Liquid Joy

Posted on by jonicaggiano

The smell of her long washed hair
purifies the air with almond and amber
So sweet it clings and burrows into
the holes of their cabin in the thicket
Like her softhearted soul embedded
in compassion for all creatures
Kindness rare like pearls that mermaids
don on their blazing scarlet red hair
Energy that shines like starlight and
sunlight given birth to her there
Perfume bottles that sing filled with
a chorus of liquid joy coated in gold
Strength like a lioness over her cubs
tall like an African giraffe – sturdy
Enduring as the salt in the Dead Sea
where resilient passions float
Her refuge the water, woodlands
the trice of a hummingbird’s wing
Camera nigh to her chest as Zeke
darts for the water of Puget Sound
Imploring with a stick in his mouth
he sets aim at bright dancing sneakers
Windless the day aiding each throw
towards the sea, her smile widens
Particles of salt air stick to tanned skin
while gentle waves wash wet shoes
Animated Zeke shakes running forward
knocking her into clinging powdery sand
Laughter fills her swathed breathing cove
her sanctuary this piece of the island
Smiles that melt dark chocolate toffy
over marshmallows too often hidden
Armies unable to restrain the force
of her faith and affectionate heart
Comfort covers the beach like
wispy angel feathers moving in tune
Her humanity her silky compassion
so fervid her silence touches the moon

Written by Joni Caggiano on 03/28/20

Happy Birthday Janette, I miss you and love you my dearest lady friend. Thank you for all the love, courage, encouragement and compassionate that you have shown me over the years. Unable to shop for a gift please know that this poem was written for you by me with lots of love and wonderful thoughts and memories. Love Ya Sweet Friend, Joni

Janette’s Happy Piece of Puget Sound Picture by Janette (see her happy feet in the right corner)
Picture by Janette ( Her lovely decorations of seaweed and seashells)

33 thoughts on “Liquid Joy”

  1. “Comfort covers the beach like
    wispy angel feathers moving in tune
    Her humanity her silky compassion
    so fervid her silence touches the moon”
    Beautiful gift to a friend. I am sure she will be so proud to receive something so special. Beautiful words, lovely images you’ve created. Loved it Joni, you are marvelous! Lots of good things, peace and health to you and your husband,
    from Valencia with love,
    Francisco

    Reply

    1. Thank you my dear friend! Your words are always such a joy and inspiration to read. I am so glad you liked it. She is a dear friend deserving of the words. We have to get a bit more creative with special things like birthdays. My daughter’s birthday is tomorrow. Thank you for always reading and commenting Francisco and for your kind words shared with my husband as well. Please stay careful healthy and safe. Love Joni

      Reply

  2. What a gorgeous poem Joni and what a wonderful gift if I understand correctly. The metaphors are to die for
    “Armies unable to restrain the force
    of her faith and affectionate heart”
    You are such a wonderful and talented soul Joni. I may sound like a broken record but this is absolutely true. Your poems enchant and mesmerize beyond words.
    Have a wonderful weekend sweetheart
    Love and blessings
    G.

    Reply

    1. I hope you are having a happy morning beautiful Button! Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so glad you liked it. Yes, your right it is a gift for my best friend. I grew up with military parents and I never stayed anywhere long. Janette is the one female friend I have known the longest and my dearest and trusted friend. I know you appreciate how special a trusted female friend can be. I feel that you to have become a trusted friend even though we have never met. Thank you so much for your “broken record” it has been such wonderful encouragement coming from such a gifted poet. I hope you have a blessed, safe, and weekend full of inspiration. I saw you were posting while I was still working on Janette’s poem this morning. Can’t wait to read it. It certainly has been busy today which is kind of nice. It is going to be 88 degrees here today. Love, hugs and have something full of wonderful calories today. (I am) Hugs Joni

      Reply

      1. Such a wonderful gift for Janette. Our female friends deserve the best. And surely you wrote an exceptional poem for her honeybun.
        “I know you appreciate how special a trusted female friend can be” More than many people could guess.
        “I feel that you to have become a trusted friend even though we have never met.” This is such a wonderful thing to say Joni. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly feel blessed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
        Joni, it’s my pleasure to read your gorgeous poems. However, I want to make sure that you understand your poems are gorgeous. This is important to me. I want to make sure that you feel the power of your talent.
        88 degrees! That’s my kind of weather! I have 86 here and it’s humid. I know most people do not like it but I do 🙂
        Have a wonderful weekend sweetheart.
        Love and blessings.

      2. As always precious Button thank you for your sweet responses. I am grateful for your belief in my ability to create phrases of words that make something special. Thank you for always encouraging me. I understand why you make such a devoted and invested professor. I hope your students appreciate how fortunate they are. I am beginning to have more and more trust in my own abilities but I am extremely critical of my own work. I am working on that and submitting more works. Enjoy your hot day as well and continue to be careful. Love and blessings Button. 😘

      3. “I am working on that and submitting more works.” Excellent. This is what I want to hear.
        ” I am beginning to have more and more trust in my own abilities” Trust yourself because you are great.
        xoxoxo

  4. My dear Joni, you have managed to capture my essence in your poem. You know me so well & I just received the most precious gift from you, thank you for this glorious poem. This is a gift I can keep enjoying, I printed it out & plan to read it each day to uplift my spirits in these uncertain times in all of our lives. I feel the love & just know, I love you very much my truly amazing friend. You are such a gift to others, I am so blessed to be in your inner circle of special people. Thank you. You have made my day with your gift. Love you much, Janette

    Reply

    1. So glad you liked your gift Janette. I wish I could have been there to hug you and give you something and the poem.

      I know that you and your sweetie will have a wonderful celebration of your precious life tonight. Happy birthday my dearest friend. Please stay safe and know you are all in my prayers. Love 💕 you bunches Joni

      Reply

    1. Thank you sweet Sidharth my lovely friend for your kind words. Hope your staying safe. I love what you posted by Sylvia Plath. Great advise for me to hear. Love you my friend. Love ❤️ Joni

      Reply

      1. What can I say, when I have friends like you, kind has to be my middle name 😉😉.
        Thank you so much for your concern, Joni, I am in good health now and I wish you the same. 😘😘🥰

      2. I am so grateful to hear it. I was wondering if you would be willing to accept a submission of a short story for consideration. It is fiction but based on a real story. It is 3,123 word and is a 12 minute and 29 second read. I submitted through Pete but didn’t know if you were working yet. Love 💕 Joni. Again no hurry at all.

      3. I would be happy to! I am all well and working now 🙂 You can submit as far as I am concerned, dear.
        Cheers, I am looking forward to read it.

      4. Will send by end of day again be safe. Thank you. Hope your entire family is well. We are doing well here in NC, staying inside and being careful but our faith really helps. Love and hugs Joni

      5. Great!
        You too, Joni. My family is also fine, thank you so much for your concern, I hope your loved ones are in good health.
        It is good that you are taking precautions, it is very imperative these days.
        Much love ❤🤗

      1. It’s a blessing when God send us true friends! Thankful to hear you met such a great friend. 💕

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