Dawn Pisturino's Blog

My Writing Journey

Jun 8

“Petals of Haiku” Reaches New Heights of Immortality

by Dawn Pisturino

(Artist Hikari with Head Priest, Sasagawa, at the Rinsenji Temple in Japan)

The most incredible thing has happened!

Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, edited by Gabriela Marie Milton and published by Literary Revelations Publishing House, has been uniquely honored. With the blessing of the Head Priest, Sasagawa, Hikari’s beautiful artwork and a copy of the book will be displayed in the Treasure House of the Rinsenji Temple in Japan for eternity, or as long as the temple exists.

Four of my haiku are included in the book, so I feel truly blessed to be part of this project that has so richly rewarded me spiritually (I do not financially benefit from the book in any way.)

Thank you, Gabriela, for all of your literary insight, foresight, and hard work!

Please click Here to read all about it.

Blessings to all of you!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

#1 Amazon Bestseller Co-Author 2022, 2023, 2024

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology (2024)

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology (2023)

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (2022)

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

book marketing Poetry spirituality Uncategorized world cultures

38 Comments »
Jun 7

New Release to Amazon Kindle on June 12th

by Dawn Pisturino

(Created on Canva by Dawn Pisturino.)

See you then!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

June 7, 2024

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

book marketing ebooks Poetry Uncategorized world cultures

25 Comments »
Jun 5

Two Haiku from “Petals of Haiku”

by Dawn Pisturino

Hello!

Two of my haiku from the anthology Petals of Haiku are featured today on editor Gabriela Marie Milton’s website, Short Prose. Please click HERE to read them. Thank you, Gabriela, for including me!

Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, published by Literary Revelations Publishing House, is more than a book of poetry. It’s a work of art. It’s a keepsake that any poet and poet lover can treasure.

The book has reached magnificent heights on Amazon: #1 in Haiku and Japanese Poetry, Top New Release in Nature Poetry and Poetry Anthologies in the USA, #1 in Japan in Haiku and Japanese Poetry and Poetry Anthologies, and #1 in Top Releases in the UK. Gabriela and her team deserve all the accolades received because they worked hard to make this book a reality.

If you have not yet purchased your copy, here are the links. You will not regret it.

Amazon Paperback: https://a.co/d/iThsVbi

Amazon Kindle: https://a.co/d/cLmWcEC

This book would make a fabulous gift for Father’s Day, an anniversary, birthday, or other occasion.

Thank you!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

June 5, 2024

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Art book marketing Poetry Uncategorized world cultures

29 Comments »
Jun 5

“Lunar Gazing Haiku” Launches June 12th!

by Dawn Pisturino

(Cover created on Canva by Dawn Pisturino using art from the public domain.)

In honor of my June birthday, I’m releasing my new digital chapbook (called a pamphlet in the UK), Lunar Gazing Haiku, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, for $0.99 USD on Amazon Kindle. The Kindle app can be downloaded to your cell phone for free.

Here’s the forward:

“Haiku is a Japanese poetic form that originated in the 17th century to simplify and perfect traditional literary poetry. Poets sought to stimulate emotional and mental reactions to nature themes in an abbreviated form using 17 syllables in a 5-7-5 pattern. Later, poets broadened their scope and introduced other themes. Famous haiku poets include Basho, Buson, and Issa.

“In Japan, tsukimi (moongazing) is an annual Harvest Moon Festival celebrated in September. Dating back centuries, when the noble classes composed music and poetry while viewing the full moon, the festival now includes everybody and marks the celebration of the autumn season. Looking for the ‘rabbit in the moon’ while picnicking under the stars, appreciating the moon’s sacred splendor, giving thanks for bounties received, and looking forward to a prosperous future make this a special event.

“In the United States, autumn celebrations include harvest festivals and craft fairs, Oktoberfest, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and events leading up to the Winter Solstice and Christmas.

“The 62 haiku in this chapbook celebrate all seasons and all aspects of life, with the last chapter dedicated to moongazing. Enjoy the fun!”

Clearly, moongazing is just as popular (if not more so) in the summer as in the fall. I love to sit on the deck at night and watch the full moon rise over the mountains and the stars appear one by one in the sky.

Most of all, this digital chapbook was meant to be fun to read.

