Octopus Love - #dVerse #FFFC #simile #poem #tanka #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! We are still dealing with abnormally cold weather in Miami. It should be warming up soon but not soon enough for me. I need my beach weather back! Lol!

Today, I've combined two different prompts. The first is dVerse's Poetics: The Smile in the Simile where we are asked to include a simile in our poem. The second is Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #358, which provided the image below. I chose to write a tanka.

(image courtesy of Sigmund)

tentacle suctions

like a clingy boyfriend's arms

an iron-clad grip

holds on tight to what it wants

interests wane; he lets go

Would you like to participate in either of these challenges? Click the links below:

dVerse's Poetics: The Smile in the Simile

Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #358

Cleansing the Heart, the Home - #TankaTuesday #tanka #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Thank you for all the prayers and healing energy for my mom. She is not out of the woods yet, but she is on the mend. It is freezing cold in Miami. It was in the 30s for the past two nights. Yesterday was the worst of it. I woke up to ice on my windshield. In Miami! This is crazy! Today's temps are going from the 30s to the 60s in one day. Normally, the 60s are cold to me, but I am looking forward to it. Perspective. Lol!

I am hosting again at #TankaTuesday, and this week I proposed that we write a poem focused on cleansing. Usually, I start every new year by saging my home. The intent was there, but for one reason or another, I didn't get around to it until this past weekend. Maybe the universe knew I still had a few things to deal with in January before ridding my home of all that negative energy. 

(image courtesy of Microsoft Bing)

wisps of burning sage

all dark energy removed

purification

fresh, new beginnings welcomed

peace and harmony commence

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

January Japanese Micro Seasons Challenge - #TankaTuesday #haiku #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Colleen Chesebro at #TankaTuesday created a January 2026 challenge to encourage us to follow the Japanese micro seasons. She is also writing a haiku a day, so I decided to join her in the practice. I won't share every haiku I've written, but I will share a few in addition to the ones written for the micro seasons. Let's start with the micro seasons:

January 1-4

wheat sprouts under snow

determined to live despite

harsh circumstances

~~~~

January 5-9

in milder climates

tasty parsley flourishes

to decorate dish

~~~~

January 1-14

nebulous waters

spring's thaw weakens hardened ice

life returns again

~~~~

January 15-19

pheasants start to call

a warning that hunters come

run instead of fly

~~~~

January 20-24

butterburs bud soon

medicinal but toxic

wisely use caution

~~~~

January 25-29

ice thickens on streams

a protective barrier

for life underneath

~~~~

January 30 - February 3

hens start laying eggs

warmth of inside pens protect

precious future lives

~~~~

Here are a few of my other haikus:

a winter sunset

pastel art strokes across sky

Gaia's fave hobby

~~~~

a walk by the lake

nature in all its beauty

peaceful mindfulness

~~~~

cerulean sea

lures me in with calm waters

deceptive siren

~~~~

blue jay hops about

hidden worm stays very still

lives to see new day

~~~~

wading in water

flamingo sees reflection

among soft ripples

~~~~

marching army ants

create new trails ev'ry day

true dedication

~~~~

waves crash against rocks

steadfast barrier holds firm

angry symphony

~~~~

frigid winter laughs

my teeth chatter, bones shiver

Florida girl needs heat

I hope you enjoyed some of my January poetry. Join us in February for a month of poetry. :-)

A Betrayed Heart - #W3 #tetractys #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It is fr-fr-fr-freezing in South Florida right now! I am not built for 30-degree weather. It's a hibernating day for me. Lol! I've never turned on the heater in my a/c, so I don't even know if it works, but I may just have to try it out today.

For this week's Wea've Written Weekly (W3) prompt, Svenja invites us to write a double tetractys, which is a 10-line poem with a syllabic pattern of 1-2-3-4-10-10-4-3-2-1. The theme is a little spicy or naughty, so I did a 'little' of both.

