January Nicole Wilson

A Dawn Run Hot with Morning January Nicole Wilson

Beginning at dawn, this book is a journey through a fall day that is filled with the inevitable ups and downs of life, encounters with love, a celebration of family, and questions about self and identity. The poetry contained here takes a very intimate look at what I hold dear, tried-and-true friendships, laughter and self-respect. Filled with revelations about living and loving, this book is proof positive that life begins at 30.

The first chapter, entitled "Dawn," captures the magic of a fall morning and introduces the first rays of sunlight, rays of hope, which ignite the heat of "Indian Summer." This second chapter depicts those elusive, seemingly ethereal last days of summer. "Cloud Cover" bodes of a looming storm. The sky is a landscape for emotional disturbances. Thematic conflicts concerning love, self and well-being emerge among these poems. "Rainfall," cleanses the emotional canvass, brings clarity and gives way to "Rays of Light" and, finally, "Daylight." The light of day harbors wisdom and answers to probing questions. Each poem is a moment of reflection, a moment of reckoning concerning hard lessons.

What follows is a celebration of life. "Sunset" celebrates family. "Nightfall" revisits love and other passions found early in the book. Finally, "Moonlight" looks at the hard lessons come to life, embodied in cheerful portraits of women and other poems.

By the age of 30, we have learned at least one thing: that there are lessons that come only with time. The truth pricks and it takes time to reflect, mend and reckon. As to the profound satisfaction that comes with insight, the feeling is electric. And if you ask me, life begins at 30.