Defined by the X (Audio Poem) There are those, many in fact Who want to put us in a box And have us check that So that we become the sum of All those X’s Simply checked We begin as expansive beings No limits to who we can be No limits to what we can …
Blood Builds a Bond (audio poem)
I am sharing a poem that I wrote while teaching British Literature, specifically, Beowulf. When teaching the Old English epic poem, (like most teachers teaching this poem) I required my students to write and read aloud an original “Boast.” Their poem needed to be written in similar format to the translated version, it needed to …
Saturday Shorts
Although my Saturday posts can take a few minutes to read, as my “About” page describes, I also frequently scribble “shorts” during my days. On a post-it note, in my journal, or on scrap paper – I jot down random thoughts. A few lines here and there, that have a moment to shine, then I …
A Divinely Orchestrated Moment
June 20, 2020 is a day of triplet 20s, and it is also the first day of a weekend of three occasions: the first day of summer (for those in the northern hemisphere), Father’s Day, and what would have been my maternal grandmother’s 100th birthday. Too many topics to write about, so I will acknowledge …
Beauty and Unity Revealed (audio poem)
"Beauty and Unity Revealed" Audio Version What has the potential to unite humanity? What brings people together in a world where some benefit from keeping the masses unsettled and separate? Art, and its many splendid forms Was the answer revealed And one that has and will continue to be A unifier, even if, on the …
Uncomfortable Words, Breathtaking Steps (audio poem)
The week began with sadness, anger, and confusion swirling around. A whirlwind of emotions that I had to write my way through. Writing helps me to process and (try to) understand all that surrounds. The events of the week kept me on a difficult writing path, but as I prepare to publish this post I …
Continue reading Uncomfortable Words, Breathtaking Steps (audio poem)
Being a Woman – Chapbook Release
Being a Woman - Overcoming Poetry Collection by Michele Lee SeftonIllustrations by Sammi LeeLink to Collection The Story Behind Poetry Collection One - "Overcoming" Last fall I wrote a poem about a moment in middle school when I was humiliated by a teacher who told me, just before taking a group photo, “move to the …
Tumbleweed Fortress (poem w/audio)
"Tumbleweed Fortress" Audio Poem by Michele Lee Sefton This poem was written in response to a prompt presented by The Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University during National Poetry Month (April). The prompt asked the poet to consider when or where do you feel free/not free and write a poem that describes …
Let Your Voice be Heard (audio poems)
Reading aloud and recording my poems over the last two weeks has reminded me how much I miss reading stories and poems to high school students. So, with that joy in mind, I will continue speaking into my phone and sharing my recorded lines. I have selected two previously published poems to share with you …
Motherly Strength (poem w/audio)
"Motherly Strength" Audio Motherly Strength Turn and see an ancestral parade of women standing strong Delivering the next hand to hold, the next tale to be told Surviving unbelievable stories of hardship and endurance Beginning with the most miraculous of all – the journey of birth An expanding line of women, too many to name, …
