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
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.
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
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.
I am blogging less this weekend, and am off from blogging entirely next weekend, as I travel with a friend to a meditation retreat on Saturday. I will, however, catch up with all of you this weekend, and throughout the next week.
Wishing you all my best, and sending all of my love and blessings.
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.
Petite Pen is a fun and collaborative prompt that my dear friend, K Hartless posts approximately once a week. If you are interested in inspiring poetry prompts, I recommend checking out K’s website. Usually the Petite Pen prompts are posted on Tuesdays.
Here are a few poems that I’ve written in response to the Petite Pen prompts in the past several months.
I dream of the space in between you and me
a serendipitous feeling
this unseen majesty of calm and quiet progress demanding
we pay attention and notice
I in wait calming my spirit, and mind
seeds unadorned spend time securely in my heart
shifting energies
from callous hands dripping with fever tense and moist
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!
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 – desire…
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.
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, it’s less crowded, and always so beautiful. I’ll share some pictures with you upon my return.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 