A collection of poetic pieces about love, sensuality and relationships with various sections including: love as fuel, (food and coffee love,) the summer and winter of love, lost love/discovering love, forgiveness, strangers in love, quirky aspects and nature as sensuality.Inspired in part by daily prompt poems written for #the365poetrypromptchallenge, observations of places and people on my travels.
Alternatively, I’d be delighted if you’d like to support me by downloading a copy.
Currently on kindle preorder, releases June 2nd, paperback thereafter.
One of the poems in the collection is a collaboration between myself and the lovely originator of the amazing #the365poetrypromptchallenge, Melissa Davillio.
I’m delighted to announce that I have a new book on preorder, Shh, Purely Poetry.
It’s different from my usual poetic pieces here’s the …
Blurb
A collection of poetic pieces about love, sensuality and relationships with various sections including: love as fuel, (food and coffee love,) the summer and winter of love, lost love/discovering love, forgiveness, strangers in love, quirky aspects and nature as sensuality. Inspired in part by daily prompt poems written for the 365poetrypromptchallenge, observations of places and people on my travels. My latest poetry collection Shh, Purely Poetry in kindle is now available to preorder !
This is to be published, (as is all my poetry,) under my publishing imprint Kyrosmagica Publishing. I’m keeping my rights, my way! That way I can get these darlings in UK libraries, choose or create my own cover, etc, etc.
Release date June 2nd. Will also be available in paperback.
Cover created by myself with images in Canva, line drawing of girl by Victoria Rusyn.
I’m so thrilled to be a contributing author to this anthology!
And delighted to share the cover reveal for the first volume of The 365 Poetry Prompt Challenge Compendium, including the prompt responses for days 1 – 61 of the challenge chosen by the judging panel. The editor, Melissa Devilio The Poetry of Me MD has now made the compendium available for purchase via Lulu. Expanded distribution will follow.
The selected charity to which all proceeds from the sale of this volume will be donated is The World Literacy Foundation, because EVERYONE should be afforded the opportunity to learn to read.
Melissa wishes to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that helped make this project a success thus far, and CONGRATULATIONS again to all of the following poets whose contributions were selected for this volume!!!
and a poem about the tree at my mums which I put up for her…
Have a lovely Christmas 🎄 xxx
We are away for a few days in Cockermouth, enjoying the lake district. 1st photo taken in Carlisle, beautiful christmas tree spotted in Cockermouth. Rest Bassenthwaite Lake Nature Reserve near Keswick.
Today, I am sharing my Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday poetry with some poems I’ve written for the #the365daypoetrychallenge on Facebook. I’m writing at least a poem a day, and today I wrote several! Currently up to day 47 in the challenge. All my poems are shared to my Facebook page which I’d be delighted if you would follow my progress there: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor
For Tanka Tuesday below you will find three kigo phrases that pertain to the northern hemisphere I’ve used one kigo phrase in each of my three poem with syllable count, 10,7,6.
• #1: “buying a new calender” (7 syllables)
• #2: “winter desolation” (6 syllables)
• #3: “trimming the Christmas tree” (6 syllables)
#1 Buying A New Calender
another new year approaching so fast buying a new calendar for you to fill with fun.
The winter desolation poem below is inspired by my daughter who lives in Manchester. She mentioned how rainy and gusty it has been with one lady nearly being blown onto oncoming traffic by the wind. She was telling me about it on the phone as she made her way home for a hot chocolate to get away from the wind and rain!
#2 Winter Desolation
this storm brings terrible gusts and such rain a hot chocolate combats winter desolation
The Seville photos were taken by me recently on our trip to see the Christmas lights!
#3 Trimming The Christmas Tree
imagine the brilliant task ahead
in Seville reaching that cross
trimming the Christmas tree
OR:
eating the chocolate santa real quick foil wrapped baubles are all gone trimming the christmas tree
Day 47 Haiku Inspired Forms #365daypoetrychallenge
Seasonal image 5 lines 7 words Ronkowitz
like nature try to preserve your energy winter scenes are beautiful but bitter cold look how thin the berry twigs are brightest red holding promises dangling so merrily. bringing much needed winter cheer to you.
We are currently on Day 12 so apologies for not mentioning this earlier but I have been on holiday!
This has been a fun activity to do, and less daunting than doing Nanowrimo which I was considering. I should really be doing Nano to finish my novel but poetry won!
I’ve kept up each day writing 12 poems to date.
I wrote a few poems during my recent trip away to Majorca, (an early birthday treat!)
Here is one inspired by that trip…
Living In The Moment
Living in the moment the cock crows announcing a new day.
Today Majorca, tomorrow Portugal.
We live this life of travels, new experiences, admiring each spectacular sunset.
Music strums the tunes of new adventures.
Wine tasting in a Mallorcan Bodega?
Talking to friends trying new foods,
Olives, local cheeses, nuts and dried fruit,
We remember bbq fish at Fuseta in Rui’s,
The sea sparkles sublime with crystal blue waters.
In Parc National de Sandragó the ocean’s beauty is protected by cleansing algae.
In deeper waters near our hotel the evening sea is deep, black and sleek as ink.
High winds bring stormy seas and high winds,
Whilst in Palma, a man exercises near the rocks!
We laugh as sprays of water soak us.
Remembering similiar days in Cascais,
Sunshine smiles, storms, and rain bring laughter,
The cockerells and hens roam free
beside the families of feral cats
Listening to the beat of our soul
We discover new ways to live.
2023 M J Mallon
TheDay 1 prompt was to compose an ocean related poem.
And given that I was in Majorca and saw a yacht named Ron Punch I inevitably thought of my dad, Ron. Who loves the sea, loves boats and wouldn’t say no to the odd tipple or two in his time. Now 94 he is less able sadly to go adventuring as he used to.
