the sun’s paradox

I rest my head
in a catalyst of stars

a blanket
nourishing the mind
and the body

the result
of a cherished, and
vulnerable heart

are
memories
brought about
by the sun’s paradox

a song
of complete, and incomplete
and everything
in between


Photo by Darkmoon_Art, Pixabay

Twitter #vss365 prompt words used: catalyst, cherish, vulnerable, incomplete. Follow me on Twitter here.


A Field Full of Flowers, Published at Spillwords Press

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Dagmara K, and the team at Spillwords Press for their continued support, and for publishing this piece.

A Field Full of Flowers

a field full of flowers…

dreams wake me from beyond, telling tales
of hope and despair
lost
to the stars

as they linger in the sky, just like the last time,
we said goodbye, holding you
close to heart, becomes
needed, and
necessary,

reminiscent….

I would be honored if you would go here, and read the entire poem. 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


#poetry, #body, #catalyst, #complete, #heart, #incomplete, #life, #love, #mind, #nature, #poem, #publiucation, #spillwords-press, #stars, #suns-paradox, #vulernability

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

cascading horizon

I wake up to you
you remind me of the brilliance
of afternoon sunsets
and

of morning dew
cascading

over a horizon filled
with pain, and with healing

a presence of colors, ambiguous
yet just enough
to

fill the space
left

by the absence of your touch


Photo by me, Oregon Coast


New Publications

I am pleased to announce that my poem, Misty Morning, is now available at MasticadoresIndia. Thank you to Terveen Gill, and the team at MasticadoresIndia for their continued support, and for publishing this piece. You can read the full poem here.

AND

I am also pleased to announce that my poem, Autumn Morning 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. You can read the full poem here.

I would be honored if you would read both poems, thank you!

Photo Gallery

My time at the coast is always precious to me. Early morning walks along the beach provide a space for deep reflection and contemplation. This year, I stayed at a small little motel right on the oceanfront. Amazing views from my room, and easy access to the beach, where walking for miles is possible. Beautiful, invigorating, and peaceful.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

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, #emotion, #feeling, #healing, #human-connection, #knowledge, #life, #loss, #love, #masticadoresindia, #nature, #oregon-coast, #pain, #poem, #resilience, #romance, #spillwords-press, #sunset, #travel, #understanding

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 sale…

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

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 though…

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

You, Seedling, Published at Spillwords Press

I am excited to announce that my poem, You, Seedling, 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.

You, Seedling
like a seed growing up through the ground

you were born, and the mystery
continued to confound

me, relating to the breeze was always so easy
and, yet

the little one cradling my finger
was our seedling, beautiful

with an air…

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

I would also like to acknowledge Gabriela Marie Milton’s poem, You, Night, the title of which was the inspiration for how I titled this piece.


Photo by Igor Rodrigues


#poetry, #children, #family, #gift, #heart, #hope, #love, #nature, #poem, #publication, #relationships, #seedling, #spillwords-press, #turmoil

flowered aspects

I bleed from the trepidation within
of salt and the sand beneath

the trees skin

It’s like wondering, and wandering
around the needle of a haystack

rightly sized and trimmed

with a beneficence of hope, and
a ladle made from the love we once formed

Is it possible to love this much, and not bleed more?

I don’t think so either.

For, it’s in the form of the fountain
where love gets lighter

living beneath the breath of this struggling architect, and

the love that lives within
the next steps of his flowered aspects


I was excited to learn yesterday that my poem, The Seas Adoration, was nominated for June Publication of the Month at Spillwords Press. Thank you to Dagmara K, and the team at Spillwords for their continued support; and my deepest thanks, gratitude, and appreciation to all of you for always being here, supporting my work, and being magnificent friends.

Voting is open though June 29, and you can vote here. Thank you!


Photo by PeterKraayvanger, Pixabay


#poetry, #contemplation, #flowered-aspects, #healing, #heart, #hope, #introspection, #life, #love, #nature, #nomination, #pain, #poem, #publication, #spillwords-press, #wish

The Month in Review, April 2022: At Home & Work, Debut Book Update and Writing & Blogging, and A Poem

Photo by Anestiev, Pixabay

April was an exciting month filled with much activity, both in my personal and professional life. It’s so much fun to watch life unfold, participate in it, and be fully engaged in every aspect of life. A true blessing.

