“Haiku for Soulmates is here—a breathtaking collision of ancient tradition and the boundless, relented auroras of the modern spirit.
Today, the world becomes a little smaller and infinitely more beautiful. As an editor and publisher, my heart is overflowing; witnessing this vision transition from a dream into a living, breathing masterpiece is a moment of profound emotion. This is not just an anthology—it is a global sanctuary, a cinematic tapestry woven from the heartbeats of 200 extraordinary contributors.
From the sacred silence of its Japanese birthplace to the vibrant, shimmering horizons of voices spanning the globe, these pages hum with a rare, vertical excellence. We have captured the lightning of human connection and pressed it into ink.
To my brilliant contributors: you are the light that makes this aurora possible. To the world: I invite you to step into this gallery of the soul and lose yourself in the brilliance of the brief, the bold, and the transcendent.
The journey begins now. Explore the anthology at the link below.
Literary Revelations has the pleasure to present today a fantastic writer: Lauren Scott. I hope you enjoy this feature. Have a great weekend.
BIO:
Lauren Scott is a recent Pushcart Prize Nominee who enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their daughter and son live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, this family of four remains close. Lauren has published four collections of poetry and her memoir: New Day-New Dreams, Finding a Balance, Ever So Gently, King Copper, and More than Coffee.Her children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was released in 2024. Lauren has been a guest on several podcasts, and her writing is featured at many ezines. She was awarded Publication of the Year, Author of the Month, and Publication of the Month at Spillwords Press. Lauren’s work is also published in several anthologies. She is currently in the submission process for her second children’s book. Lauren’s muse discovers inspiration from family, spending time outdoors, and marveling at the mysteries of life.
1. Thanks so much for having me here today, Gabriela. The first question is tough because so many things inspire me to write…slivers of sunshine, rain showers, lake serenity, redwoods, backpacking, living creatures, celebrating a wonderful marriage to my husband who is my best friend, our amazing daughter and son, our dogs, and even events that tug at the heart inspire me to put thoughts onto paper. Ever since my youth, language, letters, sounds, and words have had their hold on me, so writing every day is natural as sunshine. Playing word games is fun too, and Scrabble will always be a favorite; my husband and I pull out the old board game now and then. We’re even hooked on watching Wheel of Fortune. It’s not only fun, but it’s good for the brain to solve those puzzles.
B. Why poetry?
2. I love poetry because the poet has the ability to convey a message or paint a picture with brevity. Many long poems in history remain iconic, but nowadays, the longer the poem, the more my attention wavers. I like short and sweet. Get to the point in fewer words. Short doesn’t mean empty. Short can be profound as a lingering two-page poem. My writing style and preferences have changed over the years, which would be expected as every year, every decade brings new meaning with each experience that we pull from our own chapter book. I started my blog fifteen years ago specifically to share my poetry. The blogging world can easily turn into an online classroom, which is what it became for me. I’ve learned numerous poetry forms, but freestyle will always be my preference because rules are nonexistent. Writing freestyle poetry is like driving on an open road with windows down. I have also ventured out of the poetry box, dabbling in short stories and children’s literature. My first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was published in 2024. A fun fact about Cora is this story originated from a poem that was written over a decade ago. It’s good to remember that it’s never too late to experiment in another genre, so even though poetry is where I began and where I will never stray from, I continue to take a chance with other genres. It’s called growth when we try new things.
C.What are your future writing plans?
3. I have finished the manuscript for my second children’s book, Carlie and Charlie Go Camping and am now working on my query letter for submission to small Indie publishers. This year brings motivation to put some effort into a different method, which requires stepping out of the box and seeing where my feet land. Why not? Life is too short. As I included in another interview, my guide is the iconic quote: “You never fail until you stop trying” by Albert Einstein. Simultaneously, I’m compiling poems for another collection of which I plan to also submit to small presses.
