.:R.I.S.E:.
a poem with a line I'd tattoo on my soul
I used to paint
the dawn and think that I
was made
of vivid pigment, like
the daybreak's ardent
spirit—
cyan,
violet,
marmalade and lilac pink:
clouds of apricot that decorate
her sunlit dress
with fire poppy spring—
bright like dragon’s breath upon
the skyline:
wild,
unbridled,
a child of
magnificence, untamed—
but now I know I’m not
the Day herself (I am)
her quiet,
constant promise—
I am her deepest thoughts,
her sleeping flame…
and though
I wink and wane
like shadowlight (and)
dreams, unblossomed, made
of stardust seeds in
winter woe—still, I glow.
I used to ache to be
an anthem (or)
the lark that lifts
the Earth's dark weight with lilt
and light
that rings.
Once upon a time I saw
my pieces harmonized,
in tandem—
set upon the path of queens
and kings,
but now I know I’m not
the .:monarch:., or
a treble clef with wings (I am)
a tethered lullaby—
a hanging womb
of acapella dreams (and though)
my scattered notes remain
as fragments—
broken,
mostly incomplete—still, I sing.
I used to wish I was
the masterpiece, but now I know I am
the masterpiece’s artist.
I am not the phoenix in
this lifetime—
I am her architect—and I
have crafted feathered limbs
from ashes,
night,
and darkness.
I once yearned to be the sun
but now I know I am
the ink that writes
the poetry of
life between the stars…
my wings beat soft as
moonlight—crescent, quartered, full
one day—still, I rise.
About the Creator
Gina C.
Poet | Author | Architect of Worlds
Sowing stories rooted in culture, origin, metamorphosis, resilience, language & love via fantasy, myth, magical realism & botanical prose
Writing my novel!🧚🏻♀️🐉✨
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Comments (28)
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
The highlight of this poem for me is the metaphor of the ink black space between the stars and the ink used to write - gorgeous!
Congratulations on your TS! 🎉🎊🎉
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
The words are from a higher realm. Beautiful piece 💚
Absolutely love your style and your art is stunning in prose
Very well done :)
Achingly beautiful as always, Gina!! Congrats on Top Story and good luck in the challenge, Gina!
Congrats on TS!
stunning work, Gina...congratulations on top story
So lovely. As an artist loved the mention of colors.
Great work
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nice work
Beautifully written. Great job. ☺️
Woooahhh this is incredible ☺️☺️I really enjoyed this one! 🏆 wonderful
Incredible work. Such vivid imagery. Congratulations on Top Story, Gina. Well deserved!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
That is a lot of ink but damn worth it.
This poem is so gorgeous that even though I dislike tattoos, I would actually get this one on me if I was brave enough.
Absolutely beautiful, Gina! I read your poem twice and will surely read it again. Best of luck to you in the challenge!
Loved every line! Such incredible imagery. Bravo, my friend :)
Well-wrought! Is it better to be the sun or the moon? Sol must stand apart, shedding only its light, while Luna can reflect the solar light and partake of a closeness to the earth! Ah, to each their own!
Omggg, a treble clef with wings! I especially loved that line! This was such a gorgeous poem!
That you do, ever-rising in our heart, minds & eyes as we are gifted with the eloquence of your ink.