Stanzaic Stylings

Photo by Joanne Olivieri Trees of Heaven Those are tough trees growing in slums. With no need of rich soil or pruning, they rise in abandoned lots. These are trees that survive rubbish, rodents noxious chemicals. Not  easily cut down,  they stand against gaunt tenements. Climbing skyward, delicate palm leaves flourish flowering pods. Trees of Heaven give children glimpses of bright emerald each morning. Stars play peek-a-boo between their branches through long nights. Who has said a taste of paradise is only for the rich? BIO:  Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze, Blueline, and Halcyon Days.  Three Bright Hills Press Anthologies, several Poppy Road Review Journals, and numerous Kind of A Hurricane Press Publications have accepted her work.  Her latest title is Having Lunch...

poetry & photo by Joanne Olivieri joanneolivieri.weebly.com Blackbird He teeters softly balancing unconscious upon fog dampened phone lines. Feathers his garment, he awakens to windswept mist and shattered street scenes below. Emerging from his protective quarters inside himself, he spreads his wings and surveys concrete organisms below his perch where the cumulus provide a warm, safe haven. He flutters haphazardly on broken streets surrounded by industrial obesity in search of discarded morsels to satisfy his hunger. Innocuous in his size he is not noticed and therefore not seen, though rises above it all naturally gifted with wings of freedom. Homeless His cries hidden sleeping consciously upon garbage strewn pavement. Newspapers his blanket, he awakens to deafening sirens and the morning rush hour. Emerging from the daily news and fetal position he sits watching oblivious passersby invade the unseen t...

The Owl And The Fly Sunshine glistens atop the trees and Wilbur’s barn. He stands quietly snoozing away the morning eyelids closed and feathers groomed. I come to visit as I always do soft whispers “good morning baby boy” and he opens his eyes and turns his head . I never mean to wake him as he sleeps yet he knows when I am there and greets me with his tender smile and heart shaped face. He is my pet, my spirit bird and my family who gives me such joy just by being the sweetest owl he can be. He lights up my days and brings me a sense of peace when I look into his eyes. This morning, he greets me at his barn door and I can feel his excitement for the beautiful day. It is quiet, the familiar bird calls hush a lullaby and Wilbur is joyously calm Then, from nowhere, an incessant buzzing grips the peaceful air around his barn and a fly appears in Wilbur’s sight. Wil...

Photo taken by Joanne Olivieri Victoria Harbour Hong Kong 2008 Sunset Over Victoria Harbor In Hong Kong And the sun retreats high aglow orange canvas where I’ve seen this same glow half a world away on a different horizon. And the daylight verbiage quelled by deafening quiet whispers secrets to passerby clouds never remembered. And the harbour bids “farewell Sun Goddess” drowning in darkness gently awaiting a symphony of lights. Until we meet again… BIO:  https://joanneolivieri.weebly.com/about.html

The Art and Craft of Poetry by Joanne Olivieri published by PPP Ezine. Read the article here,

Summer rains the urban pavement a concrete ski slope orange sunset tequila sunrise at last call beach bonfire his alcohol breath fuels the flames sunbathing she burns toast for breakfast morning sun rises across Eastern skies an orange smoothie desert Summer sans humidity her hot flash lingers cumulus clouds pattern the sky cotton candy moonlight stroll a spider webs his way through darkness hot air balloons his speech goes in one ear and out the other Summer night crickets scatting jazz tunes my ear wax gone midsummers dream fantasies in high definition sunrise minuet he hits the snooze button and sleeps in high tide low tide the yin yang of it all quietude envelops the trees leaves speak foreign tongues ancient manuscript a diverse species hugging limbs sharing the...

More Details and Ordering Instructions on Amazon This is the first time I have experienced cowboy  poetry. I have always loved western cinema and cowboy tales but have never read cowboy poetry until now. I have to say, after reading this book I am thoroughly enchanted by this genre. The poetry has an air of contemplation and brings forth the emotions of everyday life along the range. There are a couple of poems which stand out. One being A Cowboy's Heart which speaks to love and loss with an emphasis on healing. It is beautifully styled and explores the intricacies of the heart. Another is Dad's Ol' Boots which personally gripped at my heart, bringing back memories of my own father. This book is filled with life and love and told with a contemplative voice that sets the stage for a wonderful calm and introspective read. I highly recommend this book. Review by: Joanne Olivieri Editor Stanzaic Stylings

Image: Charly Kayle Facebook Page Image: Ocean Beach Land's End San Francisco by Joanne Olivieri Ocean Beach Absorbing the negative ions from  the rain at the ocean.    It's a magical atmosphere, like we're on the edge of the Universe  and can make time stand still,  manifesting a different world  when we step back into life again.  Such promise in the air!

A Writer At Heart in my new book Quietude.  Available on: Createspace Amazon Kindle A Writer At Heart Words Emotional expressions inherent deep within spirit. Passion are these words undeniably expressed, shared, proclaimed in stanzaic precision. The writer Sensitive, intuitive feelings arise, awaken born from within depths of the soul. A soul unknown if not for their words. Ego revisited firmly understood and happily embraced. The writer paints words with a knowing of authentic self creatively expressed. Memories, dreams Parade the mind As streaming videos. These visual scenarios Breathe life into the heart And have no choice But to be reborn. Reflections A glimpse into the heart where the writer resides words a mirror to the soul. A soul which lives Within the mind without fear. The heart pumps words through the veins never missing a beat. The writer writes to a differen...

Chihuly Unleashed by Joanne Olivieri Happy Valentines Day everyone. My Love Sense poem which appears in my new book Quietude  https://www.createspace.com/6903990 My Love Sense Love  speaks in silence the unconditional stanzaic interlude between heart and soul. Never wanting always waiting to give freely and openly. Love does not see color nor stereotypical ego branded persona. As spirit seer pure love accepts all with understanding and patience. Love hears beyond sound soft whispers of heartstrings playing in rhythm the quiet song - a deafening simplicity defining uniqueness to authentic self. Love tastes the sweet n sour of daily imperfections savoring the bitter with the sweet. The perfect blend providing nourishment for the heart digesting the mix. Love smells indifference and recoils at the nauseous self righteous stench of the arrogant yet embraces the empowering odor of forgiveness - a scent of healing. Love touches softly ...

Seagulls At Night A twilight canvas barren of life prelude to the masterpiece hovers unseen upon desolate skies waiting to be fashioned. Out of darkness they emerge white winged choreographers painting circles and breeding life. Seagulls At Night soar, faithfully, indiscriminately a free form phenomenon . © Joanne Olivieri 2005 Photo and Poem All Rights Reserved 

Sabrina, Photo by Gary Hoshiyama Sabrina, Photo by Gary Hoshiyama Me and Sabrina @ The Culver Club in Culver City, CA Photo by Gary Hoshiyama Snow Goddess For Sabrina Her eyes reflect the Sun’s kiss as she walks upon water. Her wisdom traced on paw print sands as she softly treads along the shore. She dreams of snow-laden earth while paws frolic upon icy sea foam. Sabrina, goddess of snow spreads warmth melts hearts on Winter’s playground with love… joanneolivieri.weebly.com mypoeticjourney.weebly.com