Serenity

Can we find within ourselves the ability to achieve serenity?

Serenity, I’m told, is the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. But how do we accept the things we cannot change, muster the courage to change the things we can, and gain the wisdom to know the difference?

Join Melanie on her tumultuous journey from chaos and destruction, navigating the highs and lows, hitting rock bottom, and striving to find that elusive state of serenity. Some will stay by her side, while others will leave, each playing a role in the boundaries set and the solutions, if any, discovered. Who will offer help, and who will bring pain and sadness as Melanie traverses these challenging times, places, and seasons?

Will she learn to accept and let go? Will she find the courage needed? Will she be wise enough to make the right choices? Ultimately, who really wins – the person holding on or the one letting go?

Searching Home

Something good isn’t always good. Something bad isn’t always bad.

Good thing then isn’t always good now. Bad thing now isn’t always bad later.

Something good for you isn’t always good for me.

Something bad for me isn’t always bad for someone else.

A good choice isn’t always the best,

A bad choice isn’t always that bad.

And sometimes it’s better to make bad choices than only good ones.

Some bad choices are detrimental, but even that isn’t the end. 

Some reach their destination sooner than others.

The destination is when you are no longer dreaming,

When you’ve achieved and accomplished,

And when you are good, you’re left with this question: ‘Was this the best?’

I stop trying to reach the destination.

I made some bad choices.

I made some good choices.

I lost some things.

I gained some things.

And then I pause, and think,

‘It wasn’t that bad after all.’

- Shiona Lee

Rushing to Red Lights

Never stop looking at the beauty in ordinary places! How often do you allow yourself to really look at the divine in the world around you? Take some time to connect with your soul, with your loved ones, with the trees and water.

Poetry helps us find our place in the world. It lives in our bodies and desires to be expressed. We are all poets once we learn the diverse ways in which we can express ourselves. Today more than ever I believe we need to find our creative outlets to deal with feelings of isolation, disconnection, and rising fears of unrest in our world.

This morning, I had to take a little time for self-reflection. This morning my heart was too heavy to hold back my tears. I knew my heart needed grace and balancing in a time that felt overly troublesome. There are times when the information coming in from every place outside my head feels unsafe as a response to social media, TV, the continual stream of angry sad hurting people pointing fingers with no grace in their hearts.

Rearview

Rearview unfurls a tapestry of America’s transformative canvas during the evocative epochs of the sixties and early seventies. Amidst the burgeoning tides of a new era, the nation navigates through the growing pains that intricately intertwine with the hopes, ideals, and lives of a generation predestined to redefine society’s blueprint.

As the pages turn, readers are transported through a time-lapse of evolving ideologies and lifestyles that not only mirror the nation’s metamorphosis but also herald the dawn of a reimagined social landscape. Through the rearview mirror, the essence of an era that reverberated through the corridors of history comes to life, painting a vivid imagery of a time that sculpted the contours of modern-day America.

Prose and Conflicts

Prose and Conflicts is a collection of poems dealing with everyday questions and observations on life and beyond, nature, entertainment and other poignant issues, such as religion, politics and more. A myriad of ideas, the poems span different styles to guide the reader on a journey of thought with reality, humour and angst, all written while taking time to smell the roses.

Poetsy II

If I knew how to draw a picture of how I feel, I would pick up a pencil and paper and begin sketching.

If I were capable of sculpting a solid figure of my thoughts, I would grab a hammer, some stone or granite, and start chiseling away.

If I could choreograph a dance or even a fight explaining what I want to say, I would rise, do some warmup exercises, and start moving.

Since I am able do none of these things, but I can write in a way that happens to have a rhyme and rhythm to it, that’s exactly what I do.This is to place into the world the love, despair, and everything in between that would otherwise stay hidden inside, where it would do very little good. I believe everyone can find such an outlet, a medium or forum that allows us to feel freedom.