(image created from Microsoft Bing)

A Betrayed Heart

one

small touch

caresses

my tender heart

teasing me with false, lofty promises

but his lies unravel quickly enough

and I am left

healing my

broken

heart

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

Overcoming Grief - #TankaTuesday #grief #choka #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It's been a bit of a rough week for me. My mother now has pneumonia, and I've been dealing horrible headaches. So, writing poetry was put on a shelf this week (except for my daily haikus, and even those have suffered...lol!). I hosted at #TankaTuesday this week, so I am going to attempt to create a poem this week.

My prompt focused on mental wellness or the lack thereof since this month is National Mental Wellness Month. I decided to write a choka, which is a nine-line poem with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-7-5-7-5-7-7-7.

(image courtesy of @JosepMonter on Pixabay)

Overcoming Grief

a broken heart mourns

haunting questions of what if

feelings of unworthiness

depression sets in ~

I let go of what once was

embrace harmony

allow past to rest in peace

rebuild confidence in self

enter my future with hope

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

January 2026 Book Reviews #bookreview #books #amreading #readingcommunity #JRWard @karljmorgan.bsky.social @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I hope you've had a wonderful January. I've started it off with some great books. Last year, I read 33 books, and I'm hoping for a repeat this year. 

The Black Dagger Brotherhood 20th Anniversary Insider's Guide

by J.R. Ward

Genre: Vampire Romances

Pages: 531

Book Blurb:

Vampire warriors in black leather and tattoos.
Passionate love stories that pierce the heart.
Dark nights filled with drama, chaos, and epic battles in the shadows of Caldwell, NY…
And then there are the unicorn pajamas. And the Tootsie Pops.

Welcome back to the world of the iconic, #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. With millions of devoted readers across the globe, these unforgettable books have redefined paranormal romance. Now, to celebrate two decades of the Brothers, author J.R. Ward opens the door to their world once more.

Inside this all-new 20th Anniversary Insider’s Guide, Ward reflects on the journey—sharing behind-the-scenes moments, heartfelt memories, candid writing advice, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of her long and legendary career. She also brings back the original Brothers in a mix of classic content and never-before-seen material, including:

• A brand-new novella, Happy Anniversary– Revisit Wrath and Beth as they reclaim the time lost between them. Tender, erotic, and emotional, this story returns to the couple who started it all—and proves that happily ever after doesn’t always come easy.
• Brotherhood updates, as J.R. interviews the Brothers to reveal where they are now.
• Fan-favorite features like Ask a Brother, Vishous’s Agony Aunt Column, Kitchen Corner with Fritz, and Bella’s Books.
• Playlists, monthly horoscopes, and more.

This keepsake collection is more than just an insider’s look—it’s a love letter to the fans, the world, and the unforgettable characters that have made the Black Dagger Brotherhood a genre-defining phenomenon. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or are just now feeling the pull… this book is for you.

My Review:

I remember reading the first edition of this book many years ago and loved it. This edition did not disappoint. This book is broken into different sections to cover all aspects of BDB. For those who weren't part of her newsletter, there were sections of V and Mary's advice column, which I have always loved. Their banter is awesome, and I love seeing the world happening outside of the books.

There were sections that I browsed through, like Lassiter's horoscopes and Fritz's recipes. I read my horoscopes, but didn't really read the rest, and I'm not much of a cook, so I skipped through those. I'm sure for people who enjoy cooking, that section will be valuable. I loved Ward's book review section. I've added several to my TBR list. As a writer, I also enjoyed her writing advice. 

I especially loved the beginning and ending. I love how humble JR Ward is. I met her in person at Cinci '25, and she's the real deal. She's humble and kind, and she hasn't let all her success get to her head. There are many reasons why she has an incredible fandom, and her gratitude for her fans is definitely one of them. 

