A Book Review:Wildflower (Maggie Watson) by Joni Caggiano

A Book Review:Wildflower (Maggie Watson) by Joni Caggiano

The author, Maggie Watson, is an abuse survivor, and her book, “Wildflower,” is an inspirational, poetic journey of a lionheart who has broken the binds that held her spirit, and is now free.

The pace of this journey is set in the book’s foreword with the poem below:

FORWARD

You Spill Your Words Onto The Page and Pray That They Don’t Resonate.

Yet, in your heart, you know that won’t be the case.
Society is screwed.
The decay within some humans seems ever present.
A plague waiting to mutate.
Passed down through generations of unhealed trauma.
You spill your words onto the page
while you give thanks that your body is not lying on a slab, being dissected
by a coroner.
You write your words, and you know,
somewhere out there, a poor soul is living with someone who enjoys playing
with knives.
And then, instead, tears spill onto the page.
Until you learn to disconnect.
Because thinking about it too much
reminds you of what you escaped.

The author has divided her book into four distinct sections that align with her healing journey.  Those sections are:  Rocks and Hard Places, A New Path, Dare Greatly, and Unapologetically.

 The poem the author chose to give us as an example of the unconditional sense of what it is to decorticate the role of the victim, and to replace that person with the heart and soul of a courageous survivor, is one of the reasons I hold this book in such esteem.  In this piece, she doesn’t claim to be completely whole or healed.  Conversely, the author makes a point of stating that “Healing takes time.  It takes as long as it takes.” 
It is a brilliantly constructed poetry book, narrated by an individual to oneself in a subjective manner.  A poetic summary of the pain and comfort that one needs to resonate with in order to come to a recipe of healing.  What fuel did this author need to supply that “Inner Child,” who was abused for two decades in an unspeakable manner?

The poem, “Die Another Day,” is a reminder to the abused of the guilt and shame borne from being subjected to constant degradation by the abuser.  This is something that resonated with me on a visceral level as an Adult Child of Alcoholics. 
Held within the second section, “A New Path,” the opening poem, “Strength Is What You Gain,” gives the reader a strong sense that the poet still has moments of a path once followed.  However, she is no longer that naïve girl, and instead, the chaos and reminder is one of the strengths that she gained during her two decades in this abusive relationship.

 Please see the poem below:

Strength Is What You Gained

“In An Ocean Of Tears, I Could Have Drowned, The

fire in my belly kept me alive.
From a quagmire of despair, I chose to rise.
There is still earth remaining underneath my nails.
I have scaled cliffs and climbed mountains.
When the storms of life prevail, I seek no lighthouse as a guide.
I am the wind.

I am the earth.
I am fire.
All I need is within this container.
Strength is what you gain from the chaos you survive,
a glittering prize to admire.
When steps falter on black ice,
«You got this», strength reminds me.”


The intense rawness of this book explains how the poet slowly became shards of her former self, with the intense verbal abuse inflicted, which is difficult to read.  Yet, once I started this book, I could not put it down.  The second section is about her sharing how she began to ground herself and flower, which was a gift within a gift for me.

The third section of the book, “Dare Greatly,” shares with us how she went about freeing herself and leaving behind the years of suffering, guilt, and shame that all abusers try to embed deeply within the heart of those they abuse.  It is also not unusual for others to judge those who are abused because they do not understand the subtlety of the cycle.  This only magnifies the situation created by low self-esteem.

“Unapologetic” is the last section of the book, and I absolutely loved every poetic line.  I understand and feel myself in the author’s words, where she touches on the hurt that can cause even more damage.  She talks about how painful it was when individuals didn’t believe her story during the twenty years she was suffering, and trying to endure.  We can only feel empathetic and grateful that this did not keep her from standing in the light. 

The poem, “Exposed,” is a brilliant rendition of this writer’s own symphony of no longer caring what others think.  One gets the satisfaction of comprehending that this writer has moved on and is no longer tethered to her past, but is free.

The poem, “Exposed” below:

Exposed

To Expose My Vulnerabilities, Remove Packaging.

Rub salt into my wounds before dissecting them on a plate.
You may need honey to sweeten.
Such was the barbarity from which I escaped.
Upon inspection, you will find no discrepancies
in my lines, but there will always be someone, somewhere

who calls me a liar.
And the irony of it all is that my accusers
stay hidden in the shadows
with veils covering their faces,
while I am not afraid to stand in the light.


The admiration I have for the author is hard to express, as I, too, am a survivor of abuse.  So, the fact that she addresses the genuineness of her not apologizing for the sensitivity she still shows as a human being resonates with me so intimately. 

