
I am thrilled that my two poems Prayer and A Night of Marble and of Gingerbread were included in Issue I of Free Verse Revolution: Hebe (the fountain of youth)
Prayer
by Gabriela Marie Milton
you, fountain of youth,
forgive me
I am the one made from mud and from the skin of Attica’s
flutes
at night, my existence feels like an impertinence or
perhaps like an interlinear
a language half-imagined
half adulterated
by the bloom of the olive trees under the sticky wing of an
angel
I was born in the swamps where the tombs of the prophets
sunk
I am blood and bones when I smell the sea and the meat
from the grill
church bell toll and speak of death, and of the mystique of
oblique winds
you, goddess of youth,
source of life from where four rivers flow
your child-like body
stands some days on the top of the mountains
and others on the top of the fountains
your skin is dewed and flowered with love
my skin haunts the night of the deserts
your destiny is that of the innocents
mine is that of the sinners
forgive me, you, Hebe
that I do not ask for the gift of youth
give it to the children
give it to the sick
and throw what is left into the sea
the fish will be happy
*
A Night of Marble and of Gingerbread
by Gabriela Marie Milton
on the top of the mountain
the pines silhouette against the whisper of the rocks
the night is cut from marble, and from gingerbread
the wind stops on a branch touched by a naked star
I take the measure of that which forever youth gives
red poppies that never wither
seeds that never impregnate the ground
a love that still plays with toys,
and lights candles in a Christmas tree in the middle of
summer
the moon is mortal and concerned with trivial matters
and so am I
Hebe,
how many know that you are the bud of incest and
patricide?
how many know your child’s eyes witnessed so many
crimes?
filled with pain, you stop growing up, isn’t it so?
oh, don’t cry
here is my impermanent heart
wear it for one day
in the morning you will see the old oak dying in the rain
at noon butterflies will sit on your hair
in the night a Lethean forgetfulness will lecture on the
beauty of transitory love
kisses will feel like honey on the tongue
the breath of love will rest on your skin
you will grow up
what?
you do not want your forever youth back?
dream
it’s spring
*
You can download the entire issue for free here
*
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings featured in San Francisco Book Review and Manhattan Book Review.
@Gabriela Marie Milton
Beautiful poems. Congratulations!🎉 😀
Thank you so much Dora! That’s very sweet of you.
Congratulations, Gabriela! Well-deserved!
Thank you Darren. Have a great weekend.
Congratulations Gabriela. These are so beautifully written poems.
Oh, sweetheart, you always bring joy in my life. Thank you so much.
xoxo
It’s always a pleasure.
🌹🥰
Splendid poetry, dear Gabriela ~ Congratulations 😊🌹
Thank you so much Phil 🙏🌹
Congratulations dear!! Both the poems are beautiful❤
Prayer:
“at night, my existence feels like an impertinence or
perhaps like an interlinear
a language half-imagined
half adulterated”
Such wonderful metaphors dear G. So so brilliant.
“I was born in the swamps where the tombs of the prophets
sunk
I am blood and bones when I smell the sea and the meat”
I am absolutely speechless. Wow!
A Night Of Marble and Of Gingerbread:
I loved this one even more.
“red poppies that never wither
seeds that never impregnate the ground
a love that still plays with toys,
and lights candles in a Christmas tree in the middle of
summer”
Gorgeous imagery!
“here is my impermanent heart
wear it for one day
in the morning you will see the old oak dying in the rain
at noon butterflies will sit on your hair
in the night a Lethean forgetfulness will lecture on the
beauty of transitory love”
These lines just stole my heart! Superb!!
xoxo…
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are a gem. Your support is golden. I am so grateful to you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Absolutely my pleasure dear♥️
🌹🥰🌹🥰🌹🥰
Congratulations on the publication of these two amazingly beautiful poems. So many thoughts, images and love pouring out from your word.
I simply love this:
“in the morning you will see the old oak dying in the rain
at noon butterflies will sit on your hair
in the night a Lethean forgetfulness will lecture on the
beauty of transitory love
kisses will feel like honey on the tongue”
Your work is a gift. Thank you. Sending love, hugs and happy thoughts your way beautiful Button.
Love, Honeybun (J)
Good morning and thank you for your kind words and for the praise honeybun. I am really happy you liked that part. I hope your weekend is going well. Sending love and blessings.
xoxo
Thank you Button. I can’t help but look at the trees in the backyard when reading these pieces, they are filled with references of nature, life and death. So beautifully written. Thank you for the love and blessings. 🤗❤️💕🥰🦋
Oh, thank you again.. looking at the trees in NC. Your words bring back found memories. Thank you for the love. Right back to you ❤️🌹🤗
🤗❤️💕🥰🦋❤️🥰🦋
🙏🤗🥰❤️🌹
Very clever imagery
Thank you Daniel.
