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Sundays with Jenny
Sundays with Jenny by Jenny Bienemann is a luminous collection of haikus, thoughtfully paired with photographs and distinctive haiku art. Featuring nearly 150 poems, over 100 images, and close to three dozen pieces of haiku-inspired artwork, the book offers a multi-sensory experience. While most haikus follow the traditional three-line form, others unfold across multiple verses, inviting deeper reflection. The themes span a wide emotional and philosophical spectrum, love, resilience, serenity, hope, transformation, compassion, and the subtle nuances of human connection.
Reading this book felt like stepping into a quiet, contemplative space. I was especially drawn to its unique structure, which organizes the content by time of day, from the stillness of dawn to the hush of night. Each section carries a mood, allowing the reader to move through emotional and visual shifts as naturally as the progression of sunlight. The creative use of varying font styles throughout the book added a layer of visual interest, making each page feel curated and intentional.
What stood out most were the moments when text and image merged seamlessly. Instead of simply placing haikus next to photos, Bienemann sometimes integrates the verse directly into the visual composition. One poignant example: a haiku beginning with “Open up your door” appears written on the very surface of a door left slightly ajar, light streaming through the narrow opening, evocative and metaphorically rich.
Bienemann has a keen eye for everyday wonder. A basket of laundry, a pair of reading glasses, even a plate of strawberries, each becomes poetic under her lens. She elevates the ordinary, revealing hidden beauty in small, often overlooked details: a heart-shaped leaf on a sidewalk, a natural heart embedded in a tree stump. The vibrancy of some photographs, particularly those rich in color, is breathtaking. One personal favorite is the city skyline rendered in hues of purple and blue, the first image in the Dawn section. It set the tone with quiet grandeur.
The haiku art adds a unique and creative dimension to the book, with many pieces, particularly the watercolor-inspired ones, resonating deeply and beautifully enhancing the accompanying verses. While some artworks leaned into a more abstract or minimalist style, offering space for personal interpretation, others stood out more subtly, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect. This variety in artistic approach contributes to the book’s eclectic charm, even if a few pieces felt more understated compared to the vividness of the photographs.
Sundays with Jenny is a meditative and visually engaging collection. It invites the reader to slow down, notice more, and find poetry in the everyday.
Pages: 212 | ISBN 978-0-1234-6578-8
My Own Healing Journey
Bare It All is a raw, no-holds-barred poetry collection where you share your deeply personal and emotional journey with readers, one that leads to self-love, survival, and transformation. Why was this an important collection of poetry for you to write?
Writing Bare It All was important for me because it allowed me to share my journey of self-love and transformation without reservation. This collection serves as a testament to the healing power of vulnerability and the strength that comes from embracing one’s truth. It’s about shedding fears and acknowledging my experiences to inspire others to do the same.
Can you share a bit about your writing process? Do you have any rituals or routines when writing poetry?
I wouldn’t say I have any specific rituals, but I do like to pray and meditate before writing. This practice of self-reflection helps me connect with my emotions and understand what’s on my mind. I write whatever flows naturally, allowing my thoughts and feelings to shape the poetry.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
Initially, I wrote Bare It All for myself, without considering an audience. It was a personal endeavor reflecting my own healing journey. However, if my words resonate with others and encourage them to share their truths, that would be a beautiful outcome.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
This poetry book has shown me the beauty and bravery of being an open book, no pun intended. I’ve learned that I am a deeply emotional person, and while I used to shy away from that, I now recognize it as a beautiful and important aspect of my identity. Embracing my emotions has not only enriched my writing but has also deepened my connection with myself.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Garden Tools: Poems
David W. Berner’s Garden Tools is a tender, unfiltered look at life’s quietest, most intimate moments through a collection of personal poems. These verses unfold like a walk through a familiar neighborhood—each turn uncovering memories, losses, questions, and the simple grace of being alive. Whether Berner is remembering his father’s workshop, holding a sick dog in the middle of the night, or watching clouds hover like smoke, he invites readers into his world with open arms and a poet’s soul. The book is divided thematically—“Landscape,” “Love,” and “Longing”—and each section gently pulls at different emotional threads, yet they all speak to the same universal truths: impermanence, connection, and the raw, fleeting beauty of daily life.
