Remember and Nurture

On By Michele LeeIn New Beginnings, Verse

No longer do I need to say or write your name.
I closed your final chapter with the turning of the last page.
I thought you were going to be a leisurely read,
one I might grab before heading to the beach.
A surprise you were, with heavy conflict
and many nonsensical plot twists,
but to say I want to clear my mind of you would be a pretense,
because in addition to all that you delivered –
confusion, loss, pain, sorrow, and blame,
you also delivered universal lessons
and new personal connections.
Neither I want to disregard or forget.

Three hundred and sixty-six pages –
Tattered, warped, and blurred,
not by a sea spray,
cooling me off on a warm day,
but by stinging tears
that began with one,
quickly becoming a global flood.

The final page –
a celebratory wave that began in the South Pacific,
rippling across the globe and raising consciousness,
when both hands pointed toward the heavens.
It is now time to move on;
the daily occupation of the “balanced” year is done.

The lessons,
I intend to remember.
New friendships,
I intend to nurture,
as we step in the direction of an unclear, but hopeful future.
A wee bit wiser,
I am now ready to travel this year’s unpredictable road
with a repacked bag for the next grand adventure.
I removed expectations,
freeing up space for more laughter and love.

Has it really been one year since we stepped into 2020? I danced in, believing it would be a year that delivered “vision and symmetry” as I penned in my first post of the year. I quickly realized, with launched missiles and raging fires, as I described in my following post, that 2020 was “a mislabeled container that doesn’t reveal what is inside.” As we all know, “blurred vision and imbalance,” continued to be a theme that grew more pronounced last year. Turning the page to a new year does not magically eradicate the global realities of Covid and other serious hardships, but vaccines offer hope for a safer future. 😷🤞🏼🤲🏼 Best wishes and thank you for visiting. 💗 Michele

At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”

~Mother Teresa

Photo 1: Street mural along the Roosevelt Row Art District in Phoenix, Arizona. I could not locate the artist’s name from yesterday’s capture. 😞 I will update if I find it. Artists deserve recognition! If you’ve never been, Roosevelt Row is a wonderful artistic destination, lined with dozens of murals and other creative captures.

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton. All Rights Reserved.

60 thoughts on “Remember and Nurture”

  2. Poetpas

    We can’t predict nor control our times and what happens in the years. Maybe Mother Earth is kicking back for all that we have taken from her. It challenges us to realise we are vulnerable and drives us to new challenges. How to steamclean your glasses whilst wearing a mask or to keep our distance from whom we wanted to stay away from in the first place. But I guess it’s good to close the book and start writing another…

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    1. Preach it! 🌎🌍🌏👏🏼
      Vulnerable and connected we all are… the greatest lessons last year taught me. 💞
      Steamcleaning glasses and staying safely apart… more lessons. 🤣 Or how to not run into things because I am wearing glasses to protect my eyes, not because I need them walking down the aisles. 🤓
      A new book waiting to be written. 📗
      Thank you for your thoughtful and humorous comments. 🙏🏼

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you David, for visiting, commenting, and sharing your poems and essays. I am so grateful for our writing community, that is not defined by borders, but by kindness and limitless creativity. ✨ All the best to you. 😄

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  5. You personified the past year in your poem and I really liked that, we have been on the same wavelength I think! I have learned a lot from this unpredictable year and gained a lot too. I am sorry for those who have suffered loss as a result of it and hope for a gradual return to better times…

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    1. Thank you Ingrid. 🌻 I was trying to keep it short and sweet this morning. I had more to say… we all do, but I am relieved, if not celebratory, about new beginnings, or at least a fresh new calendar to mark up. 😆 I believe we have been sharing many common thoughts, yes. It is nice to keep good company! 😀 Writing, sharing, reading, and meeting others, around the world, has been such a gift.

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  7. Remember and nurture. I love that thought idea!
    How beautifully this poem captures the last year; removing expectations to make room for laughter is a wonderful way to move into the new year.

    Loving the accompanying top artwork too. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you Jaya, and I love how your voice uniquely captures elements from my posts.

      I agree – I love public art! Murals beautify spaces. I selected that photo, which at first did not complement my poem, but it came together this morning. Love when that happens!

      If your are interested in seeing more murals from Roosevelt Row, here is a link:
      https://www.morethanmainstreet.com/phoenix-street-art-11-incredible-wall-murals-on-roosevelt-row/

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I am pleased that you felt hope and love through my words. 😊 I was not focused on the quote yesterday when I was downtown taking pictures. When I read it this morning, after finishing the poem, I thought the same thing. A perfect quote that emphasizes helping and supporting each other, especially those who most need an extra dose of human kindness. 💕 Enjoy.

