Amber Gold

I rise like the sun
mornings amid amber gold

a wince, and a nod
untie the ties that bind โ€”
rebooting

time
and those in, and out of rhyme โ€”
dancing

to tunes known
and unknown

a home
boycotting
the status quo

are jewels of existence
dwelling within those that grow


Image Darkmoon_Art, Pixabay

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


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, #amber-gold, #change, #cosmic, #dancing, #disruptive, #existence, #flow, #growth, #justice, #life, #love, #nature, #no-time, #poem, #resilience, #sun, #time, #universe

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

dusted stars

I live along thin
and narrow streets, and
there are dreams
which always seem to
be

hiding
just behind the next bend
in the road

where
a flower grows
from a seed

and a building
comes to fruition
from steel, and cables
released

from
the center of the Universe
a quantum theory
practiced underneath

the dusted stars
sparkling across the sky

a realization of truth
weโ€™ve known
have forgotten, and remember
to scale this night


Photo by Prawny, Pixabay


Threads, Published at MasticadoresUSA

I am honored to have my new poem, Threads, published at MasticadoresUSA. Thank you Barbara Leonhard for supporting my work, and for all that you do. I look forward to working with you more in the new year!

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

Book Reviews

As you all know, I began the year with a wrap-up post each month, and in each of these posts, I included book reviews. Due to the preparation for, and release of #1 Amazon Bestseller Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, the demands of my job, and other personal responsibilities, the monthly wrap-up posts didnโ€™t make it too far into the year, yet I did continue to read and review some amazing books. Here are a few more of these reviews.

40 Poems at 40, by Ingrid Wilson

40 Poems at 40, by Ingrid Wilson is a brilliant compilation of poems that takes the reader into their heart. A journey through pain, suffering, and great elation and joy; Ingrid connects to the reader through experience and through nature, by creating and weaving elegant language around the challenges and opportunities we all face in life. Challenges and opportunities of confidence, resistance, love, beauty, rapture, hope, sadness, and much more are contained in this beautiful book. Ingrid walks the reader by the hand through each poem, carrying them with an elegance and cadence that leaves the reader wanting more. 40 Poems at 40, by Ingrid Wilson is a treat, a delightful read that every reader will connect to, and love. I highly recommend this wonderful compilation.

Once Upon A You And Me, Anabel Kluny

Once Upon A You And Me, by Anabel Kluny takes the reader through the world of the seen and unseen, and everything in between. Anabel invites the reader to reflect upon the love felt within their heart, as they engage in beautiful words and imagery, evoking sentiments of deep love, transformation, self-awareness, passion, destiny, and much more. Anabelโ€™s poetry speaks to the soul through vivid and engaging language focusing on the inner and outer worlds, and their connections to each other. Once Upon A You And Me is beautiful, expressive, and is a must read. I highly recommend this gorgeous collection of poems.

Kindled Roots, Love Poetry, By Ujjal Halder

Kindled Roots, Love Poetry, by Ujjal Halder takes the reader into the heart and mind, exploring the paradox of life, through manifestations of nature, and a self awareness that leaves the reader reflecting deep within themselves. Ujjal explores pain and love via transformation, and relates these concepts and the experiences behind them to nature in a language of love. Kindled Roots, Love Poetry, by Ujjal Halder is a book full of heart, leaving the reader questioning their perceptions of our individual and collective connections to nature. A lovely read.

Write Out Loud, by Daphny Nianghoi

Write Out Loud, by Daphny Nianghoi is an exploration of the deepest and darkest places we all navigate as human beings, from horribly traumatic events to the breaking of oneโ€™s heart again and again; yet, this book shines through the authors beautiful heart and deep love for everyone and everything on this planet.

Daphny expresses resilience stunningly, leaving the reader with tears streaming down their face, while also feeling that internal smile bourgeon like the sun; knowing that even in our darkest hours we will be okay.ย 

Daphny also expertly evokes nature though beautifully imagery connecting that which we see to every fiber of who we are as human beings. Write Out Loud is a gorgeous book, which will leave you feeling connected to the beauty of nature and humanity. I highly recommend this lovely book.

I still have lots of books to read and review, and will continue to share these reviews when they are complete. If youโ€™ve not yet picked up copies of these amazing books, I recommend doing so.


As we continue through the end of this year, and into next year, I will continue to read all of your wonderful poems, writings, and posts on the weekend. I will also post once a week on the weekend. This new blogging schedule will continue into the foreseeable future, making room for my new job and life responsibilities, which are super exciting. I will have more to say about these new developments in future posts.

Alright, thatโ€™s all for this week.