D. Who are your favorite poets and/or novelists?
4. Choosing a favorite poet is difficult; there are so many, but a handful of favorites are Mary Oliver for her love of nature. Oliver’s “Wild Geese” speaks of self-acceptance through aligning with nature. She invites introspection from her poems about life. Maya Angelou for her activism and her iconic poem “Still I Rise” – a poem of resilience. Who wouldn’t feel her passion woven around her profound words? Emily Dickenson and her poem “Hope” – self-explanatory. Walt Whitman and his poem “A Noiseless Patient Spider” – my fear of spiders is palpable and anyone who knows me has heard about my many humorous spider encounters. So, this poem reached me deeply as Whitman compares a spider spinning its lovely silk web to a human soul searching for a sense of belonging in an immense world. I appreciate the beauty and architecture of a spider’s web, so Whitman’s beautiful poem provides a new and positive perspective. And lastly, Pablo Neruda for his romantic poetry, but his poem that profoundly touches my heart is “A Dog Has Died.” His words bring both joy and tears as I reminisce about my chocolate lab, Copper, who received his angel wings on March 3, 2025. One of the most difficult days of my life. And yet, the emotions from that day, and weeks and months to follow, guided me into writing through my grief while also recalling the joyful moments with my family’s much-loved labrador, which evolved into my recent poetry collection, King Copper.I will stop here because naming beloved poets or authors will form a book of its own.
Thanks again, Gabriela, for this wonderful opportunity!
My pleasure and thank you too.
Haiku For Soulmates is coming up soon. Please stay tunned for more news.
Gabriela Marie Milton Founder and Editor in Chief, Literary Revelations
Behind the cover art of Haiku for Soulmates – A journey with Hikari
My beloved readers and cherished subscribers, get ready because Haiku for Soulmates is just around the corner! Starting next week, those of you fortunate enough to be accepted, be sure to check your email for an unforgettable experience!
Now I want to share with you the story behind the cover of Haiku for Soulmates.
From Hikari
The book cover of Haiku for Soulmates features a painting of the bridge leading to the serene Ukimidō pavilion. At the feet of a Noh performer, countless fireflies dance in the darkness—a visual tribute to the diverse haiku contributed from every corner of the globe. Just as these tiny lights shimmer in unison, may each poem resonate (共鳴) as a “soulmate,” woven into a beautiful harmony through the meticulous and soulful editing of Editor-in-Chief Gabriela Marie Milton.
About “Ukimido”-浮見堂-
Ukimidō is a historic hexagonal pavilion that appears to float on Sagiike Pond in Nara Park. Built in 1916 with a traditional cypress‑bark roof, it has long been admired as one of Nara’s most picturesque sites. Visitors cross a wooden bridge to reach the pavilion, where they can enjoy views of cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, brilliant foliage in autumn, and the reflection of snow‑covered mountains in winter.
The surrounding Asajigahara area has been a beloved poetic landscape since the Nara period. Aristocrats once gathered here to compose waka, classical Japanese court poetry, making this place an enduring symbol of literary elegance and seasonal beauty. Source: visitnara.jp/venues/A01113/…” (visitnara.jp in Bing).
Video by Hikari
Literary Revelations’ previous anthologies Petals of Haiku, Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku, and Haiku and Tanka: Lull Harmony and Power in Japanese Art in addition of being placed in the Museum of Haiku Literature (Japan), Museum of Poetry, Haiku and Tanka (Japan) are now entering into the Nara Prefecture Library due to the efforts made by Hikari.
To Hikari, our deepest thanks for her effort to built with us the legacy of Literary Revelations.
Our fabulous Writer in Residence Maria Carvalho has harvested these images from the currents of X and BlueSky. Through their origins are are disparate, they share a frequency of vertical excellence that we are very happy to feature.
Neko Kogure, Japan (X: @NekoKogure) Clarity of the Heart
Rosy Encounter Maria Carvalho (USA)
Wave After Wave Roam, USA (X: @RoamingNC)
Tangerine Dreams Meandering M, Canada (Bluesky: @pathwaymoments)
Horsehead: Shadow of Orion Kat, France (Bluesky: @quantumkat)
Carnival Rain Hayes, USA (Bluesky: @rainhayes.com)
The Architecture of Intimacy: Sneak Peeks from Haiku for Soulmates
Dear Readers and Subscribers,
I am thrilled to feature some sneak peeks from Literary Revelation’s upcoming anthology Haiku for Soulmates. I hope you enjoy them. Please stay tuned for more news.