Thanks for visiting!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

June 5, 2024

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

book marketing Books ebooks Poetry Uncategorized world cultures

34 Comments »
Jun 4

Sheila Murrey’s Review of “Ariel’s Song”

by Dawn Pisturino

(Image created by Michelle Ayon Navajas of Poetry by Mich. Thanks, Michelle!)

I’m overjoyed to share Sheila Murrey’s review of my first poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023. Sheila has authored several informative and uplifting books about spirituality. Sharing her own experiences, she takes readers on an exciting journey of spiritual enlightenment and satisfaction. Recently, I reviewed her book, Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection (available on Amazon at https://a.co/d/5UKI1Sm, which I enjoyed very much (click HERE for the review).

“I’m quite happy to have Dawn’s book on my phone (in my Kindle app), so I can reference any of her poems whenever I wish. Though I like and love several of her poems, I know me. I will pick it up again in a year or so and find that others will resonate with me. That’s how reading goes for me. For now though, I will share my list of favorites with you next.

“My favorite poems within the pages of Dawn’s book, Ariel’s Song are:

  • Stars Fade
  • Ariel’s Song
  • Rapping
  • Drunken Poet
  • Evening at the Mosque
  • The Last God
  • Melissa and the Angels
  • Christ’s Sorrow
  • Hold on to that Dream
  • My Life is a Desert
  • When the Morning Comes
  • Legacy
  • My Grave
  • The Age of Elegance
  • The Sleeping Beauty
  • The Rusty Tin Can
  • Psychology
  • The Girl on the Bus
  • The Old Man at the Piano
  • This Land is in My Blood
  • Springtime
  • Summer Eden
  • Sonnet to the Moon
  • O Thou, England!
  • April Showers
  • Where Shall We Go
  • Dreamcatcher
  • You and I
  • The Listener
  • The Dentist
  • The Ghost
  • The Fairies. . .”

Please click HERE to read the complete review. Thank you!

Thank you, Sheila, for taking the time to read and review my book!

Look for my new release, Lunar Gazing Haiku (digital chapbook in Ebook only), coming June 12th!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

June 4, 2024

Copyright 2024 Sheila Murrey. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

book marketing Poetry spirituality Uncategorized Women

22 Comments »
Jun 4

Robbie Cheadle’s Review of “Ariel’s Song”

by Dawn Pisturino

(Cover art created by Dawn Pisturino on Canva using artwork from the Public Domain.)

I’m ecstatic to share author Robbie Cheadle’s review of my first poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023. Robbie is a wonderful South African poet and writer who has authored numerous children’s books, poetry books, books for young adults and adults, and co-edited poetry anthologies through WordCrafters Press with author Kaye Lynne Booth. She loves nature and works tirelessly to protect the environment and wildlife of South Africa. For Earth Day 2024, WordCrafters Press released Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature (available on Amazon at https://a.co/d/9gK2LNa), which I recently reviewed (click HERE).

“Ariel’s Song is a wonderful collection of poems written by Dawn Pisturino’s over a [three]-decade period. The themes and styles of the poems is wildly varied, and its body collectively represents the plethora of passions and interests of the poet. This passion comes across strongly in each and every poem, Dawn Pisturino most certainly has a well-defined personal voice that is easily recognisable in every poem in the collection. Many of the poems have been previously published in various poetry anthologies, publications, and literary blogs.

“There is an interesting and thought-provoking thread of religious belief woven through many of these poems which I found intriguing. One such poem which I really loved is Nature’s Child. This is a short extract of this poem:

“‘Her nakedness gleamed in moonlight and candlelight,
Sunlight and lamplight,
But she feared not the shadows or the darkness of night.
They called her a witch, priestess, sorceress of the Devil.
She laughed at their ignorance –
These holy men of the Church –
And covered her nakedness with rose petals and fern. . .'”

Please go HERE to read the rest of the review. Thank you very much!

Ariel’s Song is available on Amazon at:

Paperback: https://a.co/d/i8OoaWP

Ebook: https://a.co/d/8Mn6ijq

Coming June 12, 2024 – Lunar Gazing Haiku!

Have a great day!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

June 4, 2024

Copyright 2024 Roberta Cheadle. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.



book marketing Nature Poetry Uncategorized Women

19 Comments »
Jun 3

“Impermanence” on Chewers & Masticadores

by Dawn Pisturino

(Internet Photo)

I’m pleased to announce that my poem, “Impermanence,” has been published today on Chewers & Masticadores. Thank you, Juan Re Crivello, for publishing it! Please visit Chewers and show them your support!

