I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported my writing journey, followed my blog, bought and read my first poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, helped me with the book launch, promoted it, re-blogged my posts, written reviews, conducted interviews, provided promotional photos, offered self-publishing and marketing advice, shared their experiences, and wished me well along the way.
I’m pleased to announce that several of my haiku have been accepted for Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, edited by Gabriela Marie Milton and published by Literary Revelations Publishing House. The release is scheduled for May 30th. Gabriela’s books are always works of art, as evidenced by the cover, which was created from artwork painted by the Japanese artist, Hikari.
Petals of Haiku – Foreword
“Literary Revelations invites you to immerse yourself in the captivating world of “Petals of Haiku: An Anthology.” This superb collection features the work of over 160 talented poets, each contributing four exquisite haiku, in just a few cases only three.
“Petals of Haiku is not just an anthology that Literary Revelations is proud to publish. It’s a masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of haiku poetry. The spectacular haiku writers featured in this collection bring to life the delicacy of seasons and the profound range of human emotions, from joy to grief, in a way that is both delightful and deeply moving.
“Haiku, the beloved Japanese poetic form, has the power to distill life’s fleeting moments into magical verses. Within the pages of “Petals of Haiku,” you’ll discover both traditional and nontraditional interpretations of this timeless art, each one a masterful display of precision and emotion.
“This anthology is a true feast for the senses, inviting you to pause, reflect, and savor the simple elegance of these poetic gems. Whether you’re a seasoned haiku enthusiast or new to the genre, “Petals of Haiku” will leave an indelible mark, inspiring you to see the world through fresh, enlightened eyes.
“We would be truly honored if you would immerse yourself in this captivating collection. Prepare to be transported, moved, and transformed by the “Petals of Haiku.”
“The art on the cover is done by the award-winning painter Hikari who sets the tone for what awaits inside – a world where words dance off the page and into your heart. The background photo belongs to award-winning Japanese photographer Naoki Kimura and adds another layer of beauty to this already exquisite collection; and the beautiful cover is designed by Iuliana Irimia, a wonderful Montreal artist.”
The Minotaur Dreams of Ariadne by David Milligan-Croft (2024). Available on Amazon Kindle at https://a.co/d/3XuCjrQ.
When David released his latest haiku Ebook, I was captivated by the title and cover art and felt compelled to read it. He’s a prolific writer whose poetry I’ve savored before on WordPress, so I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Each haiku contains golden nuggets of beauty and wisdom that stimulated my imagination and played on my sensibilities. For instance, while most people dream of heaven as a shining city with streets paved with gold, David envisions a paradise lined with cherry trees—and it works! Paradise could easily be found beneath the blossoms of cherry trees.
“The avenues of
Heaven, are surely lined, with
Cherry blossom trees”
~
Indulge yourself in the exquisite imagery of this little gem:
“A rose petal falls
Beneath an August sunset,
Like a velvet tear”
He perfectly captures an ordinary sunset’s beauty, color, texture, and sadness in a few carefully chosen words. If you’re a haiku fanatic, this engaging collection is a must-read.
Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature, compiled and edited by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle (2024). Available on Amazon at https://a.co/d/0EzhQMV.
The poems in this collection are exquisite and unique, written by accomplished poets known to the WordPress community. “Nature” is the theme, and WordCrafter Press released the book in time for the global celebration of Earth Day. Twelve poets contributed to the anthology. Click on the names to visit their blog or website. This is a long review, but I felt I needed to do justice to each poet.
The words and images are so skillfully woven together in “Lost in the Moors” that a sense of peace and serenity overcame me, and I was ready for a good night’s sleep.
“On lavender sky the sun sets low,
The wind whispers, he stirs none;
Hush, he murmurs, to dream-land you go.
***
“On a cetacean sky when the moon is silver
An owl hoots no-one, no-ot a fiddler,
Tic-toc, chimes the clock, dreams are no danger. . .”
