#masticadores-philippines — Public Fediverse posts

Simula by Jake

Simula by Jake

May mga lugar ako noong kabataan ko
Naibabahagi ko sa iyo kasama ang mga alalala
Dahil gusto kong mas makilala mo pa ako
At malaman mo kung saan ako lumaki

Bigla kang napahinto at kumunot ang iyong noo
Nagtaka ako at tinanong ka kung bakit
Bigla kang napangiti at sinabi mong
“Nakapunta na ako diyan”

Isa, Dalawa at ilan pang lugar
Na tila inapakan na ng ating mga paa
Hindi man sa parehong pagkakataon
Pero maaaring nagsimula ng ating pagtatagpo

Maaaring nagkasalubong na tayo noon
Maaaring bumili ka na sa tindahan namin
Pero hindi pa tamang panahon para sa atin
Para magtagpo ang mga puso nating dalawa

May tamang panahon ang lahat
Kahit ngayon na tayo ay magkahiwalay
Darating din ang panahon na tayo ay magkakasama
At hindi na muling maghihiwalay

Author’s Bio:

Jake is a consultant at a software company, an emerging author, and a talented lyricist known for her ability to tug at readers’ heartstrings with her authentic writing. Driven by a passion for storytelling, she created the platform RandomWordsByJake to showcase her poetry. Through her work, she aims to inspire readers to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Jake currently resides in Parañaque, a vibrant city within Metro Manila. She has also spent time in Hong Kong and Bukidnon, where she balanced her daily job with her writing, drawing inspiration from her diverse experiences.

In April 2024, Jake celebrated a milestone with her book signing event at the Philippine Book Festival. She is now diligently working on her second book, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share it with her audience soon

«Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila» The Bestseller Edition

Somewhere in Manila,We Fell in Love

Do you remember the afternoon you realized you were falling in love? 🤍

Some memories never really leave. They simply grow quieter, settling into the light of an ordinary afternoon, the familiar streets of Manila, and the little moments that somehow become everything.

📖 Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila

A beloved bestseller, reimagined in a beautiful new hardcover edition.

Some stories stay with you long after the last page. Now, this one returns with an additional prologue and a collection of reflections from distinguished poets, authors, and readers from around the world.

A story to revisit. A love to remember. A little piece of Manila to keep forever.

Available on Amazon Worldwide. 🤍

Here is the link

Amazon.com: Afternoons that Tasted like Love in Manila eBook : Navajas, Michelle Ayon: Kindle Store https://share.google/Y9cSkjkxhAWnz5PKU

Clash of Two Worlds by Scarlet Rose

Clash of Two Worlds by Scarlet Rose

the sun was till groggy behind the clouds
deep in slumber;
the morning dew was still clinging
unto the leaves;
the misty fog was still cozying up
with the mountaintop.

but in the word you opened your eyes to,
the sun already took the center stage
in the vast cerulean sky;
there wasn’t any trace of the clingy
morning dew;
there was never a misty fog and
a mountaintop love affair.

breathing between two worlds
constantly colliding,
you tended to your wings
one wound after another;
you asked the stars what sins
you committed in your past lives
to be deserving of such fate.

Scarlet Rose, a Filipino writer, weaves poetry from the remnants of being a parentified eldest daughter, gradually embracing the quiet, winding, and beautiful journey of starting anew and learning to trust the mysteries of life.

Her first book Search for Oasis I peels the curtain to the behind the scenes of the ‘good child’ and the eventual decision to take a bow and step towards an unfamiliar path.

Her second book Oasis Within continues the journey, entwining anger, resentment, and pain with acceptance and learning to paint an inner landscape.

Through her Instagram @scarletrose.inscribes, she connects with readers who find solace in her words

A Murmuration of Limbs by Alexis Araneta

A Murmuration of Limbs by Alexis Araneta

In the cool breeze of your affection
I hear my limbs whispering low and soft
Longing to cocoon us in silk joy threads
Waiting to leap into the magic of your presence

So let my hand write your name in the stars
And lick off my fingers dusted in deep devotion
Until the constellations point to your smile
And we kiss over a sky bleeding indigo
Leave your fingerprints all over my future
Every whorl marking me indelibly
As my body becomes an open palm
Ready to gently hold your dreams evermore

Wrap me in the hearth of your embrace
The palace where I’m queen of the world
Where everything is gilt in your warmth
In the lapis hues of the dusk above us
Spin me in the ballrooms of togetherness
As your gentle soul lifts me to the heavens
There, I reach for the boundless cerulean
And I’m lost in the waltzes of our laughter

Stroll with me on an apple orchard escapade
Where every touch is ripe with fresh sweetness
Chrysanthemum promises perfuming the air
And I’m headily enamoured with your entirety
Let me dash into that space on your chest
Chase every rainbow of an eternal happiness
Gleaming bright as my every day with you
And colouring every second of this grateful life

Just a whisper of a thought of you
And my arms and legs breathlessly purr
For they long to envelope your wonder
To be ensconced in you always and everywhere

Author’s Bio

Alexis Araneta is an aspiring short story writer and poet from Tagaytay City. Enchanted by the taste and feel of words since she could speak, she began writing at the age of nine. Her flash fiction has been featured in anthologies such as Tagay by San Anselmo Press and Marbles by Blue Marble Storytellers. Encouraged by a friend to experiment with verse, she has also been exploring the world of poetry.When she’s not crafting advertising copy, tormenting protagonists with unrequited love, or deftly inserting the word “deftly” into every stanza, Alexis enjoys reading classic literature, listening to jazz and soul music, and studying European languages.Follow her (and prepare for a generous dose of selfies) on Instagram and Threads: @cestmoiallie

Mt. Sinai by Karlyn Miraflor

Mt. Sinai by Karlyn Miraflor

The obedience before and after the fall
the agony of saying «no» to every temptations of a double-dealer
the raging war between right and wrong

the seasons of bliss,
I am grateful for.
Drenched in byproduct of my unreciprocated efforts
my faithfulness will remain

Because you are the only choice that makes these suffering worth it
when I drown in the abyss of impermanence,
when I’m thrown to the wolves
or in the pits of desolation,
I love you gazillion times over.

