
before I stepped inside.
The rush of the city
miles behind me.
A lone hawk slowly descends
in a swooping circle,
riding the wind.
The scent of desert rain
and creosote, I breathe in.
The only sound is the crunch
of gravel underfoot.
I step across the threshold.
The rush of history envelops me.
Over two centuries of prayers
hanging heavy in the air.
Hopes, blessings, and pleas.
Tiny flames outlast what has
passed or what never came to be.

Thank you for visiting and viewing! I will return next week with Tucson Road Trip – Part II (highlights from a downtown Tucson location). Be well. π Michele
To learn more about the history of San Xavier Del Bac Mission click here: https://www.sanxaviermission.org/
A special thank you to Juan with Masticadores Spain for publishing my piece, “Now and Then.”
Photo 1: me at San Xavier Mission Photo 2: Catalina Mountain Range (all photos taken by me)
Β© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton
Beautiful poetry and imagery Michele β€ Thank you for sharing β€
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Thank you, Zeenat. ποΈ I am glad you enjoyed my post. π
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Such beautiful writing and photos, Michele. Thank you for sharing! π
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It is an inspiring place. π The beautiful blue cloudy skies were a bonus! Thank you, Art, for enjoying. ππ»
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I’m glad that it’s such an inspiriing place! ππ§‘
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Love the sentiment you’ve created around votive candles. π―οΈ Rings very true with me.
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I love that you recognized the candles. The architecture, paintings, and sculptures are beautiful but the flickering memories, the lit prayers, are what stand out the most to me. πThank you, Pat.
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Wowsa, that is gorgeous! Both the writing and the church!
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haha Thank you very much, Jessica. Thanks for taking the tour with me. π
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Thank you! Love churches!
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Brilliant lines, Michele! β€
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Much love,
David
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A palpable energy, protected by clay, stone, and mortar. Thank you, David! Very kind of you. ππ»π
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β€
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Lovely Michele…your poetry, photography and – just saying – Levis. It isn’t often that one has the privilege of entering such an historic structure, let alone experiencing an associated aura, therein, heightening ones sense of awareness. Thank you for sharing your road trip in words, and I wish you a happy weekend, my friend. π΅π
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Thank you, photographer Phil. Thanks too for reminding me to add my Levi endorsement. π It is a special place with interesting history and a privilege to be there, yes. I was last there over twelve years ago. I enjoyed returning with a rediscovered interest in photography. A wonderful way to see (and remember) the world. π Happy weekending! ππ»π
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hahaha Yes, the endorsement…I would love to see that commercial air. Very cool site and I’m glad you’ve shared your photography. π·π Thank you, lovely poetess Michele. ππ»π
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I would love to see that too! π€£ That would be something to post about. I will keep ya’ll posted. π Thank you!
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Good morning, Michele. Well, I couldn’t stop thinking about the idea of your blue jeans on the TV screen, recalling our earlier discussion regarding Levi’s, and so I included that hypothetical commercial in a post, today. Have a great day! π
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Oh goodness, that is TMI! π Oh no, should I be afraid to look? Were you gushing? Did the dam break?
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πππ
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Thank you for sharing these pictures of your road trip. So much beauty, texture, depth and inspiration, just like your wonderful poetry.
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My privilege and pleasure to share. ποΈ Thank you, Ronald, for being here and for sharing your lovely words. β¨ππ»
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Great poem about entering a church. It can be a refuge from the noise and heat.
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Refuge is a wonderful word choice that describes the sanctuary quite nicely. Thank you, Rebecca. I value your visits. π
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Refuge and sanctuary seem closely related.
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Yes! π
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That was a lovely poem with gorgeous imagery!π
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Considering the imagery you weave into your poems and stories, I take that in high regard. Thank you, Deepthy. π
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π₯°π
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I so love this amazing poem that contrasts the quietude to the feeling of the city! Canβt believe you were just in downtown Tucson either; Iβve just moved out to Tucson for university! π
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City noise becomes too familiar. I believe it important for all of us to experience quiet whenever possible. Solitude has its gifts too. π Are you serious? You’re a Wildcat now? I think that is a fine fit for you! What is your major? It would be a treat to meet up at some point. π
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Oh yes, meeting up would be absolutely fabulous! Iβm a wildcat now and all my friends say it suits me perfectly.
