A gift from Hikari for my birthday, and my thanks to her for her generosity and love

My dear followers and subscribers,

I hope everyone is doing well. Have a beautiful new week.

I would like to share with you a beautiful gift from Hikari, a fabulous Japanese painter, that she sent for my birthday. I am deeply grateful for her generosity.

A gift from Hikari for my birthday

A splendid painting and tanka:

Tanka by Hikary

TANKA 実が実り　秋も華やぐ　ハナミズキ　我らが創る　新しき時代（とき）

fruits ripen gently
dogwoods bloom in autumn light
graceful, strong, and still
we vow to shape what will be
a new age born from our hands

※Dogwoods are considered a symbol of ‘gratitude’ and ‘U.S.-Japan friendship.’

This is because, after Japan gifted cherry trees to Washington, the U.S. returned the gesture by sending dogwoods to Japan.

A story for my dearest Hikari

At the edge of the garden, where the last light of day trembled on the petals of a single lily, she stood watching the horizon fade. The air was still, as if the world itself had paused to listen. Even the evening birds, once busy with their songs, had fallen silent.

Then her footsteps were soft on the path, carrying the scent of rain and earth.

The lily bent toward her, a pale silhouette against the dimming sky. It seemed to bow, not from the weight of its bloom, but in reverence. She smiled faintly, tracing its curve with her eyes. “It’s as if it knows,” she whispered.

“That beauty doesn’t need to speak,” the lily said. “That even silence can be full of color.”

The lily reached for her hand, and in that touch, something shifted—the dusk seemed to breathe again. The world, quiet and waiting, unfolded around them in shades unseen: the soft gold of forgiveness, the deep green of memory, the tender blush of hope.

A new world was born—one that asked for nothing but presence and offered everything in return.

Reminder

I am thrilled to announce that Literary Revelations will soon publish a very special album: “Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony and Power.” This splendid collection will be available in early December—just in time to make the perfect Christmas gift for literature and art lovers alike!

The album is a true collector’s piece. It features exquisite paintings and tanka poetry by Hikari, expressing traditional Japanese art. Alongside her stunning artwork, you’ll find my own interpretations of her paintings, illustrated in my haiku. This collaboration celebrates the harmony between visual art and poetry, offering a unique journey through both mediums.

We understand the importance of accessibility, so Literary Revelations will make every effort to keep the price as low as possible. Our goal is to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy this remarkable album.

Stay tuned for more updates and details. Thank you all for your continued support—I can’t wait for you to experience this extraordinary release!

With excitement, gratitude, and deep thanks for your continued support!

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton in Portland Book Review
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton in Manhattan Book Review
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings in San Francisco by Gabriela Marie Milton in San Francisco Book Review
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings by Gabriela Marie Milton In Manhattan Book Reviews

Coming Early December Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Gabriela Marie Milton

Exciting News: Upcoming Release of “Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony and Power in Japanese Art”

A Beautiful Collaboration Arrives Just in Time for the Holidays

Dear friends and followers,

Stay tuned for more updates and details. Thank you all for your continued support—I can’t wait for you to experience this extraordinary release!

With excitement, gratitude, and deep thanks for your continued support!

This video is optimized for IG. On your blog, the image may appear slightly blurred. My apologies.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

November Hues – a poem by Gabriela Marie Milton & an update on Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese art.

My dearest followers, I wish you a beautiful and magical November.

The purpose of this post is two fold:

A poem by me
An exciting update on Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.

Let’s start:

November Hues by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

Somewhere in Northern Europe – My Photo

In November’s breath, the law of beauty sleeps — a hush of gold dissolving into dusk.
Even the dying light adorns the world, as if farewell itself was made of grace.

An update on Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese art.

Literary Revelations is pleased to announce that Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton is scheduled for publication at the beginning of December, just in time for Christmas presents. Please read more about the book and perspectivism in art HERE. If you go to that post, you will also have the possibility to write haiku or tanka on a new fabulous picture by Hikari.

Thank you, everyone, and I will see you soon!

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton – What to expect and a Surprise

My dear followers and subscribers,

This post will explain what to expect from Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton, forthcoming from Literary Revelations.

I want to make it clear from the beginning: Hikari’s fabulous contribution is much bigger than mine. She painted the art and wrote the tanka. I only wrote the foreword and corresponding haiku, approaching her paintings from a different point of view.

So let’s start, because at the end I have a surprise for you.

Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

Trim: 8X10 inches
Text: English-Japanese
Amazon premium paper glossy
Foreword and bios in English and Japanese
Hardcover and paperback

The novelty brought by the book – Different interpretations of the same image

Hikari’s vibrant brushstrokes capture emotions and moments in time, while her tanka adds layers of meaning that resonate deeply with each piece. My haiku serves as a reflective lens, offering a different perspective on the same visual stimuli. This interplay between our approaches shows how art can be perceived through varied lenses, highlighting the beauty and meaning of our individual interpretations.

