Window to the Words is Michelle's reflection of the writing and expression process. It was born of a question and answer session in which she was asked to share her inner thoughts, inspiration, and how and where she crafted each poem.
Prologue
One day while I was sitting in the park with my children, I became fascinated by a bare massive tree positioned in the distance. Although ordinary in its surroundings, it was amazingly strong and powerful. This sparked the poem Branches. The tree seemed to parallel the military’s role—ever present and strong, yet often overlooked. Although this was not the first poem I wrote after Kevin’s accident, I thought it should appear first because of its significance and relation to the title. It seemed to be the best gateway to the collection.
Part I: Uprooted by Tragedy
Strong Heavy Boots was the first poem written after Kevin’s incident. Not having yet seen my brother, it was composed en route to Texas to visit Kevin. Hijacked by anxiety on the flight, images of boots kept flashing through my mind. I found it haunting that there was one less pair of boots in this world. Reflecting on what this meant, I wrote Strong Heavy Boots.
A Wounded Soldier was also created on that plane ride in June of 2008. In an effort to clear my mind, I decided to write down exactly what happened to Kevin in the preceding days. It was difficult to discuss these events with others, so I found escape in writing. Not only was this poem an emotional release, but a narrative of the first week’s events as well.
Speechless was one of the most difficult poems to write. It describes my first interaction with my brother after his accident. Traumatized by the disturbing images—my senses were paralyzed. I found it extremely difficult to express how unbearable the situation was. Muted and seized by the devastation, I decided to write about the sensory paralysis I had experienced.
Read more Window to the Words, Part I: Uprooted by Tragedy
Part II: Survival
It usually takes me about 30- 60 minutes to compose a poem; most of the poems in this compilation were drafted in less than an hour. However, The Match was written over the course of a couple months. From the beginning it seemed as though Kevin’s battle was similar to a boxing match with multiple rounds of agony, anticipation, and exhaustion. Unfortunately, I was ignorant to the terms of boxing. Thus, I had difficulty expressing my ideas in a way that would clearly extend the boxing metaphor. After learning some of the sport’s vocabulary and euphemisms, I was able to create a poem that truly detailed Kevin’s journey.
Fading Contrasts came to me one evening while I was jogging. The sky seemed to have a linear divide with dark clouds hovering on one side and bright clouds hanging on the other. Suddenly, the clouds melded and the contrast was no longer visible—only gray remained. It seemed to represent life—a blending of it all. But more significantly, it symbolized the loss of color and clarity.
A Mother’s Burden is a personal account of the struggle between processing tragedy and maintaining normalcy for my children. Oftentimes, mothers aren’t able to adequately process and experience situations because their role as a mother is paramount. Unfortunately, the mother’s needs are often neglected. This poem reflects the difficulty I experienced with maintaining stability while still dealing with a fractured reality.
Read more Window to the Words, Part II: Survival
Part III: Revelation
Born Twice has a twofold origin. It arose out of a discussion I had with my mother about how tragedy changes a person. It was also inspired by Beyond the Wall: The Journey Home by Alivia Tagliaferri, in which a soldier’s time in war is paralleled to a pregnancy. The deployment is the conception and the return home is the birth. This poem explains how my brother was reborn by his trauma.
Moments of Silence illustrates how peaceful yet restless quiet moments often are. It is during these moments of my life (drives, walks, jogs) that most of my poetry is composed. Although these are my times to unwind and relax, these are often the times I am burdened by sadness and anxiety.
The Tree is one of the most stark free verse poems in the collection. It signifies the absence of what once was and the acceptance of that loss.
Read more Window to the Words, Part III: Revelation
Part IV: Search for Serenity
While time is a constant, it is perceived through altering lenses of emotions, feelings, and experiences. Time is invaluable. Yet its meaning and importance vary with the situation. This poem was written to capture how precious, fragile, and constant time is.
Life can be compared to many different things. The two free verse poems A Coaster Journey and A Rhythmic Reflection are ones that contain extended metaphors for life. A Coaster Journey emphasizes the ride and experience of life rather than the means to reaching a destination. It’s laying the tracks of one’s identity while still enjoying the adventure along the way. A Rhythmic Reflection compares life to a song. It is a poetic reflection of how a song mirrors the progression of life.
Read more Window to the Words Part IV: Search for Serenity
Tribute
Cheers to You is a tribute to my brother for his unwavering courage and determination. His accomplishments are inspirational. Although this poem was specifically written as a testament to Kevin’s courage, it is applicable to all the heroes who face tremendous obstacles each day.
Wondering came to me while I was walking my dog one night. Looking up at the sky, I couldn’t stop thinking about the soldiers in foreign lands wishing upon the same stars.
Wounded Yet Strong is a tribute to all our military who have been injured in the line of duty. It acknowledges their struggles and commends their courage.
Our Heroic Support is a testimony to all those who generously and selflessly gave their time and support to helping Kevin and our family. The home-cooked meals, care packages, cards, emails, phone calls, and prayers we received were truly overwhelming. From individuals to nonprofit organizations to local business and establishments, we were truly astounded by the generosity displayed. Their kindness has been heroic.