Author Archives: Dayna E. Mazzuca

The overfed ego, unable to squeeze in enough room for others, risks dying of loneliness as much as its counterpart, the ego malnourished, bereft, surrounded by clients, not friends— with a view of what it means to be who they really are, the prescription an artist— not a butcher or candlestick maker— might supply, ifContinue reading “Contortions”

the snares on the line are many and rarely if ever humane— if you fall into one, do not pause to negotiate, or tell yourself the story (over and over) why someone might have set this trap in the first place, this is not the time to put yourself in anyone else’s shoes; free yourselfContinue reading “Snares”

A complicated emotion can serve good ends and bad, reveal the truth of who we are and what we must have to go on, declare our refusal to surrender, even signal our strength, passion for life, or it can crowd the space between us until no one can think straight, only react, fight back, turningContinue reading “Anger”

We’re in a courtyard moment where the truth is on trial, as it so often is when people feel threatened one way or another, pressured to perform for or against more quietly held beliefs, the ones that bring them peace to be at home in their own spiritual skin. This poem is in my newContinue reading “What is Truth?”

as time grows short, and shadows long love must be seen, made plain to win the day, uphold the banner of God, high over the field, the grain now waving at the feet of the coming harvesters, so late it seems… This poem is in my new book of poems called ROSES IN WINTER.