In 2003, when my publishing house, Literary Revelations, was still in its infancy, fate brought me to Hikari through a dear friend. The moment I laid eyes on her paintings; I was utterly captivated; they were a breathtaking homage to Japanese art. Each piece resonated with an ethereal beauty—pastels blending seamlessly with the elegance of fans and the grace of swords. It felt as though time stood still for those few seconds as I absorbed the profound artistry before me. Hikari’s work transcends mere aesthetics; it tells stories steeped in tradition and culture, inviting viewers and readers of tanka into a world where every brushstroke holds meaning.

This encounter ignited a spark within me – a desire to collaborate on a project that would not only showcase Hikari’s incredible talent but also convey my unique vision of the art of haiku. Hikari is Japanese, and she spent her young years in Europe. I am a European who now lives in the US. Together, we decided to create something extraordinary that honors both her heritage and my interpretations of the art of haiku.

In the name of our friendship, HAIKU AND TANKA: LULL, HARMONY AND POWER IN JAPANESE ART was born.

[from the foreword]

When you open the book, here is what you will find [the margins will not be there]

English translation of my haiku: Naoki Kimura.

Surprise

Hikari has painted a new fabulous piece for you and written a new tanka. I just wrote a corresponding haiku. Those pieces will not be included in the book.

HIKARI – TANKA

かの君が去りて始まる季節かな木の傘など　わたしは要らぬ

you walked away then
a new season took its place
more fair than before
your shelter was but a show
I stand alone, unshaken

GABRIELA MARIE MILTON – HAIKU

This earth feels too small,
Umbrella of love unfolds—
Time melts on your skin.

I hope you enjoyed this experience. Sending love and hugs to everyone.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Short Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton, and do not forget Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power coming soon at Literary Revelations

A happy and productive new week to all my followers and subscribers. I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! A short poem/poetic prose by me, and do not forget Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power coming soon at Literary Revelations – an exceptional art album co-authored by me and our artist in Residence, the fabulous Hikari. Please check Literary Revelations Journal for updates and follow on X and IG @lr_publisher

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Your breath forgets to move,
lingering like silk in amber,
caught between the smell of leaves and memory,
where touch burns slow against the skin and time,
heavy with wanting.

photo: Gabriela Marie Milton

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Basque Lore – Witch (Sorginak)-Short Prose – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Amaia moved as if the earth itself exhaled her name. The cup before her shimmered with fern, salt, and a shard of the sea’s first bone—the one that once wrapped around her ankles like a lover unwilling to let go. She broke the root of a tree between her fingers, and the scent of sap rose, thick and sweet as memory.

Her dress slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet like dusk surrendering to night. Naked, she began to dance—slowly at first, then with the rhythm of wind through stone, of rivers through veins. The air bent toward her, the mountains listening. Mist gathered around her skin, luminous and alive, her hair trailing down her thighs like spilled ink.

We were children, hidden beneath the bed, breathless. Through the slats, we saw her summon the world back to itself—one movement, one whisper, one trembling note at a time.

Reminder

Please do not forget that in November Literary Revelations will bring you a splendid art album (7X10) by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.

Title, Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art

Authors, Hikari: Paintings and Tanka.

Gabriela Marie Milton: Haiku

To those of you who are my friends here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your likes, comments, and support. Love you.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Sacred Autumn – short prose, poetic prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Sacred Autumn – short prose, poetic prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Those nights of autumn—when the chill did not wound but healed, when the air itself seemed to breathe through us, cooling the fever of our restless hearts. Our eyes, heavy with the weight of constellations, closed like petals surrendering to the dusk. The city stirred beneath our footsteps, its silence trembling awake, its shadows turning to watch us pass.

Your lips traced, in the tender blindness of night, the outline of my fingers as though reading a forgotten scripture.

And in those evenings, we learned what few ever do—that desire, once it transcends the body, becomes sacred. We had crossed that invisible threshold where touch dissolves into essence, and what we shared was no longer flesh, but the luminous echo of it.

Reminder

Please do not forget that in November Literary Revelations will bring you a splendid art album (7X10) by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.

Title, Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art

Authors, Hikari: Paintings and Tanka.

Gabriela Marie Milton: Haiku

To those of you who are my friends here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your likes, comments, and support. Love you.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

The streets remember you, every cobblestone etched with the memory of your footsteps, as if the earth itself had been branded by your presence. It’s been three years, yet the imprint of your steps lingers, a haunting echo that refuses to fade. I recall the way we’d dance in the empty streets, lost in the mystic glow of a sunset that unraveled itself just for us. The world melted away, leaving only the soft whisper of our footsteps and the fading light.

