2022 Author of the Year Nomination at Spillwords Press, and Reorganizing Possibility, by Jeff Flesch

I am elated, and so very honored to let you all know that I received a nomination this week for the 2022 Author of the Year at Spillwords Press. I am humbled by this wonderful gesture and have written the following poem as a thank you to all of you and to the Spillwords Press editorial team for supporting me, and for making dreams of possibility become reality.

Reorganizing Possibility

Trust in the feelings at dawn
conspiring
to leave you confused about
the nature of pain

and
about the love you see
in every single drop
of rain

falling
over the bloody streets
reorganizing

the possibility of something
great

out
of the melancholy, we once tried to
escape

This poem speaks to the relationship between pain and possibility; simply, through trying experiences, we emerge as something more, something, in many ways, transformed.

Voting is open through January 31 at Spillwords Press. I would be honored and forever grateful if you would vote. Thank you!


Photo by alegria2014, Pixabay


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, #author-of-the-year-nomination, #clarity, #confusion, #dreams, #escape, #known, #pain, #poem, #possibility, #realization, #spillwords-press, #transcendence, #trasnformation, #truth, #unknown

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

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

prodigal sun

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 at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece. Iโ€™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.

All my love and blessings,

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


#poetry, #cognition, #contemplation, #contentment, #desire, #hidden-in-childhood-a-poetry-anthology, #ignorance, #intuition, #life, #literary-revelations-press, #love, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #new-publication, #poem, #prodigal-sun, #realization, #seeds, #stars, #transformation, #understanding

dusted stars

I live along thin
and narrow streets, and
there are dreams
which always seem to
be

hiding
just behind the next bend
in the road

where
a flower grows
from a seed

and a building
comes to fruition
from steel, and cables
released

from
the center of the Universe
a quantum theory
practiced underneath

the dusted stars
sparkling across the sky

a realization of truth
weโ€™ve known
have forgotten, and remember
to scale this night


Photo by Prawny, Pixabay


Threads, Published at MasticadoresUSA

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 didnโ€™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, by Ingrid 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 Kluny takes 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. Anabelโ€™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 Nianghoi is an exploration of the deepest and darkest places we all navigate as human beings, from horribly traumatic events to the breaking of oneโ€™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.ย 

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 youโ€™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, thatโ€™s all for this week.

I wish you all a beautiful Sunday, and a glorious coming week.

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, #book-reviews, #dreams, #dusted-stars, #growth, #hidden, #insight, #life, #love, #masticadoresusa, #memory, #nature, #poem, #punlications, #realization, #reslience, #seeds, #truth, #universe

beautiful afternoon

I search for you
in tears

raining
in the afternoon

a complex
land of emotion, are tides
of becoming, and of unbecoming

something far more than
before

a heart
filled with choice

a powerful feeling
empowermentโ€™s
scope

shining
in the noontime sky

glistening
like so many bells
sounding

itโ€™s their time

to move on
leaving behind

a ghost
of what once was

to learn more about
all that is

this
beautiful afternoon


Photo by MenielDM, Pixabay


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


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, itโ€™s less crowded, and always so beautiful. Iโ€™ll share some pictures with you upon my return.

Wishing you all a gorgeous coming week.

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 Pres


#poetry, #awareness, #beautiful-afternoon, #contemplation, #emotion, #empowerment, #growth, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #reality, #realization, #senses, #truth

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

tears of gold

residing within
this skin
and the textiles of the night

a call from you
brings on a metamorphosis
in feeling, and in

contemplation

desiring more than is known
while

sitting at the center of the
unknown

I listen
to the wind
and take account of the person Iโ€™ve
been

and am becoming
harsh words leek from walls
and

crumble
until they fall

over a road, developed
out of tears of gold


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


Photo by Joshgmit, Pixabay


#poetry, #becoming, #connection, #conteplation, #grief, #healing, #known, #life, #love, #metamorphosis, #nature, #pain, #poem, #realization, #tears, #transformation, #unknown

Time’s Ashes, Published at MasticadoresIndia

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

Timeโ€™s Ashes

I drive in circles
manifesting

a purpose

given to me as a child

itโ€™s these coattails of peace and love
I ride

transcending pain, a realizationโ€ฆ

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


Photo by capturer, 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, #awareness, #consciousness, #healing, #heart, #illusion, #life, #love, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #peace, #poem, #reality, #realization, #time, #times-ashes

apocalyptic sun

I see you in my dreams, you
speak in tounges
about

an apocalyptic sun
rising

over fields of wheat and ash
where

we last danced, and

flowers
have black heads of sand

a land of love
with skies of blood, and

rivers, our veins
connecting two worlds
into one


Photo by Engin_Akyurt, 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, #apocalyptic-sun, #awareness, #connection, #dreams, #flowers, #life, #love, #nature, #poem, #reality, #realization, #sky, #worlds