I found myself genuinely moved, not just by the content, but by Berner’s voice. It’s plainspoken and warm, never showy. He doesn’t try to impress; he just tells the truth. That humility gives his poetry its strength. Take “Dog Dreams” or “At the Window”—they’re simple but heartbreaking. He sees life like a worn photograph: faded, yes, but still holding onto light. His reflections on aging and memory hit especially hard. There’s a lived-in honesty here, like he’s writing from a shed in the backyard with a dog at his feet and time running out. And the humor slips in at just the right moments—dreaming of Scarlett Johansson or pondering a half-moon with quiet affection. It doesn’t try too hard. It just works.
The tone is relentlessly nostalgic. Some might find the sentimentality a bit thick in places. But to me, it never felt forced. There’s something brave about writing plainly, without armor. And it’s not all wistful. There’s wisdom tucked between the lines—about fatherhood, forgiveness, even the weight of an old omelet pan. His poems act like mirrors. You read one and suddenly remember the smell of your dad’s garage or the way your grandmother’s cane thudded on the floor. That kind of recognition is rare, and it stayed with me.
Garden Tools is for readers who want to slow down and feel something real. It’s for anyone who’s ever stared out a window and wondered about the past, or watched the sky and hoped for some kind of sign. I’d recommend it to lovers of Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, or even Thomas Merton, whose spirit quietly haunts a few pages here.
Pages: 61
Garden Tools: Poems
David W. Berner’s Garden Tools is a poignant collection of poems that gently draws readers into a world where nature, memory, and mortality weave together. The book is split into thematic sections—Landscape, Love, and Longing—each capturing slices of life, both subtle and grand. Berner finds meaning in the smallest details: a dog’s gaze, a neighbor’s new presence, the quiet pause before a storm. He treats ordinary moments with reverence, like a gardener turning the soil of memory and reflection. With language both plainspoken and lyrical, Berner celebrates life’s impermanence, urging us to notice, to feel, and to remember.
What struck me most was the honesty of Berner’s voice. These poems are not dressed up or hiding behind metaphor. Instead, they walk beside you, like an old friend, whispering memories you forgot you had. The poem “Thinking of My Death,” where the speaker drives around with his sister’s ashes in the backseat, wrecked me in the best way. It’s morbid and funny and tender all at once. And that’s the magic here—Berner balances grief and joy like they’re siblings. Nothing feels forced. His images—like cleaning dirt-caked garden tools or watching squirrels tease a dog—are simple but loaded.
A few poems felt light, like sketches not fully painted. Maybe that was the point—to leave space for the reader—but there were moments when I wanted a little more grit or tension. Still, those quieter pieces often served as breathers between more emotionally heavy poems. And by the end, I found myself grateful for that rhythm. The understated ones gave the more powerful verses room to bloom. And when Berner is at his best—as in “If a Father Cries” or “The Last Tulip”—he delivers emotional punches that feel both personal and universal.
Garden Tools is for anyone who’s ever looked out a window and felt a little ache in their chest. It’s for people who remember childhood smells and the way a parent’s voice could rise or fall like a season. I’d recommend this book to lovers of thoughtful poetry. This collection won’t shout for your attention, but if you listen, it will sing something tender and lasting.
