Notes About The Poem

Deviants and Divine Poetry Contest
Sponsor Silent One                                                             
Contest Winner Medal1st Place                                                                        

Triptych Watercolor/Collage by Poetess 

Deviants and Divine

In a world where love has forgotten its place, lost all meaning, left floundering in the mud—courage has found its nirvanic horizon, its ruby flames rise up in the end~ Poetess

Destroyed, slain, 
smashed and driven to the ground~
a brutal odyssey of dispiritedness
of rude awakenings endured
around this, fire kept burning within
intoxicating every vein in my body
when welled up eyes, pools of tears fallen
I was the ocean, the lone firebird that flies over
a lone star ablaze, weightless, free-spirited
and alas, rising from the ashes
in glorious splendor for all to observe and marvel
born outside rose walls, from wind, at night,
from red clay, the flowers and the mud, 
weeds and roots they know my name
its not attention I seek, its resonance
smashed and driven to the ground~
ignored, displaced, and all but forgotten
and from this despair, I am the phoenix rising
f r o m   t h e   a s h e s  are the gauze wings,
refined in sapphire gossamer velveteen 
walls turn to rubble, no rose-stone left unturned,
left unseen is what most is valued, light sifts thru
I’ve won life’s prize—contentment's invaluable gifts
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Gorelick Avatar
August 28, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Alas and alack, despair and inconsolable grief can prove to be rich soil; inexplicably fertile loam, for transforming ones last gasp into one's first breath of fresh air. The phoenix rising indeed! Your words are those of a wise old soul. Bravo and congratulations! Robert
Anaya Avatar
September 11, 2026 at 8:04 AM
And so I've been told, learning so much about myself ~ well-balanced & in composed is where I'll be in the long run with the healing help of poetry & other mechanisms~ A belated Thank you, RG! Autumn 🍂 blessings
Jones Avatar
August 28, 2026 at 9:02 AM
“I am the phoenix rising f r o m t h e a s h e s are the gauze wings, refined in sapphire gossamer velveteen walls turn to rubble, no rose-stone left unturned, left unseen is what most is valued, light sifts thru I’ve won life’s prize—contentment's invaluable gifts” Love the quote and these lines wrap up your poem beautifully Anaya! Congratulations on your top win! 😍
Anaya Avatar
September 11, 2026 at 7:59 AM
A belated Thank you, KJ! Hope all is well. Autumn 🍂 blessings
One Avatar
August 28, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Hey Anaya, I loved your take on the theme.. I really enjoyed this, and I think it fits Deviants and Divine beautifully. There’s such a strong sense of someone who has been pushed outside the “rose walls”, yet discovers that there is something powerful and almost sacred in being outside them. I particularly loved the contrast between the roses and the “weeds and roots,” it feels like a celebration of the things society overlooks or considers less worthy. Congratulations on your first place.
Anaya Avatar
August 28, 2026 at 8:04 AM
The rose stone walls 🧱 significantly higher the stakes, with our faith we rid the demons of despair, the line you chose dear Silent One--"from red clay, the flowers and the mud, weeds and roots they know my name" is a reference to Neruda's narratives & it all does feel like a celebration...☺️..Thank you ...I ❤️ the first place, & your sponsoring such inspirational contests! it feels really good ;D
Godwin Avatar
August 16, 2026 at 11:15 AM
I'm too blown away to articulate but I can leave you one of my favorite word gifts: WOW
Anaya Avatar
August 16, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Cay, Cay you're the best, how can I tell you how grateful that makes me feel, whoo! Ha. WoW is the best review I can ask for. Ty dear poetess, hope you're having fun in the 🌞
Poet Avatar
August 12, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Your poem beautifully captures the journey from despair to triumph. The imagery of rising like a phoenix is compelling, and the language is evocative. This poem is a powerful reflection on resilience and finding peace in life's chaos. Good luck with the contest.
Anaya Avatar
August 12, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Dear Sotto Poet, thank you for reading. I wrote of a journey some can resonate with, as we all suffer in different levels and I've always wanted to pen a poem of the Phoenix & saw an opportunity to do so in Silent's. I may continue on as I have notes I'd like to add. TYVM, you mean a lot to me! :) 🐦‍🔥
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