Best-Selling Author | Poet | TEDx Presenter
Musicians and songwriters influence my work and poetry. The melodies and lyrics form a creative foundation.
A couple of months ago, I wrote this poem after watching a show about Helen Ready and her famous song, I Am Women.
My mother played the album, and as a child, I remember hearing Helen sing – I Am Women. To celebrate National Women History month – here’s my poem, inspired by Helen Reddy, I Am Women.
Frozen Frozen to the bone Burn all that's around to survive A freeze that shouldn't of shut us down Frozen darkness Hours on end Freezing cold Freezing cold Tapping a person's soul Searching for strength Hours upon hours Digging for courage Freezing in the dark Electricity, water, food, everything of need evaporates Never knowning when relief will arrive Despair grows Deepens into memories of tomorrow Cold, brittle bones break into Pilling up, alongside the ill planning of others, who, beyond the shallow halls watch from afar While families toss childhood dreams into the flames to melt away the ice The loss is immeasurable The cost is astronomical Frozen
Frozen by Tiffany Sunday © Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved.
Birds on a Wire is a poem from Proper Grey Areas, my second poetry book. A previous relationship inspired the essence of this poem. During one of my morning runs, I noticed a group of birds sitting on a power line. The birds stared at each other and stared down at me as I pause to look at them.
I thought, so often in relationships, we can become distant from one another. We watch each other thinking the other person will reach out to make a connection to strengthen the relationship. Instead, inaction occurs, both parties become immobile.
A couple of days before New Year’s Eve, I made a last-minute decision to change our road trip to Santa Fe, NM. My soul was craving downtime. As we drove along 1-40 and then north on 295, my mind relaxed as I watched the passing terrain. I needed physical and mental space to declutter my thoughts and reassess everything.
On our first night in Santa Fe, we order a to-go dinner from the Apothecary restaurant. My son ordered a buffalo burger with feta fries, and I had roasted tomato bisque with a salad. The food was fresh and delicious.
The next day, we ordered takeout breakfast from Cafe Pasqual’s of warm buttery pancakes, turkey bacon, and potatoes. Following breakfast, my son asked to drive to the Ski Santa Fe and explore the walking trails near the ski lodge.
As we walked along the trails near the Ski Santa Fe ski lodge, as the wind raced through the majestic trees, I paused to cherish the calmness of the moment. With each step, I examined my fears, some inherited, that have influenced my decisions.
With the disruption of normalcy, I made a choice to no longer allow these fears to silence my goals and dreams. I asked the mountain for strength to name these fears, and then the courage and determination to push past these fears to reach my writing goals. I sought the encouragement to fully express myself as a poet. With the release of Proper Grey Areas, it felt a release of creative energy.
Our trip was short, three days total. On our return, we slept in my son’s truck at a Love’s Travel Stop which my son thought was cool.
I think about our trip and creatively refreshed I feel since our return. I have tentatively penciled in another short road trip in March. Keeping my fingers crossed that we can revisit the mountains.
On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, Tiffany Sunday was interviewed by the Lake Highlands Advocate about the recent release of Proper Grey Areas.
Tilton House Press announced on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the release of Proper Grey Areas – A Collection of Poems by Tiffany Sunday.
Proper Grey Areas is the anticipated sophomore collection of poetry from Tiffany, author of Insatiable Consumption of Being (poetry), and bestselling book How Dyslexics Will Rule the Future. She is also the author of Dyslexia’s Competitive Edge and You Posted What!?
Her second volume of poetry is a powerful, eclectic collection. This book could belong in many categories as readers navigate through emotionally charged themes of love, grief, abuse, equality vs. inequality, and pandemic induced stress.
Attuned to her craft, Tiffany’s piercing allegory and sophisticated use of lineation demonstrate her as an important voice in this genre. Tiffany’s exploration into darker emotions offers a comprehensive picture of her distinctive writing signature. Tiffany’s use of metaphorical elements throughout her writing, convey meaning beyond the literal.
Poems celebrating humanity and the simplistic beauty of nature are woven within the darkness, reminding readers to cherish the gift of being. The collection is accessible to anyone seeking self-reflection and solace.
Proper Grey Areas is available at retail and online booksellers.