September 2026 - My Favorite Month and a New Poem

Passion Fruit Blossom

September is my favorite month! Of course, I am a Virgo. It was very busy and if you look in my recent posts, I had a feature on Gesalt and I published a special birthday poem. I'll keep reminding my readers to 'Invest in What Grows You!' My mission remains to 'Inspire the World with My Words' and I will continue to share!

Here are my September happenings.

The Pocket Poet

My poems, Arctic and Firely, were published in the September 2026 issue of The Pocket Poet. 

O2 Haiku Literary Magazine Anthology

My haiku was featured in the Into the Open Air Anthology Volume I published by O2 Haiku Literary Magazine. The anthology is a free download and my poem can be found on page 61.

Poetry on YouTube

I am a Virgo

bravery looks different now

When Help Arrives

The Walls Spoke

New Poem

Don’t Chase Me

chase me … if you can
but does it make sense
I’m on my path
and while you may want
what I may have
it’s really not much
I’m not such a powerful person
to deter or cast your path
you need to respect what you have
to take you to the next level
because I’ve learned during my journey
that I am just simple me
and while it’s a role model
I want to be
I must do myself justice
pray and find my way

© Linette Rabsatt 9-26-2026

Be inspired!

My Gesalt Performance on September 26, 2026

 It's Share the Love Sunday! I had the pleasure of being asked to share poems for the Gesalt poetry reading on Saturday, September 26, 2026. I performed several pieces from my collection dating back to 1996 to present. Please tune in. Feedback always welcomed!

Be inspired!

Poem: bravery looks different now

 

Happy Birthday to me!

August 2026: Short Recap and New Poem

In August, I had poems published in three online publications and I shared my usual Saturday poems on social media. I was also able to travel to Little Rock, Arkansas and experience some of the culture and historic sites. My garden struggled with the heat and the birds. Regardless of the situation, I just keep trying - that's all I can do.

Here's my recap.

The Short of It/I Write Her

The Short of It/I Write Her published thee haikus - Aging, Views and Her Smile; a tanka - Guavaberry; and three drabbles - The Paper, Letter from My Love and The Horseshoe Cloud on August 7, 2026. I love crafting a story into short-form poetry and drabbles. Be inspired!

Poetry Super Highway

My poem, The Start of a Seed, appeared online during the week of August 3-9, 2026 at the Poetry Super Highway.

The MockingOwl Roost

The MockingOwl Roost published A Smiling God on August 24, 2026.

Poetry on YouTube

VI Culture

I am a Butterfly

Lantern

Useless

New Poem

When Help Arrives

when help arrives
I pray that I am still
in a position to thrive
that my life will
be a testament
to strength and resilience
that my heart
still beats in
a rhythmic sequence
that plays tunes
that reverberate
through the galaxy
so that the aid received
is replicated
and help becomes the norm
as we reform
our way of thinking
and improve our way of living
so that I am the help
that arrives
the world remains
in a position to thrive

© Linette Rabsatt 8-30-2026

Scenes from Little Rock

Scenes from MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

Scenes from William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

METRO Streetcar

Scenes from MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

Scenes from Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Be inspired!

July 2026 Recap and a New Poem

My succulents

What can I say about July 2026? It was a lot! I may not have had many publishing opportunities but professionally, I had some growth, I made some missteps and I learned from each one. I will encourage everyone to always value failure and mistakes. In a lot of instances, you have to work through things, even when you are feeling broken. Be sure to connect with other persons who can help you. Be sure to disconnect from work and relax too! Growth doesn't stop at getting the degree or landing the job. Growth doesn't stop! Even if you retire, you continue to grow as a person whether as a mentor and in your personal journey.

Here's my recap for July 2026.

Muse Magazine

Issue 4 of the Muse Magazine is out and you can find insightful articles and ideas inside. My poem, Success, is on pages 22 and 23.

Silver Birch Press

My poem, Hats On, was published by Silver Birch Press on July 7, 2026. I took many sayings about hats and created this poem. What advice resonates with you?

SweetSmell Journal

My poems, Peace Begins with Me and Looking at the Clouds, were published in the SweetSmell Journal – Peace Issue. You can purchase a copy here.

Haikuist

My poetry has made it in The Haikuist. You can purchase a copy here.

