Tag Archives: .poetry

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 3:00 pm on October 3, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , self=expression, ,   

A Bloggerโ€™s Diary 10/3/21: On the Week, Writing and Reflecting, Publications and A Poem, WordPress, and Self-expression๏ฟผ

The week

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Over the past couple of weeks, the team has been preparing for school to begin, which means the registration team has been, is, well, super duper busy, which is awesome. Instructors are prepping for classes, as the rest of the staff are doing things like, getting computers out to in-person locations for late registrations, and supporting instructors as and where needed.ย 

Itโ€™s been an amazing couple of weeks, filled with registration numbers the likes of which we havenโ€™t seen since prior to the pandemic. Amazing.

The past couple of weeks, Iโ€™ve also been reflecting upon the concept of self-expression in relation to human beingness; and, then in relation to leadership more specifically. Iโ€™ll have a little more to write about that in a moment. First, letโ€™s take a quick look at some writing reflections from the past couple of weeks.

Writing and Reflecting

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

About two months ago now, I switched my blogging schedule. Previous to that time, I was posting every day, which just became too much to manage. Now, I am posting an average of 4 to 5 times a week, and that is working well for now.ย 

Iโ€™ve been thinking of possibly reducing it to 3 to 4 times a week, yet, we will see.

Iโ€™ve been writing a lot, as I always do; sometimes that means I write a poem each day, sometimes 3 or 4. It depends.ย 

Most of my poems over the past couple of weeks have taken love at their center, which is, well, quite wonderful. I never really know what is going to come from my heart, through my fingers, and onto the page youโ€™re reading; really, I never really do.

I usually begin with a concept, or more likely, a sentence or two, and go from there. It is so much fun.ย 

Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash

For instance, the poem heart-related centeredness was a response to the WDYS photo prompt, hosted by Sadje, from Keep it Alive. I love to participate in this prompt, as I am able. The photo, to me, sparked an immediate response about the connectedness of all that we see, sky, clouds, sea, and, well, you; and me, of course. It just works that way for me today; it is what I see and feel.

And, the poem referenced above, from my heart, and through my fingers, was literally a reflection on the process of writing from my heart; and how it feels to me. Is simple, and quite beautiful to me.ย 

Iโ€™ve also been blessed with another publishing opportunity, and have just heard back from Spillwords Press on one other submission. How fun!

Publications and A Poem

Iโ€™m super excited about being a part of the first ever Word Weaving โ€“ A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse, the kindle version of which is available now. You can access it from the link above. If you are interested, you can also learn more at the word weaving blog.

I also just learned that my poem, Smoulder Now and Forever, has been accepted by Spillwords Press. Excited. When the poem is scheduled for publication, I will let you all know.

I also have a few more pieces coming up in both MasticadoresUSA, and MasticadoresIndia. When those are scheduled for publication, I will also let you know.ย 

If youโ€™ve not yet checked out these cool publication houses, please do so when you have time. Amazing people, and talented writers. Much fun!

Oh, before I forget, here is one of the poems that wasnโ€™t accepted recently. I am including it here, well, because it reminds me of some of my recent reflections on the moon, which has been so beautiful in the night sky recently.

Dazzling delight

the moon

dazzling delight

transformed ages of night

called on by gods and goddesses

alike

WordPress

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Alright, in my last diary entry, several of us had a conversation about blogs that we follow not showing up in our reader. I did contact WP, after some coaching from our friend Cindy, from Unique Times with Cindy, thank you, dear Cindy, and here is what I learned.

There is no solution at WP for this issue. Their suggestion was to do, well, what most of us already know how to do, which is unfollow, and then refollow. Usually this will work, and the blog posts will once again begin to show in our reader.

Therefore, I will be unfollowing and refollowing some of you. We will see how that works.

Self Expression

Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

The past couple of weeks, Iโ€™ve also been reflecting upon self-expression. As a human being on this planet, it is so important to be fully self-expressed. I know this, as I spent some years not being fully self-expressed.

