Disappointment Has a Name A candid conversation about writing from pain, telling the truth on the page, and longing for home. Nigel Byng sits with poet Joni Caggiano for a candid conversation about his book. 1. When writing your poetic manuscript, were there junctures when you felt your pen had a life of its own? When composing…
Category: Love
My New Short, True Story “Hindsight” Now On Hotel Masticadores
Hindsight All my childhood memories flooded my lungs like murky waters from a broken dam, making it difficult to breathe. I loved my dad and couldn’t ignore his earnest pleas to bring his granddaughter home. My mom’s visit when Christina was born was both a blessing and a curse. Still, I had made my choice,…
My New Poem “Lies” Now Live On Hotel Masticadores
Lies gaze upon the bloodless moon, but do not profess to know her passion touch my minikin self, yet know, it’s buds hold no words from my ink alone, no one cares to cherish my heart, which hovers loosely upon a thread woven by the larval stage of a moth, which treasures me dare not…
“Prayers Answered,” A Christmas Story Now Love On Hotel Masticadores
Prayers Answered Snow clung to a small mulberry tree in the distance. It was a sad reminder of the old cotton fields nestled close to where Josie used to call home. Snow was something different, like something pure. Still, Josie was lost in a state of misery. She peered through the narrow window that overlooked…
“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…
“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,…
“Days Mourned” By Joni Caggiano©️2025
Days Mourned dark-eyed junco’s flit in emergence froma serpentine branchof the Dragon’s Claw Willow, where theycleave as one on their ranch like beads of unknotted pearls, sweetinfusion of her sweat draws his lipstoward the gray skirt sliding off alluringsun-tinged, rose-scented hips rhythm, melding movement as oneclouds drifting, both sateddizzy from her consummate beautywhiffs of long…