
pebble tossed on a hopscotch square
one step, two steps, skipping in rhyme
get to the end, turn, then do it again
reading poetry
thank you, Dr. Seuss for writing
lines that still delight
and to you, Shel Silverstein
for your tree that keeps giving
loving poetry
along the shore in Mexico, a first love poem written
an awkward girl wearing the body of a woman
with him, two years my senior, I was smitten
teaching poetry
poems I did select, teach, and analyze
grading endless piles left me uninspired
appreciation yes, but in me, poetry was not alive
writing poetry
two years ago, the awakening of a writer, long denied
the skipping girl caught up with me once again
she kept her pebble and handed me a poetic pen
dancing poetry
“I love to watch you,” she said last night. “You have extra pep.”
“Thank you, I love to dance,” I said, to the lady who joined our class.
Tis true, what I said, but I know it’s poetry that energizes my step


In honor of National Poetry Month, I spent some time reflecting on my relationship with poetry, beginning with chanting verse, as a child, while hopping into boxes, up through Thursday night, with a conversation that took place after dance class. Poetry, like dancing, has weaved its way through my life, and at this point in my life, they seem to have merged. Tis a beautiful partnership! 💞 Thank you for visiting. Be well. 💗 Michele
A most sincere thank you to J Re Crivello, at Masticadores, Spain, for publishing my poem, “Property Dispute“ If you would be so kind to visit, he and I appreciate your time. 🙏🏻
Find my photos, reels, and micropoetry on IG ~ @mlsefton
Photo 1: hopscotch girl (Shutterstock) Photo 2: my image, beach photo, San Diego (I don’t have one from Mexico – just as well 😉) Photo 3: captured from my last dance video share, “We deserve to Dream”
© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton
A succinct life story of a girl/woman’s love of poetry. Beautiful Michele 🙏🌻🌹🌷💃🏼💖
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Thank you, Lia. 🌻 A long-term relationship, most definitely, but I don’t think I fell “in love” with poetry until more recently – after becoming an active participant, immersing myself in the writing, not just the reading, of poetry. ✍🏻💖
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I took your early “delight” in the Dr. Seuss poetry as love, but yes, there’s love and then there’s “in love,” innit. :)) Write on. xoxo :)) <33
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You are right, Lia, like so many, I loved those early books and still do, but creating our own poetry elevates the experience and immerses us in a wholeness, an encompassing love. 💗 Thank you so much! 🤗
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You’re welcome. :)) I became quite addicted. But I too still love it. :)) Lots of love, xoxo
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Given all the options, seems a healthy addiction. 😀 I feel the love. 💗 🙏 It has been a lovely chat. May your day and life be filled with all the love you share. 🦋
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Amazing isn’t it, all these processes that come to life at different stages and interweave at some point. Good one ☝️
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Yes, it truly is amazing. Especially when we can reflect and identify the important threads that have weaved their way through our life. Processes and poetry coming to life. ✨ Enriching life too. Thank you. 😊
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I enjoy your passion for writing, dancing, and sharing yourself Michele.
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Passion is a most fitting word for how I feel about writing and dancing. Creative expression, however it shows up, is a wonderful gift, available to everyone. 💝 Thank you, Brad. Enjoy your time in nature with the ducks! 🦆 Looks peaceful and lovely.
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Thanks!
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I celebrate you. You are one of my favorite poets. Well done!!
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I do love celebrating with you, author Sandra. Thank you! 😘
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Such a fine selection of poems, Michele! 🥰
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Thank you, poetess Ingrid. 💖
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You’re most welcome 💕
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What a beautiful selection of poems that reflect your personality, your skill and your passion 💗
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Thank you so much, kind Luisa, for your comment contribution, so beautifully expressed. 💖
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You’re most welcome Michele. It is my pleasure. ❤️
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Lovely life of poetry. Living the poetic dream.
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Thank you so much, Timothy. The poetic dream. Love that!
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very nice x
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Thank you, William. 🌻
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What a beautifully crafted ode to poetry, Michele. Empowering and inspirational. 💞 Happy Saturday! 🌞
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Thanks so much, Jeff. A fitting subject at the start of poetry month. ✍🏻 💗 You really should step up your poetry game this month, and write more poems. 😂 Happy weekending to you! 🌳
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You’re welcome, Michele. Always. 💖 Indeed, and agreed. Hahaha! I’ve been laughing about this line for a while now. 🌳🌳🌳 You always make me smile and laugh. 😁😂 So much fun. Thank you for that. Happy weekending to you too! 🌞
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So very beautiful. Thank you for sharing part of your journey!
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Thank you, Nico. I am grateful for your positive energy and for holding part of my journey in a beautiful light. 🌞
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Great post Michelle! 👍👌 Love how you weaved poetry into the various stages of your life! ❤️👏
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Thank you so much, Ken. 🙏🏻 I appreciate your visit. Poetry, in its many forms, including poetic song lyrics, enriches our lives. Cheers to poets and the words they leave behind! 🥂
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Absolutely Michelle, couldn’t agree more! 😁👍 I know for a fact it’s enriched mine
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“Tis a beautiful partnership”, indeed! ✍🏼💐✨ And blessed are those – eyes, hearts and minds – who have found your beauty, energy and creativity an enriching, if not irresistible, experience. Thank you for sharing, dear Michele. Godspeed. 🌞🌹
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Well, this is quite a complimentary comment, Phil. I am not worthy of such accolades, but I do sincerely thank you. 🙏🏻Thank you for reading! Godspeed to you too, adventurous photographer Phil. 🌄
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TY lovely poetess Michele 🙏🏻🌞🌹
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you for sharing this one! Poetry lives!! 💖
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Always a joy and pleasure to read and share great posts with followers, My Dear! Hope you had a great day!! 😘💕🎁🌹
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Thanks again for your time and generosity and for your support of the blogger community! 🙏🏻Wishing you the same!