In the poem, “Soft Edges,” this amazingly talented writer tells us,

“I am soft at the edges because I am not afraid to let the world see who I am,
 an imperfect human without a plan, trying my best to be the best that I can
be.
THIS IS ME.”

“Wildflower,” incontrovertibly deserves a five-star rating in a library that I consider quite precious.  Maggie Watson has exposed herself to the bone. She has shared her pain, sorrow and path towards wholeness. 

Sometimes I feel it takes a survivor to truly appreciate the difficulty, vulnerability, and desire to help others through sharing such intimacy. One cannot help but believe there is a price to pay for reliving this past.  It is a blessing I value, given the difficulty and wisdom required to achieve what she has. With immense gratitude, I recommend this book to others and offer a heartfelt skyful of thanks to the writer for sharing her encouraging and uplifting story. 

Joni Caggiano

Joni Karen Caggiano is an internationally published author, poet, and photographer. Her
debut poetry book, “One Petal at A Time,” (Prolific Pulse Press, LLC) was an Amazon
bestseller. She is a three-time Pushcart Nominee and 2024 Best of The Net Nominee. Joni is a
regular contributor to Hotel Masticadores and has collectively contributed to four additional
Masticadores Magazines. On Spillwords, she won Socialite of the Year 2023, 2024, and
Publication of the Month for November 2022 and June 2024, and has been a regular contributor
for five years. Joni’s work appears in a dozen anthologies. Her website is https://the-inner-
child.com.

«Objectifying Women Is Not Empowerment” (Part 3)

“Objectifying Women Is Not Empowerment” (Part 3)

Recent remarks by a member of the Philippine Congress have once again exposed a troubling mindset that still exists among some men in positions of power. In attempting to justify his comments, he shared an analogy about seeing actress Anne Curtis at a hotel and imagining sexual scenarios involving her. He argued that because these thoughts remained in his imagination, there was nothing wrong with them and therefore nothing he could be held accountable for.

When backlash followed, his response was an apology that did not truly acknowledge the harm caused. Instead of reflecting on why the remarks were offensive, he insisted that his analogy was necessary to make a point. In subsequent television interviews, he even laughed about the controversy, claiming that his male friends found the situation amusing and supported him. He also stated that his wife “just laughed,” a claim later contradicted when she publicly clarified that she did not find the remarks funny at all. Her statement was a reminder that respect for women should not be treated as a joke—especially by those who have daughters of their own.

The situation became even more disturbing when another lawyer publicly defended the congressman by attacking Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the sister of Anne Curtis. He questioned why she posts bikini photos on social media, implying that doing so invites sexual desire or harassment. This line of thinking reflects a deeply flawed and harmful assumption—that a woman’s clothing or self-expression justifies being objectified.

But the truth is simple: a woman’s body, appearance, or online presence does not give anyone permission to sexualize, degrade, or disrespect her.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In 2018, during discussions about crime in Davao, then-president Rodrigo Duterte made a remark suggesting that where there are many beautiful women, there will be many rape cases. Statements like these normalize a dangerous narrative—that women’s attractiveness somehow causes violence against them.

It must be said clearly: rape and harassment are never the fault of the victim. Suggesting otherwise shifts responsibility away from perpetrators and reinforces a culture where women are blamed for the violence inflicted upon them.

So what is wrong with this kind of thinking?

First, objectifying women reduces them to physical bodies rather than recognizing them as complete human beings with dignity, agency, and rights. When women are treated primarily as objects of desire, their voices, contributions, and achievements are overshadowed by how they look.

Second, when such views are expressed by public officials, the impact becomes even more damaging. Leaders help shape social norms. When those in power casually sexualize women or dismiss criticism with laughter, it signals to society that this behavior is acceptable.

Third, this mindset undermines genuine women’s empowerment. Empowerment means respecting women’s autonomy—their right to express themselves, pursue careers, speak up, and exist in public spaces without being reduced to objects of sexual fantasy.

Ironically, these remarks surfaced during International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month —a time meant to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for equality. Instead of demonstrating respect and leadership, some officials have chosen to reinforce outdated and harmful attitudes.

Respecting women should not depend on whether they are someone’s daughter, sister, or wife. Women deserve dignity simply because they are human beings.

If those who hold power cannot understand why objectifying women is wrong, then it raises an important question: how can they claim to represent and protect the very people they are supposed to serve?

True leadership requires accountability, empathy, and respect. Without those values, apologies become empty words—and the culture that enables disrespect remains unchanged.

