«A Poet’s Tender Heart» by Joni Caggiano

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«A Poet’s Tender Heart» by Joni Caggiano


love, a raindrop, a snowflake,
or the uniqueness of the flight of the leaf
moon shades of green bringing forth
a canvas within the ocean’s kelp
songbirds sing for both you and me underneath
the power of the same blue sky

black keys suit the music of your
mystifying and powerfully winged words
white keys that are jealous are also poreless
in the face of misery’s tapping
hindering happiness with scarlet seepings
that birth thieves in the friendless dark

like denying rest to a stigmata
whose hands weep from her wounds
thin the skin that covers the allotment
of the tender heart of a beloved poet
better to pierce one’s own heart
than to cause pain, even unknowingly, to a bard

for our spirits question everything and feel all,
bleeding white like the shielding cactus
when to another we somehow bring harm,
our minds bear twisting torment over why
we are birds that know no marginal season
whilst we shed our feathers and forget to fly

proudly in the blaze of that forgotten blue sky

Photo by Joni Caggiano


Joni Caggiano

Joni Karen Caggiano is an internationally published author, poet, and photographer. Her
debut poetry book, “One Petal at A Time,” (Prolific Pulse Press, LLC) was an Amazon
bestseller. She is a three-time Pushcart Nominee and 2024 Best of The Net Nominee. Joni is a
regular contributor to Hotel Masticadores and has collectively contributed to four additional
Masticadores Magazines. On Spillwords, she won Socialite of the Year 2023, 2024, and
Publication of the Month for November 2022 and June 2024, and has been a regular contributor
for five years. Joni’s work appears in a dozen anthologies. Her website is https://the-inner-
child.com.

29 respuestas a ««A Poet’s Tender Heart» by Joni Caggiano»

  1. Avatar de michnavs

    I love how delicate this is Joni.It is an aching meditation on empathy and creativity—this poem treats the poet’s heart as both instrument and wound.

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Thank you so much, Mich, for the publication and the lovely comment on the poem. I think a lot of poets are empathetic by nature. At the very least we are sensitive, which for me sometimes makes my discernment not as good as it should be. However, you are not only a mentor as a publisher, but through your poetry you have taught me a lot about that as well. Of that, as your continued support I will always be grateful.

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  2. Avatar de Mike U.

    This is achingly beautiful, Joni, and Michelle is right–so delicate, as well. Creative people can be among the most sensitive souls. Experience has taught me this, and your poem has given words to those amorphous thoughts and feelings that have lived in my head and heart all my life. Sensitivity is beautiful and fragile, so easily hurt or misunderstood, and when it’s lost, so we are, too.

    I didn’t know you had this piece coming out today, and boy, am I glad to read it. My creative soul needed some light today, and you’ve provided it. Wonderful poetry as always, my friend, and thanks to Michelle for publishing this piece. 😊

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Dear Mike, I am so glad that my poem gave you some light today. That is such a kind comment for any poet. Mich’s summations are always pretty spot-on. I have never known a poet as prolific as her; she blows me out of the water. Your words are always so appreciated, and I know exactly what you mean about the amorphous thoughts and feelings. I am so tender-hearted that I only wish I weren’t sometimes, but then I wouldn’t be myself.

      It is supposed to be a tender piece, and I don’t know, honestly, how to change that part of who I am, but I know I could have better discernment. I am a work in progress. Thank you so much, dear friend, for reading and for your kind comment.

      I tried to like your comment and wiped Mich’s out. I think that is a glitch in WordPress. Big hugs, dear friend.

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  3. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

    Hi Joni, your imagery is very beautiful and infiltrates the mind in a powerful way.

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Dear Robbie, thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment. I am so glad you found the piece powerful, too. Hope you are having a wonderful week, Robbie. Big hugs and thanks again.

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      1. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

        Hi Joni, I am going away on Friday for a long weekend to celebrate my wedding anniversary. That makes this week special. It’s 25 years.