NO DOUBT YOU ARE A GREAT POET…
Aw.. I am humbled by your words. Thank you.
I absolutely love both pieces! Congratulations Gabriela 😊💐❤️
Thank you sweetheart. Congratulations to you too.
xoxo
😊🙏
🌹
❤
🙏🥰
They are wonderful poems and well deserving. Congratulations, Gabriela.
Thank you so much Timothy. It means a lot. I need to get to your site ASAP. I miss the kitties and the owlets. I hope everyone is ok.
Wow congratulations! Feels so good to get featured… 🤗💜
Thank you so much dear. Indeed, it means a lot.
xoxo
Beautiful!! Congratulations Gabriela❤️💐👏
Thank you so much Diana. That is so sweet of you 🌹
There you go doing great again.
Thank you for your kind comment. I hope everything is well with you.
xoxo
You are very graciously welcome your Gabrielaness. I am surviving. I hope that things are great with you.
I am ok too. Thank you.
xoxo
You are welcome.
🙂
E’ un’ottima notizia, il giusto riconoscere il valore delal tua poesia. Saluti dall’Italia
Grazie mille, Flavio. Saluti dall’America.
Stunningly beautifully intricate and enchanting!xoxoxo
Thank you soo much. Sending you love and hugs 🥰❤️🌹🥰❤️🌹
And thanks to you for the beauty of your words and kindness. ❤️🌷🌹💞
Always.
xoxoxo….
You must be overjoyed to have your lovely words recognized and featured yet again. But I promise you, that joy pales in comparison to the joy that swells in the hearts of those who read them. Sending love and best wishes, as always! 💕
Brad, thank you so much. You are a darling. I am so grateful for your kind words and for your support. Sending you a sea of love and a rose.
I love your work , G. It’s beauty is infinite. Can never tire of reading you. One bright spot in my WordPress life. ❣️🤗
My Queen of Poetry is here and she is so generous. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your beautiful words.
Yassy, love and hugs. Be well. Be happy.
xoxo
Your welcome my dearest ❣️
🥰❤️🌹🥰❤️🌹
🥰😘
Both are such beautiful poems…great work and congratulations…very well deserved 💕😀
Aw.. thank you so much for your kindness. You touched my heart.
xoxo
Beautiful wording👌
Thank you very much!
Mostly welcome
🙂
Beautifully penned dear Gabriela. ❤️
You are a great poetess and I always admire your works. 🤝🤗🥰
Thank you so much. You are such sweetheart. Please know I love and admire your work too.
A bouquet of roses and hugs only for you.
xoxo
Awwww… Only for me!? You made me happy. 🤗🤗🤗🤗
You are my dearest.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ All love only to you.
Xoxo
Love only for me? Aw…. thank you 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Awww… Hugs only to me!? How lucky am I? You made me happy my dearest Gabriela. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
All love only to you. Xoxo 🤗🤗🤗🤗
Beautiful work as always. Congratulations!
Thank you so much Rob. It’s great to hear from you. I hope you are well.
xoxo
Wow! I see why. Congratulations!
Thank you so much Crystal. Your kind words made my day 🌹🥰
With you, dearest Gab, I’m always dreaming.
What a beautiful contribution!
Bo, thank you so much for reading and for your beautiful comment 🥰 I still need to find a way to like and comment on your posts. Let me ask you a question. When you add to your site do you create a new “page” or a new “post”? In other words does your .com have a blog? Do I make sense to you ?
I create a new post. What do you mean by, does it have a blog? Where?
Btw, when I view comments from my phone, I click on them so I can see them all listed in the same place and actually see what I write. I can’t do this with your comments, either on your blog or mine. Because of this, I can’t like your comments on my phone. I can only comment. And this is the case only with your blog.
Bo, thank you. I am going to take your answer to WP and let you know. I will get this fixed. It’s my site. I know this. Hopefully WP will recognize that.
I hope you are ok guys. Spring is here ❤️
Good. And you should.
The winter’s back here. It’s freezing.
Sorry to hear about. It can’t last to long. Take care of yourself ❤️
I hope not. You too, dear.
Thank you hon. I will not.
Beautiful poems, Gabriela. I love them both but I felt particularly touched by Prayer. Not a surprise they got selected for the magazine. Congratulations!!