*This also appears on my personal blog

“Objectifying Women Is Not Empowerment” pt. 2

“Objectifying Women Is Not Empowerment” pt. 2

To objectify and use a woman solely to score political points or win an argument is not only reprehensible but deeply dishonorable. It reveals a blatant disregard for human dignity and respect.

This congressman, after his misstep in Congress yesterday, continued to defend his words in interviews. Unfortunately, he dug himself deeper by stating, “I stand by the analogy I made, but if some people were offended, especially during Women’s Month, I’m sorry for those who were hurt. But if you read the context, there was nothing malicious in it.” Really? Nothing malicious? To me, and to many others, this is not an apology. A sincere apology means acknowledging your mistake, taking responsibility, and not defending your actions. The fact that he continues to justify what was clearly an offensive comment is deeply troubling.

He went on to say, “It depends on whether the reader interprets it with malice… I apologize if anyone took it that way.” Now he’s gaslighting those who were hurt by implying that their offense is their problem, not his. Objectifying a woman is, in itself, malicious — and no amount of context or intent changes that. One doesn’t need malicious intent to recognize that what he said was harmful and disrespectful.

*This appears in my personal blog

«Objectifying Women Is Not Empowerment”

“Objectifying Women Is Not Empowerment”

Original Statement in Filipino:
“Minsan nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya, you know my desire sa loob ko na, nag-iinit talaga at na-imagine ko na lang kung anong pwedeng mangyari, pero hanggang imagination na lang yun. Di naman siguro ako pwedeng kasuhan dahil kung ano-ano naimagine ko eh.”

English Translation:
“One time, I was at Shangri-La, and I saw Anne Curtis. She’s really beautiful, and you know, my desire inside just stirred, and I started imagining what could happen, but it was all just in my imagination. I don’t think I can be sued because of the things I imagined.”

The remark made by one of the congressmen during the impeachment proceedings was not only shocking but also deeply troubling. He openly objectified Anne Curtis, reducing her to nothing more than an object of desire based solely on her physical appearance. To make matters worse, he seemed to believe that there was no harm in sharing such thoughts, even arguing against the motion to strike his words from the record. His refusal to acknowledge the harm in his statement reveals a profound disregard for the basic principles of respect and human dignity.

We are in March, Women’s Month, a time to celebrate the empowerment of women and to acknowledge their value beyond their physical appearances. However, the congressman’s words do the exact opposite—they dehumanize women and undermine the very ideals of empowerment.

Why this statement does not empower a woman:

• Objectification: This congressman focuses entirely on Anne Curtis’s physical beauty and openly expresses desire without considering her humanity. The comment reduces her to her looks, disregarding her as an individual with her own agency, achievements, and personal identity. When a woman is only seen for her appearance, her full worth as a person is overlooked.

• Disrespect of Boundaries and Consent: The statement goes beyond admiration of physical beauty to fantasizing about what “could happen,” without any mention of respect or consent. It reveals a mindset where a woman’s autonomy is ignored, and her personal boundaries are disregarded. It is not just inappropriate; it is a blatant violation of the respect every individual deserves.

• Dismissal of Achievements: Anne Curtis is a talented actress, a philanthropist, a TV host, and a role model. She has worked hard to build her career and contribute positively to society. Empowerment means recognizing women for their talents, skills, achievements, and contributions—not merely how they affect someone’s personal desires. The congressman’s words strip away Anne’s accomplishments and reduce her to an object of fleeting attraction.

• Perpetuating Harmful Stereotypes: Such statements are not just disrespectful to the individual woman involved but also contribute to a wider, harmful narrative about the role of women in society. They reinforce outdated stereotypes that women exist solely for men’s pleasure or validation, which perpetuates the cycle of inequality and disrespect.

True empowerment for women lies in seeing them as fully realized individuals—people with their own dreams, goals, and worth. This congressman’s remark does the opposite by diminishing Anne Curtis to a mere object of fantasy. It ignores her humanity and her right to be treated with respect.

This kind of rhetoric has no place in any setting, let alone in the halls of power. The fact that this congressman not only made such a comment but also refused to accept that it was wrong speaks volumes about the mindset that still exists in some circles of leadership. I commend the justice committee members who voted to strike his statement from the record and take a stand for dignity and respect.

The very essence of Women’s Month is to celebrate women’s empowerment—recognizing their full humanity and achievements. But remarks like these, from an individual who should be setting a higher standard, only serve to perpetuate the objectification and degradation of women. It’s essential that we continue to call out and challenge such unacceptable behavior to ensure a future where women are celebrated for who they truly are.