Iβm majoring in Creative Writing! βοΈ π€ͺ
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Yes! We will make it happen. I hope you are doing ok with the heat. The monsoons have been nice! Another fine fit for you! A solid program too. There is an active poetry community down there – you won’t lack for work and connections. Best wishes!
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Thanks a million, Michele!
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Of course!
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Delicious!
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ππ»ππ»
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Hey Michelle, I like the contrast between the rush of the city and of history and the stillness that still enveloped you! πππ “Over 2 centuries of prayers hanging over me” is a brilliant line! π
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Contrasts can be interesting. Life is full of them. I appreciate you noticing. π Thank you kindly, Ken. ππ»
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Life is full of them Michelle! No problem, they were well written so not hard to notice. ππ
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A poem that reminds me of visiting Tombstone AZ many years ago. It was a family trip when the boys were little, and was my first time in AZ. I remember vividly my love of the architecture,
and of my resonance with the desert landscape, which, as you know, Michele, continues to this day. A lovely poem, evoking a myriad of feelings within me, all very pleasant. Happy Saturday! πππ³
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Visiting Tombstone is like visiting the past. A great movie, too! π₯ Yes, I recall you writing your connection to the desert landscape. There is something alluring about the look, the energy, the history, and the wild nature of the desert landscape. I hope that wildness never leaves – it certainly has been paved over with the extreme growth. Have a wonderful week and best wishes on your upcoming publication! π Enjoy your poem orchard! ππ³
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I completely agree with everything youβve written, which is why I miss it sometimes. ππ΅Thank you, Michele, and a wonderful week to you too! π³ππ
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I love that church. The last time I was there , my husband drove my mom and sister out there.
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It is a special place. Thank you for sharing. π
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Impressive poem and video π
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I am glad you enjoyed my post. π Thank you, VG.
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So awesome video with beautiful you standing outside the legend grace Church , so lovely π ππ»π·
The gorgeous video watching time feeling so much peace my mind ,your road trip so amazing one ππ»π
Grace wishes and happy weekend π·πβ₯οΈπ·
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Your words bring me smiles and joy. I am happy to read that my video brought you peace of mind. π Thank you, Thattamma. Enjoy your week sweet lady! ππ»
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π·πβ₯οΈππ
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Beautiful photos Michele: really haunting!
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Thank you for taking the tour with me, Ingrid. π The church and the land have a distinct energy. ποΈ
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I love the line βover 2 centuries of prayers hanging in the airβ wonderful poem. My husband and I were lucky to visit this spot a few years ago, thank you for the memories while watching your video π
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I love learning that you have been there. Thank you for sharing! I was happy for mostly clear skies – the night before brought a massive monsoon storm that made driving quite challenging! Tough driving but needed rain! I am glad you enjoyed my poem and video. ππ»
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How lovely.
Loved the video too. Thanks. Happy travels. Stay cool.
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Thank you, Selma! Have a wonderful week. π
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OMG! So beautiful and love your poem!
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Your enthusiasm is always appreciated, Belladonna. Thank you!
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beautiful poetry Michele. love the respite in your words! π
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Thank you, sweet Cindy, for your kind words. π
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Wonderful poem and video! I’ve been to the mission, and it truly is a special place. You captured its essence beautifully, Michele!
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I value your first-hand feedback. Thank you very much, Dawn. π
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I love this poem. The last line especially moves me, “the flames outlast what is past of never came to be.” Gives pause to all that has been and all that never can be. Powerful, my friend.
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Much gratitude author Sandra. I am glad you enjoyed my poem. ποΈ
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This is so lovely, Michelle!!! Thank You! I was gifted with living in Tucson for a few weeks many years ago. I had a profound experience at this mission. It’s a very powerful place. I’ve chalked it up to a past life experience that had to have been insanely painful for me while I lived it. On the day I’m speaking of I’d driven some friends who were all from out of state to see “The White Dove of the Desert” as it was called back then. We were all fine. It had been a fun morning. I was relaxed and having a wonderful time walking around the grounds of the Mission. The very second I stepped inside the church I felt a rush in my body and started sobbing. It was not that kind of reverential overtaking that can happen in places that deeply touch Your heart with Love….it was unbearable pain. I excused myself immediately and walked around the parking lot and beyond while my friends took their time. I’ve visited a few missions in my day and have never had anything like that happen before or since at one. Anyway, I calmed down and was fine as soon as I got some distance away from it. They loved the mission and in our own way we all had a beautiful day. But wow. Never went back there! If I ever do it will be to do a clearing! π I enjoyed these pictures and Your poetry. Walking away smiling. Rock on!!!