When we are fully self-expressed, we get out all of the ideas, concepts, and love we have for life. We experience aliveness, through the difficulty and ease that comes with life. And, for me, itโ€™s inside of this aliveness, through all that we receive from life, where the beauty for and of life lives.ย 

It is interesting to write about self-expression within a beautiful community that self-expresses continuously; yet, what I also know about being a human being on this planet, is that even those of us who are fully self-expressed, have times when we feel not fully self-expressed.

In those moments, I usually take a walk, sit quietly, and just detach myself from all things. Inside of this space lives the possibility of reconnecting within, which for me, means insights will arise, and self-expression will follow.

Alright, thatโ€™s all for this entry.

Have a beautifully blessed week, everyone.

#poetry, #abloggersdiary, #blogging, #diary, #education, #leadership, #poems, #publications, #reflecting, #selfexpression, #wordpress, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on October 2, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , , ,   

feel free, and just beโ€ฆ

the tree grows taller, and
sometimes I feel smaller
than life as it manifests before me

moments like these
come and go, we know,
and yet, as they arise,
we continually striveโ€ฆ

to know
the answers, yet,
will we remember to abideโ€ฆ

instead
of fighting
against the current
we feel inside, let it subside

and know,

this energy
will carry us
toward
our final destination, a ride
for the ages

are we not all sages?

I know not, yet
wonโ€™t let the conversation
drop, because

itโ€™s not
about dropping,
or stopping, more learning

to love

more than your heart
has ever known
the capacity forโ€ฆbecoming

like the flowers,
and the trees, did
you know they speak of theeโ€ฆ

every day, watching
as we run around
limiting what we see,
within this dream

yet, we speak, and, they seeโ€ฆ
instead, maybe,
feel free, and just beโ€ฆ

Photo by Lรฉonard Cotte on Unsplash

#poetry, #awareness, #contemplation, #emotions, #flower, #heart, #introspection, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #reflection

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 30, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,   

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

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 28, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , , ,   

with a love, so freeing

moments
come and go,
itโ€™s these
weโ€™ve been bestowed

upon a sea

of tranquility,
at times, yes,
past our ability
to understand completely

and, yet,
when quiet, and

seeking
understanding,
we can learn more
from the seas ability

to transcend
our individuality,
into a one commonality

uniting us,
like the flowers,
trees, and the streams,

we dream

of this togetherness,
within our hearts
held tight, as the light
goes out from this planets beings

and, for you and me,
we then seeโ€ฆ

possibilities expand
as we let go of our
preconceived notions
of what we think
love should be,
and stay open
to new realities of being,
with a love, so freeingโ€ฆ

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash

#poetry, #dream, #heart, #life, #light, #love, #nature, #planet, #poem, #possibility, #understanding, #unity

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 26, 2021
Tags: .poetry, adoration, , , , , , , , , ,   

oh, how deeply I love herโ€ฆ

hand-in-hand,
we traipse this land,
passing by trees, and foliage
as we glide,
together, one step
in front of the otherโ€ฆ

we hold
within our hearts
a special place
for our mother, and

look up
with adoration,
a sense of satisfaction,
and the most gentle elation

as the light

cascades softly
off the trees,
through the glade,
and in front of me, and

I see,
and feel freeโ€ฆ

as the warmth
caresses my being
in its entirety, I say
a silent prayer, and

give thanks
on this day,
for this moment
of time alone with my mother

oh, how deeply I love herโ€ฆ

In response to the WDYS #100 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

Image credit; James Wheelerย @ Unsplash

#poetry, #adoration, #connection, #elation, #emotions, #life, #love, #mother, #nature, #poem, #silence, #wdys

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 25, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , ,   

sit secure in your heart

walking
along the cliff,
I feel somewhat adrift,
floating in a sea
of unknown possibility

I look
around
for guidance, and
notice the resistance
from within, yes kin,
and known well to me, my friend

yet,
also there
is the utmost care, and
feeling of creativity,
within my own reachability

