Walking Tree A Collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley © 2026 sorrow whispers, a trail of antsvapors torpid, their sting savagememories choke, a riff on my sanitynight terrors open a door; I navigate this silence is not silenceit is the groaning of eternitythe synaptic death-throes ofwhat once made me human innate images, a stolen…
Tag: loss
My Collaboration With Mike Utley, “Walking Tree”, Now On Hotel Masticadores
Walking Tree A Collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley © 2026 sorrow whispers, a trail of antsvapors torpid, their sting savagememories choke, a riff on my sanitynight terrors open a door; I navigate this silence is not silenceit is the groaning of eternitythe synaptic death-throes ofwhat once made me human innate images, a stolen…
“Disappointment Has a Name” My Interview with Best Seller, Nigel Byng
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…
“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,…
“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…