*This also appears on my personal Blog

«There’s Only One Way to Get Out of the Gutter» by Selma Martin

«There’s Only One Way to Get Out of the Gutter» by Selma Martin

A big part of my love of reading has to do with the many travels I set out on, thanks to writers’ extraordinary world-building abilities. Another is the choice of words and metaphors writers employ to get their messages across. There are more, of course, but today I wish to talk to you about the latter.

Be they metaphors, quotes, or affirmations, these bring events in the stories, close to home for me. Often, I find myself pausing to write them down. What about you? Are you also fascinated by words this way? I’m sure you are.

In this concise article today, I’d like to tell you about a short but powerful quote that landed in one of my notebooks. It resonated then and still does, as the gutter is not a nice place to be.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

I came across the quote in one of Author James Patterson’s novels (failed to write down which one). Liking how it sounded coming off my lips and the image the words conjured, I immediately jutted it down and labeled it as one of Patterson’s most excellent words. Not long after, in Being in Balance, one of Dr.Wayne W. Dyer’s many books, I came across the exact words again (and this, dear friends, is how the universe makes me pay attention).

 Dr. Wayne informed me that those words came from the Irish poet, author, and playwright, Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde— a legend of a time older than the two famous authors mentioned above. Of the Irish originator’s quote, here’s what Dr. Dyer thought:

“It’s a perfect example of how to align vision and thoughts so the two are balanced with what you sense you’re here to be; it’s the perfect mindset to cultivate the energy to match the dream.” ~ Dr. W. Dyer

As I read the late Dr. Dyer’s thoughts, I found myself wondering, and so I questioned, “Whatever that ‘dream’ or ‘calling’ may be, Sir?”

His reply came to me as, “Yes, whatever that may be.” And as if sensing my question, added,

life circumstances, not an impediment.

financial status doesn’t matter.

the presence of naysayers, not a hindrance.

I was intrigued, so I continued to read, followed his every word, amazed at the simplicity. In short, this is what the great American philosopher, motivational speaker, and self-help author of Being in Balance said to me:  It is not a secret, and we don’t need to wait for an invitation to participate, for in balancing the vision with the thought, we begin to co-create our lives.

Co-creation was a new term for me, so I read more:

•  Involves using the energy from the invisible field of Spirit.
•  Involves balancing our in-the-world dreams with the in-the-spirit-energy of creation.
•  Requires that we ascribe power to that energy.
•  Requires that we claim the energy that we undoubtedly believe exists.

It’s all a matter of purposefully aligning our thinking with our dreams, and the reason this works is just as simple.

We cannot give rise to ‘something’ if we contemplate the impossibility of that ‘something’ coming true.

Being in the gutter is synonymous with life circumstances, financial status, the gaggle of naysayers, and such. Can you relate? Far too many times, I’ve found myself in the gutter, and so I appreciated the insight. In this case, the antidote is– the way to get out of the gutter has to do with a shift.

Surrendering that we are there because life is not fair, or other such explanations, will keep us  in the gutter. But by looking up at the stars, which is outside that gutter, we are rejecting the magnetic pull of the gutter and reaching out to more, namely our inherent right to the Source of all creation — Spirit.

I know it.
I desire it.
It’s on its way.
Nothing can stop it.
These are the crucial affirmations that will bring dreams and thoughts to align.

“And just like that, you access creativity by attracting all that you need with your thoughts.” ~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

But the only way to get out of that gutter is if you align your inner creative energy, your thoughts, to match up with your desires.

In closing, a recall from my religious studies that beautifully supports Dr. Dyer’s insight– the aligned words spoken by the man who said it best of all.

“Believe that you shall receive and you shall receive.” ~  Jesus of Nazareth

Do you have quotes, affirmations, or metaphors that you’ve read about in books? Do you hunt down their origins or leave things up to the universe to send you more lessons? I’m sure that one way or another, we all come to pay attention and learn.

As for the quote that prompted this article, I hope that knowing that a shift in perception, aligning your thoughts with your dreams and desires will help us all to get out of the gutter. And help us to Cross Over to a Healthy Lifestyle. May it be so.

*Image by montemari from Pixabay. Downloaded by Selma.

