Purple Haze

I learned from you
and the sumptuous sky
about lessons in pain
and in love

at times
there is no dignity
in a world devoid of feeling
and of knowing

yet, the world continues to spin
on the gravity of your gaze
and on the wellness held at bay
in a spinning top of purple haze


Image aalmeidah, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: sumptuous. 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, #boundness, #dignity, #emotion, #feelings, #gravity, #grow, #healing, #knowledge, #learning, #life, #limitlessness, #love, #masticadoresindia-masticadoresusa, #nature, #newest-publications, #pain, #poem, #purple-haze, #shame, #sky

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

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

loveโ€™s muse

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 loveโ€™s muse


Photo by 12019, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: shift, history, dose. Follow me on Twitter here.


Hidden Dreams, Published at MasticadoresIndia

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 beautyโ€ฆ

Iโ€™d 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.

Loveโ€™s 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


Loveโ€™s Heights was inspired by the poem Loveโ€™s 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


#poetry, #30-poems-in-30-days, #awareness, #confidant, #consciousness, #feelings, #hidden-dreams, #hope, #lonely, #loves-muse, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #naturespeaks, #nurtured, #pain, #perspective, #poem, #poetic-response, #publication, #reality

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 soulโ€™s companion
on the way home


Photo by me, Oregon Coast


Soulโ€™s Sojourn, Published at MasticadoresIndia

I am always honored when a piece of my poetry is published at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. Itโ€™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 youโ€™ve not yet submitted to either of these fine publications, I invite you to; itโ€™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

Placid Sea, Published at MasticadoresIndia

I am so pleased to announce that my poem, Placid Sea, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.

Placid Sea

The moon, a placid
sea, reflecting back

a mantra
of meaning

watching the sunset
along a coast, depleted and
dry

tears leakโ€ฆ

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


Photo by 8385, 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


#poetry, #connection, #depleted, #emotions, #feelings, #m, #masticadoresindia, #meaning, #moon, #nature, #placid-sea, #poem, #rejuvination, #sea, #self, #sunset, #tored

lonely trails

I walk
along lonely trails
desolate footpaths, where my heart
trades

in an economy of grief
and despair

these two feelings
come without thought or conception

relegating needs to another
mist-covered

field
a place to lay down our weights
and

pick up the threads of love, lingering
in the shade
where

they continue to take shape


Photo by 1162835, Pixabay


My Dearest Friends,

Beginning next week, and continuing for the remainder of this calendar year, I am traveling within and without the country. The travel combined with my ever iterating and changing professional life will demand more of me, which means I will be less active here going forward. I will still visit your sites, and read your beautiful poetry and writings, however, it will be less often. I will also post less often.

I am choosing to pause, possibly indefinitely, the weekly prompt. As to next yearโ€™s collaborative project, I am still very passionate about making this happen, yet at this time, cannot write here, when, or how that will go next year; know that when I know, you will too.

Please know I am very well; all of the changes are positive, and I am very excited about them, though, paradoxically, I am sad about taking more time away from this space. This is how life goes, though, we never know what we will be gifted, and when we are open to all of lifeโ€™s gifts, we walk into them with open arms.

I will update you here as my schedule and professional life continue to take shape in the coming months.

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, #connection, #contemplation, #control, #feelings, #grief, #guided, #heart, #letting-go, #life, #lonely, #love, #mind, #nature, #poem, #resolve, #thoughts, #trails

sun rising

I learned about love
when young
and

impressionable

a life, nobody knows but
me

listening to the wind
I

allowed feelings to
arise within

just as they should be
eyes

always watching, growth come
up and
in

a sun rising, at the horizons end


Photo by 8385, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: nobody, eyes. Follow me on Twitter 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


#poetry, #arising, #contemplation, #feelings, #growth, #introspection, #learning, #life, #listen, #love, #nature, #poem, #resilience, #rising, #sun, #young

paradoxical serenade

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


#awareness, #consciousness, #emotion, #feelings, #flower-fields, #home, #illusion, #life, #love, #nature, #naturespeaks, #paradoxical-serenade, #reality, #self

raging storm

I walk and wade
along a line in the sky

drawn by verses
twinkling in the night

a lullaby

calling out
sounds and notes

the last defense against allegories
of misanthrope

a raging storm

calmed
by tides of peace, love, and hope


Photo by RezaAskarii, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: verse, lullaby. Follow me on Twitter here.


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


#poetry, #awareness, #brilliance, #calm, #feelings, #hate, #insight, #intuition, #joy, #lullaby, #music, #nature, #night, #peace, #poem, #senses, #storm, #violence