Pravat Kumar Padhy [the creator of the hainka]
autumn moon with me her fragrance of jasmine comb
C. Jean Downer
first glance on this autumn day leaves fall too
Hikari
in the winter grove they say “You are not alone,” the trees whisper on
冬木立 ”独りならじ”と 鳴り合へり
Naoki Kimura – Hainka
Winter resonance distance falls away at once sound finds its home Across borrowed time across unshared places a reply arrives when one clear tone remains doubt quietly fades
冬ひびき 隔たりほどけ 音かえる 時を越え 場所を越えきて 応えあり 響きひとつに 疑いは消ゆ
Gabriela Marie Milton, Author and Founder Of Literary Revelations
Literary Revelations is ecstatic to present the mesmerizing poetry of Antonia Wang, accompanied by a breathtaking photograph from her captivating travels. I truly hope you relish this superb feature!
Bio:
Antonia Wang is a poet from the Dominican Republic who writes across languages, drawn to inner and outer landscapes and the quiet moments that shape a life. She is the author of eleven poetry collections in English and Spanish. Her latest, The Constant: Poems on Holding, Leaving, and Becoming, asks what remains when the things we rely on begin to shift.
Her work moves between intimacy and distance, tracing memory, belonging, and change without forcing resolution. She writes for readers who arrive with questions and leave carrying something they cannot quite set down.
When she is not reading, writing, or practicing yoga, Antonia is usually walking through mountains, through cities, or toward a good meal. Ask her about the walks she hasn’t forgotten, and she’ll name three: the coastal path from Bondi to Coogee in Sydney; the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo; and the grounds of the Summer Palace in Beijing. She lives in the United States with her family.
Poems by Antonia Wang
After the Turning
And yet this new day steals more light, magnetized to a neglected corner. Our pale, slumped shoulders are assayed for signs of strength.
We reply in forgotten cursive— missives scribbled in modern haste. Yes, we’ve survived yet another winter. It’s never that harsh—there’s always fleece.
The real attrition comes from the revolving, the creaky assembly line of transient blooms. Lilac and cherry by a Nepalese prayer wheel— slow, clockwise release of myriad fragrant mantras.
I feel more blessed today, after the turning— this soft reminder of simple grace: coated invisibly, draped in thin sherpa by bald monks, whispering lowly in the hinterlands.
Después del Giro
Y aun así, este nuevo día roba más luz, imantada a un rincón descuidado. Nuestros hombros, pálidos y caídos, son probados en busca de fortaleza.
Respondemos en cursiva olvidada— misivas garabateadas con el apuro moderno. Sí, sobrevivimos a otro invierno. Nunca fue tan áspero— pues tenemos lana.
El cansancio real emana del eterno revolver, del ensamblaje chirriante de floraciones fugaces. Lilas y cerezos junto a una rueda de oración nepalí— mantras fragantes descargándose despacio, en el sentido de las agujas del reloj.
Me siento más bendecida hoy, después del giro— del recordatorio sutil de la simple gracia: invisiblemente revestida, envuelta en la sherpa fina de monjes calvos, que susurran humildes en tierras lejanas.
Without Claim
Once loved, always loved— I wrote this in a poem, but what did it mean?
That when they embraced, I smiled because he was home; that I didn’t wish him a happy birthday but sent good thoughts.
When the experiment ends, I’ll gather the lukewarm ashes, scatter them at the roots of the beech—
the one from the other poem where we didn’t build a home, where I peeled the argent bark
to write of tired ghosts, of boughs that grow without water, of darkened rooms that lost their echo—
to morning light flooding arthritic hands opened wide to release, to receive.
A superb photograph – Antonia Wang
The photograph that inspired the poem “After the Turning”
Screenshot
Gabriela Marie Milton, Author and Founder Of Literary Revelations
Haiku for Soulmates – Acceptance and Rejection Letters sent
My dear followers and subscribers,
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the acceptance and letters for publication in Haiku for Soulmates, curated by Gabriela Marie Milton, have been released! Please check your email. Heartfelt congratulations to all those who have been accepted for Haiku for Soulmates —your creative spirit truly inspires us. Thank you for sharing your incredible work with us; it means the world!
