Steamy Saturday in South Florida…and Touting a Fellow Blogger’s Haiku Book!

Mid- to Late Morning, Saturday, May 17, 2025, Miami, Florida

Hi, everyone.

It is a beautiful but steamy late spring morning in South Florida. The temperature is 80°F (26°C) under sunny conditions. With humidity at 87% and the wind blowing from the south-southeast at 3 MPH (4 Km/H), it feels like 90°F (32°C). It will be hotter later, though; the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high of 91°F (33°C). And to think it’s still the middle of May!

I don’t often buy poetry books, but I’ve bought two over the past year. One of them is Pooja (P.J.) Gudka’s All the Words I Kept Inside (2024), which I bought last summer when I lived in Madison, New Hampshire. It was P.J.’s first book, and because I love her blog Lifesfinewhine (and because P.J. is so talented), I wanted to support her literary efforts. So I bought it. (You can read more about All the Words I Kept Inside here.)

The other book of poetry I have in my Kindle library is Dawn Pisturino’s Haiku for the Midnight Hour (Horse Mesa Press, 2024). As is the case with P.J., I know Dawn because I follow her blog on WordPress. She’s a respected and prolific writer across many genres and disciplines, including poetry, fiction, children’s literature, and articles.

Here’s Dawn’s Amazon biography:

Dawn Pisturino’s international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her debut poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, earned five-star reviews and ranked #60 on the Amazon Best Seller list for Haiku & Japanese Poetry. Her short chapbook, Lunar Gazing Haiku, became a #1 Amazon New Release in six categories. Haiku for the Midnight Hour, her third book, achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in three categories. Her fourth book, Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine, climbed to #1 Amazon New Release in Japanese Poetry & Haiku. She is a member of several author organizations.

I enjoy haiku. I’ve even dabbled in that Japanese form of poetry a few times. And although I’m not a voracious reader of spooky stories or poetry, I was drawn to Haiku for the Midnight Hour, so I bought a Kindle copy yesterday because it seemed…unique. (Plus, I like supporting my writer friends in these strange and troubling times!)

Here’s one of Dawn’s bewitching haiku:

Wicca

rule says “do no harm,”

 witches stringently obey

 coven grows stronger

Both P.J. Gudka’s and Dawn Pisturino’s poetry collections showcase the remarkable talent and creativity thriving in the literary community today. Supporting these writers has not only enriched my reading experience but also reminded me of the joy in championing the voices of those we admire. I hope you find inspiration in their words as I have. Wishing you a weekend filled with discovery, creativity, and perhaps a touch of poetry. Enjoy!

PS: A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already purchased my new novel, Reunion: Coda. Your support means the world to me! If you haven’t checked it out yet, I encourage you to grab a copy on Amazon. This story has already earned glowing praise, with one reviewer calling it “masterfully crafted and emotionally resonant,” while another described it as “a captivating blend of nostalgia and introspection.” A third reviewer expressed, “I couldn’t put it down—it’s a journey worth taking.” I hope you’ll find it just as compelling and worthwhile. Let’s keep the momentum going and share this story with friends, family, and fellow readers. Thank you for being part of this literary adventure!