Personally, I never thought of writing a poem about a rock, but Luanne did! Her keen awareness of nature produced “The Lizard and the Boulder,” a delightful commentary about sharing.
I love maple trees! – and this poem, “Hope,” reminded me of the beautiful one I played under as a small child in Indiana. The tree was so sturdy and big that it represented stability and security to me.
“Wounded Bird” is a sweet poem that reminds us how fragile and delicate birds can be in a predatory world. But the poem is also a metaphor for girls and women who hide their sadness and vulnerability in a cruel and unfair world.
My mother loved the quaking aspen trees in Northern California, and “Aspen Tree” reminded me of her. I remember how giddy she would get when the leaves shook.
Selma’s gift for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary served her well in “Remember the Geese.” This lovely poem reminds us that aging brings pleasant memories and profound observations to pass along to the younger generation. Life is beautiful. Nature is beautiful. Getting older does not diminish our appreciation of either.
“When you turn old and your eyes droop with sleep
and your hands lay fast asleep on your lap,
look to our creek where the noon hours were long
and remember the wild geese returning
***
oh how we looked upon those brilliant creatures,
how they chose our lake to dwell. They gave us
hours of undisturbed bliss – enigmatic –
and swelled our hearts with sentimental song. . .”
Colleen’s poem, “The Storm,” conjures up images of weather we have all experienced, especially recently. She reminds us that silence and peace are also part of the tempest, whether in the hurricane’s eye or the profound quiet that follows the wind and rain.
“Stygian clouds, like waves in the sea, churning, boiling
White foam against a smashed pumpkin sunset
Thunder booms, echoes, and answers
Hard rain, torrents unleashing. . .”
~
Thank you for visiting!
Dawn Pisturino
Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023
Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press
Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology
Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine
Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women
May 4, 2024
Copyright 2024 Andrew McDowell, Robbie Cheadle, Patricia Furstenberg, Marcia Meara, Luanne Castle, D.L. Finn, Emily Gmitter, Kaye Lynne Booth, Selma Martin, Merril D Smith, Frank Prem, Colleen Chesebro. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
I was pleasantly surprised this morning when poet Lauren Scott notified me that she had posted a review of my book on her website. I thank her from the bottom of my heart. I feel honored and touched by her generosity. Thank you, Lauren, for your beautiful and humbling review!
“Ariel’s Song by Dawn Pisturino is a beautiful and evocative collection of sixty-five poems – a collection that she lovingly dedicates to her daughter whose name is Ariel. The poems were written over a period of three decades touching on topics of love, family, children, death, nature, and the unique. Some rhyme and others are free in their styles from traditional sonnets that invited me to contemplate, to twisted limericks that made me laugh. I had many favorites, but I’m sharing snippets from a few, otherwise, this review would turn into a novel. . .”
Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection by Sheila Murrey (2022). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/5UKI1Sm
The spiritual qualities of the color blue resonate throughout this book. People studying chakras and auras soon learn that blue reflects a high spiritual enlightenment radiating from the inner person. The spiritual essence, or soul, is the authentic self. When we tap into the self, we tap into the energy that animates the universe.
The spiritual self transcends the physical body. Through disciplines such as prayer, meditation, and physical movement, we expand our self-awareness and become one with the Cosmic Consciousness—or God. The more we open up and grow, the more keenly we feel the interconnectedness of all living things.
Some people with high sensitivity, called empaths, play a unique role in teaching and helping others. Their ability to receive messages from the other side and tune into the wisdom of the cosmos also makes them receptive to other people’s thoughts, emotions, and needs. It gives them the intuitive tools to connect with others and help them grow.
In this book, Sheila shares her journey of discovering her true self. From single mom to finally finding her one true love, she paints an honest and sincere portrait of her spiritual quest. We are all connected, and this book will clarify why this is so.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12th, and books make perfect gifts!