Author’s Bio

Selma Martin is a retired English teacher with 20 years of experience teaching children ESL. She believes in people’s goodness and in finding balance in simple living. She lives in Japan with her husband of 35 years. In 2018, Selma participated in a networking course whose final lesson was to publish a story on Amazon. She completed the course and self-published her short story, Wanted: Husband/Handyman, in 2019, and later, collaborating with peers from that course, she published Wanted: Husband/Handyman in Once Upon A Story: A Short Fiction Anthology. Selma has published stories on Medium for many years, in MasticadoresUSA, The Poetorium At Starlight, Short Fiction Break, Lit eZine, and Spillwords. In July 2023, she published her debut poetry collection, In the Shadow of Rainbows (Experiments in Fiction). You can find Selma as selmawrites on Instagram and Twitter, and on her website, selmamartin.com. 

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#Essay #hotel #MichelleNavajas #SelmaMartin

«DAWN ON CLEAR CREEK» by Ray Whitaker

«DAWN ON CLEAR CREEK» by Ray Whitaker

Sky only now brightening
the darkness gradually saying adieu
colors of aspens beginning
to show more that their indeterminable white bark
that shone in the sleeping night.
This stretch of Clear Creek rocky
perhaps a twenty degree slope
white water having shone thru the night
it’s music a steady tempo
with occasional bass drum beats
of rocks crunching in the flow.
I can see the reddish bark of pine trees
across the creek now,
the orange still indiscernible
oh, the greens, silent, no breeze moving aspen leaves
in this August morning.
Yesterday, a woman came by the camp
this place, tented solitude, miles from anywhere
didn’t stay, didn’t say much
an almost unfriendly greeting over dog barks
leaving nearly as soon as she appeared.
Someone had camped in the spot before
recently, the grass having bent under weight of tents
trod underfoot
perhaps she was looking for something lost
left behind in the melee of packing up,
I will keep an eye out for that.
Having found my dawn’s morning
with the music of a fresh day
soft sunlight under a clear blue sky
just showing it’s vibrant color
of woods and roaring watercourse.
Here, having found nirvana

Author Bio

All writers and poets are writing out of «the Self» however there are directions that the self speaks into, that change. Now Ray’s writing is to put foremost in his  work, just who he is writing for. He intends on writing for the everyday man and woman. He firmly believes that poems need to reach into the everyday person’s pictures in their minds, and engage with those. This is where he aims to make a difference in his creative writing. He’s fulfilled when he sees that his work is provoking thought in his readers. Ray has five books published, and two chapbooks. His work has been published in fourteen different countries. He’s working on two new manuscripts now.Ray was a Delegate to the 2024 Writer’s International Panorama Festival this past January, and is a Delegate to this year’s 2025 Festival He participates regularly with several zoom poetic events worldwide. Among them, he has been spotlighted on a US National Poetry broadcast from Quintessential Listening Poetry Online Radio In April, ’24; and also an International Poetry Recital hosted by The Fertile Minds out of India this past April 19th, 2025. In May he was the reading featured poet in David Leo Sirois’ Spoken Word Online, associated with Spoken Word Paris. He is Moderator for Michael Lee Johnson’s FB “My Voice,Your Words- Poetry In Action” page; and Editor for Masticadores Canada Journal.
Can be found at FB: Whitjr1, and at Mascadores Canada

#Christmas #hotel #MichelleNavajas #poetry #RayWhitaker

«Well I Never– Mockery Trivializes The Sacredness of Food!» By Selma Martin

«Well I Never– Mockery Trivializes The Sacredness of Food!» By Selma Martin

Such mockery is cloying when some are going hungry on the planet

This poem was conceived from a prompt on nostalgia. Sort of part 2 of “I’m Bored,
She Said, They Said.” — yeah, that boring one!

Food brings me nostalgia. To be honest, the wasting of food, and the mockery of the sacredness of food gives me indigestion. And to explain this one I’ll need to take you back to my upbringing. So pull a chair while I relay to you a story I carry.

Is there a particular food that brings you nostalgia, fills you with warmth, and transports you to a place that smells like your childhood home? Most likely, there’s such food, and there exists such a place, if only in your mind.

Soups are a classic contender that transcends cultures, yet, the great soothing food of cultures is not limited only to soups.

What is your comfort food?

As for me, I was brought up eating kidney beans soup with salted pigtail. Yum. And to this day, I rely on beans soup as great coping food for those times when nothing else will do. When I make it for my family, the salted pigtail is substituted by smoked ham or TVP (soy meat). It’s soothing and comforting still, and love it I do!

A hot bowl of soup
made with love in your kitchen
real comfort of home

Being raised Catholic, our good priests spoke of waste-not in every sermon, and the biggest waste-not I grew up knowing had to do with food. And so, in line with what our priests said, my siblings and I practically licked our plates clean.