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      2. Avatar de jonicaggiano

        Oh how wonderful I hope you had so much fun. What a blessing. You are right that is a big one indeed. Marriage is a give and take. I honestly think that young people wait, thinking that everything has to be perfect. Of course nothing is perfect in life. There is something to celebrate in love and friendship that last over two decades. An enormous congratulations to you both. Big hugs 🤗

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      3. Avatar de robbiesinspiration

        Thank you, Joni. Agreed, there is no perfection in life 💛. Acceptance of imperfection goes a long way towards achieving contentment.

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  4. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

    Beautiful writing from Joni.
    Thanks for sharing Mich ❤️

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Dear Maggie, Hello, my friend. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my poem today on Latinosenglishedition. I really am grateful for your kindness and your beautiful poetry, Maggie. We share the same sensitivity about life, and often it feels like a curse, but if we change it, we are no longer ourselves. Love you, Joni

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      1. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

        Hi Joni, it is always a pleasure to read your words.
        I agree, it can be a curse, but I am happy with it.
        And happy knowing I am in good company dear friend.
        Love you too.
        Have a beautiful day 💖

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      2. Avatar de jonicaggiano

        Oh you are just so kind, and I know my sensitive heart will never change. We are in wonderful company, I certainly agree. You have an amazing day, too. 🫶❤️🫶

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      3. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

        Thank you Joni ❤️🙏❤️

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      4. Avatar de jonicaggiano

        🫶❤️🫶

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  5. Avatar de Meelosmom

    Beautiful, Joni!

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  6. Avatar de jonicaggiano

    Thank you so much, Barbara, for reading. It is so appreciated, and I am delighted you liked it. 🤗

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  7. Avatar de T. W. Dittmer

    It’s heartwarming to see Joni’s lovely poetry here, Michelle.

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Thank you so much Timothy for your kind comment both here and on my site. Lots of appreciation and hugs coming your way.

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      1. Avatar de T. W. Dittmer

        😍

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  8. Avatar de House of Heart

    Such poignant beauty in these words , Joni.
    ”like denying rest to a stigmata
    whose hands weep from her wounds
    thin the skin that covers the allotment
    of the tender heart of a beloved poet
    better to pierce one’s own heart
    than to cause pain, even unknowingly, to a bard”…. Delicate and lovely. 🤗

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Dearest Holly, How kind of you to read my post here on Latinos. I am so glad that you enjoyed those lines. That is the depth of which I think many of us poets feel about our work. It is hard being so sensitive and I continue to hope that I get a hard shell to surround this heart of mine. Honestly I don’t know that I ever will and that is ok.

      Thank you so much my friend. I so appreciate your support and as you know I am absolutely an enormous fan of your gorgeous poetry. Big hugs and love, dear Holly.

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      1. Avatar de House of Heart

        A hard shell would be helpful at times but probably not meant to be. Thank you sweet friend! Hugs and love right back.

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      2. Avatar de jonicaggiano

        You know something, you are so right, then I wouldn’t be me. I am working on my discernment though. Hehe A work in progress my friend. Thank you for the love. ❤️🫶🤗

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      3. Avatar de House of Heart

        A cultivated skill we all strive for. ❤️🤗

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  9. Avatar de TiffanyArpDaleo

    This is absolutely exquisite Joni, I can’t chose a favorite line, and I would love to hear you read it! Love and hugs ❤

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Dearest Tiffany, thank you so much for your kind response. I am sorry for the length of time it took for me to see this comment. What a sweet one it was indeed. Perhaps I will read it on-line, thank you for the kind comment, Tiffany. It really does mean a lot. Big hugs and lots of love, Joni

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  10. Avatar de Dawn Pisturino

    This is exquisite, Joni! I enjoyed it very much.

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    1. Avatar de jonicaggiano

      Thank you Dawn for reading and your kind response. So delighted you enjoyed it. Big hugs, and blessings, Joni

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