Poetry on YouTube

Hot Seat

As It Should

Fake News

It's About You

New Poem

Burning a Bridge

burning a bridge
no easy task
regrets can’t be repealed
healing not always simple
rebuilding – also a challenge
when space is disrupted
hopes and dreams corrupted
as the emotions erupted
severing the bolts in the iron
breaking the connection
the remnants of the bridge
a symbol of lost hope
no surety if ceasefire talks
will bring unity
burn the bridge
risk the disconnect
face the consequence
of the severed ties

© Linette Rabsatt 8-1-2026

Lessons from the Garden: Sharing is Caring

It's a Make It Happen Monday! 

There are two varieties of Snake Plants in this photo. Each was given by a strong, hardworking and beautiful lady. I put one piece of each in this pot and they are striving well. I will eventually be able to share the blessings shared with me. Remember to always pass kindness forward to someone, even a stranger. 

Be inspired!

Lessons from the Garden: Every Day is Not for Harvesting

 

It's a Walking Wednesday! I don't get to enjoy all my harvest. The birds have to eat too. People will encourage me to buy netting to cover the trees. I don't want to because the birds have to eat. The lesson today is that sometimes you just have to go with the flow. I will have my time of harvest. 

Be inspired!

July 11 Edition of Live with Mz.KIR podcast

It’s a Share the Love Sunday! 

Last night, I was a guest on Tanisha Jacob's Live with Mz.KIR podcast along with Joseph Reuben Fuller. Both Joseph and I shared several poems and engaged in discussions about our writing with Mz.KIR and her cohosts. I shared Shoulders, The answer is in the trees, The Sound of Your Love, bravery looks different now and months.

Please also take a moment to vote for Mz.KIR in the National Spoken Word Awards in Category 17: Best Radio, TV or Online Show by visiting: https://shout.com/s/iXedCkDb.

Be inspired!

Lessons from the Garden: Don't Forget Your Authentic Intelligence

It's a Take It in Strides Thursday! Is it easy to tell which plant is real? Some people 'need' the plastic plant, while others are inspired by the growth of a live plant. Ai is a tool to assist us and make 'work' easier. However, I still value the authenticity of a crafted poem, melodies produced by creative minds, the cadence of gifted rapper and the eloquence of a natural photo with soft retouches. Technology continues to evolve, but never throw aside your Authentic Intelligence. Use your brain power to create, educate others and grow more.

Be inspired!

June 2026 Recap and A New Poem

June was a whirlwind. It was a lot professionally; however, I never stopped sharing my work. The little chick in the picture is feasting on some rice I threw out. I love animals and see their value in nature to keep things in balance. The chickens that visit me do dig up some of my plants. The thrashers demolished a lot of my fruit. However, I am thankful. I started organizing my content so that I have a tentative schedule for my daily posts. In everything you do, you have to organize yourself and be intentional. My mission is to inspire the world with my words.

Here are some quick updates.

Verse-Virtual

My poem, not ready, is featured in the June issue of Verse-Virtual. This piece ends "I am the donkey at the well/ no movement to drink/ if I'm not ready." 

Pulse Poetry Magazine

Pulse Poetry Magazine celebrated its two-years anniversary in June with Issue 24! Read poetry from Tiffany Marie, Queenessence, Lisa ‘Lipps’ Davis, Klassypoet, and Nelly Vee. My pieces are Break Through the Cracks and A Walk Inside. 

Poetry on YouTube

Mango Array: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cU0JSyVoUs8

Here Comes the Boom: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fMxV-URxhZQ

Heating Up: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4ykY7SPvgrE

Talking in My Sleep: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f1lE5S0cbos

New Poem

Power

you've got the power

because you stand like a tower

torturing everyone in your reach

forgetting that a leader must teach

or they remain in breach 

of taking the movement forward

you can't be stalwart

if you don't inspire the followers

who now sit as 'wallowers'

looking for a way out

because they know what you're about - 

self praise and in need of likes

so they all plan to take a hike

and leave you holding the bag

or your head while your brows sag

power is not meant to be abused

you can't use it to use

the people who make you look good

when you don't even describe their work as good

and then take all the glory

haven't you heard the stories

about how power corrupts
and when it's out of whack, it erupts
all the negativity in the space
and then the label toxic place
becomes the buzz word
I know you've heard
so what will you do to change the culture
so the space becomes a place of nurture
where people can speak openly
and not be afraid of frigidity
what will you do
to show that your actions are true
to improve the morale of your team?

