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At the Threshold of Life and Death

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photo prompt from Eric at Bifocal Univision

Standing at the narrow end of a tunnel,
where the bright light should be, that’s
where you’ll find me, wondering why the air is dark.

Bony tendrils poke out into the light,
their thin skin singeing with each prod.
I keep my distance just right –

teasing death

like the licking of lips before a forbidden kiss,
making it long for the taste of my last breath –

a high like no other.

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Poetry Newsletter and Winner Announcement

Hey, Peeps! Good Saturday to you. I wanted to give you a head’s up because I sent out this month’s email newsletter this morning, so be sure to check your inbox (or possibly your junk box, even though I humbly declare it is not junk), and please let me know if you did not receive it and should have.

For those of you who haven’t signed up yet, it’s simple…leave me a comment saying “Hey, sign me up” and I’ll send you the newsletter pronto (plus a day or two.) :)

The lucky winner of the Signal From Static poetry book is Christopher Lawrence. Congratulations, Christopher!!!

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Do You Want Poetry Updates from Me?

Don’t be caught cat-napping…

cat nap by sheila

Hi, everyone! I noticed a big jump in followers since announcing that I am going to start sending out a monthly newsletter…thank you so much!

However, I want to make sure you know that unless you use the email subscription in the top of the right side bar to sign up or leave me a comment specifically stating that you want to be added to the mailing list, you will NOT receive the newsletter email because it is not hosted by WordPress.

Once again, if you are a WordPress user and you only click the WordPress “Follow” button, you will NOT receive newsletter emails from me.

The monthly newsletter will include poetry I would normally publish here in one condensed package. Once a month. Quick to read. Easy to keep up on. No missed posts. Keep it in your inbox until you are ready to view it. Always be in touch.

I believe once a month updates will make for a more personal experience for you as well as myself. Plus, I will be able to offer you inside peeks at my poetry videos and exclusive offers on poetry books, both of which I will not be posting publicly.

So, go to the top right side bar on this page and enter your email address. Then check your inbox for a subscription confirmation email. Once you confirm your subscription, rest assured that you will receive my very first newsletter sometime next week.

Thanks so much!

xo,
Sheila

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Building Blocks – a poem

To Be Built

I believe we are given
the exact amount of bricks we need
to build a life worth living
when we are born.

Through the years,
our parents may chip a few,
and we will certainly drop a couple,
sometimes on our own feet!

We may throw one (or two),
out of anger or spite,
and watch as they hit the ground
and break apart.

We may toss some in the dumpster
or leave some behind when we move,
thinking they aren’t important enough
or not worth the trouble to keep.

Others may steal a few from us
or we may give several away,
when we shouldn’t.

But the bricks are there…
each one needed to construct the life
our Creator intended for us to have
is somewhere. Together, let us build.

photo prompt courtesty of Eric at Bifocal Univision

Sign up for my monthly newsletter by entering your email address in the subscription box in the top right corner or by request in the comments section below. Newsletters will be delivered by the end of each month.

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Life and Death – a poem

I feel the breath of death
in my chest at night
as I gaze out,
over sleeping fields

where soybean babies
are born. The corn,
its rows now covered

with a white mirror for the stars,
took its turn last year.

A lone tree, gnarly and naked
against the studded sky,
beckons not,
no matter how long I

linger and lament, aching
for winter’s thrusts of gusts;
wanting its swirling,
numbing embrace.

Exhalations fog unlocked panes
where death gathers in corners,
forming crystals – the origin of life.