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

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

weathered bones

I skirt
and flirt
with dangerous territory
when thinking
of youโ€“
you
remind me of all that was once
true

in life, in love, and in
the texture of weathered bones
drawn closed

like shutters upon my eyes
I

rely upon the truth
to open up
yet, also know the pain of the mountain
tops
call me home

where danger, and safety
resonate as equals

when you are close


Image by Counselling, Pixabay


Courage Resurrects, Published at MasticadoresUSA

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.


Jeff Flesch

Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller 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, #closed, #connection, #danger, #fear, #healing, #heart, #loss, #love, #masticadoresusa, #mountain-tops, #nature, #open, #pain, #poem, #publication, #realization, #safety, #weathered-bones

Lilac and Mint, Published at MasticadoresUSA

I am pleased to announce that my poem, Plum Trees, 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.

Lilac and Mint

I walk toward the moon
lilac and mint waft through the night
a fragrance

bruising my heart, and
hard to define

itโ€™s youโ€ฆ

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


Photo by LalalaB, 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, #dream, #haunting, #heart, #heartache, #loss, #love, #masticadoresusa, #nature, #poem, #publication, #reminiscence

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

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

The Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration Begins Tomorrow!

I am so excited by the response to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: 30 Poems in 30 Days Collaboration and the beginning of this initiative tomorrow.

As of today, Iโ€™ve received 18 gorgeous poems, and they all speak to my heart.

For now, I have decided to leave the submission window open. Therefore, if youโ€™ve not yet submitted, and would like to, please do so, following the submission guidelines here.

I will begin posting these beautiful poems tomorrow morning. All of the poems will be posted daily to this blog at 6 am PT (USA).

Iโ€™ve been so touched and moved by the poems received, I have written some poems inspired by these talented writers, which I will share over the next 30 days.

I hope you are ready for some heartwarmingly powerful poetry, as we have that in store for you!

I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow morning. Thank you!


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, #30poemsin30days, #collaboration, #love-and-sorrow, #naturespeaks, #poem, #publication, #reflections, #submissions

Devotion and Care, Published at MasticadoresIndia

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

Devotion and Care

sometimes
we hold on too long

believing in that which we see

when in reality
everything worth knowing
lives underneathโ€ฆ

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


Photo by romansolar, 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, #awareness, #crearting-change, #disruption, #equity, #humanity, #life, #love, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #poem, #publication, #status-quo, #take-action

Glowing Sunrise, 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.

Glowing Sunrise

one, two, and three
are the stars
I count in the sky

there are so many more thoughโ€ฆ

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


Photo by Fausto Garcia Menendez


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, #connection, #contemplation, #earth, #grateful, #humanity, #joy, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #publication, #sky, #spillwords-press, #world-gratitude-day

Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: New Reviews

Iโ€™m sharing a few more reviews today of #1 Amazon New Release Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow. I am humbled and honored by the beautiful words contained in all of the reviews my debut poetry book has received over the past two weeks. Such an amazing experience, all of this has been.

Here are the newest reviews.

Suzette Benjamin, of Suzette Bโ€™s Blog

5.0 out of 5 stars

ย A dance in poetic song!

Jeff Fleschโ€™s well-presented poetic ensemble Nature Speaks, vibrates human emotion with nature as its membrane.
It draws the reader into the connectedness between feelings and experiences in/with/among who we are and are becoming.
Jeff Fleschโ€™s talented gaze at human brokenness and the joy seeping
through love and life, lifts the reader through natureโ€™s lens unto fervent hope.
One of my many favorites from this adept collection resonates with this aspect of natureโ€™s parabolic lens; a lens that reveals what lies in oneโ€™s heart, bubbling up ever so gently, through a walk among the trees.
I found the following a summative glimpse into the poetโ€™s perspective, which I think the reader will enjoy. That nature is a reminder of the primal nature to which all life belongs. It is that place of respite from the shackles of the everyday grind.
Therefore the line in โ€œSelf Bloomโ€ which reads: โ€œI dance to the tune of the moon learning more about nature,โ€ does that for me. What imagery and solace abounds in that swath of poetry!
The reader will not be disappointed (O thomk) with โ€œNature Speaks of Love and Sorrow: Poems by Jeff Fleschโ€ either as a companion at the end of a day, or as an early morning meditation song.
Overall, I relished reading these poems as a โ€œdanceโ€ to the tune of natureโ€™s heart song wrapped in hugs.

Cassa Bassa, of Flicker of Thoughts

4.0 out of 5 stars

ย Nature gives us space to process our feelings and emotions.

The writer is connected to nature, the everyday wonders we often ignore. It provides a safe place to process at times complex emotions. Itโ€™s healing to read this collection of poems.

Elisa Bobbiesi, of @wildolivewrites

5.0 out of 5 stars

A restorative and uplifting collection

This enchanting collection of poems is filled with depth and heart. There is a softness, a hopefulness to his writing, even when expressing painful emotions. Intricate textures of nature are woven throughout, like meditations, reminding us to connect to and fully appreciate the world around us.

Kym Gordon Moore, of From Behind the Pen

5.0 out of 5 stars

ย A Dance with Nature

Jeffโ€™s collection of poetry reminds me of looking at nature and life through the lens of a child. The gifts of nature are ours to reflect on the majesty of life, caretaking, and living. His poems meander through the realms of imagination, creativity, and appreciation for the blessed gifts Mother Nature offers us. This book is like dedicating a love story to the amazing facets of the gems that nature beholds. You can find a piece of yourself throughout the morsels of stanzas offered in this collection.

Selma in Japan, of Selma

5.0 out of 5 stars

ย Poetry that moves youโ€“ makes you feel something like an overflow

In reading Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Author Jeff Flesch, at times, I moved like the wind susurrating to a tree; at others, my soul overflowed and crashed like a waveโ€” my heart pulsed excitedly and smiled. Could be the nature theme, could be the words.ย 
The words, yes, the words!ย 
The authorโ€™s words recalibrate heart and soul, and if I had to choose just one poem to encapsulate what I mean, it would be โ€œThe Oceanโ€™s Rocks.โ€ I love the ending line, โ€œlove forms the center of our poetry.โ€ย 
There is much sorrow in Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Author Jeff Flesch, but the author finds a way of stirring us out of that dark place and into the love that abides in nature. Kudos! As we all know, love is the thing that makes the journey whole and worth it.
The poems are short, but each packs a beautiful cadence in the brevity and simplicity of the authorโ€™s vocabulary. And the freedom in the lineation of free verse poetry added to its charmโ€” giving me time to visualize. This โ€˜permission to pauseโ€™ endeared me to this poetโ€™s crisp style.ย 
Each poem ends in a blissful place which translates to each ending putting me in a better place.ย 
So glad I purchased the printed format. Touching it transports me to a good place.ย 
In closing, it was hard to read this lovely poetry collection and not nod in agreement: the world would be a better place if we could all see through Author Jeff Fleschโ€™s eyes. I cannot wait to read more by this author.ย 
5-star. I highly recommend itโ€”Selma in Japan.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Suzette, Cassa, Elisa, Kym, and Selma. Your reviews touched my heart, and I am grateful to each of you.


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.

#1-amazon-new-release, #poetry, #book, #life, #love, #love-and-sorrow, #nature, #naturespeaks, #poem, #publication, #reviews