The other main reason is the BDB world she has created, and the story at the end of the book was amazing! Ward doesn't skip the hard times; she thrives in them. Beth was put through hell when Wrath was missing, and with his return, that pain becomes more complicated. Seeing his leelan's pain, Wrath makes the only decision he can - he gives up the throne. The flashbacks of events that happened over the 30 years were both heartbreaking and touching. The scenes of Beth in the attic reminded us of their great love. And the ending had all the feels I'm used to experiences from these books. If you enjoy the BDB world, then highly I recommend this book. You won't want to miss the story at the end.

Land of Lost Souls

by Karl J. Morgan

Genre: Religious Mysteries

Pages: 227

Book Blurb:

This book considers the plight of Lost Souls. These people lost their way in their lives, and when death finally arrives, they are easy prey for the demons of Hell. They may fear their condemnation or think themselves unworthy of Heaven. The demons make matters worse by denying those souls the opportunity for salvation. They force their souls to live desperate lives in what they believe is our world. They can be murdered for no reason, but as spirit, they never truly die. The demons can inflict agony on them throughout time to satisfy Lucifer.

This story is also about a group of people who come together in a group session, led by a renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Joshua Adams. Each person in the group has unique abilities to sense the lost souls and even to communicate with the angels of God. Ultimately, their task is to rescue as many lost souls as possible, thereby weakening the power of the Evil One.

The Land of Lost Souls is a spiritual fantasy. The author does not imply this is how Heaven and Hell work. As the author of several faith-based fantasies, this book is a look into how our lives and souls are led to our ultimate choices. None of us will know the true answer until we pass to spirit. Pray we all choose rightly.

My Review:

This was a great story combining religion and fiction. Simon has a unique gift of seeing lost souls. His family thinks he has psychological problems, so they take him to another psychologist. This one just happens to have a group with skills similar to Simon's. With his new friends, Simon sets out on a mission to keep the Evil One from destroying the balance between good and evil. Simon faces many obstacles, but his faith helps him to defeat them all.

This is a wonderful story that encourages people to stay steadfast in their faith no matter the struggles. There were a few typos but nothing that ever tore me away from the story. It is great for children and teenagers; it is written so they can read it independently. As an adult who enjoys young adult stories, I found this one worth the read. :-)

The Wedding from Hell

by J.R.Ward

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction

Pages: 118 pages

Book Blurb:

#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward’s The Wedding From Hell is an exclusive three-part prequel to her standalone suspense novel Consumed. Taking us back to where it all started, arson investigator Anne Ashburn and ‘bad boy’ firefighter Danny Maguire finally explore their connection.

The Wedding from Hell, Part 1: The Rehearsal Dinner: It’s a classic recipe for disaster: Take one bridesmaid who thinks pink is the root of all evil, mix with a best man who’s hotter than a four-alarm fire, add in their explosive sexual attraction, a nightmare bridezilla, two cat fights, and an emergency call, and you have the wedding from hell.

The Wedding from Hell, Part 2: The Reception: As the wedding from hell continues, Anne and Danny find themselves walking the delicate balance between professional distance and explosive attraction. Will the desire they feel last through the night and change their lives? Or are they doomed to part after one night of passion?

The Wedding from Hell, Part 3: Exclusive excerpt of Consumed.

My Review:

This was like a prequel to the full novel. Although very different from her vampire series, I really enjoyed it. The sexual tension between Danny and Anne was fantastic. I love that Anne is a strong female who controls the situation. I am eager to see what happens next in Consumed.

Have you read any great books this month? I'd love to hear from you.

Snow - #FFFC #dVerse #TankaTuesday #MarianneMoore #poem #poetry #poetryconnection @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! It's been a cold several days for this South Floridian here, and I don't like it. Lol! I want the warmth of the sun back. I honestly don't know how those of you who live up north can handle the cold. 

Today, I'm combining three poetry challenges. The first is from dVerse's Poetics: New Year Snow where Kim invites us to write about snow. Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #356 provides the perfect photo for this challenge.

