the sun’s paradox

I rest my head
in a catalyst of stars

a blanket
nourishing the mind
and the body

the result
of a cherished, and
vulnerable heart

are
memories
brought about
by the sunโ€™s paradox

a song
of complete, and incomplete
and everything
in between


Photo by Darkmoon_Art, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: catalyst, cherish, vulnerable, incomplete. Follow me on Twitter here.


A Field Full of Flowers, Published at Spillwords Press

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Dagmara K, and the team at Spillwords Press for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.

A Field Full of Flowers

a field full of flowersโ€ฆ

dreams wake me from beyond, telling tales
of hope and despair
lost
to the stars

as they linger in the sky, just like the last time,
we said goodbye, holding you
close to heart, becomes
needed, and
necessary,

reminiscentโ€ฆ.

I would be honored if you would go here, and read the entire poem. 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, #body, #catalyst, #complete, #heart, #incomplete, #life, #love, #mind, #nature, #poem, #publiucation, #spillwords-press, #stars, #suns-paradox, #vulernability

watching wicked

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.


Prized Possession, Published at MasticadoresUSA

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€“
desireโ€ฆ

Iโ€™d 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 wasnโ€™t 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


#poetry, #30-poems-in-30-days, #awareness, #colors, #cosmos, #heart, #life, #love, #masticadoresusa, #mind, #nature, #naturespeaks, #poem, #promise, #publication, #realization, #silence, #truth, #watching-wicked

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

dancing magic

leaves turn and bend
a winter scheme

inside my heart

dancing magic
in the sky, and in the wind

natureโ€™s purveyor
and plenitude
of love

weaved
with delicate hands

a gift
beyond the scope
of mind

where
it remains lost
and

is only found
when we realize
itโ€™s been there all along


Photo by bugent, Pixabay


I would like to thank Barbara Leonhard, and the team at MasticadoresUSA for publishing my poem, Starburst Pattern. If youโ€™ve not yet read it, you can find it here. Thank you.


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, #contemplation, #found, #heart, #introspection, #life, #lost, #love, #magic, #mind, #nature, #poem, #realization, #reflection, #solitude, #winter

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

beneficence and loam

the desert has a feel
which cascades like water

an essence
pre-manifestation

awaiting
your heart, and mind
to connect

makinging sense
of the known, and unknown

a sensibility, and notion
of mist and tone, saddlebag-brown
bestowed

from the heavens, awashed and attuned
to the gifts

delivered
upon our beneficence
and loam


beneficence and loam was inspired by the poem The Desert Dance by Cindy Georgakas.


Photo by blende12, 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, #beneficence-and-loam, #desert, #gifts, #heart, #known, #life, #love, #manifestation, #mind, #nature, #naturespeaks, #poem, #sensability, #sense, #unknown

#NatureSpeaks: 30 #Poems in 30 Days โ€“ Day 17: The Resurrection of Red, by Camellia

When was the last time
We turned the pages of our photo album?
Our memories changed colors,
Stripped of its blues, the red walked aloneโ€ฆ
A haunting in lavender, the mountain shook
As our watery hearts created a world,
Trapped between latitudes and longitudesโ€ฆ
Emerald leaves, signed with secrets,
Flew in the windโ€ฆ
I guess you were always like a quiet forest,
And I was the sun that shined through you,
Blinded by my own lightโ€ฆ
Eyes closed, mind opened at last,
I surrender to your empty canopyโ€ฆ
Riseโ€ฆ


The Resurrection of Red was inspired by the poem Lavender Sheds. You can read more of Camelliaโ€™s poetry 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, #30-poems-in-30-days, #blind, #colors, #forest, #haunting, #heart, #life, #love, #memories, #mind, #mountains, #nature, #naturespeaks, #poem, #sight, #sun, #trapped

Blood Sky, Published at 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 saleโ€ฆ

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


#poetry, #awareness, #healing, #knowledge, #love, #mental-health-awareness-month, #mind, #names, #nature, #pain, #poem, #publication, #reality, #realization, #spillwords-press, #trauma, #understanding

#NatureSpeaks: 30 #Poems in 30 Days โ€“ Day 15: Love to Love, Stays, by Dawn Minott

Love wonโ€™t leave when love asks for more of it
Love to love, stays
For
Love is a delicate yet strong dance
Of push and pull
A determined yet dual-minded commitment
Of will and endurance
A resolute giver yet receiver
Of affection and affirmation
An illogical yet survivalist twist
Of with and without
A choreographed yet tethered balance
Of give and take
A resolute yet discerning choice
Of stay not stray
Love wonโ€™t leave when love asks for more of it
Love to love, stays

@poetrybydeesignย 


Love to Love, Stays was inspired by the poem Loveโ€™s Trial. You can read more of Dawnโ€™s poetry at Dawn Minott Writes Poems & More.


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, #choice, #delicate, #duality, #endurance, #gift, #give-and-take, #life, #love, #love-to-love-stays, #mind, #nature, #naturespeaks, #poem, #poems, #stay, #stray, #strength, #will

#NatureSpeaks: 30 #Poems in 30 Days โ€“ Day 4: Winter Sunshine and You, by Sadje

Itโ€™s the winter sunshine
Pale and just warm enough
The tangy smell of citrus fruit
Warms my nostrils with anticipation
Lime and lemons
Oranges and kinoes
The perfect accompaniments
To the afternoon sun in winters
Sitting partly in shade, a little in the sun
I enjoy our futile debates on theology and politics
The memories stay forever in my mind
Winter sun, citrus and your invigorating company.


Photo by Victoria_rt, Pixabay


Winter Sunshine and You was inspired by the poem, Lemon and Limes. You can read more of Sadjeโ€™s poetry at Keep it Alive.


In the event you missed my interview with Victoria Onofrei of Bloomsbury Radio, you can tune in this week at 7 am, and 2 pm PT (USA) to catch the rebroadcast.

You can access Bloomsbury Radio 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, #citurs, #companionship, #connection, #conversation, #fruit, #heart, #huamnity, #life, #love, #mind, #poem, #sun, #warmth, #winter-sunshine