I wish you all a beautiful Sunday, and a glorious 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 Press


#poetry, #book-reviews, #dreams, #dusted-stars, #growth, #hidden, #insight, #life, #love, #masticadoresusa, #memory, #nature, #poem, #punlications, #realization, #reslience, #seeds, #truth, #universe

beautiful afternoon

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
empowermentโ€™s
scope

shining
in the noontime sky

glistening
like so many bells
sounding

itโ€™s 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 youโ€™ve 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, itโ€™s less crowded, and always so beautiful. Iโ€™ll 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


#poetry, #awareness, #beautiful-afternoon, #contemplation, #emotion, #empowerment, #growth, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #reality, #realization, #senses, #truth

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

Winter Blossoms, Published at MasticadoresIndia

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

Winter Blossoms

I wake up
and walk along the lonely trail

made out of
crushed fragments of love

for sale

dwindling
in the night sky
these eyesโ€ฆ

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


Photo by Joggie, 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.



#poetry, #desert, #growth, #healing, #heart, #life, #love, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #pain, #poem, #publication, #sandstone, #topography, #witness

Gumdrops and Glitter, Published at MasticadoresUSA

I am pleased to announce that my poem, Gumdrops and Glitter, is now available at MasticadoresUSA. Thank you to Gabriela Marie Milton, and the team at MasticadoresUSA for their continued support and for publishing this piece.

Gumdrops and Glitter

the sea rises over my heart
while I lean into love

like a fairytale, made up of gumdrops
and glitter, which never stops

enticing
the senses

even with a skewed perspectiveโ€ฆ

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


Photo by Agnali, Pixabay


Submissions are open for the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration, and will remain open until September 23. The submission details are located here.

#poetry, #determination, #fairytale, #growth, #healing, #heart, #joy, #life, #love, #nature, #pain, #perspective, #poem, #reality, #resilience, #senses

the seeds

the fields brown grass reminds of tall tasks

flowers not yet weeping
seeds buried deep
awaiting the stars signal

to start creeping

toward the light on the other side
where crimson colored apples
and white-washed cotton candy

fill the skies

they are the seeds
made out of the kindest touch
and a whole lot of hope and love


A shorter version of this poem is also available on Twitter.

Photo by Bessi, Pixabay


#poetry, #connection, #growth, #hope, #humanity, #inspiration, #kindness, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #seeds

the words, and love will come

sometimes,
the words just come
forward, flowing
through my heart, and
head, and
onto the page youโ€™ve read

and, at other times,
itโ€™s as if the page
youโ€™ve read,
has never been saidโ€ฆ

contemplations like these,
remind me
of the love we feel,
easy, coming, and going,
like the seasons,
as we continue runningโ€ฆ

here, and then gone,
a whisper,
soft and kindled
with love and care,
we wonder
where theyโ€™ve always been, and

foundered, yes,
at times, still

try as we might,
forcing the issue
will only lead
to more isolation,
frustration,
and eager anticipationโ€ฆ

yet,
when we can
reside in the heart,
and realize the words, and love,
will come in their time,
just like weโ€™ve always
understood they would

we create
a new space,
filled with light,
and faith in growing,
because weโ€™ve 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


#poetry, #center, #emotions, #flow, #force, #growth, #head, #heart, #knowing, #life, #light, #love, #nature, #poem, #seasons

The Gift Bestowed

Image credit; Dakota Corbin @ Unsplash

jagged edges
cut deep
while resolving

we keep

our connection
to all
of our heartโ€™s
deepest secrets
bared
only
for you and me

hidden
for a time

back
with fervor
and a gusto
all their
own

we know

the show
is only
for those
that truly grow

into

other iterations
of being
while transfixed
by the matrix
of collective
memories
and

shadows
of past
circumstance

we resolve

and move
toward tomorrow
with a sense of
urgency
and yes
sometimes sorrow

yet
finally

we behold

the
afterglow
of the
gift bestowed


I wrote this poem the other night, and I as I reflected upon the WDYS #87 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje, it occurred to me that this poem was perfect for the prompt. I love it when that happens.

Utmost Feelings โ€“ Coming Soon!

If youโ€™ve not yet checked out Asthaโ€™s Anthology, Utmost Feelings, please check it out when you have a chance, and share as you are able. Thank you.

Additionally, the coauthors of Asthaโ€™s Anthology, Utmost Feelings, are creating a space for people to send their sentiments to Asthaโ€™s family.

If you are interested, please add your sentiments to this form, thank you, and stay blessed.

#poetry, #care, #compassion, #connection, #determination, #growth, #humanity, #joy, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #resilience, #sorrow, #wdys