Yes, ma’am. We learned from the grownups how to suck the tail bones clean — salted pork tails, which you must already know hardly have much meat, to begin with — we sucked and bit into them to extract the morrow as well. That’s how I learned to eat.

We wasted not.

We ate our share, aware of our connection to starving children somewhere in the world, who, we were told, had no bones to suck on.

Knowing that we did what we could, was comforting, which added to the mindset of
what comfort foods do: they comfort!

“Food is everything we are.
It’s an extension of nationalist feelings,
ethnic feelings, your personal history,
your province, your region, your tribe,
your grandma.
It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.”
– Anthony Bourdain

All this said, to us, food was sacred. We never went without and never mocked or
wasted it. And today, it breaks my heart to see how food is wasted and taken for
granted in some countries, knowing families are going hungry on the planet.

How did this happen? Is it possible that food is not comforting to them? Is it perhaps
that we failed to teach our young this crucial message? Then, please, let’s.

Food is a nostalgic topic to me for this reason. Can you relate?

I wish we could instill the sacredness of food in our young, help them to appreciate
each bite come from Mother Earth, and, through this appreciation, have a future where
no one goes hungry. Ever!

Photo Credits: karsten-winegeart-s2MjR3xoJkE-unsplash : Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash : Downloaded by Selma

Author’s Bio

Selma Martin is a retired English teacher with 20 years of experience teaching children ESL. She believes in people’s goodness and in finding balance in simple living. She lives in Japan with her husband of 35 years. In 2018, Selma participated in a networking course whose final lesson was to publish a story on Amazon. She completed the course and self-published her short story, Wanted: Husband/Handyman, in 2019, and later, collaborating with peers from that course, she published Wanted: Husband/Handyman in Once Upon A Story: A Short Fiction Anthology. Selma has published stories on Medium for many years, in MasticadoresUSA, The Poetorium At Starlight, Short Fiction Break, Lit eZine, and Spillwords. In July 2023, she published her debut poetry collection, In the Shadow of Rainbows (Experiments in Fiction). You can find Selma as selmawrites on Instagram and Twitter, and on her website, selmamartin.com. 

#hotel #michelleNavajas #poetry #selmaMartin

«Letters to Alegra» by Alexis Araneta

«Letters to Alegra» by Alexis Araneta

1 February 2022

Dear Allegra,

I know you have no idea who I am; if you were to list everything you know about me, all you’d come up with is a blank page. Why is it, though, that every Austen heroine rolled into a divine being would still pale in comparison to your splendour?
Right now, I watch you saunter in front of me, each stiletto-clack step tuning the pavement gold. As if from a scrupulously conceptualised film script. Your sumptuous Yves Saint-Laurent maxi dress and those perfectly coiffed burgundy waves jeté in the winter breeze, only to fall back into its properly assigned place. Your long, lithe legs float on concrete, every glide a note in the rhapsody of your radiance. You greet the newsagent with that aria of a received pronunciation-laced voice. Even the low-hanging sun insists on crowning you with its rays, just so you can rival Aphrodite herself.

Of course, whilst you play in the cinema of my mind, you will never turn your eyes on me. Why would the muse that dictates even my every breath ever hold me – wiry frame, mousy patches of hair, lips perpetually trembling with unspoken sentences — ever spare a single thought for me?
I can only dream, I guess.

Always with you in the world of words,
M

**

26 May 2022

Dear Allegra,

Congratulations on the Pulitzer; I knew it was as certain as letters threading themselves together to form this missive that you’d bag it.
No, I’m not surprised at all, you brilliant, intrepid travel journalist. Phileas Fogg would cower in shame at the way you have traversed the heady cosmopolitan haunts of ol’ London Town, the pristine, powder sands of the Philippines, the russet sacred lands of Outback Australia, the cacophony of sound and colour of the South American jungle — all whilst seeming as though you walked out of a film set. Your musings on the massive stage that is the world have undeniably captivated continents of wide gazes awaiting your next voyage journal.

If that’s not enough, though, I heard that you will be starting your first novel soon. Once more, to be surprised with that news is to be blinder than Tiresias to the luminescence of your writing skill. I can not wait to nibble at every single morsel of every single syllable of that tome.

Of course, the more you step into your divinity as Calliope, the more I realise I’m but a mere mortal basking in the beacon of your splendour. Will you, one day, bestow me a smile?

Always with you in the world of words,
M

**

16 August 2022

Dear Allegra,

Well, he’s lovely. Enjorlas’ passion meets Dorian Gray’s stellar beauty meets Colonel Brandon’s steadfast, kind heart. I’m happy for you; I truly am.