Author Bio

Karlyn Grace Miraflor is a special education teacher from the Philippines who aims to inspire and touch people’s lives through words that can either struck their hearts or motivate them in daily life.

«Sweetbriar» A Book Review by Maggie Watson

«Sweetbriar» A Book Review by Maggie Watson

For a debut, Rowena Suarez has set the bar
with this stunning collection of poetry.
Without artifice, the poet has bared her soul.

In Sweetbriar: The Serenade of a Weathered Rose, you may find yourself among her
verses as I did.

The book is divided into four parts.
Part 1:The Shadows
Part 2:The Storm
Part 3:The Ascent
Part 4:The Light

I found it truly beautiful to see Rowena reclaim her life.
The metaphors throughout this collection are striking, leaving the reader with  no doubt as to the depth of her suffering. I admire Rowena for her courage and honesty.

In  “The Doom” (Part 1), she writes,
Lost in the blackness
I asked myself
What should I do?
Where do I go from here?

In “Bottled Emotions” (Part 2), Rowena describes how she suffered in silence
and the destruction caused by trying to be strong.

In “Swimming Against the Current” (Part 3), her determination to claw her
way out of the dark is inspiring.
And in “Metamorphosis “ (Part 4), we see the writer emerge from the shadows and
rise.

I look forward to reading more of Rowena’s empowering verses and recommend this
book with 5 stars.

Maggie Watson is an Indie Author and Poet from Scotland. Her latest collection of poetry, «Ephemeral Encounters: Her Book of Words», was published last September. Gypso Philazine, Glass Gates Publishing, Edge of Humanity, and Spillwords have all published her work. She has also been in three anthologies, including an all-female collection ( Sacred Feminine Open Skies).
Maggie works voluntarily for a children’s charity when she is not writing.

Amazon Purchase Link

✨ AUTHOR REVEAL ✨Maria Friscia Magbanua

✨ AUTHOR REVEAL ✨

We are honored to introduce Maria Friscia Magbanua, a poet and author whose words dwell in the tender spaces between love and loss, longing and letting go, memory and what remains.

Her writing gives voice to the quiet aftermath of what once was—exploring raw emotions, brokenness, unanswered questions, and the fragments we continue to carry long after everything falls apart.

Her debut poetry collection, I Was the Aftermath, is a gathering of wounds, memories, silences, and words left unsaid. It is a book for the hearts that have loved deeply, lost quietly, and learned that healing does not always mean forgetting.
Because not every wound asks to be healed.
Some simply ask to be remembered.

Welcome, Maria Friscia Magbanua, to the family of Michelle Ayon Navajas Publishing House.

We are excited to bring your words into the world—and into the hearts of readers who may find pieces of themselves within your pages. 🤍📖

I Was the Aftermath
A debut collection by Maria Friscia Magbanua ..soon

REUSED TO REFUSED by Friscia Magbanua

REUSED TO REFUSED by Friscia Magbanua

I’ll love you
even if tomorrow never comes—
as if endings
have always been
my native language.

you’ll never have to carry
the weight of it,
because I held everything
you refused to feel

Em Em Magbanua is a poet and writer known for her evocative, emotionally charged verses. With a deep passion for storytelling, she crafts poetry that resonates with the heart and soul. Her debut collection of poignant, heartache-filled poetry is set to be released in 2026.

«Bawat Pagtibok Ng Puso» by Jonalyn Perez

«Bawat Pagtibok Ng Puso» by Jonalyn Perez

Madilim na kalangitan aking
nasilayan
Malungkot na simoy ng hangin 
bahagyang naramdaman
Hampas ng mga dahon may hatid na
kalungkutan 
Nagpapahiwatig ng ‘yong pamamaalam

Anong hiwaga ng buhay bigla kang
nawala
Pagtibok ng puso panandalian 
nabahala 
Pangakong pagmamahal hindi na
maramdaman

Ang buhay ng tao sadyang mapaglaro
Sa hamon ng puso,pilitin mong
lumaban 
Sumabay sa agos ng buhay at 
magtiwala sa Maykapal
Nang ang kapayapaan at pagmamahal,ay muling matagpuan
sa puso mong mong tapat at dakila.

Author’s Bio

A Journalism graduate at Centro Escolar University and OFW for twelve years as a Sales Associates in Dubai, U.A.E. She is a loving daughter and a god-fearing person.She loves reading documentary and feature stories. With a great admiration for the person who has a grateful heart.

ALWAYS WANTED by Friscia Magbanua

ALWAYS WANTED by Friscia Magbanua

I love you—
not in a way
that kept me safe,
not in a way
that let me stay whole.

there were nights
my chest kept rising
out of habit,
not because I wanted
to be here.

and still,
it whispered your name
like it was the only reason
to keep going.

