a Poet Plans a Party (audio)

On By Michele LeeIn Audio, Humor, nature, Poetic Prose, writing

Done.
“Congratulations!”
The email message said.
Fantastic! Relief. What next?
Fingers tapping on the desk.


It is now time to plan a celebration for my fourth eBook publication. I will get right to that list of my dearest friends, who read my words, again and again and again. If they are far (as most of you are) I will Zoom them in.

I will get to selecting the perfect outfit. One that does not scream for attention, but turns heads with a whisper when I step in. One that subtly hints at my poetic craft (or my attempts). I will surely hear, “I love your dress. It shows off your curves.” and “Where did you get your black heels?” To which I will respond, and their attention, attempt to dismiss, “Oh, thank you. I was in such a rush, you know, writing and publishing and such, I did not have time to make a fuss.”

I will get to rehearsing the poems that my guests will savor with each delicious bite. Sensory overload. Auditory delight. For cocktails, I will recite lines, earthy and smooth. For the main dish, I will read something with a kick and a twist. For dessert, I will select a sweet and sensual surprise.

Everyone will depart with a smile and poetic inspiration. On their arm they will swing a curvy gift bag containing a blank journal and three Womanly collections. The piece de resistance – a gold-crested pen that flows with magical ink, turning even those at a loss for words into the next celebrated literary genius. Inspired by all they have seen, tasted, and heard, each guest will rush home to use up and fill up their gifts with their own savory words. They will exhaust the night and greet the morning light with a newly ignited soul.

I cannot wait to begin.
A night that will never be,
because this party planning is already too much of me.


My publication celebration is right here, right now, next to a blooming Jasmine, across from a bursting tree, shading Miss Lady Banks, whose yellow roses are a distant memory. Her petals and seeds, along with my tears, dropped and carried by the wind to some unknown destination – perhaps to their distant origin, where they will spring forth and begin again. A band of birds sing the notes that my heart longs to hear. The undulating wind whips my tumbleweed hair. Faded bougainvillea leaves twirl around my bare feet, practicing the dance for a poetry party in the land of make believe. One leaf lifts, another spins, but on two I am transfixed – rotating around each other, faster and faster, then with a quick gust, they fly away. They disappear. Random. Orchestrated. Syncopated. Nature’s celebration is more worthy of my attention.

Sorry to disappoint, my friends.
I am canceling the party.
I am tossing the list.
A night of me will never compare to this
unplanned natural bliss.
My third poetry reading at WHAM Art Association (sans loud boots 😂)

The satisfaction of a writing task complete and enjoying nature’s gifts are all the celebrating I need. Today’s poetic prose weaves in previous posts that fill in some of the backstory of the womanly journey my illustrator, Sammi Lee and I have been on over the last year. The last reference, “Miss Lady Banks,” is part of my celebration, not my publication. Those referenced posts are in bold and are listed below and are offered for those who may be new to my site and would like to know more.

This recent eBook release marks the final publication goal for our Being a Woman collections. Marketing is another subject! 😵 A special shout out to those who have been reading me since late 2019, which is when I wrote the poem, “My Curves,” that inspired a feminine awakening in me, sparking three womanly poetry collections. A sincere thank you to Ingrid at Experiments in Fiction for inquiring about this eBook on the same day I had it marked on my calendar.

Each collection is now available as a paperback and an eBook. Thanks for the visit and the listen. Be well. 💗 Michele

Referenced Posts:

fourth eBook publication and curves~ Being a Woman – Forthcoming – My Inspired Life

black heels~ Opposing Shoepoints or Two Points of Shoe (you choose) – My Inspired Life

Womanly Collections~ Being a Woman Collections & Reviews – My Inspired Life

Miss Lady Banks~ Connected Roots – My Inspired Life

Photo 1: my barefoot party space Photo 2: recent WHAM poetry reading (live feed)

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton.

