i walked through the shadows of the trees on a cold, eerie night. i was among the green grass that covered the saturated soil.
i walked miles and miles. i was tired. i was hopeless. i couldn’t find my way out of the woods, out of the darkness.
i searched for the answer to my dark-tempered soul. i longed for the glimmer of light amidst my convenience in the dark.
i was locked up. locked up in the expansive wild vastness of the mountain where i’d been circling around for years but hadn’t found even an inch of chance for freedom. and in my loneliness and solitude, i whispered, “sometimes, it’s better to be locked up than to be broken.”
really? or was it just my hopelessness that made me think my freedom wasn’t as significant as everyone believed it to be? maybe i am better off where i am now. perhaps i am better off with how i am feeling now.
little did i realize that in my loneliness and hopelessness, a seed of hope was growing. in my isolation, freedom is being born. in my despair, love is growing.
Michelle Ayon Navajas (born June 23, 1976) is a Filipino poet, writer, and educator. She is a Best-Selling international Poet known for her books reaching the #1 spot within days of their release. Her 8th poetry book, “I Am In Itself Poetry In The Dark,” went straight to the top of both the best-sellers list and new releases on Amazon on short notice. Her 7th poetry book, “It Ain’t Winning If Without You,” went straight to the best-sellers list on Amazon in less than 24 hours of release by pre-orders alone and eventually became the number Poetry Book on Amazon India on its actual release day, soon after the book rose to the best- sellers list as well in all other Amazon Markets worldwide.
Currently, Michelle holds the title of having 4 books published in a row to have made it to Amazon’s Best-Sellers List ("I Will Love You Forever, Too,” “After Rain Skies, 2nd Edition,” “It Ain’t Winning If Without You,” and “I Am In Itself Poetry In The Dark”) and 3 books on Amazon’s #1Hot New Releases/New Releases ("I Will Love You Forever, Too,” “It Ain’t Winning If Without You,” and “I Am In Itself Poetry In The Dark”.)
Her poetry appeared in several international literary magazines and anthologies such as Spillwords NYC, MasticadoresUsa, and MasticadoresIndia. Her poems “Holding Hands” was voted as Spillwords Publication of the Month for November 2021 and “Love Happens” was voted as Spillwords Publication of the Month for December 2022.
She is also part of the award-winning ensemble of authors in two Poetry Anthologies, that are both Amazon Best-Sellers: Hidden In Childhood and Wounds I Healed.
Graduated with a Master of Education majoring in English in the Philippines (University of San Agustin, Iloilo City). Michelle was a former college professor, teaching literature, speech & oral communication, creative writing, drama, and theatre arts. She is also a graduate of Mass Communications major in Journalism (Centro Escolar University, Manila).
Michelle is active in her writing profession and works as a freelance creative writer.
Follow her online:
www.michnavs.wordpress.com
IG @poetrybymich
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Thank you too Sadje..at first i didn’t know what to do with the photo but when i looked closer and saw the grass growing inside the old boots, it then dawned on that “yeah a see of hope could grow anywhere”
Hope is a wonderful thing to grow. I read an article last year about a man who lived alone, a hermit for 30 – 40 years and he finally chose to come back to ‘civilization’…. within a month he died. Perhaps it was just too much for him all the changes. I would like to think, that if he had family… that they at least had some closure as to that man’s life. That he at least seemed to have been happy.
May you and yours have a wonderful and wonderfilled New Year! (((Hugs)))
michnavs 
It is such a touching and poignant poem Mich. the seed of hope lifted up the poem from darkness into light. Thanks a lot for joining in.
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Thank you too Sadje..at first i didn’t know what to do with the photo but when i looked closer and saw the grass growing inside the old boots, it then dawned on that “yeah a see of hope could grow anywhere”
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You’re most welcome
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Awesome take, Mich! That is how growth is
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Indeed Maria…thank you so much..🌹🌹
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Beautiful imagery, my friend. You took the reader on a journey with your deep words, amazingly done 🤍🤍
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Thank you so much🌹🌹🌹🌹
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The things that happen so slowly that we don’t notice – you captured it beautifully!
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thank you so much Val… always
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Such a relatable heart-touching poem, Mich…and paired with that photo….it’s beautiful. Grateful for growing freedom, hope, and love. 🙂
(((HUGS)))
❤️
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Thank you dearly Carolyn 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
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Deep and poignant poem, Mich. Too good 😊
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Thank you so much Kamal❤️
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Welcome dear Mich 💕
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oh your growing hope is beautifully captured in those well worn boots Mich! ❣️
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I am so glad to read your comment Cindy..thank you.
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You’re so welcome Mich!!! My pleasure! 🥰
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Beautiful.
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thank you so much Indira.
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My pleasure, dear.
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Hope is a wonderful thing to grow. I read an article last year about a man who lived alone, a hermit for 30 – 40 years and he finally chose to come back to ‘civilization’…. within a month he died. Perhaps it was just too much for him all the changes. I would like to think, that if he had family… that they at least had some closure as to that man’s life. That he at least seemed to have been happy.
May you and yours have a wonderful and wonderfilled New Year! (((Hugs)))
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Aw🥺 that is so sad. I could imagine his life living alone…
Happy new year Jules🌹❤️
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I think he was actually happier living alone. Some folks enjoy that type of life. I bet it was quite a culture shock about all the ‘advancements’…
Best to you and yours! 💕
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