Kyrosmagica Publishing – The Magical Home of Books, Writing, Poetry, Photography and Inspiration
Many thanks to Tori Zigler for featuring me on her blog (with a couple of excerpts of my poems,) and for reading and reviewing the poetry collection.
***Follow the tour via Writing To Be Read, and leave a comment at each stop to be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win a free digital copy of Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships***
This challenge by Colleen Chesebro explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by visual art or photographs. D. L. Finn provided the photo for this month’s challenge:
My poem is a diatelle, which is a fun, syllable counting form like the etheree with a twist. The syllable structure of the diatelle is: 1,2,3,4,6,8,10,12,10,8,6,4,3,2,1.
with the rhyme structure abbcbccaccbcbba.
Come!
We’re near,
Our home’s here…
Sister Dolphins,
Free to swim, folk drink beers,
Praying no more wars, or who wins,
Not encumbered by human bloodshed’s limbs,
We rise up, chitter chatter, play in the hot sun,
We are four proud playful fish without sins,
Who denounce all wars against kin,
Ditch those awful sad tears,
Join with us in…
Seas. Love. Dear.
No fear.
Fun!
Poetry features in most of my books, do check my publications and buy links via this post: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/
My latest poetry is featured in the following anthology. I’d highly recommend you get a copy as there are many great poets in the collection compiled by Kaye Lynn Booth and Robbie Cheadle.
Here is the buying link: https://books2read.com/u/3kP8aK
That was a tricky one to write. I’m not a huge fan of writing rhyming poetry but I gave it a go…!! Hope you enjoyed.
I’m pleased to announce I am a contributing author to WordCrafter Poetry Treasures Book 2: Relationships compiled and edited by Robbie Cheadle and Kaye Lynn Booth.
This is a fabulous collection of poetry! So, grab a copy while you can…
Contributing authors are: Arthur Rosch, Elizabeth Merry, D Avery, Robbie Cheadle, Harmony Kent, Lauren Scott, Jules Paige, Leon Stevens, Colleen M. Chesebro, Miriam Hurdle, Lynda McKinney Lambert and myself!
Many thanks to Kaye Lynn Booth and Robbie Cheadle for all their hard work bringing this anthology to life!
Enjoy! Do comment below, I’d love to hear from you. x
Blurb
A sinister town that’s not on any map, mysterious black vans and missing people, a book that can kill you, a vengeful mother, an account of life after death, and your worst nightmares come true. This is a strange and dark collection of poems, short stories and musings on a variety of gritty subjects, such as revenge, body image, fear, death, life, motherhood, nature and writing.
My review
This is an interesting collection of unusual tales and poems some of which will stay in my thoughts for a long time!
Many were relatable to me personally – the poem – We Write – and – The Writer Woman – A Cautionary Tale exploring the addictive side of writing obsession which is oh so understandable to us writing types!
Three of my horror favourites – the tale of so-called friends in Child’s Eye, Dylan’s Dream, and the weird, grotesque and not so simple purchase of a shed in The Shed!
The unwelcome attitude to strangers in small towns is portrayed and executed with a creepy ending in Black Hare Valley. There are some character style, reflective and human interest poems like Stan, Dark Little Girl, All These Thoughts of Dying, A Woman of a Certain Age and Crushed By A Number which I really was impressed by.
And poignant tales about death, risk, darkness, fear and confusion… 7 minutes, Moonlit Shadow, Driving The Bends, The Black Van and Slug which will creep you out especially if you are scared of slugs!
Another favourite was The Rubbish Man about people who dump their rubbish. The working world, difficulties, and challenges of life are explored in poems such as Monday Morning, Fine Wine, and Tired. And the darker thoughts of the pandemic and worst case scenario in tales such as Outside. Those who love the forest, (I do!) will be drawn into The Forest.
I loved the poem called The Universe which brings a sense of hope in difficult times.
A collection which you would benefit from reading more than once to gain more insight. Excellent tales and poetry. Highly recommended.
My rating: 4.5 stars
I also thoroughly enjoyed Chantelle Atkins The Mess of Me – my review link: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2021/03/25/book-review-the-mess-of-me-by-chantelle-atkins-chanatkins-book-review-ya/
The Old Friend Releases April 29th:
Chantelle Atkins
Chantelle Atkins was born and raised in Dorset, England and still resides there now with her husband, four children, and multiple pets. She is addicted to reading, writing, and music and writes for both the young adult and adult genres. Her fiction is described as gritty, edgy and compelling. Her debut Young Adult novel The Mess Of Me deals with eating disorders, self-harm, fractured families and first love.
Her second novel, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side follows the musical journey of a young boy attempting to escape his brutal home life and has now been developed into a 6 book series. She is also the author of This Is Nowhere and award-winning dystopian, The Tree Of Rebels, plus a collection of short stories related to her novels called Bird People and Other Stories. The award-winning Elliot Pie’s Guide To Human Nature was released through Pict Publishing in October 2018. A Song For Bill Robinson is the first in her YA trilogy.