Pages: 61
Writing in the Moment
Always Something Heartfelt: Life, Love, and Heartbreak is a raw, vulnerable, and deeply personal collection of poetry and reflective prose exploring a myriad of human experiences. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
Every piece in this collection was hand-stitched with everything I was feeling inside at the time of its inception. Growing up, it felt like the only time I was allowed to be sad, disappointed, hurt, etc. was at funerals. I started journaling when I was 17. It was a newfound outlet to what started to feel like a form of freedom to be able to communicate my raw emotions. Then, one near-fatal curveball in life, in the form of a car accident that physically propelled me from a vehicle, pushed me to open up to the world because life wasn’t promised. I gained the confidence to boldly articulate things I felt. Life became too short to be anything other than authentic. Through performing at spoken word events, I got feedback that showed me that my expressions were relatable. When I chose the poems from my collection to put together Always Something Heartfelt, I focused on providing my most genuine expressions. The goal was to expound on the notion that my experiences, though deeply personal, were relatable to others.
How do you approach writing about deeply personal or emotional topics?
I write what I feel in the moment with as much honesty as I can manage. I approach emotion the way I used to approach music—as therapy. Whether I’m hurting, reflecting, or just trying to understand something, I let the pen run freely. Free verse gives me the room to speak plainly and honestly, without worrying about form getting in the way of truth. I aim for clarity, and I hope that clarity resonates with people who’ve felt something similar.
Do you have a favorite poem in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?
I do not have one particular favorite, but there are some poems I really like. That list includes poems like “She trusted Me”, “TV Failed Me”, “Maybe I never loved her”, “Windows”, “The next guy”, “Temporary insanity”, “I really wanted to”, and “Like you”. These are poems that are pivotal spaces and times in my life. To me, it’s like going through the pages of your life and marking them with a highlighter.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
Writing this book showed me that authentic emotions, though deeply personal, are very relatable beyond just the community that I’ve shared my expressions with over the years. These poems represent universal concepts that express how we all can feel at any given moment in life. That notion encourages me to keep writing and count myself as blessed to even have experiences to share. Though considered fleeting and temporary, emotions provide substance to your experiences and help you set, change, or stay the course in life.
Shadows Amongst the Threads
Shadows Amongst the Threads is a haunting, soul-baring collection of poetry that plunges headfirst into the murky depths of the human psyche. Written by J.A. Santana, the book explores the concept of the “shadow” — that darker half of our personality Carl Jung warned us not to ignore. The poems are a tapestry of anguish, longing, introspection, and myth. The collection moves through surreal landscapes—withered forests, shadowy corridors, dreamscapes, and apocalyptic ruins—while reflecting on fear, identity, sin, love, and collective moral decay. Santana threads together classical references, psychological insights, and raw emotion, pulling readers deep into a world where monsters wear familiar faces, often our own.
I enjoyed how immersive and atmospheric the writing is. Santana’s voice feels ancient and modern all at once—like a lost prophet speaking in riddles. The rhythm and word choice at times feel Shakespearean or Biblical, yet there’s also a grounded emotional rawness in many of the lines. Some pieces like “Darkness,” “Doppelgänger,” and “Rain I” are unsettling in their vivid imagery but unforgettable in their truths. You can feel the poet wrestling with shame, existential dread, and an aching thirst for meaning. And it isn’t just gloom for gloom’s sake. There’s an undeniable urgency behind the words—as if Santana is begging readers to confront their own shadows before they become monsters.
The language, though beautiful, is dense. I found myself needing to take breaks, reread stanzas, and sometimes simply sit with the weight of it all. A few poems are abstract or metaphor-heavy, and the emotional intensity sometimes overwhelms the clarity. But even when it was hard to follow, I never doubted the sincerity. There’s a strange kind of beauty in getting lost in Santana’s bleak, lyrical universe. It’s not for everyone, but for those who’ve stared down their own darkness, it will feel eerily familiar.
Shadows Amongst the Threads is a collection that rewards patience and introspection. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves poetry that digs deep into the soul and isn’t afraid of getting their hands dirty. It’s especially powerful for readers interested in shadow work, trauma, mythology, and the emotional weight of existence.