I love you.

but something in me
didn’t make it out alive.

Em Em Magbanua is a poet and writer known for her evocative, emotionally charged verses. With a deep passion for storytelling, she crafts poetry that resonates with the heart and soul. Her debut collection of poignant, heartache-filled poetry is set to be released in 2026.

Pieces of Me: A Collection of Poems Book Review by Rowena Suarez

Pieces of Me: A Collection of Poems Book Review by Rowena Suarez

Pieces of Me: A Collection of Poems by Maggie Watson delves into the emotional and psychological complexities of an abusive relationship. Through her raw and honest writing, she offers a profound and insightful exploration of her own experiences. The book aims to shed light on the concept of gaslighting and its impact on individuals.

Maggie Watson is one of the remarkable poets I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I admire the honesty and wisdom conveyed in her verses. Her poems often impart valuable lessons, even though the effects of emotional and psychological abuse may be subtle and difficult to perceive. Her words resonate deeply with me, and I can’t help but feel her pain. Among her many poems, the following one particularly resonated with me:

The Things We Do For Love 

The sacrifices we make for love will often cause us pain. 

But we make them anyway. 
We think that love conquers all, and that they will change. 
Only years later do we realise that we lost ourselves along the way. 
The clock is now ticking. 
We have less time to waste as we remember the good old days, when we were young and so desperate to become adults. 
If we knew then what we know now, would we have made the same sacrifices for love?

She is also one of the sweetest poets around, always leaving thoughtful words and wisdom. I felt how strong a person she is through her last poem:

I am (Becoming) 

I am a leaf blowing in the wind.

I am the bird that soars and flies. 
I am the butterfly emerging from the cocoon. 
I am the spring flower in the garden beginning to bloom. 
I am letting go, but I am not free-falling. 
I know the map of my soul, and I hear its calling. 
My soul no longer plays a lament over the past or things not meant to be. 
I am now becoming the person I was supposed to be before you stole the best parts of me.

To Maggie, I salute you for overcoming all your trials and emerging stronger. You are a unique and cherished person, and I am so grateful to have met you. Although we are miles apart, I have always felt your kindness and love. I will always be here to catch up and support you.

NEVER MEANT TO HOLD by Friscia Magbanua

NEVER MEANT TO HOLD by Friscia Magbanua

You made me smaller
in ways no one could see,
quietly, carefully,
like it was mercy.

and I let you.

I let you
until there was almost nothing left
of me
that wasn’t hurting

Em Em Magbanua is a poet and writer known for her evocative, emotionally charged verses. With a deep passion for storytelling, she crafts poetry that resonates with the heart and soul. Her debut collection of poignant, heartache-filled poetry is set to be released in 2026.

«Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila» A Book Review By Maggie Watson

Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila is a collection of flash fiction and  poetry, divided into four parts.

Part One: Invisible Threads.
Part Two: Half A Goodbye
Part Three: Blistered Soul- Searching
Part Four: Wilted Streets

Michelle writes about loss, longing and love.
The imagery throughout the book is stunning,
and the emotions are palpable.

I  smiled with many of the lines.

And in others, I felt the weight of the sadness.
There is nothing raw in the stories, which you might expect where heartbreak is involved.
Instead, you will find gentle acceptance.

From “Exit”, “Just like that, I let go in silence – no yelling, no tears, no begging.”

“Bittersweet”, “And I finally understood that not every story is meant to end the way
it begins.”

This is a book of honest reflections. Woven together beautifully with the colourful threads of a Manila skyline. I recommend this book with five stars.

Amazon Link👇

Amazon.com: Afternoons that Tasted like Love in Manila eBook : Navajas, Michelle Ayon: Kindle Store https://share.google/V9CWT9ihOBsfmabSG

Author Bio

Maggie Watson is an Indie Author and Poet from Scotland. Her latest collection of poetry, «Ephemeral Encounters: Her Book of Words», was published last September. Gypso Philazine, Glass Gates Publishing, Edge of Humanity, and Spillwords have all published her work. She has also been in three anthologies, including an all-female collection ( Sacred Feminine Open Skies).
Maggie works voluntarily for a children’s charity when she is not writing.
Author, Pieces of Me: A Collection of Poems
Author, Ephemeral Encounters (Her Book of Words): A Collection of Poetry
Author, In the Shadow of My Pen: A Collection of Poetry and Prose
Author, A Jar of Stars: A Collection of Poetry
Author, Once Upon A Time: A Collection of Poetry
Author, Me and My Shadow: A Collection of Poetry
Contributor, The Sacred Feminine: An Open Skies Collection
Contributor, The Lost Years: A Poetry Anthology
Contributor, Daydreams and Lost Wishes: A Poetic Reveries Anthology
Contributor, After Rain Skies: The Global Anthology

FORGE TO SILENCED by Friscia Magbanua

FORGE TO SILENCED by Friscia Magbanua

I have always loved you
in the language of almost—
where words stay behind my teeth
and my hands learn
how to let go before they touch.

I memorized you
in silence,
the way night memorizes stars
without ever asking them to stay.

Every “hello” I gave you
carried a thousand confessions
that died
just before they reached my lips.

You never heard it—
not in my laughter,
not in the pauses
that stretched too long between us,
not even in the way
I looked away
like your name burned.

