Poetry and Prose by #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, Co-Author of #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and Jan/Feb 2022 Spillwords Press Author of the Month
Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: bereft, evening, solder, tangent. Follow me on Twitter here.
MasticadoresIndia/USA Publications
I am always honored to have my poetry in MasticadoresIndiaand 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.
Once I started reading Archery In The UK it was hard to put down. The book mixes poetic forms, inviting the reader on a journey of beautifully flowing language, touching hearts, and minds, and leaving me teary-eyed, joyful, and inspired. It is an amazing collaboration.
I highly recommend Archery in the UK, which you can purchase onAmazon here.
The Light in The Cave
The Light in The Cave, by Tricia Sankeyis a wonderful Novela full of richly crafted details, and characters developed with depth, and an intensity that fills the reader with a desire to read more, and more. I enjoyed the way Tricia developed the characters and the plot line in a way that left me guessing as to the story behind the story until well into the later chapters, which is where we find that the characters we’ve come to know and love are not exactly who we thought they were. The Light in The Cave is an amazing work of science fiction. I highly recommend reading this wonderful book.
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 didn’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, byIngrid 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 Klunytakes 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. Anabel’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 Nianghoiis an exploration of the deepest and darkest places we all navigate as human beings, from horribly traumatic events to the breaking of one’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.
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 you’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, that’s all for this week.
I wish you all a beautiful Sunday, and a glorious coming week.
I am so pleased to announce that my poem, stems and seeds, 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.
stems and seeds
shadows are cast over my eyes as I try to find
the nature of reality inside the stems and seeds
gifted to me while I await the return of the tide within
the heart and stone romancing…
I would be honored if you would go here, and read the rest of my poem. Thank you!
I’ve written about vulnerability several times, and am actually right now writing another post about how being vulnerable is actually transformational.
The insight you ask?
Alright, let’s go.
Insight
What you may not know is that in written language, the actual definition of vulnerability is associated with possible harm. Really. Take a look.
vulnerability
NOUN (vulnerabilities)
“The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.‘conservation authorities have realized the vulnerability of the local population’” Oxford Languages
It was in the writing of the post on vulnerability and transformation that I learned this fact. Interesting. Though I understand why the definition of vulnerability is written as it is, I will offer you another definition of vulnerability to consider in a moment.
Here is the insight.
I believe that vulnerability is also associated with grit, persistence, and resilience. It must be. Why?
Because anyone who is open to being vulnerable regularly, has to also possess grit, persistence, and resilience. Why? Because being vulnerable is hard work. Simple.
I’ve written before that vulnerability is where the jewels of life are found. When we are open and willing to be vulnerable, we immediately get so much more out of life. Right away.
My invitation to you? Be vulnerable. Though it is sometimes hard, you will find more awaiting you in spaces of vulnerability than any other.
I find everything in life inspiring. Really. Take a look around. Wonder is everywhere. And, I find people that venture into the unknown that much more inspiring. Why?
Because, yes, it is hard work; and, it is such a wonderful experience. A paradox. Really. Inspirational.
The department I work in, which includes over 200 people, is one such inspiration. Every one of them.
I’ve written about this team many times. I am so inspired by their vulnerability, courage, grit, persistence, and resilience.
In the face of unprecedented challenges, they continue to create new ways to access community education and training, which is needed now more than ever.
A wonderful group of people. I am very lucky.
Quote
Alright, here is a different way to think about vulnerability.
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” – BRENÉ BROWN
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 