She struggles to gain the inner strength to move forward, and engage in her life fully,
she's almost there, but, always is held back with too much responsibility,
Her life is entwined with an awkwardness to be true to what she needs and feels.
The enjoyment of living has escaped her for so long,
what is it that will help her to find that balance?
She questions herself, and others, then adds more questions,
creating a continuous cycle of pondering one thought over and over, how does she break this pattern?
She's too busy to stop, relax and be, always thinking about what to do next,
Looking, stretching, all in the wrong direction,
Where has she been? How has she fit in?
What possible worth has there been to this paltry existence?
Simply put, each day droned on full of busy tasks at work and at home, a hole in her
heart grew bigger.
She'd ignored the precious feeling of inner peace,
Where self-love exists on a higher plateau,
It can be hard to get there, as she finds that it's difficult to make that journey
while trying to climb the steps towards self-actualization, which is the epiphany of trueness to one's self, and soul,
Which essentially provides a completeness of physical, sexual, and emotional needs,
Once the most basic elements of sustenance are met, she can gradually gravitate to the top,
Which will provide the true fruit of her labor,
That moment when she notices a slight change, she knows that her shyness is hiding,
Bright thoughts behold her as her new journey takes shape,
Yes, it's still unknown to her what will happen next in her travels, yet it is evident
how she's become fully aware of the necessity of this change,
Wow!
It's a miracle to notice a new season of discovery,
so full of personal evolution,
creating opportunities of growth unbeknown before the nurturing catalyst of
self love began,
a slow warming smile, emits the positive life force which shows that a new life will begin,
and that full exploration of this existence brings knowledge of better days,
a wiser journey to behold close, now and forever,
A door slowly opens as the footsteps echo across the threshold, her dreams follow
her out to the dawn of a new beginning.

Vatcher-Martin has written for many publications in Metro Detroit and nationally over the past 15 years. Presently, she is a freelance writer for the Detroit Free Press, The Ledger, and other publications. As a published poet, her work has appeared in various publications around the country including the Bay Area Poet's Coalition, and Walking the Same Path. She's currently Byline Magazine's State Representative for Michigan.
She's a college instructor who designs and teaches creative writing classes and poetry for Continuing Education Services at Schoolcraft College. As the owner of Pero Inc., she assists other writers with manuscript preparation, and editorial services.

“Woman Reclining” won first prize for poetry at the 2005 Artists Among Us competition

NOTE: You can catch Vatcher-Martin for a poetry booklet/chapbook signing, February 11th, from 2-4pm at the Book Cellar and Cafe in downtown Plymouth on Ann Arbor Trail, and will also be reading at the Scarab Club in Detroit on Sunday February 26th at 2pm as part of their Downtown/Uptown series.

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