I loved you quietly,
like something that knew
it was not meant
to be found.

And maybe that’s the cruelest part—
that I was there
all along,
holding a love so loud
it had to be buried
just to survive

Em Em Magbanua is a poet and writer known for her evocative, emotionally charged verses. With a deep passion for storytelling, she crafts poetry that resonates with the heart and soul. Her debut collection of poignant, heartache-filled poetry is set to be released in 2026.

«The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son» A Book Review By Selma Martin

«The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son» A Book Review By Selma Martin

Trini Heritage Meets Classical Brilliance

This author’s first poetry collection is absolutely debutiful!

I’ve read Author Nigel Byng’s words on WordPress for a couple of years now. I am always awed at how he masterfully whips out brilliant poem and prose at the drop of a hat. Now, this prolific wordsmith has published his work on Amazon to resounding adoration, reaching an Amazon Top New Release in the Motivational and Inspirational Poetry category.

“The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son by
Nigel Byng” is a triumph! Byng’s poetry possesses a beautiful, captivating depth that seamlessly bridges local Trinidadian cultural heritage with timeless classical imagery, theological themes, and mythological allusions. I absolutely loved peeling back the layers behind profound lines like «Hex henos» and «Haley’s chariot.»

Book Four—Did ere such love and sorrow meet is
where the collection truly shines. Pieces like «Curse God & Die» and «The Riddle» are my absolute favorites, resonating with a raw vulnerability that will stay with me forever. Get ready to shed a few tears and truly «feel» the kintsugi—the beauty in brokenness—woven throughout his exquisite language.

This is the kind of writing that lingers long after the final page. Though it is not your personal story, you will leave these pages feeling entirely changed and consoled. Highly recommended for anyone who loves poetry with real substance.

Amazon Link

Amazon.com: The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son: 9798258818171: Byng, Nigel Jerome: Books https://share.google/lZ5qudOGVYmEZkXFp

Selma Martin is a retired English teacher with 20 years of experience teaching children ESL. She believes in people’s goodness and in finding balance in simple living. She lives in Japan with her husband of 35 years. In 2018, Selma participated in a networking course whose final lesson was to publish a story on Amazon. She completed the course and self-published her short story, Wanted: Husband/Handyman, in 2019, and later, collaborating with peers from that course, she published Wanted: Husband/Handyman in Once Upon A Story: A Short Fiction Anthology. Selma has published stories on Medium for many years, in MasticadoresUSA, The Poetorium At Starlight, Short Fiction Break, Lit eZine, and Spillwords. In July 2023, she published her debut poetry collection, In the Shadow of Rainbows (Experiments in Fiction). You can find Selma as selmawrites on Instagram and Twitter, and on her website, selmamartin.com.

«Tahimik na nagmamasid» by Precious Magdaleno

«Tahimik na nagmamasid» by Precious Magdaleno

tahimik na nagmamasid,
  sa bawat pagdungaw
  nitong aninong aba
  sa durungawan
  palihim na umaawit
  ng hindi niya pagsinta,
  pagkat patuloy
pa rin siya
  sa paghalukay sa lupa
  ng mga ibinaong
  lumang alaala,
  tila isang alingawngaw
  halimuyak sa kaniyang tainga
  ang sigaw ng puso
  na hindi pa rin
  tuluyang buo.

tahimik na nagmamasid,
  taimtim na dalangin
  ang siyang hatid sa aninong aba
  sa sayaw ng bawat umaga
  na sana’y
  may ligaya nang magpatila;
  na madama rin nito
  na hindi lahat ng katahimikan
  ay pagsang-ayon,
  minsan, panata rin
  na huwag nang muling gisingin
  ang hinakit na dulot ng nakaraan
  at sa gitna ng lahat,
  dalangin pa rin
  ang kaniyang kapayapaan.

Author Bio

Precious Magdaleno is a Filipina night-time poet, artist, wedding planner, and crazy cat lady. She has written and curated two Filipino book anthologies, “Magkasintahan Vol. XXV and 2.0 XV,» under Ukiyoto Publishing and co-authored ten other poetry book anthologies internationally. She values her faith and family the most and draws inspiration from them in her daily life. She began writing after falling in love with classical arts and literature. She finds it therapeutic to write about anything that inspires her, and she will either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. Follow and connect with her on Instagram: @lettersfromprecieux

Calloused Hands, Open Heart by Scarlet Rose

Calloused Hands, Open Heart by Scarlet Rose

calloused hands, broken fingernails,
blistered soles, brittle bones,
forgotten days, buried time,
lost laughter, smudged smiles.

spring fragrances bloom;
summer waves dance;
autumn foliage fade;
winter lullabies whistles.

morning sunbeams tease the warmth within;
hummingbirds sing of better days ahead;
oak trees sway of graceful endurance;
snowdrops breathe of the promise of light.

calloused and broken shall heal;
blistered and brittle shall strengthen;
forgotten and buried shall sprout;
lost and smudged shall shine.

Author Bio

Scarlet Rose, a Filipino writer, weaves poetry that explores themes of moving forward, unraveling one’s value, and learning to trust the mysteries of life.

Her book Search for Oasis I takes readers on an emotional journey through childhood memories, relationships, and self-discovery.
Through her Instagram @scarletrose.inscribes, she connects with readers who find solace in her words, proving that poetry has the power to weave meaningful connections.

