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
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: coddle, hurl, script. Follow me on Twitter here.
It occurred to me recently that I’ve not yet shared all of my response poems to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration. Therefore, over the next several weeks, I will share a couple of them each week, along with the poet that inspired my poetic response.
Here are the first two.
Artless Love
they alight on a leaf tranquil, and made up of a piece of our love
the broken bits sewn back together by the sky
above
restless, and tired I linger in the alcove
where mist displays the toxicity of the pain in my head and
in my heart
drifting with the wind I stop and realize
you are the one that’s always been and will always be
I am honored to have my new poem, Courage Resurrects, published at MasticadoresUSA. Thank you Barbara Leonhard for supporting my work, and for all that you do
I would be honored if you would go here, and read my new poem. Thank you!
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
May your 2023 be filled with peace, love, and joy, and may all of your dreams come true.
I find callousness at noon desirous of the prodigal sun
washing my hands of understanding and of ignorance
I call out to you
recognizing the moon carries the seeds of our love and
the cognition of the stars above
Photos by me, Oregon Coast
New and Forthcoming Publications
Angels Outlined, Published at MasticadoresIndia
I am pleased to announce that my poem, Angels Outlined, is now available atMasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece. I’d be honored if you would read the full poem here. Thank you!
Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology
I am elated to share that one ore more of the poems I submitted to Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology, edited by Gabriela Marie Milton, have been accepted. Thank you, Gabriela, and the editing team at Literary Revelations Press for this acceptance, and for supporting my work. I am honored and humbled beyond words.
It is amazing to reflect back upon this year, so full of wonderful memories and experiences, which you are all a part of. I am thankful everyday to be a part of this loving community, and I want to thank all of you for your continued support and friendship.
You all continue to inspire me, and I look forward to creating new experiences and memories with all of you in 2023!
Wishing you all a joyous, peaceful, and wonderful holiday season.
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 didn’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, byIngrid 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 Klunytakes 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. Anabel’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 Nianghoiis an exploration of the deepest and darkest places we all navigate as human beings, from horribly traumatic events to the breaking of one’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.
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 you’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, that’s all for this week.
I wish you all a beautiful Sunday, and a glorious coming week.
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 soul’s companion on the way home
Photo by me, Oregon Coast
Soul’s Sojourn, Published at MasticadoresIndia
I am always honored when a piece of my poetry is published at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It’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 you’ve not yet submitted to either of these fine publications, I invite you to; it’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!
We Are Poetry: Lessons I Didn’t Learn in a Textbook, by Kym Gordon Moore
I was elated to receive Kym Gordon Moore’s new book about a month ago, and though I’ve only read a few selected chapters thus far, I can write here that it is an amazing read. Here is an example:
I Am
“They say I am nothing
in my someone-ness
traverse into a flow
of the seen but not heard
nonexistent, divisible where liberty is not just
not considered worthy to speak,
or to be respected
just an invisible occupation of space,
you think that of me
yet my existence is more
than the archives of silence
I am.
Refusing to conform […]”
Absolutely stunning. If you’ve not yet picked up a copy of this amazing book, you can do so here.
Update on Me
It was great to catch up with many of you last night. I am doing very well, and enjoying the travels. There is so much beauty in the world, and it is a privilege, and a joy to get out and see it.
Today, I am off to see Justin, which will be a lot of fun. We will do some shopping, and farmer’s marketing on Sunday, and then we are going to see the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday night. I’ve not been to an event of this size in years, thus I’m filled with excitement and some anxiety. Very normal.
I look forward to catching up with all of you again next weekend.
I wake up to you you remind me of the brilliance of afternoon sunsets and
of morning dew cascading
over a horizon filled with pain, and with healing
a presence of colors, ambiguous yet just enough to
fill the space left
by the absence of your touch
Photo by me, Oregon Coast
New Publications
I am pleased to announce that my poem, Misty Morning, is now available atMasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece. You can read the full poem here.
AND
I am also pleased to announce that my poem, Autumn Morning 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. You can read the full poem here.
I would be honored if you would read both poems, thank you!
Photo Gallery
My time at the coast is always precious to me. Early morning walks along the beach provide a space for deep reflection and contemplation. This year, I stayed at a small little motel right on the oceanfront. Amazing views from my room, and easy access to the beach, where walking for miles is possible. Beautiful, invigorating, and peaceful.
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, it’s less crowded, and always so beautiful. I’ll share some pictures with you upon my return.
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 year’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 life’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.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 