Happy Mother's Day 2026 Poem

 

Be inspired!

My April 2026 National Poetry Month

BVI

April is National Poetry Month. I wrote a poem every day based on prompts I found online or from my own inspiration. I had a few pieces published, lots of rejections and notifications of some upcoming acceptances. I'm never daunted by the rejections because it is an important part of the development process. 

Here's my April 2026 update!

Visit to East End Library

I had the pleasure of spending part of my morning on Friday, April 24, 2026 at the East End Library. I shared a few poems and had the children read with me. It's a great way to keep them engaged while showing how easy poetry can be. 

Blue Crystal Literary Magazine

My poem, Snowfall, was featured in the 23rd Issue of Blue Crystal Literary Magazine. Congratulations to the winner, Hugh Findlay with his poem, A Visitation.

Poetry Downtown Rutland 2026

I have been participating in Poetry Downtown Rutland for a few years by sharing poems that are displayed in in Rutland, Vermont. This year, 76 poets were featured including April Tia Glasgow with Men make monsters to slay them, Hiram Larew with Clatter, and Laura Gravel with Villanelle for Renee and Best Country in the World. My poem was "Reciprocation."

Where We Meet Magazine

My poem, I Don't Want Roses, was published on page 52 in Issue #1 of Where We Meet Magazine.

Krafty Pages ChronicleS Magazine

I have several poems featured in Volume II of the Krafty Pages ChronicleS Magazine: I am a Mangrove on Page 16, My Peace on Page 61 and The Password and Nature's Palette on Page 17. This issue also features Tiffany Brewley's poem, Love that Binds on page 49, Nita Chase's poem, My Love Language on page 59, and Nikiesha McMaster's features on page 24 and 108. There's also a special feature on Ashanti Taylor-Alexander, the creator of Pulse Poetry Magazine on pages 112-113. 

Orenaug Mountain Publishing Poetry Roundtable

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, I participated in the Orenaug Mountain Publishing Poetry Roundtable which featured Prithvijeet Sinha. I shared two pieces, The Countdown and Going Over the Speed Limit.

Pulse Poetry Magazine

The April 2026 Issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine showcases Queen Poetry as the featured poet. Read work from Klassy Poet, Eloquent Pearlfection, Lisa ‘Lipps’ Davis and Nelly Vee. My poems in this issue are The Message in the Music and Sweet Lady. Pulse Poetry Magazine provides an opportunity for poets to showcase their work. Thank you to Ashanti Taylor-Alexander for giving us this amazing platform!

Twin Pineapples

Micromance Magazine

Micromance Magazine published my poem, Sounds of Love, on April 27, 2026. I wrote this piece based on a prompt from Legendary Ink. 

The PoArtMo Magazine

My poem, Learning to be Loved, is featured in the The PoArtMo Magazine: Issue 2 – Childhood Dreams and Goals. 

“I had to hide and still had to seek”

Poetry on YouTube

Easter: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_C35yal9Wig
The Countdown: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/52VyDj0KAOc
Back at Ya: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-_fJCCb2yxw
How Easy We Forget: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DwEfBLKhJW0

New Poem

A Day without Music

if music didn’t exist for a day
the world would rotate anticlockwise
unhappiness would thrive
people would forget to smile
all fauna would be mute
and the seas would cease rolling
while the winds would no longer howl
trees would uproot due to boredom
because music is in every facet of life

© Linette Rabsatt 4-30-2026

Be inspired!

Antonymy Prompt - ambiguity vs clarity

In Oulipian usage, antonymy means the replacement of a designated element by its opposite. Each word is replaced by its opposite, when one exists (black/white) or by an alternative suggesting antonymy (a/the, and/or, glass/wood). Source: https://the-muse.org/poetry-prompt-april-25/

ambiguity

am I clear
maybe no
barely so
is it that
good words are not enough
unfit for clarity
instead
trained for brevity
yielding unclear and confusing directions

© Linette Rabsatt 4-17-2026

clarity

could I be unclear

definitely yes

regularly I am

it could never be that

bad words are what are needed

fit for confusion

set in place

untamed for the deluge

hiding clarity and simplicity

© Linette Rabsatt 4-25-2026

March 2026: Celebration of Poetry

My neighbor's cats

My March was filled with challenges:

• I challenged myself to write new poems
• I fought the flu
• I facilitated a consultation at work on an 'interesting' topic
• I had to do a lot of critical thinking and mind stretching
• I taught short poetry sessions for two classes: Grade 3 and Grade 4
• I had a strange chicken disrupt my porch garden

What is life without challenges? I stumble, trip, fall and fail, but I never give up. Invest in what grows you!

World Poetry Day

I shared a blog post for World Poetry Day 2026.

The Haiku Shack Magazine

My poem, The Lone Lily, is featured in The Haiku Shack Magazine Issue 6. 

Dimly Writ

My poem, Rockabye Baby, was published by Dimly Writ: Edition #2: Winter of 2026. It was inspired by a prompt from Legendary Ink. 

Pulse Poetry Magazine

The March issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine showcases Tiffany Marie as the featured poet and work from Nelly Vee, Lisa 'Lipps' Davis, Poetically Soul, Ashanti Taylor-Alexander, Eloquent Pearlfection. It also includes my poems, Love Above the Label and Invest in What Grows Me, on pages 9 and 10.

Orenaug Mountain Poetry Journal

When I Woke Up was published by Orenaug Mountain Poetry Journal on February 14, 2026.

A Celebration of Trees

Family Tree was published by Orenaug Mountain Poetry Journal in A Celebration of Trees anthology. You can purchase a copy here. 

West Indian Women Network

I participated in the West Indian Women Network’s International Women’s Day 2026 video along with Priscilla Ramcharan (founder), Professor Stephan Hughes, and Curthon Monroe. My share was a poem, A Talented Woman, written for my great-grandmother, Christiana Freeman, which I also dedicated to some amazing women in my family. 

The Dichotomy of Love Anthology
My poem, Hate vs. Love, has been published in the The Dichotomy of Love anthology available here. 

Call All Poets Series (CAPS) Second Tuesday Online Reading

Catherine Ronan from Ireland headlined the March 10, 2026 edition of the CAPS Second Tuesday quarterly reading. Other readers included Lenny Dellarocca, Josephine LoRe, Ron Bremner, Mary Louise Kiernan, and hosts, Mike Jurkovic & Greg Correll. I shared four pieces: I Have Some Ideas, I Stayed Because, Like Secondhand Smoke and The Wind. Do watch the entire video for some inspiring work!

Highland Park Poetry

Highland Park Poetry featured my poem, A Harsh Teacher, on March 27, 2026.

A Harsh Teacher

Poetry on YouTube

• Forbidden Desire: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fY9Ql3kUSTk
• Erase and Embrace: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k7MplCotssQ
• One with Words: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eycnn_8SiXE
• Ugly Faces: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4gEEDAOT3_o

New Poem

Spring Breezes
I’m getting ready for April
because the wind
has everything in sway
so I know the 4th month
is on its way
dust particles fly
like oregano from the sky
and I wonder if the giant
who built the portal
is seasoning his prey for the feast
and as the breezes increase
I tilt my head to avoid
the dreaded allergens
for which my sinuses
cannot defend
I can’t wait until it’s May
when I can say
it’s getting closer to summer

© Linette Rabsatt 3-29-2026

World Poetry Day 2026

My Henito shirt designed by Anthony of 3AL Productions

It's World Poetry Day!

I started my World Poetry Day celebrations yesterday with the amazing students of Grades 3 and 4 of the Joyce Samuel Primary School. I wanted to share some inspiration with some young and bright minds. I was very excited to see their enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to participate!

I also attended the online poetry event, Oooh Beehive, hosted by Clive Oseman.

At both events, I shared my poem, One with Words, which I recorded for my Saturday video share. Of course, I am dressed by 3AL Productions.

One with Words
I write to become
One with words
To resuscitate
Not divide and conquer
To disseminate
What could be useful
Because I am hopeful
I remain an optimist
Not only to give you
A gist or a hint
But to tell it to you
Raw with details
To ensure that
You understand
My passionate chords
Of words
That I use to light
The fire to inspire
The desire
For you to want more
I write to become
One with words
And I share these thoughts
Free of cost

© Linette Rabsatt

Be inspired!

International Women's Day 2026

 

I wrote this short prose during an online writing workshop. I never thought much of it until I was looking for something to share for this commemoration. Women today carry many burdens. Pray for us.

My February 2026 - A Lot of New... and a New Poem

Mint, Tarragon and Basil

My February recap is short. However, I have had some new developments - poetically, agriculturally and professionally. 

• Professionally: I started a new role in an acting capacity. This experience has me learning, relearning, collaborating, listening and growing. I am the epitome of 'Give It Your Best Shot.' I'm going to do my best. I also received my SHRM-CP certification.
• Poetically: I continue to write. I attend poetry workshops. I share WhatsApp statuses of voice notes of my poems. I submit to journals and anthologies. I write.
• Agriculturally: I have expanded my offerings of Basil, Lemongrass and Tarragon to include Mojito/Apple Mint. I am also working on another mint.

I always say Invest in What Grows You. If you want to be successful, you have to put in the work. The work includes research, introspection, collaboration, humility, passion and perseverance. It also includes rest and fun!

Henito

I had the following poetry happenings in February.

Verse-Virtual

My poem, When Love was Pure, was published by Verse-Virtual. 

Gingerbread Ritual Literary Journal

Gingerbread Ritual Literary Journal featured two of my videos for Members and Navigation in Vol. 1.8 (January, 2026).

Pulse Poetry Magazine

The February issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine showcased featured poet: Lisa 'Lipps' Davis and Klassypoet. My poems are Lost in your Love and Sweet Lady on pages 19 and 20. Find poems from Nelly Vee on pages 21-23 and Toyer Fahie on pages 5-7. Other poets include C, Eloquent Pearlfection and Poetically Soulful.

Highland Park Poetry

In December 2025, my poem, A Harsh Teacher, was included in Highland Park Poetry’s The Muses Gallery. 

Syncopation Literary Journal

Syncopation Literary Journal is all about music and they published three of my poems: Music Calls Me, You are My Music and Musical Light. Click the download link by my name to read the pieces.

Poetry on YouTube

New to Me: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Wc3dQ4xbhE8

Web of Desire: https://youtube.com/shorts/K19kai76U0c

the ancestors cry: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_pblFKRzSWE

Only You: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t8Sh2SyzSBQ

Spoken Word Tracks

1. I Wanna Dance with Somebody: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-la
2. A Kaleidoscope Of Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/a-kaleidescope-of-love-la
3. I Think I Can: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-think-i-can-la-rabsatt\
4. The Recipe For Making Me: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/the-recipe-for-making-me-la
5. Broken: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/broken-la-rabsatt-vocals
6. Arrest: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/arrest-la-rabsatt-vocals

New Poem

I stayed because…

I thought
I was valued
making a difference
ensuring good influence
never thinking about consequences
because I felt good
but it wasn’t a good place
it was a deprived space
filled will envy
discord and mistrust
where people would
silently pray curses
I couldn’t understand
my sick feelings
reeling with pain
from my feet to my brain
almost at the brink
of insanity
yet I stayed
I wanted to be loyal
I saw myself as vital
but I was wrong
I should have left
not understanding
how the crest
indicates the wave
is about to dissipate
just as my faith
for staying in this place
I stayed because
I didn’t know that
I needed to go
to grow, glow and inspire

© Linette Rabsatt 2/28/2026

Be inspired!

January 2026: New Year, New Work, New Opportunities

British Virgin Islands

2026 has started off with new opportunities and I continue to create new pieces. I must shout out Legendary Ink for sharing prompts that challenge my abilities. I am grateful to Pulse Poetry Magazine and Spillwords for their ongoing support of my work. I am thankful to Poet-Tree Imagazine, waxpoetryart.com and Krafty Page ChronicleS for supporting my work. I've shared poetry on ZBVI Radio, at a school and at a church event. I am happy for every opportunity to share my poems. I cannot say enough to recognize everyone who has encouraged me in this journey.

Poet-Tree Imagazine

I have three poems in Poet-Tree Imagazine Issue No. 5: Conventional Wisdom, Your Heart Spoke My Name and Only You.

Pulse Poetry Magazine

I have two poems in Pulse Poetry Magazine’s 20th Issue: It Happened and Bruised Stars on pages 5 and 6. Other poets in this issue include Nelly Vee, Lisa ‘Lipps’ Davis, Tiffany Marie, Eloquent Pearlfection, Poetically Soulfoul and feature poet, Sunny Alicia.

waxpoetryart.com

waxpoetryart.com published both photography and poetry:

• 3 photos
• 2 poems
• Video: Our Father’s Love
• Poem: Inferno

Spillwords

My poem, Laughter in Sorrow, was published by Spillwords. I am so grateful to them for supporting my work for a third time. 

Krafty Page ChronicleS

My blog post, Culture and Tradition and Our Changing Lives, was republished in the Krafty Page ChronicleS Volume 1, which was created by Nelly Vee. Nita L. Chase, Wanda S., Shirley Rose, Prasanna Kkumar, and several other talents are featured.

Poetry on YouTube

• Show Me Your Dreams: https://youtube.com/shorts/F2CbJGwX_hM
• My Temporary Pains: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZgQ0fVi6_y8
• From My Lips to God's Ears: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rrOGAk61OFo
• Self Hate: https://youtube.com/shorts/cykr5omR39g
• Journal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBWMt2L1hH8

Spoken Word Tracks

1. Your Lies: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/your-lies-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
2. Can You Hear Me In This Collaboration State Of Mind?: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/can-you-hear-me-in-this-collaboration-state-of-mind-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
3. I'm Not In Transformation From This Type Of Fire: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/im-not-in-transformation-to-an
4. Walking Around in My Memories: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/walking-around-in-my-memories-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
5. Bloom Where You're Planted: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/bloom-where-youre-planted-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
6. Don't Know Where I'm Going: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/dont-know-where-im-going-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals

New Poem

I Want to Dance

I want to dance with you
because as I’ve come to know you
my feelings grew
and burst into something
I can’t contain
you’re all up in my brain
and when the music starts
it jiggles my heart
to want to step in tune with you
each rhythmic pulse
inspires me to move closer
and ask you to dance
I will extend my hand
with the hope that you will take my waist
so we can wine and dip
in intimate steps
so intense that the dance floor
becomes ours only
our retreat – our peace
arm in arm
step to step

Linette Rabsatt 1-31-2026

Be inspired!

Happy New Year 2026!

2025 had its ups and downs. We pray for better in 2026. Do your best. Invest in what grows you. Be a role model. Speak up. Choose someone to encourage/mentor. Be open to being mentored. Love yourself and your family.

2025 - My Year of Investing in What Grows Me

Views from the Virgin Islands

2025 was an interesting year for me. I enjoyed myself as an HR professional, farmer, poet and writer. I started my journey in SHRM certification and missed the exam because of logistic challenges. I ate my first sugarapple from my tree and started dabbling in growing two types of mint. I had the amazing opportunity to travel twice to share poetry at Pass the Word VI in St. Thomas, USVI and CARIFESTA XV in Barbados. I have been sharing monthly updates and weekly videos on my various social media pages. I've stepped back on some things and pushed harder on what I feel more energized about. I have been practicing my mantra, Invest in What Grows You!

Today is also special because it's my mom's birthday. I hope that I am living up to her legacy. May she continue to rest peacefully.

Thank You

Thank you to all the editors, Legendary Ink and everyone who supported me on this journey.

2025 Stats

• Published in 61 Publications
• 15 Photos
• 113 Poems
• 22 as a contributor
• 91 selected by editors
• 5 Short Stories
• Featured on this blog:
• 3 Books by Virgin Islands authors
• 1 Book by a Regional Author
• 7 Virgin Islands Artistes
• 1 Regional Artiste
• 192 Spoken Word Tracks inspired by Legendary Ink
• Tied as Winner in Read Yuh Ting III
• Won the BVI Lit Fest Prose Competition

I didn't count the performances, but I've had 2 feature performances - one online and the other in-person.

Visiting Cat

December Highlights

WATG Magazine

I have a photo, Standing Out in the Cracks and a drabble, The Tears that Told a Story, in the December 2025 Issue of Writing Against the Grain Magazine. https://watgpress.substack.com/p/watg-the-mag-test-issue-now-available

All Your Poems Anthology Christmas Issue

My poem, My Holiday Wish, was selected for the All Your Poems Anthology Christmas issue. I’m also excited to share that Toyer Fahie’s Christmas Time is also featured.
https://allyourstoriesandpoems.com/welcome-to-the-all-your-magazine-store/

Snowfall & Starlight: A Christmas Haiku Anthology

I have 3 haikus in the Snowfall & Starlight: A Christmas Haiku Anthology. You can purchase the paperback or download the e-edition.

• Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/som/snowfall-starlight-a-christmas-haiku-anthology/paperback/product-45j42v4.html?page=1&pageSize=4
• E-edition: https://sites.google.com/view/freshwordsmagazine/special-anthologies?authuser=0

Micromance Magazine

People in the Virgin Islands know that I am on Team Pineapple in our Tart Wars. So of course, I had to write a short story titled, Pineapple Tart, which was published in Micromance Magazine.

https://micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/pineapple-tart

Calling All Poets Series Third Thursday

I performed during the CAPS Third Thursday online reading which featured Stephen Roberts. I shared My Therapist Gave Up, Bruised Stars and I Rise with the Sun from: 41:14 to 44:56.
https://youtu.be/u9At9vHAgo8?si=lU5yoGEyrH93ivLu

The Haiku Shack Magazine

I have two poems, I am Silence and New to Me, in The Haiku Shack Magazine: Issue 5. I am so pleased to be among the other 39 amazing poets. You can download the magazine here. We would appreciate your kind contribution to the cause. https://ko-fi.com/s/d57534e366

DoubleSpeak Magazine

I have 6 photographs featuring cats and 4 poems, Show Me Your Dreams, We Come in Packs, Lantern and Echo, in the 20th Issue of DoubleSpeak Magazine.

• Poems: https://dsmag.in/2025/12/28/linette-rabsatts-four-poems/
• Photos: https://dsmag.in/2025/12/30/linette-rabsatts-mini-album-cats-and-chicken/

Poetry on YouTube

1. The Instinct of Love: https://youtube.com/shorts/-nLAA8l4Vs8
2. It's Been a Rough Year: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SvQEPbTmEnY
3. Pages to be Fulfilled: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uHliLyOn-Jg
4. The Christmas Debate: https://youtube.com/shorts/TB4FhB4N2Kw
5. Living: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5MUtPxJrlTw

Basil and Tarragon from my garden

Spoken Word Tracks

1. Controlled by AI: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/controlled-by-ai-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
2. My Therapist Gave Up: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/my-therapist-gave-up-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
3. Draining Me: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/draining-me-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
4. Self Hate: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/give-me-the-night-c-double34-music-vocals
5. Shielded: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/shielded-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
6. Show Me Your Dreams: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/show-me-your-dreams-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
7. We Come in Packs: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/we-come-in-packs-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
8. What are You Thankful For: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/what-are-you-thankful-for-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
9. Good Side, Bad Side: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/good-side-bad-side-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
10. Watching You Watching Me: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/watching-you-watching-me-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
11. Tulips: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/tulips-two-lips-yours-against-mine-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
12. I Rise with the Sun: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/rise-with-sun-la-rabsatt-vocals
13. Bruised Stars: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/bruised-stars-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
14. I Gave to You: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-gave-to-you-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
15. Grief's Path: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/griefs-path-la-rabsatt-vocals

New Poem

Compelling Darkness

three bulbs

brighten the room

even when we consider

the impending doom

that lurks in the hallway

the darkness compels

as it slowly repels

the glare of the

incandescence

in its abated effort

no comfort

for the occupants

but a dismal moment

of impending anarchy

© Linette Rabsatt 12/31/2025