My most sincere thanks Blanca. I am really humbled by your words 🌹
Your words are so beautiful ❤️
Thank you Andrada 🌹
This is beautiful and I am glad your work was included, they are a masterpiece! Congratulations 🎉
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and for the praise 🌹
Enchanting….magnificent imagery….wonderful poems….many congratulations, dear Gabriela….you’re a great poet ✨
Thank you so much my dearest Navin. Don’t forget that so are you 🌹🌸🌺
You’re welcome dearest Gabriela….I’m humbled with your kindness 🙏✨💫
Truly evocative imagery! I especially enjoy the title of the second piece. Gingerbread in poetry? Brilliant and eye-catching! Also delighted to be in such fine company within issue one. 🙂
Thank you so much for your wonderful words Java. Glad you liked my gingerbread twist 😊I am delighted to be in your company too 🌹🥰
Delicious writing! Both poems are rich in sensory, but the first one takes the reader through so many scenes that wake the senses. I also love the ending – a wise and accepting speaker, to rebuke the lures of a false youth. Bravo!
Michele, thank you so much for your wonderful and laudatory comment. I am thrilled you enjoyed the poems 🥰
My pleasure. 💐
🌹
And yet another congratulations Gabriela and so well deserved with your beautifully woven poetry! You are a master poet! 💖💖💖🌷🌷🌷🌷
Aw… Cindy you are a gem. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you guys are enjoying your weekend. 🥰🌹❤️🤗🌹❤️
You’re so welcome Gabriella! So well deserved alright. So far so good and a great combination between work and play! You do the same! 💖💖💖🌷🌷🌷🙏🥰
I am glad to hear that. I’ll try 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
me too… I’m always trying to 🤣🤣🤣💃
❤️🥰
💖🙏
The scale of imagination in your poems is staggering. Beautiful, bold, eclectic! Each verse brimming with infinite potential meaning…
Kudos on the great work! Keep inspiring 😊
Your comment took my breath away. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means a lot to me you think so. I am humbled by every word you wrote 🌹
It’s my pleasure 😊
🙏🌸
Most beautiful poem,prayer and request for confession from Goddess of youth-HEBE.GORGEOUS DEAR G!!AND CONVRATULATIONS💐🌼🌼💐
Thank you dear. That’s very kind of you.
You are most welcome,my dear amazing poet G!!🌺🌻🌼🌹💐
🌺🌹🌸
💕💕
Such beautiful writing, so heartfelt and full. Just a lovey experience and pleasure to read. And, although we say congratulations! – how could they NOT choose your work? it is wonderful!
Liza, my dear, I am so touched by your beautiful words. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🌹🤗🌸
Your verses are sheer art
Ben, thank you so much. That’s really a beautiful comment 🙏🤗🥰
My pleasure, Gabriela!
<3
David
🤗🌹
How wonderful G. These are exquisite so I am not surprised 🥰
Thank you for your beautiful words Christine. I am glad you are here. It means a lot to me. Sending love. I hope everything is ok with you ❤️
Well done. 🙂
Thank you so much Mark. I hope your weekend
Is going well.
Beautifully penned 💗 and congratulations dear 💐💖🤗.
Thank you so much. That is so kind of you.❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰
My sincere pleasure 💗🥰.
🙏🌹
Congrats on the publication, Gabriela. These are beautiful so I’m not surprised. <3
Good morning and thank you so much for you kind words Diana.
Beautiful
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I love discovering new magazines!
My pleasure dear.
Beautiful as ever
Thank you so much my dear 🌹
You’re most welcome.
🥰🥰🥰
It feels good to read you again, dearest Gabriella. I hope you are well.
Thank you so much sweetheart. I am relatively well. Overwhelmed with work but ok. I hope you are well too.
On another note, I am trying hard to find out why I cannot comment or like Bo’s posts. The same when it comes to you. It breaks my heart but as I promised Bo I would get it fixed. However, WP needs to step up to the plate and help me with that. They did not do it until now but I am on them.
How is your book coming?
I am fine, despite everything that’s happening. My book suffers though. I wasn’t much in a creative mood. I had some new ideas for stories, but sitting down and writing them was impossible. Anyway, I am not pushing it. Sooner or later I ll start again.
I hope WP will help you with the commenting. I know I d be very frustrated if I couldn’t comment on people’s posts.
It was great talking to you, Gab!
Indeed, it is difficult to focus sometimes. I am glad you are not pushing. It will come to you when you are ready.
Yes, I am so frustrated with WP. But I will get it fixed somehow.
It was great talking to you too B. Take care of yourself.
Love
G.
xoxo
You too, Gabriela. Much love!
Congratulations Gabriela. 😇
Aw.. Kumar. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🌹
It’s poems like these that have to make way on the front of every spring poetry edition. Whimsical to say the least, gingerbread in poetry, who would have thought, but absolutely mesmerising.
Both of the poems, and especially the second one is truly beautiful. They open up another dimension to your heart. Perhaps it’s that little trick of magic that forces me to dream after reading these wonderful pieces.
” dream
it’s spring.”
