Rise Lady, Rise (audio)

On By Michele LeeIn Audio, nature, new beginnings, Verse
Rise Lady, Rise!

It is your time to color the land,
littered with scars and stains
created by careless hands;
some too harsh and cruel,
to hold the beauty
that bursts from you.

Crush you, some might try,
with a palm, a bulldozer, or a bomb,
but you will rise again,
for you are strength,
delivered in delicate perfection:
a powerful combination
that many fail
to comprehend.

Don’t waste your brilliance
trying to explain.

Whispers, lost on fools,
scattered in the wind.

Draw in
to your roots, all that is golden,
fortifying your foundation,
upon which
you and the next generation
will stand.

Rise Lady, Rise!

Miss Lady Banks has returned! If only the peace and beauty she brings, during a golden morning first seen, could blanket our planet, so desperate for healing. Her first flower burst forth at some point before sunrise five days ago. The sudden sight of her golden bulbs took my breath away and left me in tears, like she has done for several years.

If you have been reading me for less than one year, you might appreciate reading last year’s poem about my Lady Banks rose bush, titled, “Connected Roots” ~ a moving poem about my connection to the golden rose bush and my inner conflict with the place I am from. I have since found peace with that feeling and appreciate the lessons this land has taught me, revealed during a desert visit that I wrote about in an audio poem, titled, “Prickly Conversations” We now have an understanding, me and the Sonoran Desert: I am grateful for her, and she knows I must leave her during the hot summer months. I will get a move on with my tumbleweed spirit when the scorching heat reigns on. 🌵

I hope you enjoy my song selection, “Resilient” by Rising Appalachia. If you are not familiar, please watch and listen; it is a beautiful song and video that showed up in my stream after I penned my poem. Perfect timing. ✨ Thank you for visiting and listening. Be well. 💗 Michele

A special thank you to Editor, Juan Re Crivello with Masticadores Spain, for publishing my video poem, “Becoming You“

prayers for peace

Find more of my photos, micropoetry, and reels on Instagram ~ @mlsefton

Rose Photos: my images, I took the first two rose photos at sunrise and the one with me just before sunset (sidenote: if you would like to raise the difficulty of your yoga pose, put your camera on a timer, then sprint to get into the pose before the camera starts clicking 😂)

© 2022 MyInspiredLife

99 thoughts on “Rise Lady, Rise (audio)”

  2. As nature has shared her golden glow, so too, though pen, your spirit does flow. Wonderful words you’ve shared, lovely poetess Michele, and a great read to start the weekend ~ thank you! 🌞🌹

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  4. Timothy Price

    Lady Banks already? Ours won’t bloom until the end of the month or early April. Lovely poem. Great dancing in “Resilient.” Are you inspired by any of it?

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    1. Yes, already. She surprised me! As she does. It has been very warm, almost 89 degrees a few days ago. We did have a nice rain yesterday, with hail! Crazy weather. The dancing is gorgeous and yes, I am inspired by the dancers and their movements and the singers, of course. Would love to join them!

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    1. Thank you very much, Brad. I knew I was going to write about Miss Lady Banks early this week, after seeing her first blooms. I had many ideas tumble through my brain during the week… from the highly personal to the global and universal. These lines showed up early Thursday morning, surprising me, just like the first blooms. 💛 I appreciate your comment. Enjoy your day!

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    1. I am pleased that you enjoyed my words. After a few days of considering my Lady’s recent appearance and world events, these words tumbled out of me during the early morning hours. I am also glad you enjoyed my song selection. Actually, it feels more like it selected me. 😁 I have heard them before, but not this song until after writing my poem. A wonderful coincidence. 💖 Thank you. Wishing you the same! 🌞

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    1. That makes me very happy. Thank you, David. I do feel as though this song chose me. What a delight for it to show up this week! I believe this song is seven years old – seems very relevant. I love their sound, the lyrics, and the dancing, of course! Thank you for appreciating. 🙏🏻💖

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  17. Your poem was so magical to read, it drew me in to be immersed in this call for blooming unapologetically, shining in the brilliance from being rooted in to the Earth – and then it was a joy to know the source of your poem.
    “If only the peace and beauty she brings, during a golden morning first seen, could blanket our planet, so desperate for healing.” – I loved your words here, may our planet be blanketed by this beauty and gentleness yes. I just want to rest here trusting these words.

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    1. I am truly delighted by your connection to my post. Two thoughts in particular stood out to me: “magical” and “blooming unapologetically.” Wonderful takeaways from my poem. ✨ Resting in the golden peace of the morning is also a lovely thought. Thank you very much, Pragalbha. You are most kind. 🌻

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  18. Michele, your poem is perfect, and is even more so perfect for today. It reminds me that no matter what is happening in the world, we can seek solace internally and rise again, especially when we rely upon those that will stand with us. “Draw in
    to your roots, all that is golden,
    fortifying your foundation,
    upon which
    you and the next generation
    will stand.” Stunning poetry. 💕

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    1. Although I never feel I reach perfection with writing, or anything else for that matter, your comment resonates with me for this reason: except for a few minor changes, my final poem is very close to the original lines, penned during the early morning hours. I wrote it quickly, then thought… I think that is it (almost). haha Poems don’t always show up that way, but when they do, I find the experience fascinating. I am sure you can relate. Your interpretation of the poem energizes me – an empowering theme! 💖 Thank you very much, Jeff, for your thoughtful comment and for taking the time to write your favorite lines. Greatly appreciated! 🙏🏻🌞

