Braeden Michaels

Between shadows and memory, one woman's diary elucidates relationships come and gone, those who helped shape who she is from the inside out. Turning the rain into something beautiful, the opening petals of a rose now blooming. Veteran poet Braeden Michaels crafts his seventh collection of poetry into a mold of vision. Like pages from a twisted fairy tale, he narrates using his unique poetic style and perspective, first dissecting emotion before reconstructing and re-imagining each one.

Selected poems from each of Braeden Michaels' first five books of poetry: "The Raven's Poison" - a full collection characterizing and describing all aspects of the human condition and emotions. "Stella Walker's Acquaintances" - character poetry surrounding the friends and acquaintances of a widowed woman as she reflects upon her life. "Unpaved Crossroads" - poetry which depicts various scenes and moments in time, with a common theme of specific place throughout. "Growl from the Sun" - a collection of political poetry including Michaels' magnum opus of the same name, opining governmental and civic current events. "For You, Love Always" - heart-touching and emotionally moving poetry for lovers.

Selected poems from each of Braeden Michaels' first five books of poetry: "The Raven's Poison" - a full collection characterizing and describing all aspects of the human condition and emotions. "Stella Walker's Acquaintances" - character poetry surrounding the friends and acquaintances of a widowed woman as she reflects upon her life. "Unpaved Crossroads" - poetry which depicts various scenes and moments in time, with a common theme of specific place throughout. "Growl from the Sun" - a collection of political poetry including Michaels' magnum opus of the same name, opining governmental and civic current events. "For You, Love Always" - heart-touching and emotionally moving poetry for lovers.

Captivated and infatuated by love's delicate spirit, poet Braeden Michaels composes a collection as timeless as the dawn of time: from budding first glances to whispers of a heart broken yet mending to vows in forever to the exhilaration of a lover's touch to joy in parenthood and the reverberation of desire. Here is love in all forms. New love. Learned love. Growing love. Surprising love. Love through the ages from a man for his woman. She is the compassion that forever sits still. She is the scent that lingers on his skin. She is the enchanted sea of grace. She is the sunflower's breeze in his eyes.

"...and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?" -Vincent Van Gogh Inspiration for art comes from all over, we only have to see it. Within "Creation and the Cosmos", you will discover nature's revelation transformed into poetry, rhyme, digital photographic art, painting, photography, and more. Throughout these pages, thirty-two artists and writers from all over the world express their emotions and thoughts as seen through the wide-open eyes of nature. From stars and moon, birds in flight, the raging storm, a deer's quiet passing, the salty depths of the sea, rolling hills and towering mountains: there is art in all creation. Sink your hands into the rich soul-soil of humanity's finest creators and allow all of nature, both dark and light, to impress its artistry in your heart. Featuring art and poetry from Braeden Michaels, Brandon White, Cara Feral, Cassa Bassa, CG Tenpenny, Chris Hall, Chris Nelson, Colleen Machut, Donna Nongkhlaw, Dvon Bridgeforth, emje mccarty, fara tucker, Heather Trotter, Hidden Bear, Jenny Hayut, Jimmi Campkin, JNC Mauve, Kathleen Nicosia, Kathryn Winograd, Mark Ryan, Mark Tulin, Meredith Heller, Oleg Kagan, R.H. Alexander, Rachael Holmes, Robert Birkhofer, Sadie, Sarah Licht, Stephanie Lamb, Steven Bryson, Susa, and tara caribou.

"I opened my eyes to see the beauty and ugliness of humanity." Braeden Michaels creates a curve in the poetic stratosphere revealing glimpses of the characters who walk amidst the life of newly-widowed Stella Walker. By exposing the flaws, scars, quirks, and the light we see in each other, this profound collection generates a fine line between friendships and acquaintances.Within these pages, we are introduced to different shades of colorful characters in varying points of their lives. Every poem describes the hidden truths and realities of human attributes. Each perfectly imperfect person we meet is a representation of the people we run across in our individual journeys which then become stepping stones in our own growth.

From the mind of Braeden Michaels, drink from this cup, the raven's poison, a concoction of his collected poems all about the human condition. Imbibe in the rainbow of emotions found in the soul's colors and taste the bitter aftertaste when you're drenched in rage. Indulge in the reasons beneath dripping lust before absorbing all the ways we experience our wide-ranging flavors of love and finish off with a sip of self-destruction. This is us. Humanity. All the layers stripped away and arranged for your pleasure.