the glimmer of hope
hiding in the reflection
of earth’s regal eyes
last petal of a floret
hangs heroic in cold wind
star visits dipped
in chocolate sings to me
lady, of perpetual strength
I fly toward the sun
cirrus clouds as wings
my chariot flies to the echo
of prayers going skyward
-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 // Editora: Terveen Gill 
Joni’s poetry inspires an image of a Superhuman, someone who knows the meaning of rising from ashes. The clarity of description and the flavor of wholesomeness is what sets this poem into motion, sweeping the reader into a journey that is out of this world. When faith and courage are the reins, then there’s no limit to the places one can visit. The sky and beyond is what I picture.
Congratulations Joni!
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Terveen, thank you – what gracious words you have used to describe this piece and my writing. I am grateful and appreciative of the opportunity you have given me to be here. I absolutely love the amazing image you chose too. I am so grateful for all your continuing support. Big hugs and blessings, Joni
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“hangs heroic in cold wind” & “lady, of perpetual strength.” Beautiful lines Joni from a beautiful poem! 👌👏😁❤️
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Ken thank you so much for reading and for so glad you particularly enjoyed those lines. I appreciate so much you reading me here and delighted you liked the piece. Big hugs and happy running Ken, Joni
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I am speechless Joni…this is brilliant, powerful and true to being poetic..well done my friend
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Oh thank you so much for reading me here on MasticadoresIndia and for your beautiful words, they mean a lot Mitch! Hope you have a blessed day. Big hugs, Joni
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Excellent writing by one of my favourite poets, Joni Caggiano!
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Thank you so much Francis, you are a kind man with a great heart and I appreciate your words very much. My living room shows you are one of my favorite artists! Sending love to you both from Scott and I.
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Thank you so much Joni! I absolutely love your work and I have learned much from reading it. I appreciate you and Scott’s support and love and encouragement. All the best and lots of love, peace and God’s perfect blessings!
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I appreciate you too Francis and I appreciate the gracious compliment, but know I have learned from reading your beautiful poetry as well. Thank you for the love, peace and God’s blessings! 🦋
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Always a pleasure Joni. All the best.
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There’s such otherworldly beauty in this piece. The imagery is vibrant and fascinating. Joni, your poetic magic knows no bounds. Gorgeous writing, as always, my friend! 🙂
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Mike what sweet words, this is a very kind and very appreciated comment. Thank you so much for reading Mike and I hope your week is full of blessings and inspiration. Big hugs, Joni
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Her strength is stellar, close like a leaf, outer-worldy like a sun-storm.. These lines Joni:
“star visits dipped
in chocolate sings to me
lady, of perpetual strength”
You are this lady, a survivor, a poet who speaks for so many and yet, your poetry is uniquely yours.
We feel your strength and look up, pondering, from where you came…So glad to have found you Joni.
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Karima what a most beautiful and gracious comment. It goes straight to my heart on a very personal level. Your kind heart is a blessing and one I cherish, so thank you so much my dear friend. Praying your day is full of sunshine and inspiration! Hugs and much love, Joni
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I don’t know the picture was your inspiration or you picked the picture to match the poem, they are a great match. Image is powerful just as your words. A great read! 💚
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Hi Cassa my friend, I don’t pick the photograph or illustration Terveen does it and she is amazing at it. So glad you enjoyed it too. I only pick for my site. It is always a fun surprise to see what she has picked when it comes up on publication day. I just loved the picture she chose to go with this piece. Some times for my site the picture can take an hour to choose, being such an important part. I totally agree with you. Artwork is such an intricate part of a post. Thank you so much for reading me here and I am so glad you enjoyed it. Big hugs, Joni
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Perhaps angel songs did entice. I thought of the chariots and reins,
how heaven inspired they are. Beautiful Joni.
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Thank you so much, Shobana, for the kind compliment. You are right. They are very heaven inspired. One of my mom’s favorite songs to sing when she was living was “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” I sang that song at her funeral. It is also one of my favorite southern songs that I still sing today. It creates a beautiful vision of rising to heaven in a chariot. Thank you for always reading. I appreciate it. I hope you have a blessed week! Hugs, Joni 🥰
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So wonderful that you sang that beautiful song for your mom’s funeral, Joni. She would have been smiling from heaven. Thanks so much for your kind words and take care. Have a blessed Advent. Hugs, Shobana
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Oh how sweet, yes I think she was with me that day. Thank you for you kindness Shobana, you have a blessed Advent as well. Big hugs, Joni
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