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      1. Ah, I totally understand that, and can relate. Most of my poems don’t show up that way either, yet when they do it’s sorta magical. ✨✨ I’m glad my interpretation resonated 💖 You’re most welcome, Michele. Is always my pleasure. 🙏✨🌸

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      2. Magical, yes, leaving you wondering… where did that come from? However the words show up I love that the process is never exactly the same and each poem has its own unique personality. ✍🏻💝

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    1. You are a doll. Thank you very much, Adelheid. 🌼My love for reading aloud began in first grade, when my teacher called on me frequently to read to my fellow students during story time. That joy continued when I became a high school teacher and read to my students. Sometimes making them fall asleep, especially after lunch. haha Sweet memories. 💖

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  22. Oh Michele, what a beautiful poem and these lines resonate with the resiliency of your Lady Banks 🏵💐🏵 while speaking of the hostile environments so many people are dealing with these days:

    Crush you, some might try,
    with a palm, a bulldozer, or a bomb,
    but you will rise again,
    for you are strength,
    delivered in delicate perfection…

    Thanks for giving us a taste of beauty with a beauty!!! 🤗💖💃🏼

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    1. You know just what to say to me, don’t you? 😁 As I stood there admiring Miss Lady B, I thought… how can there be so much violence and ugly in the world when we are surrounded by so much beauty? No answers, only more questions. Made me think of a passage in a book set in the Vietnam War about the beauty of the landscape juxtaposed against the violent war. Power hungry people should put down the guns and plant flowers! Seems so simple, right? If only. 😞 Thank you, writer Kym, for your genuine and loving support. 💗🙏🏻💐

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      1. Well Michele, not to sound too sexist, but I believe if there were more women running things, we would indeed be planting more flowers. Not saying that there would not be war, but I tend to think our lines of communication would be more civil and it would be less violent. Just my opinion of course. 😜

        I love what you mentioned about the Vietnam War. My husband told me about how they missed the beauty of the place while trying to fight a horrific war. The tragedy is what is planted in their memory more than anything else. If you think about it, there is so much conflict going on all around the world that depending on the place and time, they get more news coverage and we see the deadly consequences that result from war. For now, we try to do what we can to plant love and spread peace wherever we are planted, even if it is from your own backyard. Thanks so much for sharing your love with us today girlfriend! It’s a good shot in the arm! 💉🥰💐😘💙💫💛

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      2. I do agree with you, even if it is considered sexist. More feminine strength has the potential to positively shift the direction of our future and the future of those who follow us. Just my opinion, of course. 😉

        Thank you for your husband’s service. 🙏🏻 Thank you for supporting me and sharing your voice, both through your comments, across many blogs, and for your uplifting posts. 😘

        Liked by 2 people

      3. 😭😭😭 Michele, you somehow manage to squeeze my heart where nothing but love spurts out of it. I am so humbled by your endearing words that are more encouraging to me than you know my dancing partna’. 💃🏼🎶💃🏽

        In the midst of the chaos and confusion swarming around it, it can be easy to overlook the little blessings surrounding us, that make a major impact in our mind, body, and spirit. I truly appreciate you and for the positivity that you emit! What a breath of fresh air you are!!! 🤗🗣🌬

        Liked by 1 person

  23. What a lovely addition to the ongoing story of your connection to the land through this plant alive with signs of spring! In the photo I see a beautiful parallel between the human body and limber branches of the rose bush while your words capture the emotion of simply belonging.

    As for Rising Appalachia, my family loves their music! It too has a very connective feel. 🙂

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    1. My relationship to the natural environment is symbiotic and it does reveal itself in my words. I feel a caregiver to nature, whether it is in my backyard or out in the wild and in turn I learn so much. It is a beautiful connection that energizes and comforts me. 💗 I had not considered the parallel between the human body, in this case mine, and the branches until you pointed it out and now it is obvious and another example of the relationship I mentioned. 🙏🏻

      I am both pleased and not surprised by your response to the music. I thought of you when I first listened to this song. 😊 Enjoy your week.

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    1. So very sweet of you. Thank you, Thattamma. It occurred to me that I had not seen your posts in a while and realized I was no longer following you. Not sure why that happens from time to time. ?? Nice to see you again. 🌞 Happy International Women’s Day to you too! I hope you are enjoying your day. 💗

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      1. Thank you so much for this beautiful reply message 🌷🙏♥️
        Today just I saw your beautiful post and so happily commented 👏
        Sometimes I want to come your side and see , i will wait and see
        Your next post 👍🏻🌸have a nice Day 😊🙏

        Liked by 1 person

      2. It is my pleasure, Thattamma. 💐 My apologies for missing your posts for a while now. I am not sure why it unfollowed you. Quirky glitch. Nice to see you again. Hope all is well. Have a lovely rest of the week. 🌞

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I am honored, both times. 😊 I am delighted that resilience and hope stood out to you. Two important words and ideas to keep front and center. 💖 Cheers to spring! It is certainly feeling like it is, in the valley of the sun. 🌞 I love Northern Arizona. My graduate degree is from NAU. Go Lumberjacks!

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    1. It looks like my reply disappeared. 🤔 I will try this again…
      Miss Lady’s beauty lights up my garden and my heart. Thank you for appreciating my tribute to her and for sharing hope, in the many ways that you do. 🌞🌹

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