Poetry Collection

Delve into a poetic tapestry that weaves the myriad facets of life’s journey. This collection resonates with human emotions, offering solace to souls seeking comfort and connection. Inspired by everyday moments and the indelible impact of loved ones – both present and departed – these verses are a testament to the beauty and complexity of existence. Embark on a literary voyage, and may you find as much joy in these pages as I found in penning them.

Poems on Eternity, the Endless Universe, and Me

Watterson’s musings press the limits of expression. Planck’s ultimately small 10^-35 meters expands to the Sufi mystic’s Nothingness. Feelings expand from Issa’s compassion for the fleas on his deathbed to a glimpse of God’s anguish at [having to permit] the Holocaust, the price of Israel.

In one vignette, Watterson pictures the cosmos, endless universes, as dust particles at 30,000 feet disappear in the troposphere.

What is the effect? The effect, he says, is something like finding a long-lost reference. Or of having stumbled on the right person just now to tell about a rare instance of moral bravery in his youth.

The effect might be that just now innumerable originals of Beethoven are dipping their quills in ink and starting the seventh symphony. One need only imagine and listen.

Poems of the Fire

The campfire that started on November 8, 2018, burned the town of Paradise, California. It was California’s deadliest forest fire, leaving thousands of people homeless with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Not only did it destroy my home, but most of my town. I escaped with my life, and that is what inspired my poems. These poems helped me to express my feelings deeply on paper.

There were so many people trying to leave town at the same time, and it was bumper to bumper. The fire was moving so fast that several people were burned in their cars. People were abandoning their cars and running down the street on foot. This fire brought many people closer together than ever before. We all had to start over again with nothing.

The reason you are reading these poems is that I woke up much earlier than usual on the morning of the fire and wandered down the hall to the kitchen. The clock said 7:00 am, and I never get up that early. I felt so good I decided to stay up, make some coffee, and enjoy the early morning, which I never do. When the phone rang, the voice on the other end said to ‘Evacuate now!’ These poems will take you on a journey as I found new hope and a new beginning. I hope you enjoy what I have composed.

Poem

Meet Fantasia, a small-town girl born in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 15th, 1986. She has found solace in writing, which has helped her cope with a lifetime of trauma. In this collection of poems, she shares her innermost thoughts and feelings, touching on topics that will leave you wondering and inspired.

With her powerful words, Fantasia speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves, conveying the importance of speaking the truth and finding the courage to express oneself. She reminds us that it’s okay not to be okay and encourages us to take a moment to reflect on our day, step back, and take a deep breath. Ultimately, she encourages us to trust in God, who knows when to shine a light on our darkest days.

Whether you’re looking for comfort or inspiration, Fantasia’s poetry will help you find the words you need to express yourself and face life’s challenges with renewed strength and courage.

Please, Adopt Me, America

Please, Adopt Me, America is an enlightening conversation about oppression, disruption, and dispossession. Starting with the personal and corporate struggle for the space of freedom and survival, the author/poet weaves her akuko iho, or enlightening conversations through the fast-changing terrains entwined with the harrowing landscapes.

From personal life to corporate experiences, to the scalding landmarks of history, the author and poet breaks away from her ‘foster’ country, Nigeria, to merge with her people and ancestors who are a vital part of America. Proclaiming her right to reject the raging ‘japa’ syndrome as an all-comers affair, she reveals a veiled tapestry of dark histories and decapitating politics. She embodies the spirit of cultural renaissance and freedom, rolling on wheels of hope to a land of promise. Please, Adopt Me, America, is a touching, penetrating perspective on the deep struggles of finding one’s own space in life – Of leaving home to find it!

Pins and Roses

Autumn Seeley’s debut collection of poetry, Pins and Roses, is a deeply moving and heartfelt work that captures the raw and intense emotions of the human experience. With a deft touch, Seeley explores themes of triumph and understanding, evoking powerful feelings of connection and empathy in her readers. Whether you are a longtime fan of poetry or simply looking for a powerful and inspiring read, Pins and Roses is a must-read for anyone seeking to explore the complex emotions that define our lives. With its breathtakingly beautiful language and profound insights into the human heart, this collection is sure to resonate with readers from all walks of life.