Ariel’s Song is a collection of intensely personal poems written between 1987 and 2023 that features various styles and themes, from twisted limericks that make you laugh to traditional sonnets that make you think and feel the world around you. There is something for everyone to enjoy: dark poems, love poems, nature poems, funny poems, poems about death and grief, poems about abuse and heartache, children’s poems, and experimental poems.
Locker by Michelle Ayon Navajas (2023). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/aTRPHTR.
This collection of poetic stories by Michelle Ayon Navajas touched my heart with its honesty and sincerity. She uses a school locker as a metaphor for the human heart and the feelings we lock away when a personal relationship falters due to fear, dishonesty, doubt, separation, love, friendship, longing, and frustrated desire. The stories are simple and direct, written in poetic prose that uncovers deep layers of emotion and self-reflection.
Consider this profound statement from her story, “War.”
“The greatest battle one can ever face is not war or conflict, nor is it survival or finding love. It is the battle of keeping love alive, a struggle that has been endured since the beginning of humanity.”
She writes about the unconventional side of love relationships in “Yes.”
“You captured my heart, not at ‘hello’ but at ‘goodbye.’”
“I was broken, not because you left, but because you wanted to stay. That afternoon, you pleaded for a chance and professed your love. I never gave you an honest answer.”
And pain? Yes, there is plenty of heartbreak and pain in these stories, as evidenced by her story, “Words.”
“’I’m sorry we didn’t work out.’”
“Damn, that killed me.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and intriguing read.
I loved this book so much that I sat on the front porch one afternoon and read it in one sitting — something I wasn’t planning to do. I laughed, cried, thought about all the dogs I had ever owned, and absorbed new information about dog care. The book is written with honesty, caring, and yes, — love. Thomas Wikman loves his dogs, especially, Bronco, and that love shines throughout the book. I found it touching, heartwarming, and inspirational. He reminds us that dogs are family, too, and deserve all the love and commitment we can give. Every dog is special in its own way and enriches its owner’s life with its special quirks and talents. Bronco, to be sure, had many special talents and kept his family on its toes keeping up with him.
If you love dogs, you will love this book and all the sad and funny anecdotes. If you have never heard of the Leonberger breed, you will learn about it in this book. If you want to read more from Thomas Wikman, follow his delightful blog on WordPress.
Ever So Gentlyby Lauren Scott (2023). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/6VKTDPu.
Lauren Scott’s latest poetry collection reflects the inner life of the poet as she seeks to bring serenity and harmony into her world.
In “Messages from the Sea,” her verses paint a vivid portrait of nature, using keen observations and sensitive emotional reactions:
“listen intently
inhale, exhale, feel the calm
your soul will thank you”
Her signature poem, “Ever So Gently,” reminds us to leave our negative thoughts behind and enjoy the positive things around us:
“Remember, the breeze carries
burdens down rivers
and across oceans,
majestic trees sway with joy,
sheltering from shadows,
and the light shines even if only
a slight glimmer slips through”
Even when trouble rears its ugly head, Lauren embraces it with gentle grace, as described in her poem, “Diane.”
“a caring, soft force
a disciplinarian
heart teeming with love
her circle embraced the warmth
from her glimmering essence
~
“poppy-orange painted
fingernails matched her kind smile
her laugh contagious
lifting wavering spirits
always spreading elation
she blessed our marriage
twenty-four months was her time,
tendered memories
nourishing our emotions
unbeknown the grief to come
~
“time swiftly progressed
cancer penetrated her
soul, the oxygen
tank accompanied us on
that cold day in December
~
“we slid onto faux
leather, an afternoon lunch
the horizon bleak
her love flowed into my heart
strong emotions untethered
~
“fifty-nine was her
final number of candles
on her apple pie
a haunting, morning phone call
altering lives forever”
Life, love, death — all of these themes are covered in this collection of beautifully written poems. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your heart and soul with us!
Dawn Pisturino's Blog 