and clear.
Another lovely collaboration between Amber of DiosRaw and myself. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did writing it!
This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon purpose, which I’ll write more about in a moment, and planning in the unknown, which will be the topic of a post, well, I’m not sure when, yet will get to it eventually.
Before we get to my reflection on purpose, let’s take a look at a couple writing reflections.
The poem Mind was, as you may have already surmised, a reflection on my meditation practice. A large part of my life today. It is a beautiful experience, to sit and watch as the mind does it’s thing, and to become detached from it’s activity. It is also a wonder to sit and watch as your mind, over time, begins to slow and become more quiet. Magical.
The Mind poem was also my first foray into the Hexastich poetry style. I learned about this poem style, like many others, from a lovely blogger friend of mine. I’ve written another poem in this style already, and will have more to share in the coming weeks and months.
Gift
The poem Gift was a reflection of the many things I’ve learned in the past 4 years, as I’ve learned to go within from my life coach and teacher. It’s been difficult and one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.
And, like I write often, this nexus of the difficult and wonderful, a paradox (and not), is where the jewels of life live. When we slow down, go within, really get to know ourselves, we get back so much more. Beautiful.
As you may know, yesterday I posted The Dance Dances A Life of Its Own, which was a collaboration with Amber of DiosRaw. As a relatively new blogger, I’ve only done one other collaboration, which was the post, Vulnerability: A Paradox, with Maja of Lampelina.
Amber and I created the poem this past week, with the former, sending emails back and forth throughout the creative process. Was superb. A wonderful experience.
With the latter, I submitted a request to do a guest post on Lampelina, and Maja reached out to me to do so. Was also a great experience.
A lot of fun all-around.
There is another collaboration, of a different kind, coming soon, with another inspiring blogger. I’ll have more on that in the future.
I love the concept of, and practice of, collaboration. You learn so much more when you work with other people. It is by far one of my favorite things to do in this life, collaborate with inspirational people. I’ve been very lucky to have had these opportunities and many others in various areas of my life; and, I look forward to future ones.
While I’ve written on purpose before, it is a concept and practice that I reflect upon, well, not quite often, yet it does come up now and then. This week, purpose has come up in regard to planning inside of the unknown.
There was a time in my life where I continually questioned my purpose. Was in fact, confounded by the idea of purpose. Maybe even a little afraid of the concept.
However, today, I accept my truth in regard to purpose. That, in fact, each moment we are alive, we can find our purpose in, well, exactly what it is that we are doing. Right now, typing this end of the week diary entry. In the next moment? Don’t know, it doesn’t exist yet.
What I am pointing to, is that purpose lives inside of us. Purpose is a concept that we attach meaning to, just like every other concept. If you believe that purpose needs to look and feel a certain way, and you don’t see or feel what you are looking for, well, then you’ll have a hard time finding your purpose.
However, if you believe that purpose lives within, and lives in each moment every day, doing exactly as you are already doing, well, there’s nothing to find. Your purpose is readily apparent in each moment everyday.
We can all develop an awareness of purpose that is different from the current one we hold. It just takes practice. Practice letting go of the concept of purpose as we understand it today, and learning a new way to think about and feel purpose.
Remember, purpose is first and foremost a concept. It is not a living breathing thing. We breathe life into the concept of purpose, as we do all concepts, when we give life to it by attaching meaning, which we create, to the concept.
And, just as we breathe life into the concept of purpose as we do today, we can learn a new way to breathe a different life into a new concept of purpose.
It is up to you, me, and everyone else; and, well, that’s quite empowering.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 