tearfully shedding buttery orange leaves all year
silently for each life shed in brutality and fear
earth rejoices when drops descend from the sky
mixing with pores of earth’s green and dirt dry
love kisses thistle and uncurls branches to clap
while lovers snuggle close, slowing hearts to nap
petrichor releases a gift to enhance its bouquet
humans can coexist in a more harmonious way
celebrating dances through age with mother earth
a mom nursing a newborn, evoking her vast worth
-JONI CAGGIANO
Joni’s blog is Rum and Robots, where she has published poetry, photography, and short stories. Take a look at Joni’s work in Spillwords Press NYC, Vita Brevis Press, The Finest Example, The Tiny Seed Literary Journal, I Write Her – The Short of it, and MasticadoresUSA. Joni’s work was included in the following anthologies: The Sound of Brilliance (The Short of It Publishing, Volume 1 2020), Inner Eye (Poets Choice, 2021), and It’s Not Easy (Poets Choice 2021). Her blog is an effort to give back – she is a surviving Adult Child of Alcoholics. Joni is a retired nurse and paralegal.
You can also read her writing on Instagram @jonicaggiano and Twitter @theinnerchild1.
We would love to read your work. Interested? Please READ our SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.
-MASTICADORESINDIA
MasticadoresIndia // Editora: Terveen Gill 
Joni’s poetry weaves back and forth between life and nature. There’s suffering all around us but it doesn’t have to be this way. Nature is such a beautiful example of coexistence and sternly displays the havoc of destruction. It is now, it is here, it is what we see and believe, there is no better tomorrow waiting for us. We must create it if we want it. The last line is a beautiful ode to creation at its best.
Congratulations Joni!
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Terveen you could not have described the meaning of my poem any clearer. In fact I loved what both you and Jeff said. Thank you so much for your very kind comments and I always appreciate being published in this lovely and diverse magazine. Have an amazing day, big hugs! Joni
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Absolutely gorgeous, Joni. You’ve crafted a piece that speaks to the heart about hope and renewal during a time when it is most needed. Sending love and hugs. ❤️
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Full of hope amongst the struggle: great work, Joni! ❤️
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Hi Ingrid thank you so much, I try hard to always remain hopeful. I am so excited that the Ukrainian people have been so wonderfully welcomed into other people’s homes. Also this thing is drastically changing in a positive way. Maybe people will also hear the cries of our earth, I know that is near and dear to your heart. Big Hugs, Joni
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I do hope so Joni! ❤️
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❤️🤗
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Jeff so appreciate your kind response. We always have to hold on to that hope don’t we? Your words certainly describes this piece beautifully. Thank you so much for your kindness Jeff. You, like Terveen (who always describes my poems to the ump degree) had an amazing understanding of my piece. Blessings to you both. Love Joni 😘
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What a beautiful poem dear Joni so eloquently woven with imagery and words that take us to a place of hope and renewal as we approach Easter. thanks you always for your gorgeous meaningful poetry. 💖💖🌻🌻
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Dearest Cindy, Sorry I did not see this or the other lovely comments. I wanted to thank you for your very gracious and kind words. I am glad you felt a sense of hope, I certainly tried to convey that and you do a lot of that in your work as well, which I always appreciate. Thank you so much for ready, your support and love, sending big hugs and love back! 😘🥰
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It’s not a worry ever dear Joni.! There’s so much to keep track of. You’re so welcome as you are so gifted and Love your work always. thanks for the love and care of my soul. hugs and love to you always. xo 💖💖💖
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You are always so kind to me Cindy, you are like a blue bird singing positive notes of encouragement to all those you read, who read your positive site and those in this community. You are a special friend. Sending lots of love!! Blessings always to you and your beautiful family!
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Beautiful piece, Joni!
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Susi thank you so much for reading and your very kind comment. I do appreciate it. I know you are very busy this time of year and am grateful for your very kind support. Sending big hugs and lots of love your way! xoxoxo
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You’re welcome. Glady accepted, Joni!! ❤
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❤️🤗🦋🌺🎈
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Really beautiful Joni. “a mom nursing a newborn, evoking her vast worth” as a mother, this line touched me the most.
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Oh Michnavs, thank you so much. I am glad this line touched your heart. I remember nursing my daughter and thinking I don’t know how I could ever feel closer to any other being on earth then this, such a sense of connectivity, it really is difficult to describe. Thanks for your gracious words. Love and hugs to your family! xoxoxoxo
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I think I learned the word petrichor from you before and now I see it again. What a wonderful feeling. And beautiful poem.
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Dear Haoyando, Yes in fact you had it on your post one day or your own personally created thesaurus. I remember being so excited that I made your impressive list of words. Sending you a great big thank you my friend. Sending hugs and love to you and your family! xoxoxo
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