You vanished around the corner, turning left into the fading light, and I followed, my heart racing. But when I turned the street was deserted, the silence palpable. Yet, I could still feel the resonance of your steps, the vibrations of your presence lingering in the air. The distant chime of church bells pierced the evening air, and as the darkness gathered, it felt like the very shadows were alive, swirling around me like a shroud. In that moment, I was consumed by the ache of your absence, the longing to be reunited with the ghost of our past.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Spanish Novel by Gabriela Marie Milton – Excerpt

Jezabel a Anastasia

Si ha decidido no visitarme más, porque se imagina que no quiero responderle a sus preguntas, no actúa bien. Llega un tiempo de madurez para cada uno de nosotros.Estamos aquí, o en otra parte, eso nunca le queda claro a ninguno de nosotros. Me acuerdo de cierta mañana, un año antes de que muriera el Capitán, cuando recorría sola las calles de la Ciudad. Había pasado la noche anterior atormentándome con preguntas. Los rayos del sol se deslizaban al lado, cerca de mí, y tenía la impresión de que me evitaban a propósito, como si me hubieran retirado hasta el derecho a sus caricias. Me resonaba todavía en los oídos la voz del Capitán, en la noche. ¡Te irás acostumbrando, mi amor, te irás acostumbrando! Claro, a todo nos acostumbramos. Pero no a nosotros, sino a nuestro doble que cada uno lleva dentro de sí mismo y utilizamos como un escudo, en contra de todos los males. Me había detenido en la Gran Avenida frente a una tienda de cosméticos, mirando al azar decenas de matices de creyones de labios, de cremas, rimmel. De pronto me pasaron por la mente sombras, miles de sombras, sombras de las mujeres que utilizaban cosas parecidas a las que estaba contemplando. Miro el escaparate de la tienda vecina, que pertenecía a una compañía de turismo. Fotos bonitas de varias partes del continente. Se podía obtener descuento de precios, habitaciones en los hoteles más fascinantes y una cantidad de chucherías gratuitas. Un mundo absurdo, aberrante. Fotos estupendas, en las que ninguno de nosotros nos encentraríamos alguna vez; porque la película fotográfica no puede sorprender nuestra alma. Me vino a la mente la figura del ministro del interior…..

And a surprise for my wonderful followers and subscribers:

Hidden in Childhood (Literary Revelations, 2023) is now available in audio format for free.

From authors featured on NPR, BBC, and the New York Times, and from emerging poets, comes a monumental anthology in which every poem sends shivers down your spine. Childhood’s joy and trauma expressed – with stunning talent and sincerity – by over 150 poets in more than 280 poems. Childhood spaces magnified by the human memory, populated by good and bad, by trips to hell and heaven, in an almost Hieronymus Bosch type of atmosphere. Over 150 voices call you to read this book. Read it. You will learn that childhood never goes away. You will be reminded of the beauty of the seraphim and the need to protect children from any form of abuse. 150 voices knock on your door. Open the door. A chorus of childhoods will tell you that our children need love.

It’s free for 7 days, so please get it here. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Hidden-Childhood-Poetry-Anthology/dp/B0FNQ53TRH/

Follow Literary Revelations and subscribe: https://literaryrevelations.com/

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

A beautiful painting from Hikari for me and a poem by me – Gabriela Marie Milton – for Hikari

My gorgeous followers.

I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy when I learned that Hikari had crafted a stunning piece of art just for me. Her incredible generosity and unmatched talent brought tears to my eyes. The way she wielded those masterful colors struck a chord deep within me, igniting an emotional blaze that I couldn’t contain. I wept, and in the throes of that powerful inspiration, I penned a heartfelt poem dedicated to Hikari.

Painting by Hikari

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Concentrated smell of roses
Blooms in the night of white spirits
Heavy perfume on midnight’s skin
Thorns soft like tongues in prayers

Why do you think my love
You know the secret language of roses –
The secrets they carry in soft petals’ glow.
The legend speaks of tears and blood
Of the day when the Goddess ripped her clothes
In the bourns-
Who told you, darling that roses are love
They are nightingales caught in blue fingered thorns

Follow me on IG from more poetry and news @gabriela_marie_milton

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

A gift from Hikari for my birthday

A story for my dearest Hikari

Reminder

My books (Only English)#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis) #1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Like this:

Exciting News: Upcoming Release of “Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony and Power in Japanese Art”

My books (Only English)#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis) #1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Like this:

November Hues by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

An update on Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese art.

My books (Only English)#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis) #1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Like this:

Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

The novelty brought by the book – Different interpretations of the same image

Surprise

My books (Only English)#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis) #1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Like this:

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

Basque Lore – Witch (Sorginak)-Short Prose – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Reminder

Like this:

Sacred Autumn – short prose, poetic prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Reminder

Like this:

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

Hidden in Childhood (Literary Revelations, 2023) is now available in audio format for free.

Like this:

Painting by Hikari

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Follow me on IG from more poetry and news @gabriela_marie_milton

Like this:

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)