Michael Kannengieser's Substack Page

April 13, 2025

Cemetery


 


Cemetery

The scent of fresh cut grass enhances this orchard of granite.

Meticulous hands cultivate its emerald-green lawn.

Beneath the grassy cover, a city of the mourned remains frozen in a cacophony of reminisced love and grief, by those beholding each monument.

I am among them; a bereaved onlooker, besieged by sorrow – and grasping an acceptance of inevitability.

Blossoms enliven this melancholic setting; ephemeral gifts signifying hopefulness and adoration. They too, wilt and perish like their intended recipients.

Crystal-azure heavens, dotted with wispy-cotton puffs, suspended above, as if dabbed there by an artist’s inspired stroke, guide each soul to an inviting light.

I shield my eyes, head craned and eyes squinting, unable to peer directly into the luminous gateway.

My soul will enter there soon; and my corpse shall die infinitely in the harsh earth for which lush, clipped grass shall provide no relief.

-7/3/12 Michael J. Kannengieser

Author Michael J. Kannengieser’s books are available on Amazon

Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island, in New York with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing editor for fiction at The View from Here Magazine; a U.K. based literary publication. Michael's first two novels, The Daddy Rock, and Burning Blue, were published by Decent Hill Publishers. Dreaming Big Publications released his novel, The Heart of Velletri, in 2019. Michael's novel, The Art of God, was published in July, 2023. His latest book is a sci-fi novel The Last Two People.

April 11, 2025

The Last Two People: Book Trailer





Trevor and Sheila's breakup pales in comparison to the chaos that ensues when extraterrestrials suddenly appear on Earth. As these beings surprisingly bring peace and harmony by resolving conflicts, Sheila follows her heart and leaves with Clyde, a captivating alien. But for Trevor, the sudden disappearance of his ex-girlfriend is just the beginning of a perilous journey through upstate New York. With the help of Sheila's loyal friend, Debbie, and a compassionate alien named Barbara, Trevor sets out to find the runaway couple - only to discover a violent confrontation between the aliens and Earth's Resistance. Caught in the midst of a battle between love, loyalty, and unexpected choices, Trevor is forced to make a decision that could determine the fate of not only his relationship with Sheila, but with Debbie and Barbara as well. Fans of gripping sci-fi adventures will devour this thrilling tale of love and survival.

Author Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island, in New York with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing editor for fiction at The View from Here Magazine; a U.K. based literary publication. Michael's first two novels, The Daddy Rock, and Burning Blue, were published by Decent Hill Publishers. Dreaming Big Publications released his novel, The Heart of Velletri, in 2019. Michael's latest novel, The Art of God, was published in July, 2023.