And the last prompt is from #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge. Melissa invites us to mimic one of Marianne Moore's complex stanzaic patterns. I chose to follow the 1-3-9-6-8 pattern that she used in her poem "The Fish."

(image courtesy of Logan Weaver on Unsplash)

Snow

snow

falls quickly.

       unexpected guest at our campsite,

       bundled in three layers,

            hoping for better tomorrow

snow

glistens bright.

       brilliant diamond reflections of sun

       without the vibrant heat -

            perfectly beautiful artwork

Would you like to join one of these prompts? Click the links below:

dVerse's Poetics: New Year Snow

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge

Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #356

Missing Road Signs - #W3 #cherity #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! Today was a teacher planning day, so I was able to leave a bit early, which gave me time to dive into poetry. Yay me!

This poem was inspired by Wea've Written Weekly (W3)'s Prompt #194. Nolcha invites us to write a cherita, which is a three-verse poem that tells a story or tale. The traditional cherita has one verse of one line, one verse of two lines, and one verse of three lines. For my fictional poem, I rearranged the order so the verse lines follow a 3-2-1 order.

(image courtesy of @StockSnap on Pixabay)

Missing Road Signs

I jumped in your car without a second thought,

heart racing as we sped down love's highway,

throwing caution to the wind.

I must have missed the yield sign as we sped by

and the warning sign trying to steer me away

from your toxicity and bad driving.

Luckily, the exit sign welcomed me onto a safer, happier road.

Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.

Dreams of Lunch - #TankaTuesday #FFFC #dVerse #Quadrille #oxymoron #smile #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! My mother is really struggling with Shingles right now. She has several autoimmune issues, and the nerve pain from the Shingles is unbearable. Please send her healing energy and keep her in your prayers. I truly appreciate it.

I'm combining prompts again. These three just melded so easily together, which I'm happy about since it means I can participate in all of them. The first prompt is from #TankaTuesday where Robbie invites us to use an oxymoron in our syllabic poem. 

The second prompt is from dVerse. De Jackson invites us to write a Quadrille (a poem with 44 words) that focuses on the word smile (or a word with the same meaning). And the last prompt is from Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction which provided the image below.

(image courtesy of Diego Cancino on Pexels)

Dreams of Lunch

The Florida Everglades are full of wild animals. One who always captures attention is the massive crocodile who sunbathes at the marina's dock. He rests on the ramp, observing all of us.

lazy crocodile

grins at all who pass him by 

beware gentle jaws

Would you like to write a poem for one of these prompts? Click the links below:

#TankaTuesday

dVerse

Melissa's Fandango Flash Fiction 

Midlife Crisis - #TankaTuesday #WDYS #XplorationChallenge #Puente #poem #poetry #poetrychallenge @YvetteMCalleiro

Hello, beautiful readers! I hope you've had a great first full week of 2026. My son returned to his university today. While I'm sad to see him go, I'm grateful for the time we were able to spend together. I am so proud of the young man he's becoming.

For today, I'm combining three prompts. My weekdays are very busy, especially since I'm trying to go to bed early to make sure I am well rested. I still want to participate in as many prompts as I can, and these three seem to mesh well.

The first is from #TankaTuesday, where Willow invites us to write a Puente poem about new beginnings. A Puente poem has three stanzas. The first and third stanzas are separate thoughts. The second stanza contains a quote.

The second challenge comes from Reena's Xploration Challenge #412. Reena shares lines from two poems. In the poem by J.R.R. Tolkein, I found my quote.

The last challenge is Sadje's What Do You See? prompt where she shares the adorable picture below.

(image credit; Eirik Olsen @Unsplash)

Midlife Crisis

an adult life rut

hamster wheel goes round and round

mud becomes quicksand

"Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate" ~ J.R.R. Tolkein

find your inner child

many adventures await

for those who wander

Would you like to write a poem for one of these prompts? Click the links below:

#TankaTuesday

Reena's Xploration Challenge #412

Sadje's What Do You See? prompt