Director at Chasing Driftwood Writing Group CIC: https://chasingdriftwoodwritinggroup.org/
Author at https://chantelleatkins.com/
Have you read any of Chantelle’s wonderful work? I urge that you do. Please comment below.
Synopsis
Word Weaving is a yearly poetry journal, and for our first issue, we bring you poetry crafted from a broad mix of new and established voices across the spectrum of Japanese and American syllabic poetry forms. Enjoy this collection of poems that celebrate the Moons of Autumn.
Contributing Poets:
Annette Rochelle Aben, Mona Bedi, Nancy Brady, Colleen M. Chesebro, Goutam Dutta, Bill Engleson, Elizabeth F., Andreea Finichiu, D.L. Finn, Jeff Flesch, Ken Gierke, Franci Hoffman, Thom Kerr, Sujata Khanna, Ruth Klein, Jules Paige, D. Wallace Peach, Gwen M. Plano, M. J. Mallon, R.V. Mitchell, Elaine Patricia Morris, Lisa Smith Nelson, Pat Raffington, Susmita Ramani, Kerfe Roig, Aishwarya Saby, Akhila Siva, Merril D. Smith, Willow Willers, and Cheryl Wood.
Word Weaving #1: A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse by Colleen M. Chesebro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m thrilled to be a participating author in this lovely collection of poetry compiled by Colleen Chesebro and edited by Jules Paige. My review relates to the other authors in the journal.
It begins with an introduction by Jules Paige in which she discusses the choice of theme in this particular collection.
There are haiku, senryu, tanka, tanka prose and many more forms, all of which are fabulous with so many favourites…
dancing in moonlight
in the autumn of our years
still chasing blue skies
Pat Raffington.
the empress rises
summer and winter curtsy
nature holds its breath
while the symphony begins
fireflies dance in the moonlight
Gwen M. Piano
Other highlights include D. L. Finn’s Moon’s Magic which I loved – about a lone black cat on the edge of the world, under the harvest moon and her “Harvest Moon,” Butterly Cinquain.
The collection concluded with a Best of Issue Poetry with favourites chosen by Jules and Colleen. The chosen poems were by D. L. Finn, Merril D. Smith and Ken Gierke. All excellent.
D. Wallace Peach’s “Moon-spun” tanka prose idyll – so magical and enchanting and her “Revolutions” Butterfly Cinquain.
Merril D. Smith’s Crapsey cinquain entitled “October Night,” her shadorma sequence “Harvest Moon,” and her abhanga “Through the Leaves.”
A new poet to me Sujata Khanna wrote a lovely double inverted etheree entitled “A Viaduct.”
And I particularly enjoyed Bill Engleson’s nonet, “Her Winged Way,” and his diatelle “Above Campbell Bay on a Hot August Night.”
Loved Colleen Chesebro’s Luna’s Soft Glow.
Shadorma took me to a “Moon Dance” with Ruth Klein’s contribution.
There was a “Meeting of Minds,” with a Badger’s hexastich written by Susmita Ramani and her “Autumn Half-Dream” “Prom-ises.”
A Triple Abhanga by Annette Rochelle Aben was lovely too.
I could go on and on. Do read this wonderful collection you won’t be disappointed.
View all my reviews
Word Weaving #1: A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse by Colleen M. Chesebro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Congratulations to Colleen Chesebro on her new release Word Weaving – its doing so well!!!
So pleased to be a contributing poet with so many amazing community members being a part of it.
My review:
Word Weaving #1: A Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse by Colleen M. Chesebro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m thrilled to be a participating author in this lovely collection of poetry compiled by Colleen Chesebro and edited by Jules Paige. My review relates to the other authors in the journal.
It begins with an introduction by Jules Paige in which she discusses the choice of theme in this particular collection.
There are haiku, senryu, tanka, tanka prose and many more forms, all of which are fabulous with so many favourites…
dancing in moonlight
in the autumn of our years
still chasing blue skies
Pat Raffington.
the empress rises
summer and winter curtsy
nature holds its breath
while the symphony begins
fireflies dance in the moonlight
Gwen M. Piano
Other highlights include D. L. Finn’s Moon’s Magic which I loved – about a lone black cat on the edge of the world, under the harvest moon and her “Harvest Moon,” Butterly Cinquain.
The collection concluded with a Best of Issue Poetry with favourites chosen by Jules and Colleen. The chosen poems were by D. L. Finn, Merril D. Smith and Ken Gierke. All excellent.
D. Wallace Peach’s “Moon-spun” tanka prose idyll – so magical and enchanting and her “Revolutions” Butterfly Cinquain.
Merril D. Smith’s Crapsey cinquain entitled “October Night,” her shadorma sequence “Harvest Moon,” and her abhanga “Through the Leaves.”