Pages: 94 | ASIN : B0BKGZ6L6V
Before the World Moves On
Nathaniel Terrell’s Before the World Moves On is a soul-bearing collection of poems that dig deep into themes of love, regret, faith, struggle, masculinity, and survival. Delivered in conversational free verse, the book reads like a personal diary cracked open for the world to see. Terrell shares moments of heartbreak, brushes with death, spiritual awakenings, and everyday reflections that pulse with honesty. Each poem feels like a snapshot of a lived experience, from backbreaking labor to falling in and out of love, from political disillusionment to spiritual resilience.
What really struck me was Terrell’s unfiltered voice. Some lines had me nodding, others hit me in the gut. There’s a sadness throughout the book, but also a sense of grit—like he’s been knocked down more times than he can count, but keeps getting back up. The poetry isn’t dressed up in metaphor or fancy language—it’s real, immediate, and often sounds like a man talking to himself in the mirror, wrestling with his past and daring to hope for better. The emotions are heavy, but the writing has rhythm and style. A few pieces, like “Dream catcher” and “Sequel,” resonated with me personally.
The collection is lengthy, and while not every piece resonated equally with me, that variety felt intentional. Some poems have the rawness of journal entries, which adds to their emotional depth, though it occasionally slows the momentum. Certain themes—like betrayal or self-doubt—echo throughout and gives the sense of someone working through their pain in real time. Terrell doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, and that repeated reckoning feels honest.
I’d recommend Before the World Moves On to anyone who appreciates poetry that bleeds truth. Especially men trying to process pain in a world that often doesn’t let them. It’s not a book for those looking for tidy endings or polished sentiment. It’s for folks who’ve been through some stuff and are still standing.
Pages: 165 | ASIN : B0F7LWL7ML
How to Age Gracefully
How to Age Gracefully is a tender and unflinching collection of essays by Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic, a woman navigating her eighties from inside an assisted living facility in Bethesda, Maryland. After losing her husband and suffering a serious fall, Scoblic uproots her life in Manhattan and resettles in a new, unfamiliar world. Through sharp observations and heartfelt recollections, she explores what it really means to age — physically, emotionally, and socially. The book is broken into seven parts, covering everything from adjusting to new bodies and places to the presence of death. Scoblic shines a light on the overlooked complexity, humor, sorrow, and creativity of growing old.
The writing is clean and conversational. Scoblic has a sharp ear for dialogue and a keen sense of irony. Her tone swings from biting to tender in a heartbeat — one minute you’re laughing at a petty spat in the dining room, the next you’re hit by the quiet heartbreak of isolation. I found myself nodding along to her stories, sometimes with amusement, sometimes with a lump in my throat. She’s refreshingly honest about the indignities of aging, the fears, the small joys. There’s a grounded strength in the way she refuses to sugarcoat the hard stuff — the loneliness, the loss of independence — while still finding room for wit and warmth.
There were times, though, when the book made me a little sad, not because of its content, but because of how little we hear voices like Scoblic’s. She doesn’t try to make aging sound noble or poetic. It’s messy. It’s awkward. It’s often frustrating. But she finds meaning in the mess. I appreciated how she documented the seemingly mundane — conversations overheard, small kindnesses from the staff, even a note slipped into a takeout bag — and made them feel full of life. There’s something deeply beautiful in the ordinary moments she shares. I especially loved her stories about community and her slow-building friendships with people she initially misunderstood. That said, some of the stories blend together after a while. There’s not a traditional narrative arc, and the book feels more like a mosaic than a single journey.
I would recommend this book to anyone curious about aging, especially those who fear it. It’s a wonderful read for middle-aged readers trying to understand their parents, for adult children who feel lost in the caregiving shuffle, or even for younger people wanting a glimpse into what might lie ahead. This isn’t a self-help guide or a grand philosophical treatise — it’s better. It’s a conversation. One with humor, depth, and the kind of lived wisdom you don’t often find in print. Reading it made me feel more connected to my elders, to my own future, and to the idea that life still matters, even when your world shrinks.
Pages: 101 | ASIN : B0DB2T821D
LITERARY TITAN 