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

Merry Christmas 2025!

Poem: A Neatly Bound Book

consider your life as a neatly bound book

attractive cover
a jaw-dropping table of contents
enticing the reader to delve in
each chapter - a chronicle of your journey
how you were nurtured and loved
the bumpy roads, trials and temptations
the love and heartbreaks
all part of the growth equation
you saw the joy of triumph
and the agony of disappointment

a few chapters may cover your career
your first days – maybe timid and unsure
and as we dive into this beautiful book
we will see how you grew
aiming for success - always giving your best
never giving the less
we see the persons that made it great for you
and also the persons who tried your patience
the leaders who led and those who didn’t let go
nevertheless – I am sure that you did grow

and now, we’re moving towards a different stage
some thought-provoking pages
of contemplation about what’s next
ending one part of your life
that spanned a literal lifetime
and beginning a new phase
beginning a change
beginning a new page

the next pages are blank
but it’s not because you lack anything
your journey – the pages that were filled
with such intimate memories -
that people will still talk about
for years to come
are what define this time in your life
but doesn’t the future look brighter?

despite any trepidation to make the next move  

when you move forward with the figurative pen
to write your new story
because this journey is only just beginning
keep that spirit high
aim to always be winning
let your beautiful book inspire the next generation
because your words and actions
speak well of the impact you’ve made
are making
and will continue to contribute 

to the bettering the community we live in

© Linette Rabsatt 12/10/2025

November was LIT - Plenty Writing, Recording and Sharing

Produce from My Garden - Basil and Tarragon

November was a busy month. I've been studying for a certification exam, writing poems almost every day, recording every other day, taking care of my garden, recruiting new team members, solving complex problems, submitting poems to various magazines, publishers, and enjoying old and new music. I also shared poetry at two schools. Here's the literary snapshot for the month.

Steel Jackdaw
My poem, Lucky Star, was published in Edition 19 of Steel Jackdaw. You can purchase a copy here: https://www.steeljackdaw.com/edition-19.

Poem shared for Thanksgiving

Micromance Magazine
My poem, Got 2 Be There, was published by Micromance Magazine on November 4, 2025. This poem was written based on a prompt from Legendary Ink. Hear the spoken word track here.

Silver Birch Press
My poem, I am a Butterfly, was published by Silver Birch Press in the Bugs and Insects series. This piece was originally published in Voices Unbound.

Poem shared at the church harvest

BVI Book Highlight: The Frog in Prague
I encourage you to grab a copy of The Frog in Prague for your child!

BVI Litfest
I thoroughly enjoyed BVI Literary Arts Festival. Highlights included:

• seeing Kacy Garvey perform in the Virgin Islands and promote the work she does with Jaiku Poetry
• watching Michael Jefferson take the stage and share his poetry
• sitting on a panel with April Glasgow, Isabelle Baafi, Raven Kelly and Joanna Gibson
• sharing some poems during the poetry reading
• learning from a plethora of Virgin Islands talents including Patricia Turnbull, Kyra Douglas, Travi Rozae, Charles Wheatley, Tiphanie Yanique, Andria Flax, Alton Bertie, Killa Tooma, Elmore Stoutt and Dr. Arliene T Penn
• winning the prose competition for Long Story Short!

Poem shared for Culture Day

Read Yuh Ting 3
The 2025 Read Yuh Thing 3 was on October 30 2025. Tune in to see Kevin Grant, Michael Jefferson, Carlana Neverson, myself and other poets compete. Carlana and I tied for first place!

Highland Park Poetry
Thank you to Highland Park Poetry for featuring my poem, Face of the Desperate, which was inspired by Mario Strategythepoet Franklin and Clarence Ferguson Jr.!

Screaming: Beyond Borders (Woman Scream Collection)
My poem, Not Less, is featured in Screaming: Beyond Borders (Woman Scream Collection).

Orenaug Mountain Publishing

• Orenaug Mountain Publishing published A Blank Palette, which is one of my earlier pieces. It reminds us that while we may look different, we are the same - looking for belonging. 
• My Holiday Wish was published in Go, the Prayer Has Been Sent by Orenaug Mountain Publishing. 
• My poem, Another Year, is published in the anthology, Echoes, Whispers, and Shouts, published by Orenaug Mountain Publishing. 

Heart of Flesh Literary Journal
I have two poems published in Issue 14 of Heart of Flesh Literary Journal: Silent Prayer and The Pouring of My Prayer. 

Life in Limbo Magazine
My poem, Stages, was published in Life in Limbo Magazine. https://thelifeinlimbomag.com/the-magazine/

Poems on YouTube

• Puzzling: https://youtube.com/shorts/sYnKKtVFmck
• Roses in the Cracks of My Heart: https://youtube.com/shorts/-RDO0gGSrIs
• Navigation: https://youtube.com/shorts/a-5sejx79Zs
• Sounds of Love: https://youtube.com/shorts/p2YkV7x38QY
• Crime: https://youtube.com/shorts/XlwrkZAhnhg

Spoken Word Tracks

1. PTSD: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/ptsd-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals.
2. I'm Made Different: https://on.soundcloud.com/fl02ntoHQ39T99pR72
3. Old Fools: https://on.soundcloud.com/pfePtvdCH4ju4rhlOD
4. Too Many Strings Attached: https://on.soundcloud.com/A0HlBc0h5QOiVhO8CQ
5. Lost Connection: https://on.soundcloud.com/BCxr9SkxSlzjfvl850
6. Face Of The Desperate: https://on.soundcloud.com/9qKxmL7Hms4hjATSzW
7. All The Riches: https://on.soundcloud.com/dZrm7LyC1lvZUkCvVe
8. Battle Cry: https://on.soundcloud.com/63pBHNxPP1OfnCaSG4
9. Dangerous Zone: https://on.soundcloud.com/athK9olOCFGLWupGuZ
10. When Love Was Pure: https://on.soundcloud.com/B0ODutcDEdEQNra5Hs
11. Sheep Herder: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/sheep-herder-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
12. I Don't Wannabe Alone Tonight: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-dont-wannabe-alone-tonight-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
13. Devil’s Wine: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/devils-wine-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
14. Please Let Me Go: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/please-let-me-go-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
15. VI Culture: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/v-i-culture-la-rabsatt-vocals
16. Stay the Night: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/stay-the-night-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals

New Poem
Resilience

what word best describes a strong woman
who faces glass ceilings smiling
adversity makes her push
she stands strong with proud hope
mother, sister, friend
exuding much
resilience
passion
strength

© Linette Rabsatt 11-26-2025

Poem: What are You Thankful For

Poem: In a Field of Weeds