My Dearest Shanyu,
Thank you so much for your wonderful words. They always fill my heart with joy. I am glad you like the second poem best. I guess it is the gingerbread that does the trick 🙂
“Perhaps it’s that little trick of magic that forces me to dream after reading these wonderful pieces.” Oh, thank you, but you are so young, you should be dreaming all the time.
I missed you. What’s cooking?
Speaking about cooking I am getting Indian food tonight. I can’t wait 🙂
Sending you plenty of love
G.
My absolute pleasure dearest friend. I am so blessed to have read these pieces. They were wonderful.
Glad to know. We had an Italian extravaganza out here. Got some wonderful springtime tomatoes. Sending them to you.
Cheers.
Aw.. thank you. I got them. Sending you flowers and hugs.
Beautiful poem
My most sincere thanks for your kind words.
two very lush and beautiful entries!
Thank you. That’s so sweet of you to say 🙂
I’m a very, and I mean VERY, selective and critical reader of poetry. I have to tell you that I’m very impressed at just how impressed I am of your poems.
You have a skill that I believe is few and far between in our modern time. Thank you.
Dear Ana, I am so bumbled and grateful for your praise. You took my breath away. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your words mean the world to me.
Have a beautiful week ahead.
Sending love
Gabriela
Vary beutiful poem
Thank you and welcome to my blog 😊
Beautiful Gabriela!
Hugs. 🤗
Thank you so much Irina. Love and hugs right back to you.
xoxo
another beautiful piece!
Thank you very much 🌹
The second poem made me feel wistful and sad. Both were incredible pieces. Congrats:)
Thank you so much. I am truly touched by your beautiful comment 🌸
Hey Gab,
Sb suggested you should try to log out and log back into your WordPress account, though you probably did that. Asked if you were using your phone or computer (don’t know why). He also said you can open up another browser, like Microsoft Edge, and see if you have any better luck — the downside is you’ll have to request access to my site again but whatever it takes.
Bo, I think I figured out what to do by myself. I was able to like two of your most recent posts. Fingers crossed.
Today I am happy. I did it by myself. Let’s hope it lasts 🙂
xoxoxo
It has nothing to do with the browsers.
Cool! On my part, it’s still the same. Yeah, fingers crossed.
Yay! I think it’s working. Until now I used to see every post like a different page. Now I can scroll down on your site and see your posts. Keeping my fingers crossed. Let’s see if I can do the same with Basilike,
So it has to do with private sites? Oh, no idea.
No. I follow other private accounts. Picture a notification. You can see the username and the name of the site. In your case I cannot see your username. Same goes for B. It’s something different about your sites. I have no idea what and I believe something is wrong with my site too. However, it’s fixed for the moment 😊
Basilike’s site is also private. That’s why I asked.
I know 😊. Take care hon. Let’s hope we are good.
Beautiful verses and images 🌸 thank you for sharing with us 🙏
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the praise. It means a lot to me.
xoxo
You’re very welcome 😊
🙂
Congratulations. Beautiful poems 😊
Thank you so much my dear. That’s very kind of you.
xoxo
I’m honored to be published in the same issue as you are, Gabriela!
Thank you from the bottom of my heat for your kind words. I am honored to be published in the same issue with you too 🌹🥰
Awe! You are too kind! I have a lot to learn from you!
You made me blush 🤗
🌹🌹🌹
Both r so amazing 😻 – absolutely delicious read!! 👋💕
Aw… Victoria. Thank you so much. It means the world to me you think so.
You r already a true great poet! I hope u know it… That means you don’t need any extra acknowledgment or reassurance – bcz your level is UP UP high, girl 👋👌☀️💕
Victoria, again thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am beyond humbled 🥰🌹
🫖💕☀️🦋 hugs
Right back to you.
Beautiful 💕
Thank you so much Mariana 🌹
You are welcome
🌹
So much talent
Aw .. thank you. You are very kind.
Divine, poignant and swoon-worthy 🤩😍
Thank you so much Jude 🌹
❤️I hope you are okay. Been thinking about how lost you are in the email department.
Hi Jude,
I am ok. Just a lot of work. I will write to you next week.
Take care.
G.
❤️
Beautiful poems, Gabriela
Thank you so much. It means a lot to me 🌸
Welcome 🙏
Beautiful. Congratulations 🥳 that’s awesome 👏
Thank you very much 🌹
Congratulations Gabriela! Both of these poems allowed me to soar out of my predictable evening. Majestic, and beautiful, such a juxtaposition between marble skin and desert husks! Ahh youth.. if not wasted on the young, at least highly underappreciated by the young.
Thank you so much Karima. Your beautiful words are music to my ears. I needed them tonight.
Sending you plenty of love. Have a fabulous week ahead.
xoxo
The images, the sentiment — wow, those are beautiful, Gabriela!
Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean so much to me 🌹