Braja – O – Rama by Balarama, A Book Review by Michelle Ayon Navajas

Braja – O – Rama by Balarama, A Book Review by Michelle Ayon Navajas

«As a poet myself and a literature teacher, I often find myself approaching poetry books through multiple lenses; as a writer, a creative, and an educator. At times, this can make reading poetry a challenging experience, as I naturally begin to analyze structure, technique, and intention rather than simply allowing the work to move me. Thankfully,Braja-o-Rama did not create that distance. Instead, it invited me to experience it as a reader first. The photographs and poems work together with such sincerity and quietness that I found myself immersed rather than dissecting. It is a rare gift for a book to bypass the analytical mind and reach something more personal  – and this collection managed to do exactly that»

Braja-o-Rama is the kind of book that asks you to slow down. It is not simply a collection of photographs and poetry; it is a record of attention, devotion, and a deeply personal relationship with a place.

Balarama’s photographs of Braj carry a rare intimacy. They do not feel like images captured by a visitor searching for something exotic — they feel like moments witnessed by someone who has spent years walking, observing, and listening. The black-and-white frames reveal a world of subtle gestures, sacred spaces, and everyday beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed.

What stayed with me most was the sincerity behind the work. There is a fascinating tension between Balarama’s background in straight-edge hardcore punk and his devotion to the spiritual landscape of Braja Bhakti. That combination gives the book a unique voice: intense yet quiet, searching yet grounded.

The poetry complements the photographs beautifully. Together, they create an atmosphere that feels meditative — almost like a personal journal of encounters, memories, and reflections. This is not a book about traveling to a place; it is about being transformed by a place.

I found myself spending more time with each image than I expected, allowing the silence between the photographs and words to speak. Braja-o-Rama reminds us that beauty is often found not in grand moments, but in the details we learn to notice.

A thoughtful, soulful, and beautifully crafted book for anyone who appreciates photography, poetry, spirituality, and the profound connection between a person and a landscape.

Highly recommended.

MEET THE COVER ARTIST: LI-ANNE ROA PATRICIO

🎨 MEET THE COVER ARTIST: LI-ANNE ROA PATRICIO

Cover Artist of «Oasis Within»

A dominantly right-brained creative, Li-Anne has been drawing, writing, designing, and making things since she was a little girl. Her elementary and high school notebooks were filled with doodles, sketches, haikus, poems, and essays—far more art than math formulas. ✨

After earning her degree in Fine Arts, major in Painting, from UP Diliman, she explored different creative worlds through advertising agencies, photography studios, and the outsourcing industry, where she worked as a trainer.

But her heart kept leading her back to art.

Eventually, Li-Anne chose to pursue the things she truly loved, building businesses and expanding her creative repertoire along the way. She took courses in dressmaking and patternmaking, makeup artistry, jewelry design, and jewelry appraising—because for her, creativity has never belonged to just one medium.

In 2024, she also made another dream a reality: self-publishing her own book.

Today, Li-Anne describes herself as a menagerie of this and that—essentially, an artist and creator who continues to surprise and challenge herself with every new thing she makes.

🎨 HER CREATIVE PROCESS FOR OASIS WITHIN

When asked about designing the cover of «Oasis Within,» Li-Anne shared:

“I am always down for anything, especially with art and design.”

The original concept and visuals came from the author and the publisher Scarlet and Mich, and Li-Anne brought her own artistic eye and experience as a graphic artist into the process.

Her signature touch? Pops of color that draw the eye toward the focal points while allowing every element of the design to speak.

For Li-Anne, creating the cover was a collaboration built on clear communication, open minds, and a shared love for art. By bringing their ideas together, the vision they each carried in their heads became something tangible—and beautiful.

And perhaps the best part?

“Congratulations, Scarlet and Mich! It was so easy working with you.”

💜 Thank you, Li-Anne, for bringing your creativity, artistry, and personal touch to the cover of «Oasis Within.»

A book begins with words, but sometimes, the first story it tells is through its cover.

Watch out for more from Li-Anne—because this artist and creator is clearly just getting started. ✨

«One Petal at a Time» A Book Review by Rowena Suarez

«One Petal at a Time» A Book Review by Rowena Suarez

The author has warned me that most of her poems are not for light reading. I couldn’t agree more. They are not for the faint of heart. Her verses are drawn from her personal experience as an abuse survivor.

With her poetic prowess, she infuses each verse with a unique grace. Her words are captivating yet deeply moving. I found myself struggling to suppress tears as I absorbed her words. It was not an easy journey for Joni. After reading a few of her poems, I could no longer contain my tears. They emerged from the pages and touched my soul. Her words resonated within me, moving me to the core.

She possesses a strong and beautiful soul. Some individuals who have experienced similar trauma might not have survived her ordeal. I extend my deepest admiration to her for sharing every aspect of herself through her exquisite prose and poetry.

She’s also a sweet and dear person. I’ve witnessed how she supported and promoted the work of others, including mine. For that, I will be forever grateful.
I conclude this with an excerpt from one of her beautiful poems titled “Sunflower”:

doorways to who l am, my heart and soul 
is my gift to give to those I choose to love 
a survivor, my stem, leaf, and flower whole

for God so loved me, his innocent daughter 
forgiveness I found, as I flourish with age 
my ray florets feel His rain and curing water 
life moving splendidly with every new page

Author’s Bio

Rowena Liwanag-Suarez obtained a degree in Psychology but has since shifted her focus to pursue her passion for writing poems and stories.She is fast gaining recognition in the literary world, having contributed her poem «Yesteryear’s Innocence» to the #1 Amazon bestselling book «Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology». Her short story will soon be published in the anthology «A Girl Named Ana» in her country. She is currently working on her standalone novel, which is set to be published this 2025.

