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…
Category: Overcome
“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…
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…
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…
Hopeful Healing Journey
To my fellow artists, readers, friends and family, you may have noticed that I have been slowly decreasing my publications in magazines and my connections in WordPress. So here is a brief explanation of why. You probably know that for many years I have been suffering from neck and back pain from an old injury. Unfortunately, this has gotten worse and it’s…
Barbara Leonhard’s Review Of “One Petal At A Time” On Roi Fainéant Press
Thank you, Barbara Leonhard (Barbara’s Blog), editor of MasticadoresUSA, for this amazing review and submitting it to Roi Fainéant Press (Roi Fainéant Page)! Barbara’s Review of “One Petal At A Time” The title of Joni Karen Caggiano’s powerful poetry collection, One Petal at a Time, makes me recall what I used to say as a child…
JuneTeenth
old cow skin whip, laden with wire and glasssteals black flesh with every beastly lashdog-tired bones, left cotton in bollthis beating has freed a weary soul slaves sing their stories in the fieldnews, and prayers for those who healchildren stolen from a young momJosiah Henson, hero, valiant, no uncle tom emancipation, Lincoln sign, so why…
Through Her Eyes – A Book Review By Michelle Ayon Navajas
Thank you, Michelle Ayon Navajas, for your beautiful and impactful review, and thank you, Hotel Masticadores and Nigel Byng for reposting the review. Mostly, I’m so glad that my book has made such an impact on people’s lives, truly a dream come true! Have a wonderful Tuesday, big hugs, my friends and family! 😍
Thank You, Carrie Yang, For Another 5-Star Review!
Thank you, Carrie Yang, aka Cassa Bassa, at Flicker Of Thoughts for your beautiful and thoughtful review. Here’s a preview: Joni weaves her rollercoaster emotions into her surrounding nature. The richness of nature and yet at times the cruelty of nature mirrors Joni’s life experience… You can read the entire review on Amazon below. Carrie…