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    1. A blurry book that in many ways does not feel closed, considering last year’s conflict is still very present, but hopefully the sequel, this year, will end on a positive page. Thank you. Be well and happy! 😄

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  12. This is a lovely post , Lee. Something that maybe I wanted to write about but could not find the words. I really don’t know what to expect from the new year , I only know that I have come out stronger . Let’s hope 2021 takes care of us.
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful self here.

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    Reply

    1. Thank you, Yasmin. I am happy to share my words. 🙏🏼 Your poems always move, inspire, and delight the senses, and your comments are so kind. 🥰 Yes, let’s hope the best for this year, while staying present in the now. Stay strong and creative. 🤗 💐

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      1. Welcome, Michele. I think kindness begets kindness. Oh ! My ! You say the nicest things ❤️, I feel awesome and inspired. When I see you , I see a kind , warm hearted strong girl. And that my dear stays in my mind as an awesome inspiration.
        🌷🙏🏼🤗

        Liked by 1 person

      2. It is nice to be in supportive and uplifting company and to keep that company close, even if they are far. A bonus when poetic lines are added to the mix. 😄 It is also nice to be seen and thought of. 🥰 🙏🏼

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yes, absolutely.. you are such a delight , Lee and I am happy that we connect here. It’s not the distance that counts only the words, the poetry that binds and bonds 🤗🥰

        Liked by 1 person

    1. How kind, thank you for your generous and encouraging comments. I will continue writing and sharing. Writing poetry would bring me joy, even if my lines were never shared, but readers like you give my words a welcoming destination, that I sincerely appreciate. 🙏🏼

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    1. Thank you. I probably omitted a few lessons – there have been many. That is a beautiful quote. What a gentle but powerful soul she was.💗 It may be difficult to see, but the quote is on the wall, in the photo. The wall is located in a popular art district in Phoenix, AZ.

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    1. 🥰 I enjoyed writing it. This year’s first post sure had a different tone from last year’s first post. Understandably. The previous ten months have been challenging for all of us – it has been helpful and cathartic to write my way through it. You can probably relate to that as well. 😉 Thank you for connecting with me here.

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      1. The Eclectic Contrarian

        I feel like my writing suffered. My blog suffered. And somehow I became one of the most insecure and annoying bloggers of all time lol.

        I believe I told you I deleted my blog after leaving a couple times. Which I kind of regret because I had some posts that actually impressed me. I think I deleted some poetry I hadn’t saved. Only 3 years of writing lol.

        I feel like I’m saying the same thing on my blog now. I definitely don’t feel 100% into it. I have a million awesome pictures that need equally awesome words. But I’m not making any connections there.

        I’m starting to feel and sound like a mess and a downer so I’ll just be quiet lol!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Only three years. 😉 After spending twelve hours yesterday dealing with a computer that crashed after a Dell tech attempted to remedy some issues, I say save your work! 😅
        As I have written, I am fairly new to blogging – you have more experience than I do, but creating and connecting does take time and consist effort, which you already know. I look forward to looking at your awesome pictures and words. Have fun with it!😄

        Liked by 1 person

      3. The Eclectic Contrarian

        Hope you get it fixed!

        You’re a talented writer! And I’m not being nice, I’m being honest (because I hate nice) you definitely have a way with words!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. After a twelve-hour tech experience that included wiping out everything on my computer, everything seems to be working again. 🤞 Even with backed up documents there is something unsettling about a missing C drive from your computer. 😨
        Being nice can be nice, but I know what you mean. Thank you. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Very clever poem. I like that it made me think and that took me til near the end to discover the theme. The plot twists of last year might seem overdone in a novel. ; ) Balance was a good watchword, to give and receive to maintain harmony and health. Blessings in 2021. -Rebecca

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  20. Michele, I Think, most everyone at some point asks themselves: How do I lead a good life? There are so many people who go through life most of the time doing things that they think others would expect them to do.
    Ii read a book that was written by a writer who worked in a hospice. She spoke to the people there and asked them what they regret not doing in life.
    Thank you for your wonderful poem, Michel. You have put the deep thoughts so wonderfully in understandable words. i admire your talent.
    Rosie from Germany 🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. So true Rosie. Your books sounds interesting. What is the name of the book? I am curious about the response people gave regarding life regrets. There is so much wisdom to be learned from those who have lived some life. Thank you. Ours is a mutual admiration – your talent for drawing, painting, and writing are gifts for humanity. 💖

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