Social Media Accounts:Fb page: Rowena Liwanag-SuarezIG name: winnie_musingsX (formerly twitter): weng_suarez

«ART OF STITCHES» by Friscia Magbanua

«ART OF STITCHES» by Friscia Magbanua

My heart hurts
from everything
it never wanted to become.
A house for grief.
A museum of goodbyes.
A monster stitched together
by love that couldn’t stay.

my chest became
a creature held together
by scars instead of stitches.

Em Em Magbanua is a poet and writer known for her evocative, emotionally charged verses. With a deep passion for storytelling, she crafts poetry that resonates with the heart and soul. Her debut collection of poignant, heartache-filled poetry is set to be released in 2026.

«The Inheritance of Solitude» by Smitha Vishwanath

«The Inheritance of Solitude» by Smitha Vishwanath

I have been a fan of Smitha’s writing ever since I first discovered her during NaPoWriMo. From the very first poem I read, I was captivated by the depth of her work—profound yet incredibly relatable. Her passion for the written word shines through in every piece she creates. I believe we both completed the 2020 NaPoWriMo challenge and continued writing through the years that followed.

I also followed her journey on WordPress. She is  also one of Spillwords Press NYC’s most valued authors. She was named Spillwords’ Author of the Month for February 2023, and I had the wonderful honor of being voted Author of the Month the following month, in March 2023.

When Smitha published her debut novel, Coming Home, I immediately bought a copy, read it, and shared my review. The story resonated deeply with me. It brought back memories of losing my father in 2010, and now, after the recent passing of my mother, its themes of love, loss, and healing have become even more meaningful.

You can read my review here – https://michnavs.wordpress.com/2023/07/19/coming-home-by-smitha-vishwanath/

Smitha is not only a gifted storyteller but also a remarkably talented visual artist. In the Philippines, we have a saying: «Noong nagsabog ng biyaya ang Diyos, sinalo niya lahat,» which translates to, «When God showered the world with blessings, she caught them all.» Whenever I think of Smitha’s many talents, that saying comes to mind.

So now that she is publishing her first solo poetry collection, The Inheritance of Solitude, I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Blurb:

‘The Inheritance of Solitude’ explores love, loss and healing, reflecting on personal and collective experiences of sorrow and hope. The book is 
a lyrical journey, captivating in its understanding of humanity’s most challenging subject: grief. It embraces the vulnerability of love set against a redolent world of beauty and family, where we sit at the poet’s table, experiencing the intense majesty of a world filled with love, loss and finding oneself again. 

SMITHA VISHWANATH is an ex-banker who embarked on the writing journey in 2016, with a blog, smithavishwanathsblog.com. Her poems have found a place in several online magazines, including Thieving Magpies, The Short of It, Spillwords Press, Borderless Journal, Rebelle Society, Silverbirch Press and Rhyvers, among others. Her poem, ‘Omid ’, was nominated for Best of the Net in 2021, ‘Forgotten’ was nominated during the National Poetry Writing Month in 2020 and ‘Do You Have Dreams?’ was nominated in NaPoWriMo 2021. She was awarded the Reuel International Prize (II) for the poetry she wrote during NaPoWriMo 2023. She was nominated and awarded ‘Author of the Month’ for several of her poems by Spillwords Press.  ‘Roads- a journey with verses’ is a poetry collection she co-authored. Coming Home, her debut novel, was published in 2023, and was awarded by the Asian Literary Society in 2024. The Inheritance of Solitude is her first solo collection of poems.
Smitha describes herself as a poet by accident, an artist at heart, a traveller, and a lifelong learner. She currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya, with her husband.

Sample poem : 

My Heart Grieves

They say you’re in a better place;
I know it’s true.
They say you did not suffer;
I know it’s true.
They say it was as you wished
I know it’s true
But my heart grieves

                 not anymore for you.

It grieves

                             for me.

«The poems in ‘The Inheritance of Solitude’ explore loss of parents, home, health and friendship, and healing after loss, reflecting on personal and collective experiences of sorrow and hope. The book is a lyrical journey, captivating in its understanding of humanity’s most challenging subject: grief. It embraces the vulnerability of love set against a redolent world of beauty and family, where we sit at the poet’s table, experiencing the intense majesty of a world filled with love, loss and finding oneself again.»

Candice L. Daquin, Managing Editor, Lit Fox Books, Associate Editor, Life & Legends, Author, ‘The Cruelty.’

«Lullabies in the Dark» by Scarlet Rose

«Lullabies in the Dark» by Scarlet Rose

your nightmares have grown familiar,
so much so that waking up from them
is an afterthought.

your tears have turned to tenderness
so much that laughter and smiles
no longer grace your day.

your cries have become lullabies,
so much so that singing and dancing
have lost their rhythm.

but my dear,
is this how you want to live?

have you truly never dreamed
of deep slumbers in dreamland?
of joy spilling from your lips?
of the joyous rhythms of your heart?

my dear,
life is waiting for you.

