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
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 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.
time slows down, just like a train entering the service station, as light refracts off a mix of glass diamonds…
cut differently all, as colors bleed through them, and out the other side, pouring love into the universe, by design…
we watch
with rapt awe and attention, as love is transmitted via the chrysalis, through the atmospheric tension, and into the hearts of every part of living creation…
Sitting, I ponder the nature of our existence. Quiet mind, not a noise found anywhere, silent, stillness, and so much brilliance.
It fills my entire being with joy, of such immenseness, at times it’s hard to actually say more than this.
And, the more I learn, in fact, it seems it’s in the saying less where we find out what’s best.
It feels like it’s taken me an eternity to learn this truth. Yet, it’s really only been one moment since I was just a youth.
Time is funny that way, wouldn’t you say?
Long and drawn out in times of great stress, or when we are simply unsure how to handle life’s continuous tests.
And,
Short and awfully quick, in times when we are in a hurry, rushing from here to there, without even giving the scenery a second stare.
There is a third way, however, to see and experience, all that surrounds you. It’s seen when we slow down, and are present to each moment, caring for them as if they were the only gift that could possibly prevent our descent.
As I close my eyes to the sky, and breathe in deep, it occurs to me that time as we understand it has stopped belaboring me, while the vastness before me unfolds and expands with a specialness that will withstand all contrivances that the mind has planned.
Disrupting the pattern created over millennia, I watch silently, as the breath moves in and out of my body, and my heart slows down, to match the hidden, and ever so mysterious criteria.
Listen and believe in the unseen, for even when in doubt you can be sure that there is clout and integrity in the system of stars and constellations that remains, at times, hidden, yet always smitten.
And at others, it’s all we can do to catch a glimpse of that magical consideration, and watch as the dance of the cosmos plays out, and all our dreams come about.
Believe, I say, in the unseen, and dream big right into that emptiness, knowing all the while that that vastness is where all of life’s greatest gifts are awaiting your focused attention, and future dissemination.
In response to the WDYS #75 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Develop. Inspire. Transform. 