Sunrise Forthcoming

On By Michele LeeIn Verse, writing

Sunrise Forthcoming
from Being a Woman-Forthcoming Poetry Collection
poems by Michele Lee
illustrations by Sammi Lee

From the banished back row, she did step forward.
Her curves revealed by a full moon’s midnight glow,
extending from the side, to the middle of the road.
Along the edge, where the imposter merged with flesh,
a woman was seen kneeling, with head held low.
Possibly praying while changing a tire blown;
tasks not taught but learned on her own.
Desolate lands echoing hesitation and heaviness,
that within and around her, overflow.
Hands smudged by heavily worn treads.
Hands needing a rest from steering through darkness.
Hands shaped by constant clasping and clinging to hope.
She and her silent overhead traveling companion,
both borrowing their light, faintly shown.
A light too weak to remove shifting and distorted shadows,
but just enough to reveal a road unknown,
and to propel her toward
a sunrise forthcoming.

“Sunrise Forthcoming” is the first poem, in my third and final Being a Woman – Forthcoming Collection. This first poem incorporates subject matter from two poems found in the first, Overcoming collection. The readers of my first collection might recognize the reference to my poem, “Curves” in the first two lines of “Sunrise Forthcoming.” Another connection to the first collection is found in the line that contains the phrase, “changing a tire.” I am pleased to share this first poem, along with illustrator, Sammi Lee’s original drawing. Artist Sammi is creating the final drawings for my Forthcoming collection, then the project will move to the publishing stage. I look forward to announcing the completion of the final Being a Woman book, sharing more about the collection, and reflecting on our long-distance project that began at the start of the pandemic. In the meantime, our first two collections are available on Amazon, both as paperbacks and eBooks (link to recently released eBook below). We love sharing our collaborative creative projects and are grateful to those who have purchased a book or two and to those who have taken the time to write a review.🙏 💕

A cowgirl, I am not, but I do dwell in the southwest and my Stetson hat has recently helped me step-up my giddy-up during our mask-up existence. 🤠💃 Keep stepping and enjoying the sunrise. 🔆 Thank you for visiting and reading. 💗 Michele

For best viewing, visit https://myinspiredlife.org/2021/01/23/sunrise-forthcoming/ directly (vs. email delivery or WordPress Reader) 😄

Photo location: somewhere along Highway 74 in Arizona

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton. All Rights Reserved.

76 thoughts on “Sunrise Forthcoming”

  3. That is screenplay writin , Lee. You write with a definitive finesse. That style is what I relish. Yes, the words are visuals you lay out before the reader’s eyes. Good strong writing my sister sweet Lee Michele Lee. 🤗💕

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
      1. Poetpas

        Hats off to you Lee. You wouldn’t be related to general Lee now would you 😁 I was gonna say: “Where’s the horse” but I didn’t want to talk through my hat. Much obliged!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Why thank you. 😁 I do not believe I am related to General Lee, but thanks to my late Aunt Lee’s extensive research I know that I am related to Colonel Cornwallis, so I do have some commanding blood running through me. haha My horse was at the watering hole, wetting his whistle. Important in the dry desert. That is ok, it is hard to manage a horse and a camera. 😆

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Vicki Hunt

    I love who this woman changing a tire represents. We have all had our
    hands “dirtied” by some task that seemed insurmountable, but with the
    promise of sunrise, we persevered and came out stronger. Thanks for
    capturing this struggle and hope so beautifully–Vicki

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I am delighted to read your heartfelt feedback. Thank you.

      The speaker’s changing of the tire also represents learning and doing something she was told she need not learn or worry about, as described in my poem, “A Girl,” from the Overcoming poetry collection. 💪

      Like

      Reply

    1. David, learning that a line in my poem is relatable to you is a gift of connection for me. Each of us have our unique experiences and interpretations, but when we can empathize and relate to each other through our words we feel supported, validated, encouraged, uplifted, understood, and countless other positive feelings.

      Thank you. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. I love that this collection will have such simple and beautiful illustrations to complete the writing! Sunrises are a showing of vulnerability and strength birthed from the reason strength was discovered. The light rhyme makes this a lovely read!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Jaya. I love Sammi’s designs. I conveyed my ideas to her in the first collection. Dramatic images with clean black lines that complement each poem and are easy to reproduce in the printing process. She has delivered each time. I am excited to see her drawings with this final collection.
      Lovely. You and I talked about sunrises with my Spell Binder, Dream Keeper poem and here we are again, but in a different context. I suppose I have an affinity for the possibilities presented with the start of each new day and the burst of light, of course. 🔆 I treasure your visits and comments. Enjoy your weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Such an empowering poem, combined with the wonderful artwork and images. I especially love the line: ‘Hands shaped by constant clasping and clinging to hope.’ We need to cling to hope even when times seem dark 🙏❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. So true, Ingrid. Hope guides us… hopefully. 🙏 Sometimes the darkness can consume, as I imagine the prolonged pandemic is for many people, struggling with serious stuff.

      Writing my Being a Woman poems over the last ten months has been a source of hope and creative escape for me. Sammi’s drawings add a beautiful layer of interpretation and working with her has heightened both my creative experience and the project itself. Thank you so much for your support and kind words throughout this journey. 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I am excited to see Sammi’s final drawings and publish our third poetry and art collection, yes. Thank you.💖 I have so thoroughly enjoyed working with my collaborator on these three books and look forward to a future project with her.

      I am grateful for your kind words.
      Have an inspired and healthy week. 💐

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you for appreciating our work, Pragalbha. Sammi is a creative talent! I love the cover of the first collection too. It is on my “About” page. It is the coral colored book, titled, “Being a Woman – Overcoming.” It is beautiful. Thank you for visiting and have an inspired week. 🌼

      Liked by 1 person

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      3. Wishing you continued happiness and success! I have the desire to take more time on your site and explore the books, will find the time space soon _()_
        Thank you very much for your support on the e-book!!!

        Like

  20. Michele, you have the extraordinary gift of creating pictures with your poems and telling entire stories. They are full of atmosphere, full of mood and touch the heart and soul.
    Michele, I love your poems.
    Rosie from Germany
    …and the photos are so amazing!…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh wow, thank you, Rosie. That is quite a compliment for me, coming from your artistic eye and mind. I love your beautiful description of my poems. I would like to add your words to my “About” page. 😁

      Thank you for visiting my blog and supporting my creative efforts. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

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  23. Pingback: Being a Woman – Forthcoming – My Inspired Life

  24. One that writes with words that mean something to them, will always have an audience! You my dear Lady, are expressive and your word selection paints the picture and draws (US), readers in! you are a gift with a talent. Congrats as well on the Mother/daughter collab and for the future endeavors. Sammy did an awesome job on book cover!🙂🖤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I am so honored by the time you are spending with my writing. With your blog absence, you must have a backlog of reading. I am grateful. 🌞 Creating these collections with my daughter was a cherished experience. Gifts we are excited to share. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

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  25. Compelling poetry exuding ones fortitude to move forward without wavering, through challenging circumstances along the highway of life, overcoming obstacles toward the promise of a new day. Yours are beautiful words, dear Michele, and, if I may say so, your photographs in the desert are very nice, too 😉 Have a happy Friday, my friend 😊🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Phil. Thoughtful comments that I appreciate.😊 Interesting… that was the first poem in my last Being a Women poetry collection, but the very last written. I love your metaphor~ “highway of life.” 🌞 Happy Day to you!

      Liked by 1 person

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  26. Pingback: Becoming Empty (life essay & live music) – My Inspired Life

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