Enigma by Joni Caggiano

A cut out silver face mask missing half a forehead and cheek framed in a purple colored frame
Image Source: Canva

fading, my heart envisions

a ripe fig molting tan skin

lying like a sad mason jar

empty, left alone, with a scar

odors float like memories

sparrows sing their hope

your face a repeat movie reel

fingers weep aching to feel

your body folding into mine

tears of laughter jumping

rolling over hills of bare skin

my music, lives, where you’ve been

-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.

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-MASTICADORESINDIA

37 Comments Add yours

  1. kenhume31 says:

    Beautiful Joni, as always! 👌❤️👏 These lines were just gorgeous and captured the emotions perfectly! 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. kenhume31 says:

      “your face a repeat movie reel

      fingers weep aching to feel

      your body folding into mine”

      Liked by 1 person

    2. jonicaggiano says:

      Hi Ken so nice to see you here, thank you very much for you very thoughtful comment. Big hugs and blessings to you and the family. Joni

      Liked by 2 people

      1. kenhume31 says:

        You’re very welcome Joni, always a pleasure! 🙏😁😊

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Cassa Bassa says:

    So many exquisite lines in this piece. What a lovely read! 💚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Cassa for reading and for your sweet comment. I am loving the new photograph with your hat, beautiful! Have a blessed week. Joni

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cassa Bassa says:

        Thank you. Your work is always joy to read Joni! Sending love 💚

        Liked by 1 person

        1. jonicaggiano says:

          Thank you so much Cassa, I feel the same about yours. Blessings to you my friend. 🦋

          Like

  3. Terveen Gill says:

    Joni’s words have a wonderful tendency of caressing the senses. The lines basically read like visuals with the mind taking off to explore the depths of the varied emotions. I love when love and sorrow mix together to give the heart a soft nudge. Memories take us to so many places and we revisit people, places, and incidents that might have been left behind. But the pleasure of knowing that they remain alive inside us is so reassuring. Joy or hurt make us what we are, forever evolving our identities.
    Congratulations Joni!

    Like

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you so much Terveen for your kind words, they always mean so much to me. You have such an amazing gift at getting right to the meaning of everyone’s work so beautifully, you sure make us writers feel so appreciated. I am so glad to be here, thanks so much for having me. Hugs and gratitude, Joni

      Liked by 1 person

  4. So beautiful 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Hello Grace thank you so much for reading and I am so glad you enjoyed it. Blessings to you, enjoy the rest of your week, Joni

      Liked by 2 people

      1. My pleasure, Joni.💕

        Liked by 1 person

  5. michnavs says:

    The emotions …ahh felt in every word…well done Joni..

    Liked by 2 people

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Oh thank you so much for reading and your kindness it is much appreciated Mich.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. haoyando says:

    Yes, sparrows sing their hope, just like us.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Oh I am so glad you liked that line. Thank you so much for reading. I love the movement of hundreds of sparrows as they weave. To me it is like a dance. Have a really blessed week. Hugs, Joni

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Perfect verses, the image crafted with precision! Lovely work indeed my friend!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you so much for your most gracious comment Francis and for reading. 🦋

      Liked by 2 people

      1. It’s always a pleasure Joni. Lots of love and big hugs 🤗 from Greece 🇬🇷

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Good Lord!!! This completely sinks deep in and makes my heart ache for a long-time friend/lover who is such a knowing/known part of life…..sigh. Just absolutely gorgeous, dear Joni. Thank You. Wow. And Thank You, Terveen, for publishing!!!!! Cheers! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Good late morning here in WA State beautiful Katydid. I am so delighted that you read the rest of my piece here and commented my absolutely gracious friend. Some day you will in fact have this as you are far to talented and kind to not find someone to cherish you. Sending my love and thanks again for reading here. Love Joni (Try to stay cool)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Awwwwww. All-ways my absolute pleasure reading Your amazing words, my beautiful friend!!! And Thank You for this sweetness!!! Sending Love and HUGE cool hugs right back!!! 🤗❤️😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. jonicaggiano says:

          Thank you so much my very kind friend. Keep spreading that happiness and love. 🦋❤️🌹🥰🐉🧜‍♀️🧚🏻🧜‍♀️

          Liked by 1 person

        2. 🤗🐲🧚🏽💕🌴💐😊

          Like

  9. Such a beautiful piece Joni painting such a picture with rich imagery that takes us on a journey of the soul and ends in loving arms. Nicely done my friend closer than far!
    💖💖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Cindy sweetie I don’t know how I didn’t see this amazingly kind comment. That you for this. Sending you big hugs and lots of love. 🦋❤️🤗🌹🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well, I’m glad you are seeing it now. So much deserved! you are very gifted. Thanks for the love and hugs. 💖💖💖

        Like

  10. Oh Joni. you have an Old Master’s touch for painting love scenes both delicate and passionate . As human beings we should not forget our place as an integral part of Nature.. It is not merely a backdrop, or a metaphor.. You are so good at subtly reminding us of this truth. Your love poems encompass all of the parts. 🤗 Much love to you Joni, ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  11. jonicaggiano says:

    Dearest Karima you understand me so very well. My poems about love are often drawn from the first young man I loved as he was my safe place when things were so crazy with my parents. I could get away with him and feel safe for a few hours a day in high school. We always were where nature was. I feel such a close connection with trees, birds, and all mammals. I know you are much the same way my friend. Thank you for always reading me here it means a lot to me. I am sending so much love, hugs and blessings for happiness always, Love Joni

    Liked by 1 person

  12. HensBlooms says:

    Beautiful poetry Joni 💕🌸 and a always capturing the imagination with your creative writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. jonicaggiano says:

    Oh thank you kindly Henrietta for reading and for you lovely comment. I appreciate you visiting here. Big hugs and lots of love, Joni

    Like

  14. butungislayp says:

    Exquisitely worded, Joni 💜

    Liked by 1 person

  15. jonicaggiano says:

    Thank you so very much for reading and the kind comment my new friend. Blessings, Joni

    Like

  16. Americaoncoffee says:

    Very lovely Joni! Each of your words have the power to stir emotions. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

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