Thank you to our fabulous Artist in Residence Japanese painter Hikari, for the cover art.
If you submitted and you did not receive an acceptance or rejection letter please write to us immediately.
Literary Revelations will publish this anthology mid-late May. Please stay tuned for more news.
The Art of the Snapshot: Why Every Writer Needs Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton
We often treat haiku as a relic of primary school—a simple counting exercise involving cherry blossoms and frogs. But for the serious writer, haiku is not a playground; it is a high-altitude training camp for the soul.
At its core, haiku is the art of the “meaningful omission.” In a digital age defined by noise and “more-is-more” content, the haiku stands as a quiet, defiant protest. Here is why this ancient form remains one of the most vital tools in a modern writer’s kit.
1. The Discipline of Constraint
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you are backed into a corner. When you have only so much space to play, every word must earn its keep.
Writing haiku forces you to:
• Kill your darlings: If a beautiful word doesn’t fit the rhythm, it has to go. • Prioritize Nouns and Verbs: There is no room for the “purple prose” of flowery adjectives. • Master Precision: You learn to find the exact word rather than the “almost” word.
2. A Lesson in “Show, Don’t Tell”
In a novel, you might spend three pages describing a character’s grief. In a haiku, you have to evoke that same grief through a single image. You don’t tell the reader you are lonely; you show them a single glove left on a frozen park bench.
By practicing haiku, you sharpen your ability to use objective correlatives—physical objects that carry the weight of internal emotions. It is the ultimate exercise in sensory storytelling.
3. Radical Presence
To write a haiku is to be a hunter of “the moment.” You cannot write one while scrolling or distracted. You have to notice the way the light shifts, the specific texture of a sound, or the sudden silence after a storm.
One Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton
you turn toward the water Monday ripples in pale light the day drifts past us
Happy Easter to the Christian Orthodox World! Love to everyone. Literary Revelations will celebrate this Orthodox Easter with the fabulous Romanian-Canadian artist, poet, professor, and Orthodox priest Vasile Trif. Vasile is based in Canada.
We will start with one of his poems, followed by the traditional customs of the Romanian-Orthodox Church explained in a few words by Vasile, and we will end with some pictures of Vasile serving the Easter Mass in Canada.
Poem by Vasile Trif
Passage
Those dry words from the worlds with which you light the fire every morning before the crowing of the rooster
those words made up of letters with leaden legs that besiege the breath every second have hung from the plank The Word
but a day will come when transparency will be made up entirely of the body burning with light
the writing of the loom will allow the latter to seep across it in the early morning into the wedding of dew
traslation by André Seleanu
Romanian Orthodox Customs by Vasile Trif
The Easter Liturgy
On Saturday, at midnight on Easter night, when darkness is at its deepest, all the candles in the church are extinguished. The dark space symbolizes “the darkness of death and hell into which Christ descended.” The living and deified soul of Christ, who descended into hell, is symbolized by the single candle that remains lit, placed on the Holy Table of the Altar.
When the priest lights the Paschal candle, he moves away from the altar and raises it, thus signifying the mystery of Christ’s resurrection. Since the word “Passover” (Pesach) means passage, the invitation, “Come and receive the light!” is a call to pass from the darkness of death to the light of eternal life.
From the priest’s single candle, all the candles of the faithful are lit. This symbolically testifies to the truth that the resurrection of Christ is the beginning and foundation of the resurrection of all humankind. At the end of the liturgy, the faithful bring food in baskets to be blessed and consecrated with holy water. This usually includes eggs, cheese, lamb, and cakes. These foods are then eaten at home with their families.
Preparing for the Feast of the Resurrection means working towards inner and outer balance.
Romanian Easter Traditions
On Holy Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, women prepare the lamb and dyed eggs for Easter with their families. Dyeing eggs is an important tradition and the most widespread Christian Easter custom. In the past, eggs were dyed only red.