94 thoughts on “a Poet Plans a Party (audio)”

    1. My “party” on the porch was a blissful moment and truly all I need to mark this womanly publication task. Travel planning, vs. party planning, is more my celebratory style. 😁 Thank you for the encouragement to complete my final Woman eBook. You are appreciated! 🙏🏻🤗

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    1. Thank you so much, and for reading a bit about our year-long writing and illustrating journey, which covers a lifetime and beyond. It has been a wonderful explorative experience and creative connection for me and my illustrator. A break from my scenery, yes, from writing, never! 😉 🙏🏻

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      2. A lifetime passion for me, but one I did not dedicate myself to prior to starting this blog in August of 2019. I dedicated myself to academic and professional writing, but the creative writing and sharing is fairly new for me. Thanks! Writing is a wonderful hobby. 😀

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    1. Thank you and thanks for being one of my first readers and for following my year-long womanly journey. What a wonderful writing and learning experience it has been. 🥰 The women are polished and published, but the journey has just begun! 😊

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      3. Ahhhh, you are so sweet! Thank you, RS. An eBook expert I definitely am not, but I have learned a few things over the last year. More to learn. Always. You are a great teacher with many subjects. Have you published an article on marketing or publishing?

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      4. Thanks for your encourangment M. L. Means a lot. Well, I have some posts on Marketing, but let me check them if they can help you. However, I will share a pin of your book with my 26k Pinterest followers.

        Liked by 1 person

      15. Beyond what it is, no. I have had a personal account for years, that I barely interact with. Miss illustrator is working on a page for my blog. What about you? Do you frequently engage with your account?

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      17. Thank you! I will check out your page and follow you. 😀 I have browsed Pinterest through the years – I do love the images and quotes. Sammi will manage my Pinterest account for the blog, because beyond WP and Instagram, I cannot manage one more social media account. 🤪 What is your IG handle?

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      19. Yes, I do engage with my account and I share at least one post on daily basis. But to get more traffic you should be sharing 5 to 10 posts on Daily basis. However you can also hire someone who can do manage your account.

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  6. Big hugs big congratulations , proud of you my Lioness Princess. Way to go girl. More fame to you. I love the creative genius that you are . Fires my inspiration. Thank God for you. ❣️🤗

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    1. A big thank you and big hugs back to you. 🤗 Lioness Princess ~ love that! Hear me roar!! 🦁
      More joy, lessons, and completed tasks, but fame… not so much. I would rather have more of the first three and skip the fame.😁 You are very generous with your compliments. 🙏🏻 I am happy to read that I inspire the one whose poetry bursts new ideas that blaze their way through fiber optics and through the skies above. Thank God for all of the unique poetic voices out there in WP land! 💖

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    1. Thank you. I thought (was hoping) she would grow up to be an architect. It was apparent early on that she had natural artistic abilities. She chose a different path and I am beyond pleased for her. 💓 UO, Yes!! So excited for her. It does not appear there will be a ceremony. Sad for all the graduates over the last year. 😢 Oh well, we are all in it together. Enjoy your day, friend!

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    1. Thank you, Amit. Gratitude to you! If you look at the category section on my site, you will see one for “Audio”… more audio found there. Thank you for asking. 😉 Have a nice day! My url is myinspiredlife.org 😄

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  10. Félicitations pour votre nouvelle publication, Michele. Encore une fois, je tiens à réitérer l’énorme admiration que je ressens pour votre travail littéraire. Votre écriture semble faire une grande différence partout où vous publiez. Il ne s’épuise jamais. Il reste.

    Bon week-end! 🙂

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    1. Thank you kind Suma. I am smiling and laughing a little laugh. I love that comparison. 😊 I was rushing a bit with this one, so that my piece would not be any longer and my mic failed so I had to use a back-up mic. 😞 The joys of technology! I am happy you enjoyed the final product. Have a wonderful weekend. 🌞💖

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  13. Congratulations Michele ….. loved this very fun post of your poetic craft!!!
    Clever and lovely “Miss Lady Banks” of poetry and your 4th e-book!
    I’m loving the sweet nothings and saving the calories but filling my soul with your virtual poetry!
    ❤️👏👏❤️❤️❤️