Impermanence

by Dawn Pisturino

The Buddha

Told a tale about

A beautiful courtesan

Who died in the full bloom of youth.

Her body lay out in the open air to rot,

A lesson for the people

About impermanence

And the superficiality of physical beauty. . .

Please click HERE to read the rest of my poem.

Look out for my new release, Lunar Gazing Haiku (Ebook only), coming June 12th to Amazon Kindle.

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

Buddhism death Poetry spirituality Uncategorized

37 Comments »
Jun 1

“Cat and Ghost Game” on Gobblers & Masticadores

by Dawn Pisturino

(Photo from Peakpx)

I’m pleased to announce that my poem, “Cat and Ghost Game,” has been published today on Gobblers & Masticadores. I want to thank Manuela Timofte for publishing it. Please visit Gobblers and show them your support. Thank you!

Cat and Ghost Game

by Dawn Pisturino

It was strange

The way the candlelight

Seemed to bounce across the ceiling,

In leaps and bounds,

Like a playful poltergeist

Putting on a show. . .

Please click HERE to read the rest of the poem.

Look for my new release, Lunar Gazing Haiku (Ebook only), coming June 12th to Amazon Kindle. This will be my first time using Kindle Direct Publishing, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well.

Petals of Haiku: An Anthology reached #1 status on Amazon in two categories. Here’s the purchase link: https://a.co/d/jbsrmby

The book was edited by Gabriela Marie Milton and published by Literary Revelations Publishing House.

Cadence: Life’s Poetic Rhythms anthology from Prolific Pulse Press is projected to come out in late June. Three of my poems will be included.

New Lyricist, Issue No.1, from Ingrid Wilson and Experiments in Fiction, is targeted to be released by July 20th, if all goes well. This is Ingrid’s exciting new venture using a magazine format and will include my poem, “The Storm.”

Thanks for visiting!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

book marketing Love Poetry Romance Uncategorized

35 Comments »
May 31

My Interview with JazzArt en Valencia

by Dawn Pisturino

(Street Art Photo by sterlinglanier Lanier on Unsplash)

I agreed to do an interview with surreal-expressionist painter Francisco Bravo Cabrera of JazzArt en Valencia, a resident artist in Valencia, Spain, and owner of Omnia Caelum Studios. I’ve known Francisco for a while now, and he is a passionate artist, writer, poet, and musician who once worked as a police officer in Miami, Florida, USA.

Here’s my answer to his first question:

  1. Who are your major literary/artistic references?

Depending on what I’m writing, my major influences have been H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, the Bronte sisters, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Thomas Hardy, and the great Russian writers.

Please click HERE to read the rest of the interview.

In 2022, I featured Francisco and his art on my blog. To learn more about him, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Look for my new release, Lunar Gazing Haiku (Ebook only), coming in June!

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

May 31, 2024

Copyright 2024 Francisco Bravo Cabrera. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Art author interviews Poetry Uncategorized Women

44 Comments »
May 29

Five Poems on Medusa’s Kitchen

by Dawn Pisturino

(Photo by David Billings from Unsplash)

I’m thrilled to announce that Medusa’s Kitchen published five of my poems today. Thank you, Kathy Kieth, for publishing them! Please visit Medusa’s Kitchen and show them your support. Thank you!

Here are the first lines for each poem:

Shelter

I felt you smiling at me in the dark.

My heart leaped with innocent, untarnished joy. . .

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day brought storm clouds into your eyes,

Thunderclaps of anger,

And memories too deep and painful to ignore. . .

Unbearable

I stand at the edge of eternity, gazing out over the abyss.

The darkness breathes like a living animal. . .

Indulgence

You feast on sweet fantasies

Of naked bodies mingling in the dark

And yearn for the honey-dipped words

I drop in your ears. . .

Father Sun

Father Sun rises from his bed with boastful pride,

A mighty warrior from the East

Waving his fiery sword across the heavens. . .

Please click HERE to read the rest of the poems.

Thanks for visiting! Look out for my new release, Lunar Gazing Haiku (Ebook only), coming in June.

Dawn Pisturino

Author, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023

Author of the Month for March 2024 on Spillwords Press

Co-Author, Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology

Co-Author, 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine

Co-Author, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women

Official Author Website: www.dawnpisturino.org

May 29, 2024

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Coping Fantasy Love Poetry Uncategorized

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