Leo Victor-George. Critically acclaimed novelist of ‘The Perfection’ Leo Victor-George. Leo Victor-George who kisses your mouth with plush lips and kisses your ear with poetry just to encapsulate your wondrous light.

Even his name inks a bridge to you; Leo Tolstoy, Victor Hugo, George Elliot – authors whose tomes I’ve seen you languidly savour amongst the verdure of Green Park. The smile playing on your mulberry-painted lips is but a synopsis of the joy you feel by his side.
…a joy I can’t have. As your souls harmonise in a glorious duet with every encounter, a wailing lament rings out in mine. You and Leo get to swing into each other’s arms in technicolour; my insides submerge themselves in black and white.
But perhaps, you can string together even just a line of dialogue between you two mentioning me?

Always with you in the world of words,
M

**

30 June 2023

Dear Allegra,

Wow, you are launching your second novel already! I know that any sentiment from me would be muffled by the acoustics in the theatre of your attention, but can I just say how proud I am of you?

Of course, it’s only fitting that the woman who could be crowned the fairest of all Olympus would celebrate her new tome’s debut in Greece. Greece, cradle of civilisation and the gods. And yet its ancient marble statues and its sprawling temple ruins were no match to your oceanic eyes in the Mediterranean sun. Even Helen of Troy would gasp at the image of you in Athens in your delicately purple silk empire dress, its ruffles transforming you into a wild iris. Your publisher might as well officially call you The Face That Launched a Thousand Shipments.

Yes, you had every reason to beam. After all, the entire time, you were next to Leo, inseparable as if your names were already inscribed in myths passed by tongue through generations. He stares at you mesmerised as you perform that ballet of press tours, sightseeing, and Sylvia Plath in the park I am miles away, begging for a single second of your bliss.

Maybe, Hermes can deliver a whispered message to you, forged by my tears?

Always with you in the world of words,
M

**

19 October 2024

Dear Allegra,

That’s it. You’re married now. Like the end sequence of a 1950s MGM blockbuster, you kissed Leo as the sun set on New York and the minister declared you both husband and wife.
I’m not surprised he bawled as you walked down the aisle, you know. You were a vision in your lace wedding gown, fairy tale princess wedding every hero with Cupid’s arrow in their arsenal. And oh the way liquid crystal dripped down your stunning face as you stared at your besotted fiancé! Vivaldi might as well descend from the heavens to play a melody worthy of you.

So, it’s final. It’s with Leo you’ll explore every denotation and connotation of ‘Happily Ever After’. It’s with Leo you shall cuddle on the sofa as Catherine Deneuve grins at her mother’s umbrella shop for the twelfth time on your television screen. It’s with Leo that you shall build a library of all of the titles you have collected. It’s with Leo you will write the final chapter of your story with.

Will you spare even just a line or two for me?

Always with you in the world of words,
M

**

28 June 2025

Allegra,

They found them! They found my letters to you! Now, they’re going to move me away, dry up the well of sentences I want to fill yours with!

What am I to do now?
M

**

Local Woman Found Dead in Kitchen, Suicide Suspected

5 July 2025

Pleasant, AL – Police are investigating the death of a local woman who was found by emergency services with her head in an oven. Mary Luncroft, 45, passed away due to gas inhalation. According to reports, the kitchen windows had been sealed by two layers of towels and the doors were locked when the rescue team arrived at her home.
Authorities have taken a few of Mrs. Luncroft’s belongings to aid in the investigation. Among her possessions are her journal, a ‘UK English for Dummies’ book, and a USB drive containing a novel draft written by one Allegra Victor-George, confirmed to be Mrs. Luncroft’s nom de plume by a journal entry dated 1 January 2022.
Mrs. Luncroft was due to move to the neighboring town of Lacrima next month with her family. She is survived by her husband Jeremiah, a Baptist minister, and her five children.

