"Sunrise" by Sierra July

"Sunrise" Watercolor and Acrylic on Paper
By J. Artemus Gordon

Sunrise

Sierra July

Dyeing the sky, rainbow hues

Before sinking from sight

Rays reaching like fingers

Still grasping, hanging on

Before all grows dark

At least, how it looks

On the other side of Earth

Our sunset, another's rise

Lighting their world and

Returning to ours

Poet's Notes:  This poem is my way of wishing everyone a happy start to 2018. Even if times were bleak in 2017 or still are at this moment, remember that darkness is temporary. At some point in time the world darkens for everyone, but the sun will always return again to shine and warm us. I look forward to writing more pieces that can inspire others the way words I've found have inspired me.

Editor’s Note:  I was about to reject this poem after reading the first stanza, which, while full of gorgeous imagery, is hardly original.  Then I read the second stanza and was blown away!  The second stanza would actually make a powerful stand-alone poem, but I like the nice surprise as the borderline cliché gives way to profound wisdom--enhanced all the more by the poet’s thoughtful notes.