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed my poetic prose. I had fun making fun of myself before describing a magical nature moment. 🌞 Lovely use of Miss Lady Banks – thank you!
      Thank you sweet Cindy.😊 Have a wonderful weekend. 🌹

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    1. Haha! You are awesome. Stretches of work followed by fun frolicking. 😆 Such is life! Might as well enjoy our time here. 😊 Your vibe is upbeat, reflective, and vibrant. Love it. Thank you. Cheers! Thank you for the smiles and support! 🌺

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    1. Yes, for different reasons and because months have passed between eBooks, it is almost like learning the technology again with each one. Keeps life interesting. 😆 Thank you for asking. 🙏🏻

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    1. “My Curves” is actually available in the “Look Inside” feature in Amazon. If you search my name, Michele Lee Sefton, and read the Being a Woman – Becoming (orange) collection, you will find it – the poem that sparked my womanly exploration and collections. Thank you for reading and listening, and for your loving compliments. 💖 I am glad you enjoyed the audio.

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  20. Oh my gosh, Michele! My heart is still overactive from the emotions triggered from the thought of that social event: dreadful feelings, lol! In my journey of self-discovery in the past few years, I have surprised myself with what an introvert I have found myself truly to be, after being the funny and “fearless” one in public my whole (previous) life. What a phony I turned out to be, especially to myself. Oh how my soul was soothed when you switched to that beautiful solitude nature experience… ahhh, much better. Thank you for canceling the party! Love you! ❤ And congratulations! (I NEED to do the boring part of self-publishing. I've done it before – my emo poetry book only I have a copy of – but my muses always say, "Let's go play instead! We'll do this later!" This summer for sure! I already have my sea-themed content done and my artist daughter to do my cover.) Wow. What an emotional roller-coaster ride you put me through! I better go sit out on the patio the rest of the day! 🙂

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    1. Apologies for triggering unpleasant emotions. Hopefully, you moved through those emotions quickly. 🙂 I doubt you were a phony – we change and I believe as we get older, we learn more about who we are and become more comfortable and willing to embrace our authentic selves. Depending on the situation, I can be up for a social gathering and enjoy the energy of people, but… I never want to be the last one to leave and I have a low tolerance for intoxicated people. That will cut the night short for me. My time on the porch, after publishing my piece, was soothing and perfect. I am glad you enjoyed that “party.” Work on your eBook when it is right for you. How wonderful that you have an artist daughter! They are a blessing, whatever their gifts are. 💓 “Emo poetry book” ~ made me laugh. Not your book, I would love to read that, but the term. 😆 I hope you were able to relax on the patio after the party rollercoaster I put you on. 😅
      Enjoy your Sunday and thank you for the thoughtful share. 🤗💐

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  22. Your post being in the present as your reminisce about your newly published book would have fit right in with our d’Verse prompt on being present. I enjoyed your train of thought. No time for a big group gathering with all that is going on… Nothing beats the feeling of a small group poetry reading where everyone is there to support everyone else.
    Great post Michele.

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    1. Thank you and thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t ventured to d’Verse yet. Yes, the poetry readings are fun and a wonderful way to connect. 💖 I appreciate your reading and commenting. Enjoy your day, digging in the dirt! 🌞

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    1. Thoughtful comments from amazing people and writers. 🥰 Which, of course, includes you. Thank you and yes, let’s write together forever, or until we run out of ink, which will be never, so forever it is!

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  24. The unexpected welcomeness of ‘unplanned natural bliss’ sings to me. Plans laid pave the way for the celebration, in any form, to come. Congratulations on reaching such a lovely milestone and for finding joy in a simple, fitting, just right honoring of what you have accomplished and connected with through words! ❤

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    1. “Sings” to you. I love that, Jaya. Those blissful unplanned moments do not happen too often, but when they do, it is magical. As I attempted to describe, it was a perfect peaceful inspired moment delivered in a way that only nature can. 🥰 Thank you so much. You have described my “celebration” experience perfectly. The post-publishing moment left me wanting for nothing. 💖 Hope you too have a magical inspired unplanned moment. ✨ Many!

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