At Home & Work

Linn-Benton Community College, Albany, Oregon

This month I spent time at the Community Garden, getting the soil ready for planting, which will begin in late May and early June. As you will read later in this review, I also spent a lot of time in April on my debut poetry book, and on book reviews. It’s so much fun. 

As some of you know, I had planned a trip to London in May of this year, alas, I have rescheduled this trip to later in the year. I am excited about the new timing of this trip, as I will end up in London during the holidays, which feels lovely to me.

I am contemplating a trip to Los Angeles to see my mother and sisters this summer, which is always fun for me. It’s always great to see them and my nieces and nephews.

The team is busier than ever. The traction we have across all of the programs within Extended Learning is at an all-time high, and the services we are delivering are reaching a wider audience with each year that passes.

The Commercial Driver License Program completed its first cohort, with tremendous success; and the second cohort will begin training in two weeks.

A very busy month at home and at work, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Debut Book Update, and Writing & Blogging

Photo by TuendeBede, Pixabay

My debut poetry book now has a title, and Ingrid Wilson, of Experiments in Fiction, is currently working on the cover design.

When the cover design is complete, I will update all of you on the cover design and the title.

Most of my writing time in April was dedicated to the book. I am excited to share that I have a rough manuscript, which I will begin to edit this month.

Once the editing is complete, I will send it to Ingrid, which will be in late May, or early June.

I am also continuing to send two poems each month to MasticadoresIndia, and MasticadoresUSA. I love being a part of both of these wonderful online publications. Gabriela Maria Milton and Terveen Gill are amazing editors and wonderful friends. Working with them is a blessing.

If you’ve never submitted to these two online publications, I encourage you to do so. You can find out about submission details on the respective websites.

April also found one of my poems, Realization Dawns, nominated for publication of the month at Spillwords Press. Though the poem was not voted as the publication of the month, the mere fact that it was nominated, is a great joy and honor for me.

I would like to thank each of you for continuing to support my writing and for being wonderful friends. Whether you are a new reader of my blog or someone that has been here for years, I appreciate each of you for taking the time you do to engage with me. You are all inspiring, and wonderfully talented.

Book Reviews

Photo by BridgeHouse , Pixabay

Resounding Lights, by Tanushree Taruchaya

Resounding Lights, by Tanushree Taruchaya takes the reader through reflections, contemplations, and introspections on deep pain and brilliant beauty.

Making connections to a life lived, and to nature, Tanushree draws the reader into poetry weaved from the soul.

The poetry contained in Resounding Lights will speak to every human being on this planet, for we’ve all known pain, and we’ve all known beauty, and both of these attributes are created gorgeously in this book.

I highly recommend Resounding Lights, as it is a bright light in a world that can sometimes feel very dark. 

A Poem

If you are not following me on Twitter, you can follow me here.

That’s all for this month, my dear friends. Sending you all my love for a beautifully blessed May. 


#poetry, #april-month-in-review, #book-review, #debut-poetry-book, #education, #masticadoresindia, #masticadoresusa, #poems, #publications, #publishing, #spillwords-press, #travel, #writing-and-blogging

Realization Dawns, Nominated for April Publication of the Month at Spillwords Press, and alight and aflame

I was excited to learn this week that my poem, Realization Dawns was nominated for April Publication of the Month at Spillwords Press. I am so honored by this nomination and want to thank Dagmara K and the entire team at Spillwords Press for continuing to support my work.

I would also like to thank each of you, as this nomination is a direct result of your kindness, generosity, friendship, and unwavering support. You each inspire me to be the best I can be, and I appreciate you very much.

Voting for the April Publication of the Month closes on April 29.

I would be honored if you would go here and vote. Thank you!

alight and aflame

displays are on the screen
and behind them are clouds seen

as mysteries continue to pour into me

of a love lingering in the rain
specks of dust are always the same

tiny fragments of being, they came

to me at last
while I let my heart open to the possibilities

of you, my love
dancing into the night, alight and aflame


Photo by Hansuan_Fabregas , Pixabay


#poetry, #connection, #contemplation, #dancing, #introspection, #life, #love, #mystery, #nature, #nomination, #poem, #publication-of-the-month, #spillwords-press, #time

The Month in Review, March 2022: At Home & Work, Writing & Blogging, Book Reviews, and A Poem

At Home & Work

Home

As it is officially Spring in this area of the world, I am preparing to participate in the Community Garden again this year. Last year was my first year with this garden, and I am excited to participate again. As you can see in the picture above, there is a lot of work to do!