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Dare to dream my energetic friend and I love the way you composed such indelible thoughts through your impeccable way of “living poetry.” What a gratifying way to celebrate the life of poetry, my dear. I am pumped up with your elixir for today’s poetry moment of reflection.
Have the most delightful day my dancing queen!!! 💃🏼✍🏽✍🏻💃🏽
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Dare to dream. Yes! A mantra. ✨ It was a meaningful activity – reflecting on poetic life moments. Thank you so much, Kym. I am excited about the added emphasis on poetry this month, and to read poems from fellow writers. ✍🏻✍🏼✍🏽✍🏽✍🏿❤️ My day is off to a delightful start. Thank you – wishing you the same. 🤗
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I receive that Michele my Belle! You are such an inspiration and that is a special gift to have my friend. So glad to hear how your day is going. I know you are relaxingly productive!!! 🦋🌞💐
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I love it, well done, Michele!
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Thank you, Artist Tiffany! ✨
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It’s never too late to fulfill your passions! 🙂
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I love that and wholeheartedly agree! 🌠 Thank you!
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A beautiful partnership indeed, Michele 💜 Thank you for sharing your love with us☀️
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Thank you very much, Natalie. They do complement each other and enrich my life. Food for the body and soul! Have a wonderful week! 🌞
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Such beautiful lines in poetry Michele sharing your wonderful essence and love of the craft so beautifully. Such a nice tribute to the craft! 💖💖💖
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Thank you, Cindy, for your visit and your generosity. It was time well spent, reflecting on how poetry has weaved its way through my life. I still remember the first love poem I wrote as a lovestruck teenager. I would never share that though! 😳😆 Sweet memories. 💖
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Now you have my attention with your last sentence.. ..you sure? 😂😂 teasing. You’re so welcome and your love of poetry is woven in our hearts/mine as well. 💖💖
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Yeah, I am sure. 😂 I love that! Thank you. 💖
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oh wonderful and have a great day dearest!💖
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Heart touching words. Keep it up!!!
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Thank you so much. I appreciate your visit and encouragement. 🌞
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I love all your little excerpts of life in your poem!
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Thank you, Dwight. I am glad you enjoyed my short poems about, what feels like, a long life. 😁
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We are the fortunate ones who have been able to have positive experiences in life without the threat of suppression or war!
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So true. I have my grandfather’s WWII letters, medals, memorabilia, and photos and that is as close as I have come to “experiencing” war.
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What a treasure!
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It truly is. I started typing out his letters years ago, but gave up on that momentous task. I have them, and for that I am grateful. Thank you, Dwight.
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I love these little pieces that reflect different stages in your life, Michele!
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Thank you, Dawn, for reading and appreciating!
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I love each of these little glimpses into how your relationship with word has changed and evolved; gone from stagnant to full bloom and influenced your movement where word connects with dance.
I found a touch of sadness in your experience teaching poetry. It is as if, in teaching, connection to poetry was lost and all that remained was the analytic nature of dissection without understanding . . .
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Most children are naturally expressive. For me, childhood offered the freedom to enjoy words wrapped in the joy of play, which included reading. A meandering journey that has led me back to that early joy. A wonderful place to be. ✨
You are absolutely right, Jaya. I still had a connection to the poems I taught, but I had two things working against me that robbed me of fully experiencing, with my students, the beauty of poetry. 1. the overemphasis on test preparation and data tracking, which became more of a burden through the years, leaving less time for creative and expressive writing and discussion 2. large classrooms that made grading and offering meaningful feedback an all-consuming job
Thank you, for reading and for noticing and commenting on an important aspect of poetry in the classroom. Art in schools needs to remain a priority and that includes written art. 💖
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I feel like systems in general rob us of the essence of a thing . . . written art = 🤩
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Truth! What an absolute delight it is to let a poem dance through me, for a few days, a few weeks, immersing in the creative process that can be quite magical. I know you know what I am writing about, walking the path of an independent artist. There are still deadlines and pressures, but hopefully joy and freedom are found. A feeling often stripped away from the core of systems – too focused on trackable end results and speedy delivery. 🤖
Stay true to artist you!
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The poetry and the song were amazing. I am listening to the song now dear Michele.
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Thank you so much! I am grateful for your feedback. I hope you enjoyed the song!
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I did dear Michele and you are welcome.
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I absolutely love love this composition in the honor of poetry itself! Beautiful!
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Thank you for reminding me of my writing over the last several weeks. 😁 That was a fun write! A learning experience too… observing how poetry has weaved its way through my life. A reflective and enlightening writing exercise. ✍🏻💗
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This blog of yours gave me immense joy!!
I love reading it
Keep sharing 🙂
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How delightful! Thank you, Devang.
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I wanted to ask if you are willing for a collaboration in future? 🙂
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