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…
Category: loss
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…
“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,…
“The Crown” by Joni Caggiano ©️2025
The Crown Bougainvillea florets tremble likescarlet ribbons tied in bows on young flesh Archways of stone outstretchreposeful winds on muted statues with listless stares Foreboding leopard keeps vigila silent killer, her sentry will shield if a threat declares Pillars of light bring rays of respite yettears seal her withering heart within flouted ceiling Ferns rest…
“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…
Abused Child and High Price – by Joni Caggiano
Abused Child Featured in Edge of Humanity for World Poetry Day March 21, 2024 ©️ January 2022 High Price also Published in Edge of Humanity (thank you Joelcy Kay) Five new pieces of poetry and prose by Joni in “After Rain Skies – The Global Anthology,” by Michelle Ayon Navajas Abused Child do not presume…
SCALE WITHOUT MEASURE BY JONI CAGGIANO ©️JAN. 4, 2025
In the late fall of the year of the Dragon, the maple trees let slip from memory the task of turning their leaves. Yellow carotenes did not fill the leaves, bequeathing the desirous soil below with enviable nutrients. A spiritless sun went into an impervious mourning at such a loss. Lady bugs with red and…
”Red Ball” Now On Hotel Masticadores
Red Ball Hannah wept silently into her dusty apron. She spun her thin face around, much like a donut, awaiting its freckling of powdered sugar. Tears cast their agonies upon hand-stitched hydrangeas, petunias, and magnolias while honeybees clung close with their bulging pollen-laden legs. Ruth had spent six months embroidering this apron for her and…
