I am honored and delighted to have a poem up for Publication of the Month of May on Spillwords. Recently I posted the poem “Visiting a Children’s Memorial Garden”, which is now among the top trending posts. Please continue to Spillwords.com to read my poem. https://spillwords.com/visiting-a-childrens-memorial-garden/ Please note, you need to register and/or login to... Continue Reading →
Nolcha Fox and I have a collaborative poem up in Issue 46 of miniMag. Thank you, Alex! The title of the poem is "Mischief". I like how Alex showed that my verses are right-aligned and Nolcha's are left-aligned. Our poem is a humorous response to the techno gremlins that create chaos online. You can read... Continue Reading →
MasticadoresUSA is looking for new submissions to chew on. We adore all those poets and writers who have filled our souls with sweet delicacies. A variety of poetry forms, prose poems, flash fiction, fiction, interviews, memoirs, reviews, and more. Surprise us at the potluck.
The summer months are lined up at the banquet table awaiting a menu of your delightful creations. Don’t be shy. Our readers are welcoming! In fact, as of this date, MasticadoresUSA has 56,000 + views and 20,000 + visitors. Your work will be seen and read.
But numbers don’t measure success, it’s our love of writing about what matters. It’s all about our soul work. Our creations touch lives. Build connections. And in a divided world, it’s the writers and poets who lend a healing hand and serve up meals of luscious wisdom to hold us all together.
Isteb Grah’s poem reminds me of my mother, who had Alzheimer’s. Mom didn’t express her confusion in this way although I sensed it and knew what a mangle her mind was becoming. Isteb and I have been corresponding, and her situation now touches my heart. I made an audio of her poem, which I am unable to upload on MasticadoresUSA, where I published her poem today. I would like to add the audio to this reblog.
AllI know about me today - I'm definitely not free. Sometimes my mind is clear, my eyes are open, and I can see. Other days my mind is lost, I can't seeanything but gray orremember a single detail about anything, except I'm in a very dark place. Sometimes I don't know my name or even recognize my own face. During my moments of clarity, I recall a past full of love, family and happiness, but I can never remember how I lost them, and I get mad! To be left in this place, I must have done something very bad. During my dark times, I'm afraid, even terrified at times, because well - Oh man, now I forget. I do remember a deep seated fear of something, but I don't know what, maybe regret? I read my journal and ask everyone I see, “Am I sick.” Sadly, I can never…
A poem up on MasticadoresUSA… Why is Cupid so sad? I. February 14, the day of roses. Chocolate-covered strawberries crave the open palm. The heart, the seat of emotion, shapes balloons. Decorates hand… “Cupid Sings the Blues” by Barbara Leonhard Barbara Leonhard Amazon Best-Selling Author Three-Penny Memories: A Poetic Memoir (EIF-Experiments in Fiction, 2022) Pushcart Nominee,... Continue Reading →
I had the pleasure of reviewing this new poetry collection by Shirani Rajapakse. My review appears on MasticadoresUSA today. Have a look…. To read “Samsara” by Shirani Rajapakse is to embark on a spiritual journey of past and present life reflections on suffering, decay, and death in … “A Review of ‘Samsara’, a Poetry Collection by... Continue Reading →
This publication of poetry by Stephanie Henson includes my review of her loving debut poetry book In the Right Lane also has a review by me. You can find the article on MasticadoresUSA. Mosaic Masterpiece You may think you are broken, but lovely things can be created from the pieces. Up, down, sideways, and in... Continue Reading →
This highly anticipated anthology is ready to launch in late January 2023. I would like to share Gabriela Marie Milton’s post about the book and her preface. Clearly, this anthology is a major contribution to literature and society. Her revelation that childhood never really ends is profound. That time is linear is an illusion and... Continue Reading →
I wrote a review of Ken Gierke’s stunning debut poetry collection. You can find it at MasticadoresUSA. What immediately impresses the reader is the cover, which displays stones hewn into glass by water and time. Different shades of blue and green, … “Review of Glass Awash, by Ken Gierke” by Barbara Leonhard Divider Image: by GDJ on... Continue Reading →
Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver 