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.

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