Author Bio

Scarlet Rose, a Filipino writer, weaves poetry that explores themes of moving forward, unraveling one’s value, and learning to trust the mysteries of life.Her book Search for Oasis I takes readers on an emotional journey through childhood memories, relationships, and self-discovery.Through her Instagram @scarletrose.inscribes, she connects with readers who find solace in her words, proving that poetry has the power to weave meaningful connections.

«Claustrophobia» by Karlyn Miraflor

«Claustrophobia» by Karlyn Miraflor

Dauntless summer sky,
simmering anxiety at dawn.
It greets me with courtesy in between midnight and endless fear.
I continuously track the time
Fixating over «how many minutes» left, before it drains me alive.

Here within I suffocate in silence.
Windows slam open as they wave «hello» at my anxious looking eyes
My mind in constant panic
My heart bleeds rhyming along its unpredictability.

Bypassing wounds of the past
I remember wanting «more» before the actions I don’t perform.
I remember the «present» before a memory can only replicate pressure.
Will I still tremble the same after death?

Author’s Bio

Karlyn Grace Miraflor is a special education teacher from the Philippines who aims to inspire and touch people’s lives through words that can either struck their hearts or motivate them in daily life.

«Precipice of Faith» by Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon

«Precipice of Faith» by Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon

Arches and domes etched
in magnitude. Will the mouths speak
what the hearts are full of? or like
the minds—confide in silence?
Pearls and chandeliers connive
to bare those souls in agony. And while
those hands that lift before sunrise and
at sundown, incessantly—beseech the heavens,
yearning for eternal bliss. Hail, those old candles
with disheartening flames enduring cries
and sighs—in between.

As the cup of chastisement awaits the cruel and
the ungodly, gusty winds became succor
of what is unclear…whereby smiles are
but dainty camouflage in the light
of the dust.

Author’s Bio

Preferred to be called, “the poetess”, Elena Maria Mana-ay Parcon is a Filipino poet and creative writer. Her passion in writing has thrived all these years. How she established her online presence, sharing her masterpieces.

Her poems have been published in various international literary platforms and anthologies, such as Hotel by Masticadores, Free Verse Revolution and PoetrySoup. She has also contributed to Amazon’s Best-Selling anthology, After Rain Skies.
She shares her literary pieceson her profile at PoetryPoem.com;
Shorter verses on Instagram @lenettepoetry;
Collaborations of her words and design on lenetteartsandquotes @WordPress, and on Facebook pages, where she authors Lenette Poetry, Lenette Quotes and Unwordy Lips.

She has been a  contributor of the prestigious publication, Masticadores Philippines and Hotel by Masticadores. Her simple yet elegant, artistic design reaches Zazzle Inc.,showcasing “Lenette Arts & Quotes” among its products.

Crush + ed; Crush + ing (Past-Future tense) by Karlyn Miraflor

Crush + ed; Crush + ing (Past-Future tense) by Karlyn Miraflor

My feelings locked in a chain, unrequited
lacerating wounds all over the place
screaming irrational thoughts in vain
Sometimes I wonder why the rhythmic contraction and expansion of my heart belongs to someone whom I can’t call mine

Am I to blame for feeling the feelings I have or is it the way how the universe responds to denoting innocence nondescript?
Either this is a blessing or a curse, I am wallowed between «why and why not»

Of the many who love me most
Yours is the only yes I hang onto
Even if it is the obvious «no» on display

How could I be this patient?
If after all, those luminous eyes were meant to capture someone else’s smile.
The torment and chaos of this swollen heart, unredeemable in the silence of divine.

Author’s Bio

Karlyn Grace Miraflor is a special education teacher from the Philippines who aims to inspire and touch people’s lives through words that can either struck their hearts or motivate them in daily life.

m

Smothered Tour – Day 5

Smothered Tour – Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of the Smothered Book Tour! Today we’re featuring a special excerpt reading from Chapter 5, “Annie & Mike’s Meet Cute,” where Annie Brown’s already chaotic life takes another unexpected turn when a leaking dishwasher brings handyman Mike Tolbert to her door.
Be sure to watch today’s excerpt reading, learn more about the author, and don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win one of three digital copies being given away at the end of the tour!

The Giveaway
Leave a comment at each stop to let us know you were here
and get an entry for a chance at one of three digitals copies
to given away in a random drawing at the end of the tour.

About Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater

Annie Brown’s life could use some renovation. She’s in trouble at work, her ex-boyfriend is stalking her, and she’s just inherited a dilapidated Victorian home from her late mother, who hasn’t quite moved out yet. The last thing Annie needs in her life is a man, but when handyman Mike Tolbert comes to fix her dishwasher, she lets him demo her doubt.

Mike doesn’t need the distraction of a relationship either. An Iraq War combat veteran and divorcee, Mike suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is dealing with a manipulative ex. Yet, something about Annie snags his heart and he finds he cannot walk away from her.

Annie’s mother doesn’t approve of their relationship, and she’s willing to cross from the realm of death to that of the living to control her daughter. With the ghost of her mother haunting them, Mike and Annie face his PTSD, her troubles at work, and a deadly plot to steal her childhood home, all while fighting to keep their love alive.

