I am paper thin, wearing a mask conditioned in absence. An act of necessity, desires’ debut and dissolution. I am emptiness, love given and suffering subdued in silence.
©Jeff Flesch
#1 Amazon bestselling poet – Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow.[goodreads +1]
Co-Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women
Jan/Feb 2022 Author of the Month, Spillwords Press
I saw you once from across the room
you were there, and not.
A cataclysmic revival, and rejuvenation
found in your essence
and in your presence. Though I didn’t know it then
it was only a matter of time
until we began
to move in a more choreographed way. Confiding
in each other felt like times before.
These previous lifetimes, and planes
of existence bared in the soul
between two lovers
knowing all along they’ve done it before.
All is very well here, super busy and engaged across many projects, both personal and professional.
Due to these obligations, I am going on an indefinite hiatus. I will stop by and see all of you as I am able, and will post occasionally, yet there will be no real pattern or schedule to my posting and engagement.
I will continue to write, and submit work for publication, and I will let you know if any of those submissions result in new publications.
I also plan to continue to submit occasionally to MasticadoresUSA.
I wish you all well, and send you all of my love.
Jeff
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
There is truth in the wind —
recognizing
the pain, and the uncomfortableness of a past
faint, and dim
yet lit brighter than any star
within
an atrocity of revelations –
understanding
this life
a way-station
and non-dual exercise
playing out in a duality of heart
and mind
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: truth, atrocity, faint, star. Follow me on Twitter here, and Instagram here.
I am doing well, and having a grand time with my new work role, and community responsibilities. Though this is true, I miss all of you and love when I have the time to come by your sites to read you and to see you.
Lately, in addition to my new work role and community responsibilities, I’ve sent out poetry to some new publications. Though I have no new pubs yet, there will be in the future, and I will update all of you as that occurs.
Lastly, here are a few pics from a recent hike. It’s so beautiful this time of year.
Sending you all of my love.
Jeff
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
You speak to me in tongues
a chronicler of the past
and of a future yet to be known
regarded with trust
and with the dust of the unknown —
a kindred happenstance
wandering through the calm
and through the chaos of so many fenced-in streets
alone
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: crowd, bittersweet, prize. Follow me on Twitter here, and Instagram here.
I am taking on more responsibilities at work and in the community, (super fun service opportunities like serving on a Board of Directors for a local foundation and serving on a search committee for a new Chamber CEO) which simply means that my blogging time is going to again be reduced. I’ve no idea how often I’ll be on WP and the social media sites, though it feels like every other or third week seems most likely.
I will visit all of you as often as possible. Know that no matter how often I visit you are always in my head and my heart.
Alright, here are some pics of Justin who graduated Magna Cum Laude this weekend with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering at Oregon State University; he already has his first job at Dimler, an amazing company, which makes diesel trucks and Mercedes Benz.
Also located among these pics is a picture of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow on the shelves of the local bookstore. I appreciate them for carrying it and appreciate everyone who has purchased it.
I will see you all as soon as I am able and am sending you, as always, my love and blessings.
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
I read, and write
about the source
and about the legacy of you close—
dappled light
is hard to find
yet, picturesque moments continue to bespeak the wind
and all you’ve given
to me, and to the trees
a sonorous sound twinkling in the sky
reminding me it is always you
upon which I will rely
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: sumptuous. Follow me on Twitter here, and Instagram here.
I am always honored to have my poetry at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems on these two exceptional online magazines.
Here are my two newest pieces.
I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, 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
I’ve hiked
up and over mountains of love
and of pain
wandering
through fields of metaphors
and valleys of symbolism
exploring within
while watching
minimal expectations
arise again
a balance
of body and mind
and of the love manifesting
in between
your shadow and mine
©JeffFlesch.com
Image by MenielDM, Pixabay
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: hike, explore, minimal, balance. Follow me on Twitter here, and on Instagram here.
I wrote two poems with the word prompts from Twitter this week. Here is the second one.
Shadow’s Sown
I explore the depths
of the wind
and the space that lives in between
this moment and the next
a balance of learning
and of unlearning
arises again
when
minimal expectations
are drawn together
like a bow
representing
the shadow of words
left behind to sow
We are at that time of year in the Pacific Northwest when the hiking trails begin to dry out, and hiking becomes something that I will take part in each week. For those of you who’ve followed me for years, you know how much I love to be out in the forest and at the coast, two of my favorite places, regardless of where I am living and or visiting.
Here are some pics from my first short hike of the season.
For those of you celebrating Easter, Happy Easter, for those celebrating Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak, and for all of you, may your day, and week be peaceful, and full of love.
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
I linger in the mist
and within the folds of ancient
bliss
a taste of acceptance
and of rejection
dwelling
within a body and mind
rejuvenated
by a scintillating sky
and by the sights, sounds
and smells
weaved
through the paradox of humankind
©JeffFlesch.com
Image by prettysleepy1, Pixabay
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: taste, acceptance, rejection, smell. Follow me on Twitter here.
I am always honored to have my poetry at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems in these two exceptional online magazines.
Here are my two newest pieces.
I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, 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
My father
a talisman of probability
and of broken hope, found
underneath a staircase
drunk
on October rain.
A teacher
who left probability aside
in favor of developing brokenness
into the night —
he fashioned emotions
into sleeves
of tears held at bay
a dam no one wants to make.
It is a skill learned
out of survival
when we feel like a mistake, and
a burden to life
and to an imagined view
staring back at me in the mirror —
You.
©JeffFlesch.com
Image by Mysticsartdesign, Pixabay
Recently I sent two poems to Rust & Moth, an amazing online poetry journal. While both were rejected, it reminded me that acceptance lives inside rejection, and is part of the writing process. It also reminded me to continue to pursue new topics and feelings in my writing. October Rain is a poem that explores both of these.
cradling the light
I didn’t ever hope
to find you
wave after wave
breaking down
retreating with the tide
awash
with past mistakes
in an ocean of loss
love
came to
remind me
take me with you
but let me go
I contemplate the seasons
you and I went through
find myself
inland on foreign soil
alone yet not lonely
discover
peaceful opportunities
to carry light
however deep the fight
White-tipped Waves is a poem that was created by a dear friend of mine, C.X. Turner, in response to velvet soft, which was a response poem to Scattered Sakura. Scattered Sakura was submitted to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow 30 Poems in 30 Days collaboration by C.X. Turner. I love this poem with all of my heart.
#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
I drink you in
a star of yesteryear
and of a future
shared
a day
like the next
continuing
to reimagine time’s relapse
of memories
transformed into dreams
amongst stars
encrusted with sleep
and
with the closure
needed
to regulate our heartbeat
Image by Prettysleepy, Pixabay Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: drink, sleep, closure. Follow me on Twitter here.
I’m honored to relate that my poem Field Full of Flowers was nominated for March publication of the month at Spillwords Press. Thank you to Dagmara K, and the team at Spillwords for their support, and to each and every one of you for your continued support, and friendship.
I would be grateful if you would take a moment and vote here. 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
I see you
in the peaceful sky, and in
the anticipation of the lost souls
that tried
to feel more
and to become more
a celebration
and an adventure
of learning, and of love
and
of a serendipitous vortex
calling us both back
for more
Image by Prettysleepy, Pixabay
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: peace, anticipation, celebration, adventure. Follow me on Twitter here.
I am always honored to have my poetry at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. It is a blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Terveen, and Barbara for always supporting my work; and, thank you to each of you for continuing to read, like, and comment on my poems on these two exceptional online magazines.
Here are my two newest pieces.
I would be honored if you would read them when you have a moment, 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
Shadowlight Words 