Wellspringwords® Literary Anthology

“The Sensualist…”

Issue 3

cover artwork by D.Woodring, The Portrait Priestess

In this Spring/Summer 2025 Issue of our Literary Anthology, we explore the embodied experience of inhabiting oneself. Here, we come to define the role of sensuality in our lives and relationships.

Some of the questions we posed to writers and artists for reflection and creation were:

What are the roles of presence, anxiety, healing, and aging in your sensual expression? | What is a body in joy? | What is the language surrounding your body and its relationship with life? | Explore the experience of surrendering to sensation. | Explore the continuum of shame and pleasure. | We also welcome non-pornographic explorations of the erotic.

Please be aware that some content in this issue engages with domestic violence, bullying, and profanity as noted by (cd) content disclaimer below.

And because this is an anthology devoted to the expressions of women of the global majority, writers and visual artists for this issue have self-identified as:

Chinese + White

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Haitian

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Black of African Descent

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Black, Filipino, & Spanish

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Mixed (Korean+Filipino and white)

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Black Woman from Mississippi

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AfroAmerican/American Negro

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Indonesian + Indian

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Black

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Asian American (Indian)

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Afro-Indigenous

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Chinese + White | Haitian | Black of African Descent | Black, Filipino, & Spanish | Mixed (Korean+Filipino and white) | Black Woman from Mississippi | AfroAmerican/American Negro | Indonesian + Indian | Black | Asian American (Indian) | Afro-Indigenous |

As you journey through the works of art below, be present with your heart and your whole body.

As always, let your soul lead your reading and viewing experience.
Dare to let yourself mingle with the unique experiences and expressions of these graceful, powerful, deeply medicined, inimitable writers and artists from around the Earth.
Let their wisdom and magic meet your own.

Letters from the editorial team

What do you hold sacred? by Lidia Abraha | Guest Editor & Issue 2 Contributor

Poetry Flowers Wilt With Luxury by Sabriaya Shipley | Guest Editor & Issue 2 Contributor

Birthright. by Nkem Chukwumerije | Head Editor & Founder of Wellspringwords®

The Sensualist…entering the dream realm…

bedtime by tina scott lassiter | Poetry

Flowing by Kaliah Hekima | Oil Pastel

Edge of Ascension by Kaliah Hekima | Charcoal Drawing

It is not the men's wine by Mercedez | Experimental Writing

The Sensualist…coming home to her sensual self…

Hollow Me Holy by Ashlea Faith Haney | Poetry

Willingness in silk organza by Daneille Moss | Acrylic on Canvas

The Weight of Jasmine by La’Rue Swann | Personal Narrative

Chromatic Forms by Harley Nimblett | Watercolor, Ink, & Colored Pencil

The Sensualist…in her fullness…

BA HOUSEA by D.Woodring, The Portrait Priestess | Self-Portrait Photography

The Sensual is Speaking by Ashlea Faith Haney | Poetry

Sensual Soak by Adera Gandy | Personal Narrative

The Midnight Lover by Sri | Poetry

The Sensualist…as a political body…

A Street Cleaning (cd) by Khadijah AbdulHaqq | Fiction

The Curse of Femininity by Evangeline | Poetry

KEHSEA by D.Woodring, The Portrait Priestess | Self-Portrait Photography

Protected by Kaliah Hekima | Chalk Pastel and Charcoal

Purple Cunt (cd) by Kaliah Hekima | Poetry

The Sensualist…as muse, artist, and spectator…

Cover Artwork | BAHOUSEA by D.Woodring, The Portrait Priestess | Self-Portrait Photography

The Artists by Kenley Ellis | Personal Narrative

The Sensualist…in relationship…

Selected Susurrations by Kenley Ellis | Poetry

A Sacrifice of Flesh by Evangeline | Poetry

The Agony of Euphoria by Adassa Anraje | Fiction

Awallopenedup by Daneille Moss | Acrylic on Canvas

I Sweep Away Your Sorrow by Resna Anggria | Poetry

Fireflies in Your Eyes by Resna Anggria | Poetry

Read more about the Wellspringwords® Literary Anthology