Relish The Good A setting suntugs at the seamsof my life like anangry seamstress. Time fades,as scars risefrom a cruel rapewhen I was eighteen. Hope peeks earnestas burnt red skiesflirt with memoriesof a lost childhood. Freedom as hair flieson a rusty bike down an unpaved road tocash in pennies for candy. Gasps from subtlelack of my…
My Poem “Rumor Damage,” Published on Masticadores Latinos English Edition
rumor is a spineless seed dipped in fertile shadow dirtthat multiplies and causes pain and unexpected hurt silence, a bed partner that takes but never gives backas a man tells a buddy how easy he got her in the sack black spots jump off potatoes and out of a perfect dishsurviving boiling water and a…
“Childless Tents” by Joni Caggiano ©️2025 Now Live on HotelMasticadores
Childless Tents Kisses like sun dropsdipped in sweet pollen,play youthful cheeksplump with wonder. Faithless somber notesof sorrow yet tarrylost atop the velvet backof an anxious Buckeye. Goldenrod is changingfor Fall calls her new palette,and aging fawns in toastedwoods, seek their lost spots. Funnel spiders dot lawnslike lifeless, white hair-nets perched as childless tentson strands of fading…
Thank You For This Honor, Michelle! Hotel By Masticadores Proudly Announces Its Nominees for the 2026 Best of the Net
I’m excited and honored to announce that my short story, “The Red Ball,” has been nominated for the 2026 Best Of The Net Award! I’m also honored to be among so many fellow talented authors and friends! Thank you, Michelle, for your continued support and love for this community! Hotel By Masticadores Proudly Announces Its…
“Fledgling’s Promise” by Joni Caggiano ©️2025 Now Live on HotelMasticadores
Fledgling’s Promise sorrow is a thistle that clawsits way through tender flesh festers like a wayward wounddyes blue bird color sky to gray red bricks, meld curtains shutshield dreams and hopes away like a girdle on an aged womanwith a belly made of silky clay moods shift a clock’s rigid arms sand drifts to erase…
Will It Snow Again This August by Joni Karen Caggiano
buried deep in curtain’s fogof raven black sludgewooden clogs sink deepsocket-eyed, gaunt humanscrucial heat escaping, I awakeI give her a hopeful nudge ebony, shaved headone of eight in our bedI shiver, stone-coldand yet begin to stripclothes off, stark whiteflesh of the nocturnal dead stems bereft of petalsbones, a reminder of belly painsamid the stench of…
“Stories of Resilience: After Rain Skies and One Petal at a Time at PWW Malaysia” – Thank You Michelle Navajas!
When I read the beautiful poetry in your books, Mich, there are innumerable and compelling lessons shared, as well as joy and sorrow. In other words, they are filled with soulful and meaningful bits of real life, which make your work so enthralling. After Rain Skies is representative of so many women and men globally…
“Polished Composure” by Joni Caggiano ©️2025 Now Live on HotelMasticadores
Polished Composure Timid love alights in garland eyes as I remember the tranquil sway of cattails in spring. Laughter and love permeate the air we breathe. My sun-kissed skin glistens with the reflection of the clear, chilly pond water. The yellowish-orange bills of the great egrets keep tune in this symphony of sound. Now wet,…
“My Last Night With Barabbas,” by Nigel Byng – In Support of The Forgiveness Project
In support of “The Forgiveness Project,” Nigel Byng was contacted by one of the project’s administrators and invited to participate in a public exhibit. (Location is courtesy of Stanborough Park SDA Church from the 12th to the 26th of April from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.) Nigel responded by crafting a captivating fictitious story about…
Kindle Sale, Book Anniversary, Barbara’s Review And A Reading Of “Cleansing” From “One Petal At A Time”
Cleansing silence is the tiptoeof a fairy as she slylybirths comfortyouthful dreamerwriting love notes to pixiesin beams the moon can sparesolace wrappedin prayer under coversphantom of shame circlesdisgrace like fireflieswithout flamesladybugs missing spotsand archaic tainted statueswith long-ago muted tongueswhile willows lamentso, plug your earsif puffed up, with mossfrom primal oaks if truth offendsboulders of disgrace…