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…
Category: escaping
“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,…
“A Knock” by Joni Caggiano ©️2025 Now Live on HotelMasticadores
A Knock crisp welcoming voice of the wrenhow her incantations I long to hearbut she placed her voice in a boxher color, joy, and song buried near wailing calls soft, tiny bulbs hoist sailoak tree slain by a dismal, frail windroots glisten in the sun, a forest-sickmy body dismantled, like my friend To continue reading,…
Editor’s Pick, “One Petal at a Time,” Live on HotelMasticadores
It is an honor to be featured today on Hotel Masticadores by Michelle Ayon Navajas as the “Editor’s Pick!” She did this for the anniversary of my book, One Petal at a Time. She is especially gracious, as she is releasing an anthology titled After Rain Skies – A Global Anthology to encourage a connection with…
“After Rain Skies: The Global Anthology” Available March 8, 2025
I am honored and proud to be included in this new anthology that Michelle Ayon Navajas has curated. There are more than two dozen talented authors who have contributed to this book with poetry and prose about survival after trauma. Be sure to pick up your copy when it becomes available next week! “I am…
“Madder Than A Wet Hen” Now On Masticadores Latinos English – Story by Joni Caggiano – ©️2025
Madder Than a Wet Hen “I’ll wear the prettiest dress I have today. Maybe the boy behind me won’t draw on my ears with his pen. He hurts my feelings, and I wonder if the ugliness at home follows me around. Surely, he won’t tease me with my ballerina dress on.” I realize I am…
The Cure – Live on HotelMasticadores
The Cure slow motion sobriety stirs direly like ticks on a thin-horned beast the black and white film resonates greasy black hair crawls like ants drunk for weeks, the smell lingers like a mucous trail of a banana slug blood dances a tango in your head vomit and snot, well-oiled fireworks explode on your white…
Scorn
fall upon and discard my saggy breast never good enough could never pass your family’s test other women your eyes linger and sink talk of my beauty, char crisp dust lust for others, your toxic deceitful wink someone else can taste your viscid hate I tire of you and your foul distain clog…
To All My Readers, you are my family
My big window parading all my friends so close by, yet no one tattled or told me today was the day they would die. Yesterday, the sun was a bit worn-out, and some rain cried while wetting the earth, but still, I saw the new Creeping Jenny’s annual birth. My eyes don’t work well…
live on masticadoresusa, my new piece “Reflection”
Reflection White is the oval mirror of my exodus from the fearsome actions of the monsters in the red-brick house. Dark eyes blister as my heart pulses a bleak opus once again. An offering given by a stranger concealed with golden paper and wildflowers singing. After five years of her pleasure, I perceive the wonder…