According to a Romanian legend, Mary placed a basket of eggs near the cross where Jesus was crucified, and they were sprinkled with his blood. At the Easter table, the dyed eggs are tapped together according to a specific ritual: the eldest person taps the top of their egg against the top of the egg held by the other person, while saying, “Christ is risen,” to which the response is, “Truly, He is risen.”
The Easter meal is an opportunity to gather with family—a moment of joy and hope where everything evokes new life.
Vasile Trif
On the Orthodox Easter by Gabriela Marie Milton
The Holy Fire is believed to originate from the tomb of Jesus Christ within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. During the ceremony, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch—accompanied by other Orthodox clergy—enters the inner sanctum of the Holy Sepulchre, which is carefully inspected and sealed beforehand. After fervent prayers inside the darkened tomb, the Patriarch emerges holding lit bundles of candles, signifying the miraculous appearance of the Holy Fire. He then distributes the flame to the faithful waiting outside, who eagerly receive and share this sacred light.
From Jerusalem, the Holy Fire travels swiftly beyond the city’s ancient walls. Delegates and pilgrims carry the flame by air, land, and sea to Orthodox churches across the globe—often in specially protected lanterns to ensure its continuity. The light must arrive in time for midnight Easter services, linking communities in a shared act of faith.
The miracle of the Holy Fire is a subject of profound reverence for many, who believe that the flame appears spontaneously each year without human intervention, a divine sign of resurrection and hope. For the devoted, the ceremony’s beauty and symbolism outweigh any doubts, and the Holy Fire remains a powerful tradition, illuminating hearts and churches throughout the Orthodox world.
I remember one night when I went with my family to the Easter service at a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The priest emerged from the darkness of the church with a candle in his hand, his voice echoing as he proclaimed, “Christ is Risen! Come and take the light!” Hundreds of people stood together around the church, each quietly holding their unlit candles, waiting for the light to be given to everyone. As the flame was passed from person to person in the front rows, the darkness slowly receded and pockets of warmth and light multiplied. Suddenly, my own candle flickered to life, though in the section where I stood, there had been no fire yet. Mama was stunned. To this day, I do not know exactly how it happened, but the memory still fills me with wonder and awe.
In some churches, the priest will give the light to everyone inside the church as he comes with the light from the altar and proclaims, “Christ is Risen!”
Disclaimer:
While the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem is considered a significant event and miracle by many within the Orthodox Christian tradition, it is important to note that some Orthodox priests and scientists do not share this belief. There are diverse perspectives regarding the authenticity of the miracle, and some members of the clergy and scientific community attribute the phenomenon to natural or human-made causes rather than a supernatural event. I am not aware of what our beloved priest Vasile Trif believes.
Art – Francisco Bravo Cabrera Video Production – Literary Revelations
Francisco Bravo Cabrera – regular font Gabriela Marie Milton – italic font
The Road by Francisco Bravo Cabrera and Gabriela Marie Milton
The road bends furtively round the passing years, avoiding those who stubbornly remain, like a mouse caught in a maze…
The silent path curls back on itself, Like those who linger lost, within the flames of our Spanish maze.
Like a ribbon pulled by unseen hands, The road carries the weight of hopeful smiles as it gently crosses desert sands…
dreams unfurl in the hush of distant days a snake coils on my arm a silken thread torn from a kiss
I’ve walked it under silver skies, waiting for the morning’s gentle rain, whispering your name…
Echoes of a touch that never happened, longing swallowed by memory, I cannot remember why, the ache of what will always be
Some days the road just seems too long to bear, If your body remains far from sight, while I’m dreaming of your soft skin in the night…
White turns reddish pink amid the night Sands cover their eyes— desires flame untouched by rhyme.
And though the winds of longing may have changed my stride, as other roads crossed mine from time to time, the only road that leads to you forever winds…
Yet in the hush between each step and sigh, Between my blood and yours my lips untouched
So here I stand, where journeys start and end, where all the scattered moments meet. the road has led me to your heart again
Where our love was born from sand and tombs from futures that may not exist The road that led me to your heart again has no end.