Ron, a drinker, was,
His yacht, Ron Punch, now lays docked
Oceans long since tamed,
Tales all told, he ponders, life,
Storms long forgotten.
He misses old times,
Such rare days his young self had,
Sighs, saluting waves.
2023 M J Mallon
Here are some photos from Parc National de Mondragó, as you can see it is an unspoilt, beautiful spot!
One step, two step 🎃 halloween monsters assemble, Stretch, shuffle, begin, Cha cha, quick step, disco, rude dancing, Welcome! Wicked🧙♀️ witches, 😈 demons, 🧛♀️ vampires, and ghostly divas. Cheer! To the discordant music of the long since and recent dead. Meet our amazing judges. From the wild side, Lou Reed, For his renowned eccentricity, David Bowie, Offering gentle criticism, and celebratory wishes, Prince. For a grungy peace, love, and empathy vibe, Kurt Cobain, What talented judges! Hip hoorah! So, play nice, no cheating, Rules… Dancers listen carefully! Witches wands are strictly forbidden, Ghosts, no fading in and out, Demons keep to the dark side, Vampires don’t eat before the competition! Judges decisions are final, The winning dance will be… Written in the unholiest blood!
20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare.
Kaye Lynne Booth, Chris Barili, Christa Planko, DL Mullan, C.R. Johansson, Joseph Carrabis, Keith J. Hoskins, Mario Acevedo, M.J. Mallon, Michaele Jordan, Patty L Fletcher, Paul Kane, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Rebecca M. Senese, Zack Ellafy, Sonia Pipkin, Denise Aparo, Robert Kostanczuk, Isabel Grey & Julie Jones
Many thanks to Kaye Lynn Booth of Writing To Be Read for this review of The Hedge Witch.
About the Book
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet is a collection of poetry and flash fiction celebrating the beautiful vulnerability of the forest kingdom. It begins with the poetic tale of the kind-hearted Hedge Witch, Fern, who discovers an injured stranger in desperate need of her woodland spells and magic.
The sweet pairing learn from each other and through Fern’s guidance, Devin embraces the power of magic to leave behind his troubled past to become The Musical Poet.
The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet, by M J Mallon is a lovely poetic collection which forms a lyrical tale of a man found in the forest and transformed, with the help of the Hedge Witch, into the poet the forest needs him to be. This enchanting tale unravels through a combination of flash fiction and poetry which explores magical realms and celebrates the forest. The playful, happy tone makes this tale the perfect short read for a palate cleanser after a more serious story where the fate of the world is at stake, or following a deep dive into the human psyche. It’s also a light story which can be consumed within a half hour or so, if you’ve got some time to kill. I used it as both, since I read it twice.
Delightfully entertaining, Kaye gives The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet five quills.
‘So inspiring, so heartfelt … the way Donna writes is beyond beautiful.’ Lisa Snowdon
Uplifting inspiration from the Sunday Times bestselling author of I Wish I Knew
Wild Hope is Donna Ashworth’s powerful new collection of wisdom to help us find hope, peace, self-acceptance and inspiration on the days we feel worn down, helpless or sad. Written with love and understanding, Donna reminds us that amidst our daily struggles and constant outpourings of bad news we have so much to hope for, and that every one of us can play a part, big or small, in making the world a better place.
With poems such as ‘That Thing You Do’, ‘Through the Wringer’ and ‘Rope Ladder’, Donna helps us to remember that most people in this world are good, and that acts of kindness and love within our individual spheres of influence, however small, all contribute to a better future. She also gently guides us, no matter how busy or overburdened we may be, to practice better self-care and self-acceptance.
Hope exists when nothing else can. On the darkest of days Wild Hope will help you find more light.
My review
Wild Hope leaves no hopeful stone unturned! There are so many poems in this collection and each one is so special. Donna’s poetry is simple to understand, and relatable. The considered topics are dear to my heart, such as: mother and daughter love, being proud of you, living life to the full, seizing each day, being who you are and living with nature, and the moon and the planets. Finding joy in the simple but memorable moments of life. There is an abundance of positivity, love, compassion, understanding and humour in this collection. At a time when we all need a boost so much!
It’s the kind of poetry you could dip into whenever you feel the need. Or if, perhaps you are going through a particularly difficult time. The poems on grief, women and growing older were positive, and illuminating. I’m sure they would be a much needed anchor to those in need.
This is a real mood booster would highly recommend!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy which I read freely. All opinions are my own.
Thank you so much to Sally Cronin for dipping into her archives and resharing her previous review of my poetry collection: The Hedge Witch & The Musical Poet. How kind. I really appreciate 🙂
From Sally’s blog:
My review for the collection This is a poetry and flash fiction collection seeped in nature and illustrates the love the author has for the environment, particular the forests. The first pages share the delightful love story of the Hedge Witch and the Musical Poet, bringing two solitary characters together in the sanctuary of a magical forest far from the human world. This story is followed by poems and flash fiction, some of which are poignant such as the tribute to a ginger cat in Chester, Don & I, and bewilderment voiced in The Network of Trees as they stand in danger from the human need for progress. There is also the sad reflection that much of the beauty and adventures to be found in the forests are being missed as children find themselves engrossed in the online world instead. The author makes sure to include the fun they could be enjoying instead. The Teddy in the Woods probably should come with a tissue alert. There are some reminders of poems from another collection which I also enjoyed Mr. Sagittarius Poetry; one of my favourites being Rainbow – Parasol of Light. In the second section of the collection there is a series of poems inspired by other writers.
Welcome to Writing Through the Soul to Heal the Soul. Where you will learn everything you need to know to heal your soul through writing! Thanks for stopping by.
2023 M J Mallon
M J Mallon YA Author and Poet 