Author’s Bio

Alexis Araneta is an aspiring short story writer and poet from Tagaytay City. Enchanted by the taste and feel of words since she could speak, she began writing at the age of nine. Her flash fiction has been featured in anthologies such as Tagay by San Anselmo Press and Marbles by Blue Marble Storytellers. Encouraged by a friend to experiment with verse, she has also been exploring the world of poetry.
When she’s not crafting advertising copy, tormenting protagonists with unrequited love, or deftly inserting the word “deftly” into every stanza, Alexis enjoys reading classic literature, listening to jazz and soul music, and studying European languages.
Follow her (and prepare for a generous dose of selfies) on Instagram and Threads: @cestmoiallie

#hotel #MichelleNavajas #ShortStory

«THE SPACES IN BETWEEN» by Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon

«THE SPACES IN BETWEEN» by Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon

 
As rainwater drips, my
heart weeps, that excruciating
pain—I can’t contain,
and I’ll say it again,
‘When words are left—without wings,
then quiteness fills in—the spaces
in between’, silence,
turns into cruel cacophony…
sunsets clad in red,
solitude is never
too old, bidding
farewell is just
the beginning,
ignites from afar.
 
As the breath—
of your Love scents
the earth, wafting through
our hearts, your smiles,
your laughters, forever
and ever—cherished.
 
“Palangga ka gid Namon ‘Coy”*
 
 
 
By: Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon©2025

______
*Filipino Ilonggo endearment that means “we love you so much”

 
Author’s note:
 
The above poem is a loving tribute to my beloved brother, the late Rev. Fr. Jose Maria M. Parcon
 

Author’s Bio

Preferred to be called, “the poetess”, Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon is a Filipino poet and creative writer. Her passion in writing has thrived all these years. How she established her online presence, sharing her masterpieces.

Her poems have been published in various international literary platforms and anthologies, such as Hotel by Masticadores, Free Verse Revolution and PoetrySoup. She has also contributed to Amazon’s Best-Selling anthology, After Rain Skies.

She shares her literary pieces on her profile at PoetryPoem.com;
Shorter verses on Instagram @lenettepoetry;
Collaborations of her words and design on lenetteartsandquotes @WordPress, and on Facebook pages, where she authors Lenette Poetry, Lenette Quotes and Unwordy Lips.

She has been a  contributor of the prestigious publication, Masticadores Philippines and Hotel by Masticadores. Her simple yet elegant, artistic design reaches Zazzle Inc.,showcasing “Lenette Arts & Quotes” among its products. 

#hotel #MichelleNavajas #poetry

“Idyllic”© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

⚠️ Content Warning: The following material contains scenes of violence and may be disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

“Idyllic”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

Leroy blew his
fingers off with
blasting caps he stole
from some old granary
and he’d chew on the
blackened stumps
while waiting
for the school bus
like some kind of
hard dude
like he didn’t feel
a thing
I hated him
but I understood
numbness
and I knew he was 
dead inside
knowing his
little sisters
were never
coming back
from that long-ago
pile of twisted metal
on the highway
he was sixteen
and already
an old man

Ronnie was a
psycho
and a pusher
and drove a
piece of s…
Chevy truck
with a .30-06
in a window rack
and his eyes
danced with
hellfire
when he wasn’t
shooting up crank
he was shooting up
mailboxes
and stealing anything
that wasn’t nailed down
and one surreal
summer evening
he almost killed me
and I saw the face of
true evil
up close and personal
my old man
would have been proud
Ronnie was already DOA
and he didn’t even
know it
a wraith
barreling down
a midnight country road
with Skynyrd blasting
and his mind
completely blown

Old Bud had a penchant
for booze
and young girls
and enough sway with
the local LEOs
to look the other way
when his granddaughters
came to visit
his self-proclaimed
redneck empire
collapsed one day when
his black heart came a cropper
and his corpulent ass
gave up its ghost
and its secrets
no shame for the shameless
his little kingdom in ruins
but all those skeletons
remain

my old man was
an anomaly
among this
cretin coterie
this hick menagerie
his arrogant bullying
earned him the moniker
“little hitler”
among the Leroys
and Ronnies
and Old Buds
of this nowhere place
this idyllic pastoral
version of hell
his NRA card-waving
wife-beating
chest-thumping
sturm und drang
racist dog and pony show
approach to country life
perhaps a little too much
for their liking
he was a laughingstock
and too proud to know it
hubris is a helluva drug

and one by one
between shoot-outs
and break-ins
and meth labs
and murders
and suicides
and all the
hidden horrors
birthed by the
brackish hearts of men
these restless ghosts
have faded into
oblivion
only barren fields remain
derelict houses
rife with caustic memories
and the soundless hush
of the uneasy dead
listen closely
and steel yourself
against what this
silent place may
tell you

things are never
ever
as they seem

…..

Author’s bio

Mike is a deaf writer/photographer who lives in rural southwest Colorado. His love of nature shines through his poetry and photography, both of which he uses to make sense of his world. His blog–Silent Pariah.

#hotel #MichelleNavajas #MikeUtley #poetry