One Petal at a Time by Joni Karen Caggiano

Hello dear, today I am here with a wonderful poetry collection, One Petal at a Time by Joni Karen Caggiano

Let’s get introduced to the poetess first. Joni Karen Caggiano is an artist known for her work as an internationally published author, poet, and photographer. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2022 for her poem “Old News is Not Old News” published by The Short of It Publishing. Apart from her various literary works and collaborations, Joni is a writer for Hotel Masticadores and has previously written for MasticadoresIndia and MasticadoresUSA. Her background as a retired nurse, ACOA survivor, and environmental advocate deeply influences her artistry, adding depth and authenticity to her work.

Endorsed by  Claudia Black, a pioneer in the study of dysfunctional families and the clinical architect of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center, “One Petal at a Time” by Joni Karen Caggiano is a heart-touching collection of poems that throws light on the other side of human behaviour, the dysfunctional dynamics of existence.

In Caggiano’s pen, you will find raw and introspective speculation of human emotion and experience through a series of contemplative poems.

” …like a lone primrose in winter who somehow thrives.”

If you can relate to this lone primrose, if this line reminds you of someone, then grab the copy.  In every ink, and word you can scoop that catharsis, poignant yet not yielding to doom.

We all are treading along with the crowd bearing our crosses. Deep down in our hearts, pain tickles like scalded tears yet we move forward. This story of movement is penned down through her wonderful poems.

In her “One Petal at a Time”, Caggiano masterfully punctuates her poems with the sad anecdotes of unwanted souls who struggled to thrive even being unwelcomed or betrayed.

The vulnerabilities of human existence have been unfolded in various terms where disgrace is ‘like fireflies without flame’ and insecure life is represented by shell-less turtles masquerading in shadows.

The long list of poems is arranged in three parts taking allusion to germination.  Caggiano’s lines are imbued in pathos and wrapped in metaphors that collaborate perfectly with the phases of emotional exfoliation.

Alvina’s Verdict:

Each and every poem is engraved with such novelty that the readers remain gripped on the pages of poetry. The language is eloquent, spectacular, and sometimes epigrammatic. Caggiano has crafted wonderful penmanship that transports readers’ hearts to somewhere phenomenal.

There is one more thing that attracts me is her great excellence in mixing human emotion with nature. From the delicate dance of feathers to the raw ache of heartbreak, each poem celebrates a sense of probity and vulnerability. I feel readers can relate to the emotions penned so poignantly by the poetess.

She reminds me of Mary Oliver whose poetry collections like “The Swan” bring nature into the drawing room of poetic meter. But one point distinguishes her from Mary. In Caggiano’s poems you will find nature is explored for the sake of human existence. Through the imagery of turtles, flowers, birds, animals, and other natural phenomena Caggiano has drawn a parallel between the natural world and the human experience. Here human sufferings are aligned with nature whereas Mary herself is nature.

One more thing that I must consider is the illustrations etched with this poetic journey. The illustrations by Francisco Bravo Cabrera (Also Known as Bodo Vespaciano) fascinate me in every respect.

” One Petal at a Time” is a stunning collection that speaks to the beauty and complexities of life acknowledging Caggiano’s powerful yet tender poetic voice It is a must-read book for anyone who appreciates the art of poetry and the reality of life.