Maggie Watson's Blog, page 14
February 3, 2025
Last Request
(written January 2025)
A final request
written on perfumed paper
Marigold’s lament.
Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved
January 31, 2025
Pandora’s Box
Thank you Dagmara at Spillwords for publishing my poem
Pandora’s Box
January 29, 2025
Storm Eoweny
(written January 2025)
Obviously both these poems were inspired by Storm Eoweny who visited the UK and Ireland last Friday!
I am not ashamed to say I was a nervous wreck all day!
She arrived at 10am and was still stamping her feet at 10pm.
These storms are becoming more frequent, and this one was the worst we have had since 1998.
Anyways, I am still here to tell the tale and thankfully no part of my roof was blown off!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
MOTHER EARTH
A wrecking ball, a force of nature,
the storm heads inland.
This tempest is hell-bent on reparation
for the destruction of land.
Repeated warnings never heeded.
These humans have only themselves to blame.
As Mother Earth cuts down everything in its path
with a blade.
Homes we can rebuild,
but rich soil is now forever stained.
………………………………………………………..
WRATH
The gentle rustle of fallen leaves belies
the force of an incoming tempest.
Nothing else stirs.
Even the seagulls have stopped their
incessant crying.
In the stillness, we hold our breaths and
close our eyes to pray.
With the hope that
the storm may visit us with some grace.
Alas, this hurricane of power screams
with vehemence as it unleashes its force with ire.
While we tremble in the aftermath, aghast.
Brought to our knees by Mother Earth and her wrath.
Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved
January 28, 2025
Reviews of Pieces of Me
With gratitude to Dawn Pisturino and Balroop Singh
Dawn’s Review
Poetry Book Review: “Pieces of Me” by Maggie Watson
You can buy Dawn’s most recent Collection here
You can also visit Dawn’s blog https://dawnpisturino.wordpress.com/ for more examples of her amazing poetry!
Balroop’s Review
You can buy Baroop’s most recent Collection here
You can also visit Balroop’s blog https://balroop2013.wordpress.com/ for more examples of her heartfelt poetry!
I am always extremely grateful to anyone who buys a copy of any Collection that I have published!
Your reviews are more precious than gold!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can buy Pieces of Me here
January 27, 2025
Review of Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas
About Cindy
Cindy is a San Francisco native and currently lives nestled in the trees in a small community with her husband. She is a health and wellness professional, a certified life coach, personal trainer, yoga/meditation teacher,and bodyworker. She draws inspiration from her clients, friends, four children, 4 legged furry kids and nature.
Her new book Celebrating Poetry is a #1 New Top Release on Amazon. It is a companion guide to her book, Re-Create & Celebrate: 7 Steps to Live the Life of Your Dreams, has over 41 5 Star Reviews. She was voted Author of the Month on Spillwords Press in April 2023 and Publication of the Month on Spillwords in October 2022.
She is a co-author of #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, #1 Best Seller of Hidden In Childhood: A Poetry Anthology and is also a Treasured Contributor to MastecadoresUsa.
You can read more of Cindy’s work at Unique Times by Cindy Georgakas
What Amazon says
In a world where many feel lost or disconnected, Cindy Georgakas offers not only words but also a chance for readers to reconnect with their inner selves and rediscover joy amidst adversity. Embrace the opportunity to explore her work; you may find that within each line lies the key to your own healing journey.
This book is a must read.
My Review
Celebrating Poetry is a beautiful book of poems that gives hope and inspiration.
It is the hand of a friend when you need advice.
It is the arms of your mother when you need a hug.
Cindy will navigate you through life’s storms,
and her words will be the lighthouse that shines in the dark while reminding you not to forget that your light will always exist.
From “Ignite the Light”, “it is always there, even in your darkest hour”.
I recommend this book with five stars!
Bookmark your favourites (of which there will be many) to read again
whenever a stone or curveball lands at your feet on this journey called life.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF YOUR WORDS WITH THE WORLD CINDY!
You can buy a copy of Celebrating Poetry here
January 25, 2025
Comfort Blankets
(written January 2025)
Comforting blankets are made not
for warmth but to keep us stagnant.
Stuck on the downslope of passing years.
Clinging to liferafts made from lotus flowers
without the courage to bloom.
We build a home in muddy waters because it feels “safe”.