I can feel it
through every
fiber of my being,
calling me forward,
as I continue to struggle
with the movement onwardโ€ฆ

ability
notwithstanding,
the mind dances, and creates
like a mirror on a lake,
images come into view,
and, we, at times,
take them at face value

yet, thereโ€™s another way

to determine
all thatโ€™s in store,
by continuing to
pull apart the minds
creations, as they dance
along, and soar,
so seemingly secureโ€ฆ

love
is at the center
of this understanding

remember, therefore,

thatโ€ฆ

as we watch
the mind create waves,
and they crash along our shore

to sit
secure in your heart,
and know,
that the center
is always there, now,
and forevermore

Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash

#poetry, #center, #emotion, #heart, #introspection, #life, #love, #mind, #poem, #reminiscence, #understanding

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 23, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , ,   

the love of one another

I drop to my knees,
and give thanks
for the silence
in-between

this moment
and that, as common
as past circumstance

notwithstanding

I dream of you
in the blue,
and look forward
to our next meeting, stay in tune

would you?

lead me
from this dream,
into another phase
of the magical stream

flowing this way, and that,
I consider all the options,
weighing down
the rocks and trees,
and choose to sit silently

breathing in and out,
respiration,
just like the flower
sends love to the bee,
I think about
the ways in which
you touch my being, and
make the twirls go around and under

the love of one another

Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash

#poetry, #contemplation, #humanconnection, #introspection, #life, #love, #meditation, #nature, #poems, #presence

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 21, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , emtions, , , , , , ,   

every single ounce of youโ€ฆ

knock, knock,
knock,
goes the paradox,
as we watch
the summer end, and
heads towards
another equinoxโ€ฆ

love
left behind
in the summer rain,
smells of you,
while I deliberately
take respite out of view, and

caress
a fallen star
with all the love
in my heart, and
prepare to bid you adieuโ€ฆ

dreams
whispered
toward the mountains,
while I bound over
the trail less trodden, and

reminisce
with the flowers
of longer days,
and lingering scents
which remind me
of whatโ€™s trueโ€ฆ

dreaming again,
who comes into view,
as my heart swells
with the effervescence
of the new,
and I prepare
to cherish
every single ounce
of youโ€ฆ

Photo by Rafael Macedo on Unsplash

Word Weaving โ€“ A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse

Iโ€™m excited to announce that one of my haikuโ€™s was accepted into the first edition of Word Weaving โ€“ A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse.

You can read more about the journal at the Word Weaving blog. The print book will be out on October 1, and the Kindle version is already available for preorder! You can order the Kindle version here.

#poetry, #autumn, #contemplation, #emtions, #heart, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #reminiscence, #summer

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 19, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , relatedness,   

heart-centered relatedness

sun sets, afire with
an afterglow
of the morrow, as sorrow
wells in my chest, lest we forget
the many scars
imbedded in the net

of my beingnessโ€ฆ

one step forward,
looking out
over the vastness
of this planets loveliness,
I digress, and ponder
the reality from within
my own knowingness, as

love spreads out
from the seas,
and through the air,
traveling
from here to there,
making its way
into the hearts
of all
that live inside
of this planetโ€™s
heart-centered relatedness

In response to the WDYS #99 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

Image credit; Kenrick Mills @Unsplash

#poetry, #heart, #life, #love, #nature, #planet, #poem, #relatedness, #wdys

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on September 18, 2021
Tags: .poetry, , , , , , , , , , ,   

of a love so pristine

Photo by Nurullah ู†ูˆุฑุงู„ู„ู‡ ุงู„ุชุฑูƒูŠ on Unsplash

rock
splinters wood,
and you tried
as hard
as you could

in each instance

a different
set of circumstances,
presented, just as
the flower
reminds me
of the love in forever

we daydream,
and cast our nets
into the stream,
consciousness, in-between

you and me

far as it seems,
it is here,
and now, just
as it was
intended to be

a dream?

maybe, yet
does it really matter
to the flower, or
the streamโ€ฆ

they continue
to flower, and
continue to stream
regardless
of what comes up
on their inner screen

how serene, and

contemplative
is this dream
we call
a reality
of all
that weโ€™ve gleaned

of a love so pristine

#poetry, #consciousness, #contemplation, #dream, #emotions, #flower, #introspection, #life, #love, #poem, #reality, #stream