This past month, I also completed the purchase of a painting from two of our blogger friends, Giada and Labrum, of Multidimensional Art. The painting was one that Labrum created specifically for me, and I love it. If you’ve not yet checked out Giada and Labrum’s site, I recommend you do. Giada writes wonderful poetry, and Labrum’s paintings are amazing. 

Coast Trip

I also took a trip to the coast in March. I usually go to Yachats, OR, and did so again in March. I grew up at the beach, and so I like to visit the ocean every couple of months. I always have a wonderful time walking along the coast, contemplating life, and just being with myself and nature. It’s glorious.

Work

The department completed the spring schedule this month, and I am excited about some of the new in person classes we have this term. We also launched our CDL (Commercial Drivers License) program this week, and it is going wonderfully. 

Right now, we have more people registered for classes and training since the pandemic started, which means we are serving more people, and are reaching these same community members with access to education they need. A wonderful feeling.

Writing & Blogging

Writing

As you know, I was voted Spillwords Press Author of the Month for January and February, which is a huge honor. I would like to thank each of you again for your continued support. You are appreciated immensely, and I am lucky to have each of you in my life. If you missed the Q&A Interview I did with Spillwords, you can find it here.

I am continuing to write for my debut poetry book, and am on a timeline that includes writing for the book through April, editing in May, and sending it to Ingrid Wilson, of Experiments in Fiction in late May, early June. Ingrid and I are currently working on cover design. Exciting! 

Blogging

My blogging schedule has changed again this year, to make space for writing my book, and to write for the publications at MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. I’ve created the goal of posting two to three times a week on my blog, which I am meeting at this time. 

I would like to thank you all again for supporting me by continuing to visit MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA to read my poetry. The response to the poems I have published on these sites has been amazing, and I’m honored each time you visit these sites to read my poetry. Thank you.

Book Reviews

For the past couple of months, I’ve been reflecting upon how I can give back to our writing community.

Over the past year, I’ve purchased many books that our writing community has produced, and this year, I’ve decided to write reviews of these books. I’m excited about this reading and writing project, and look forward to sharing the reviews with you.

My goal is to write at least one review each month, and thus far I am on par with this goal. Here are my reviews of two amazing books.

As Delicate As Snow, by Shobana Gomes

In the book, As Delicate as Snow, Shobana Gomes weaves a tale of magic, mystery, and suspense. Shobana’s use of snow as an additional character in this love story guides the reader inward, toward an exploration of wondrously delicate and beautiful imagery, and profound feelings, from the angst of meeting a new potential lover, to the love that blossoms in ones heart at the realization of true love. As Delicate As Snow will make you believe in true love again. I highly recommend this beautiful love story, by Shobana Gomes.

Being a Woman Forthcoming, by Michele Lee Sefton

Being a Woman Forthcoming is a collection of poetry and prose that stirs the soul. Michele Lee Sefton takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery, through important social justice issues, such as gender discrimination, and also reminds us to honor our mothers. Being a Woman Forthcoming is a powerful read, full of empowering prose and poetry, inviting the reader to look within and contemplate issues that affect us all, from the personal to the global. I highly recommend Being A Woman Forthcoming, and thank Michele Lee Sefton for gifting us this wonderful work.

These books are wonderful, and I highly recommend them.

I will continue to contemplate how I can give back to our community this year, and will have more ideas and insights about future projects and contributions I can make to do my part to ensure that the vitality and vibrancy of our community continues.

A Poem

@FleschJeff

That’s all for this month. Thank you to each of you again for being such wonderful friends. I am honored to know you, and feel blessed everyday to be a part of this amazing community of talented and gifted human beings.

Sending you all my love for a wonderfully blessed April.


#poetry, #art, #cdl, #coast, #community, #debut-book, #education, #gardening, #interview, #masticadoresindia, #masticadoresusa, #poem, #spillwords-press, #travel, #yachats