A new poet to me Sujata Khanna wrote a lovely double inverted etheree entitled “A Viaduct.”
And I particularly enjoyed Bill Engleson’s nonet, “Her Winged Way,” and his diatelle “Above Campbell Bay on a Hot August Night.”
Loved Colleen Chesebro’s Luna’s Soft Glow.
Shadorma took me to a “Moon Dance” with Ruth Klein’s contribution.
There was a “Meeting of Minds,” with a Badger’s hexastich written by Susmita Ramani and her “Autumn Half-Dream” “Prom-ises.”
A Triple Abhanga by Annette Rochelle Aben was lovely too.
I could go on and on. Do read this wonderful collection you won’t be disappointed.
View all my reviews
Find out more about this from Colleen….
“Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Arthur Brisbane 1911.
An image offers an opportunity to see endless possibilities depending on the viewer’s perspective. Where some might see beauty and joy, others imagine sadness and loss of hope.
In this collection, images and syllabic poetry are brought together to tell a story based on the author’s perspective. The poetry explores our human experiences such as love, happiness, hope, aging, friendship, new beginnings, dreams and loss.
The world around us is an amazing playground and source of all our essential needs as well as sensory experiences that bring wonder into our lives. What lies beyond the horizon? What surprises will we discover as a garden bursts into bloom? Where do the night creatures live?
At the end of the collection there are some longer poems celebrating memories of the author’s life of travel, teenage exploits and love of food!
My review
Life is like a Mosaic: Random fragments in harmony by Sally Cronin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What strikes me about Sally Cronin’s books is the quiet unassuming way in which they appear without too much fanfare. Sally is a wonderful supporter of the indie writing community, so I am glad to be able to give her a little fanfare too by writing a review for her latest book Life is Like A Mosiac: Random Fragments in Harmony. Great title, I’m sure you will agree!
I loved the dedication within with all the names of the people within her writing circles, so lovely.
I’m a big fan of poetry in all its forms, so this book of eclectic poems from Sally Cronin really appealed to me. There are a wide variety, some wise, some amusing, some thoughtful, some just darn well cute. They are all beautiful presented with accompanying photographs taken from various sources.
Favourites include: Farewell to Colourful Friends, Spices, Dreams, Happiness, Mother Nature, Immortality, Hope, Loose Lips, First Steps, The Circle of Life, Finding Clarity, Creatures of The Night, A Toast to Life, Beneath The Redwoods, Persecution in The Garden, Advancing Years, The Crocodile, Silver Lining to Isolation, The Wise Woman’s Apprentice.
Some are illustrated with personal photographs taken from the authors Childhood Memories in Ceylon, and on Summer Holidays, and as she gets a bit older she becomes Rebellious in Frome!
This poetry collection is accessible, unpretentious, (which I love,) and enjoyable. It will make you smile, reflect and bring back your own memories of when you were young, mischievous and perhaps a little difficult too!
In my case, it brought back memories of when I lived abroad in Childhood Memories – Sally’s poetry spoke to me taking me back in time.
Highly recommended – 5 stars
Many thanks to the author for an ARC copy for review which I happily give with no bias.
View all my reviews
My previous reviews for Sally Cronin:
Details about Sally Cronin:
Delighted to promote authors for FREE please see for details: Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore
And the new: Smorgasbord Children’s Reading Room
Sally’s books are available on Amazon, the Moyhill site and Smashwords.
Amazon: Amazon US
Amazon UK: Amazon UK
More reviews can be found on Goodreads: Goodreads
https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019-2021/
Thank you so much to Sally for this lovely update featuring reviews for Balroop, Jacquie and myself. Do pop over to see Sally’s update – link below.
Oh and while I am here, just to let you know you can request a review copy of my YA Fantasy Bloodstone via Book Sirens: https://booksirens.com/book/H4SI6L4/Q9PZX3A
and for those who are on Netgalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/230784
Congratulations to Balroop on her new release.
Source: #NewRelease: Slivers: Chiseled #Poetry – Emotional Shadows
A Slice of Sky Pie - Shadorma Blue and white A slice of sky pie Massive tree A redwood Leafy lollipop heaven Steep climb to the top!
My poem is inspired by a recent trip to the botanical gardens in Cambridge. I noticed this magnificent tree and the wonderful slice of blue and white sky.
To join in Colleen’s poetry challenge:
https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2021/06/01/tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-228-poetschoice/
Here are some other magnificent champion trees that I saw on my walk. Enjoy!
And a bee hotel.
I intended to go for another walk today but it’s pouring with rain so I’m writing this blog post.
I managed to go for a walk in the rain later!
Check out this wonderful review post from Balroop Singh for Colleen Chesebro’s Wordcraft Prose and Poetry and my poetry and prose book – Mr. Sagittarius.
Bye for now,
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