Excerpt Reading: “Annie & Mike’s Meet Cute” (Chap. 5)

In this excerpt, from chapter 5, Annie and Mike meet for the first time when the dishwasher in the old house she’s inherited springs a leak and she calls Mike to fix it.

https://youtu.be/OLC2Q3xJ2PY

About B.T. Clearwater

B.T. Clearwater grew up writing stories, winning Literary Student of the Year for Lake George Central High School in 1984. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Western State Colorado University, graduating both Summa Cum Laude, and is a two-time alum of the Superstars Writing Seminars run by Kevin J. Anderson. B.T. routinely judges the Zebulon writing contest for Pike’s Peak Writers, and has published fiction under the science fiction, fantasy, romance, western, horror, and crime genres under different pen names. B.T. Clearwater lives in Colorado Springs with a dog, a cat, and a cast of fictional characters for company.

Purchase link : Here it is: https://books2read.com/Smothered

Tour Schedule

6/1-6/5 – Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater

Mon. 6/1: Reading: Annie’s Opening Scene (Chap. 1) – Writing to be Read: https://writingtoberead.com/?p=61490

Tues. 6/2: Reading: Mike’s Flashback (Chap. 11) – Roberta Writes: https://roberta-writes.com/2026/06/02/roberta-writes-smothered-by-b-t-clearwater-book-blog-tour/

Wed. 6/3: B.T. Clearwater Interview with DL Mullan – Undawnted: http://www.undawnted.com/2026/06/undawnted-presents-blog-book-tour-for.html

Thurs. 6/4: Reading: A Ghostly Appearance by Mother Mary (Chap. 10) – Writing to be Read: https://writingtoberead.com/?p=66122 

Fri. 6/5: Reading: Annie and Jason (Chap. 5) – Poetry by Mich: https://michnavs.wordpress.com/?p=16043

Hotel by Masticadores: https://hotelmasticadoreshouse.wordpress.com/2026/06/05/smothered-tour-day-5/

Masticadores Phillipines: https://masticadoresphilippines.wordpress.com/2026/06/05/smothered-tour-day-5/

«Coulomb’s» by Karlyn Miraflor

«Coulomb’s» by Karlyn Miraflor

The first to none,
the last to leave
Strange isn’t it?

We pour our cup empty to someone or anything who couldn’t refill it.
We love like there’s no tomorrow to someone who can’t see it.
We try our best only to watch something fall apart from the beginning.

If there’s one topic I couldn’t forget in Physics- it’s the topic of electrostatic force that states: «Unlike charges attract, like charges repel.»
It’s funny how both science and life always find its way to slap me with the truth that the earth was not designed for «me and you.»

Author’s Bio

Karlyn Grace Miraflor is a special education teacher from the Philippines who aims to inspire and touch people’s lives through words that can either struck their hearts or motivate them in daily life.

«Smoke & Mirrors» by Karlyn Miraflor

«Smoke & Mirrors» by Karlyn Miraflor

«They» will bring peace to reconstruct humanity.
Misleading promises running hearts of the millions wanting to belong in a «community» that steer wrong.
Adoration mistaken for patriotism
Insanity at extremes, «we» bleed while «they» make fool of «us» once more.

Empty pockets of seedless labor «we» learn to endure
Extravagance «they» take pleasure;
stealing what belongs to «us» in comfort.
Bolstering duplicity- an ailment that fails to cease in a fallen society.

Loyalty in «them» will keep shattering future of the living and dying.
To walk with blindfold in liberty is a trail that will only lead us backward
Devotion without logic is a disgrace to our beloved country.
Where «you» at, now?

Author’s Bio

Karlyn Grace Miraflor is a special education teacher from the Philippines who aims to inspire and touch people’s lives through words that can either struck their hearts or motivate them in daily life.

«The Saddest Lines» After Pablo Neruda and Johannes Pietsch By: Alexis Araneta

«The Saddest Lines» After Pablo Neruda and Johannes Pietsch By: Alexis Araneta

I’m done writing the saddest lines
Yet the onyx silk sky still stretches
Over two lands groaning in the dusk
And the sapphire stud constellations
Still shiver from lightyears away

I’m done writing the saddest lines
My tongue’s vanilla clouds have dissipated
And the meadows await renewal to sprout
Yet your smile still drips into my memory
Like spring rain on craving, parched soil
The fissures blooming on my earthly skin

I’m done writing the saddest lines
My feet have deftly relearnt to pirouette
On these pristine powder sands of ivory
Yet the turquoise oceans of my heart still crash
Even if you dashed far away to the shores
And I’m yet again drowning in the undertow

But even in this shattered ceramic night
The honeyed moonlight shines, reveals
How frightened you were of the waters
How I can rise from the deep end

Another’s, you will be another’s
Your lacustrine gaze shall plunge into another’s
Your siren calls shall serenade another
As I sail further and further to belonging
I’m done writing the saddest lines
This shall be the ultimate verse woven for you
One last stanza as I paddle across the tsunami
For even as salt still stings every cut and bruise
I’ve started the long forgetting of one I no longer love

Author’s Bio

Alexis Araneta is an aspiring short story writer and poet from Tagaytay City. Enchanted by the taste and feel of words since she could speak, she began writing at the age of nine. Her flash fiction has been featured in anthologies such as Tagay by San Anselmo Press and Marbles by Blue Marble Storytellers. Encouraged by a friend to experiment with verse, she has also been exploring the world of poetry.When she’s not crafting advertising copy, tormenting protagonists with unrequited love, or deftly inserting the word “deftly” into every stanza, Alexis enjoys reading classic literature, listening to jazz and soul music, and studying European languages.Follow her (and prepare for a generous dose of selfies) on Instagram and Threads: @cestmoiallie