© Linette Rabsatt 6/30/2026

Growth May Start Small: Lessons from my Garden

 

It's a Walking Wednesday! 'It only takes a spark to get the fire going.' I grew this plant from one small piece. Be like this plant, willing to grow, bloom and spread. Share your talents, help others, believe in yourself and don't give up.

Be inspired!

Happy Father's Day 2026

 

Growth Brings Challenges

 

It's a Working Hard Wednesday! Sometimes, the harvest doesn't meet your expectations. Some of my mangoes had 'blight' this year. They were still sweet but just not the standard I sell or share with loved ones. I try to clean up the spotted ones from under the tree. 

Sometimes, we struggle.  I make mistakes. I accept my shortcomings and try to improve. We can learn lessons from the simplest things. #beinspired

May 2026 - Continued Growth and Development

Scenes from the BVI

May 2026 brought more learning opportunities, both professionally and poetically. I think it's important to always try to learn new things. I have been attending monthly writing workshops hosted the National Cultural Foundation in Barbados. I want to improve my writing and one of the best techniques is to learn from the more seasoned and experienced. It's also a great idea to converse with other persons in your field/industry. We are all champions but it is better when we collaborate and share ideas.

Here's my May 2026 recap.

Sense & Sensibility

My haiku was published today in the Summer issue of Sense & Sensibility. It's summer time so I had to write about our beautiful fruits in this short form of poetry!

Wax Poetry and Art Magazine

Long Way From Home has been published by Wax Poetry and Art Magazine in the Legends of Shakespeare’s Pen 2026 and Caribbean Poetry Magazine.

Spillwords

Spillwords has published my poem, My Connection. I wrote it on May 14, 2025, just over one year ago. There's always something intriguing about the forest.

The MockingOwl Roost

The MockingOwl Roost published my poem, Mama's Prayers. I love to perform this piece because I speak as both mother and daughter in the poem.

Poetry on YouTube

Migration: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-U0lTeRK4BE
Ring of Fire: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pubXkqUBTmk
Death of Chivalry: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FtqWf1oaJyU
Can I Keep You: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OeZzvH9l66s
Choices: https://youtube.com/shorts/bbAtNJfZkAA
Afraid of My Shadow: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SbNqqx2EEpY

Other May Blog Posts

• Happy Mother's Day 2026 Poem
• Poem: Planted in Service – Blooming in Honor
• Growth

New Poem: Dear Diary

who unearthed
my secrets
that no one else knows
these things that I can't even
trust myself to recollect the memories
I didn't just hide
I burned the book
yet it has been unearthed
and every hurt
that I held
each lie that I told
is now online for everyone
to behold
and I can't change their perception
of my off-brand fiction
which is my life

© Linette Rabsatt 5-31-2026

Growth

 

Growth is not the same for everyone. All 3 pieces were placed in water on the same day and in the same container. They are different cuttings and each one's roots grow differently. Humas are similar in that we are all unique. We all have flaws and room for growth. We have different talents. We grow at different times. Invest in what grows you!

Poem: Planted in Service – Blooming in Honor

I wrote this poem to share at the Retiree Recognition Ceremony which was held today. I actually wrote it this morning. The theme was the title of this poem and I wanted to show the relation between a soursop tree's growth and the retiree's journey as Public Officers. Let me know if I am on track.

Do you remember your first day as a Public Officer?
Sharp, neat, excited and thrilled…
You were like that little soursop seed
Ready to stretch, extend and grow
After the first year, you got settled
Better understanding your role
Making connections
Just like that seed that became a little sapling
Still needing care and support
To keep you growing
And building confidence
You got that 10 year pin
And you knew you were destined
To be a career public officer
Similar to that soursop tree
That had become taller
And started to blossom
You had ups and downs
And sometimes those blossoms fell off
But you maintained the course
And eventually saw the fruits of your labour
These fruits – literally or figuratively
Gave inspiration, love and support
To the customers and the new sets of Public Officers
You dared to dream and spread your wings
Like that soursop tree
That is now resilient – it survived Irma and Maria
And gave sustenance during Covid19
You like this tree
Was planted in the Public Service
Blossomed with excellence
Fruited the next generation
Laying a path for them to be even better
And today you bloom in honor
Because your work was impactful
To the growth of this territory
As you journey forward, keep blooming
Just like that soursop tree
That provides healing, shade and beauty

in the Virgin Islands and across the world

© Linette Rabsatt 5-23-2026

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