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Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. What a story! Whatever the backstory, you clearly have a strong connection to that place, albeit an adverse one from your details. Isn’t life (all of them) interesting? β¨A “clearing” might be in order. I trust my post and photos did not trigger any unpleasant feelings. It seems fitting that you read this post – I hope you agree. π Thanks again for sharing. ππ»π΅π
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Oh gosh! My pleasure! I’m happy it wasn’t an overshare! π Haven’t thought about that in years. π€£ And no…this didn’t trigger anything bad at all. It’s such a beautiful place and little church!!! It was odd….when we visited the grounds of the Mission did nothing to me but one step inside that church and WHAM!!! My son and I studied and visited a few Missions in CA when he was growing up and there are actually some pretty heartbreaking stories of how Native People were treated/abused by some of the Missionaries…for whatever reasons….so perhaps I had the misfortune of being involved in something like that in that building. But what a WONDERFUL trip You’re having!!!! I love the desert. Thanks again for sharing!!! Bon Voyage!!! πππΌπ
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Not an overshare, at all. You told an interesting story. Yes, heartbreaking stories of abuse. Probably much more that is unknown. Perhaps that is part of your soul history, or you are a highly sensitive person, or both! Thank you very much! ππ΅πππ»
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Thank YOU!!! π€ππΌππ΅π
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π€π
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I’ve never visited Tucson but would love to. Gorgeous photos, and I love the natural, sensual imagery in your poem.
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I hope that you are able to someday. You would love the variety of birds and other wildlife and the many mountain and desert trails. Not in the summer, of course! Although the monsoon storms can be spectacular there. Thank you very much for your beautiful comment. ποΈ
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Oh my goodness Michele my Belle, what a sacred and humbling poem and video you shared. π½ Your journeys are always so therapeutic and serene. ππΌ And congratulations once again my dear friend on the publication of your poem “now and then.” You rock my dancing queen!!! π₯³ππΌπΆππ½π I am so proud of you girlfriend! π€ππ
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Kymbelina! Happy to read you! Hope all is well in your world. π ‘”therapeutic and serene” – love that! Thank you for the fine feedback and for being so sweet and supportive. πππ» And energetic! ππ½πππ»
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Oh Michele my Belle you know it is always my pleasure. π€πΊπ I can be so hyper sometimes but you somehow make things so very easy to digest and I love it! I appreciate your support as well girlfriend and let’s continue to dance our tushes off!!! ππΌπΆπΊπΌπ₯π΅ππ½ Hugs and smooches! πβ¨π
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Pingback: Tucson Road Trip – Part II (video) – My Inspired Life
A beautiful video of your tirp. Such great images and I could feel the intensity in your poem! The music was perfect to go with your images.
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Thank you, Dwight, for recognizing the intensity flowing thru my pen. β¨ I enjoy selecting music with a matching vibe and tone. Thank you. πΆ
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You are welcome! You live in a very beautiful part of the country!
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It is a scorcher during the summer, but yes, the Sonoran Desert has a distinct beauty.
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Very unique!
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Such an uplifting read, Michele! Beautifully vivid descriptions woven together β€
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I had such a wonderful time! I am so glad you enjoyed my video. π Thank you, Tom.
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Thanks for being so encouraging through my stories, too! Means the world β€
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You are welcome, Tom. I sense your genuine gratitude. ππ»
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I am especially taken aback by the beautiful lady
standing and staring at San Xavier mission.
Yes, I can only see her back but just looking at her curves,
I know she’s a beauty inside and out.
Love the poem, Michele! π₯°
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ahhh You truly are a sweetheart! Thank you for making me smile and for appreciating my work. ππΌπ
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