We are too afraid to change.
Change is a dirty word, like the prison bars
we place around ourselves.
Underneath the layers, our soul screams, “Set me free”.
Yet we ignore its pleas.
Happily drowning, never fulfilling our
lifelong hopes and dreams.
Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved
January 24, 2025
Review of After Rain Skies by Michelle Ayon Navajas.
About Michelle
Michelle Ayon Navajas (born June 23, 1976) is a Filipino poet, writer, and educator. She is a Best-Selling international Poet known for her books reaching the #1 spot within days of their release. Her 8th poetry book, “I Am In Itself Poetry In The Dark,” went straight to the top of both the best-sellers list and new releases on Amazon on short notice. Her 7th poetry book, “It Ain’t Winning If Without You,” went straight to the best-sellers list on Amazon in less than 24 hours of release by pre-orders alone and eventually became the number Poetry Book on Amazon India on its actual release day, soon after the book rose to the best- sellers list as well in all other Amazon Markets worldwide.
What Amazon says
After Rain Skies (Second Edition) is a collection of true and inspiring stories of abuse and violence in prose and poetry.
My Review
As a domestic abuse survivor myself, I have complete admiration
for any woman who chooses to share her story.
It is brave, but I believe it is empowering too.
After Rain Skies is a collection of inspiring stories which will
give you hope!
In the Fore Ward, Ms Yip Siew Keen (co-founder of Perak Women for Women Society) says, “These stories were put together in one book to create awareness and provide victims with a voice”.
Michelle has certainly done that with this book!
Ms Sumathi Sivamay (President of Perak Women for Women Society) says, “This is not a problem for the family, but an illness in society which needs to be addressed and eradicated”.
I agree!
Too many people are happy to sweep this epidemic under the carpet and pretend it does not happen.
IT DOES HAPPEN, AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE!
I would love to quote the entire book in this review, but I can’t.
So, I will quote some of the lines that stood out.
(The Woman – The Abused)
“You can’t touch it.
No matter how much it hurts, there’s nowhere to go”.
(Peaceful)
“I stand firm, graceful, strong”.
(Masquerade)”
“That’s how you deal with things that hurt.
But you can’t touch.
You pull them out of you and let everyone see and hope to god no
one recognises themselves in your story.”
(Helen of Troy)
“would you rather scream silently or bleed profusely?”
(Epilogue)
“This one’s for you, abandoned, broken, assaulted, dumped and abused.
You are not alone, and you never will be”.
DOMESTIC ABUSE IS IN ITSELF VERY ISOLATING. I CAN TESTIFY.
To Michelle and all the women in this book who chose to share their stories,
with deep sincerity, I admire your courage.
Thank you.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
You can buy a copy of After Rain Skies here
I am not scared of much but…
I am not scared of much, only wasps, but strong winds terrify me.
Carol Anne, I know you had this last night, and it has now been raging here since 10am.
It is the worst storm in Scotland since 1998!
I have not posted any poetry for a few, but I can’t settle while this is going on.
Top floor flat here with the roof overhead 
.
I will be walking the floor tonight.
I did the same in 2022 when Arwen paid us a visit 
Living alone does not bother me, but this bitch is wearing Doc Martens , it is truly horrific !
I hope to be back posting soon.
January 22, 2025
Her Book of Words
written in response to Sadje’s #Whatdoyousee
From her heart, a book of words she wrote,
a bridge to lessen the distance.
An anchor placed with care in the hope of mutual affection.
Those who read the book argued that
poetic limerence and obsession were the reason for her rhymes.
She laughed.
They had never gazed through the windows to her soul.
How could anyone know the origin of her thoughts?
Only he knew, but he chose not to open the book.
It now lies gathering dust on a shelf.
Without reciprocity, all things fade, and she has sworn
never to write another book of love poetry again.
Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved
January 20, 2025
Precious Moments
(written January 2025)
Precious moments, lost.
Increments of time pass like clouds
from white to grey.
So many seconds go astray.
Eyes blink to find, only to realise,
everything has now changed.
Yet, from the outside, all things look the same.
As we reflect on the passing years,
those precious moments are now distant memories
travelling over the horizon to sink with the setting sun.
But some moments will always linger, and
they are the ones that burn.
Copyright © 2025 Ephemeral Encounters
All Rights Reserved
