Early Morning, Paknajol
by Lee Daniels
A bell is ringing
For someone’s first puja.
And meanwhile I
Am making a prayer
Of my own: A meditation on the sounds of
Daybreak:
The cawing of crows,
Rain falling,
A hammer,
A broom’s sweeping in
The street,
A saw,
The babbling of
A baby.
The salamandrine glow
Of the roof tiles
Outside the window
Radiates warmth
Into my room.
And for a moment,
I dream
I am lying in
Sunshine.
Lee Daniels
First-place winner in Nonfiction in the 2013 Porter Fleming Literary Competition, Lee has published two collections of poems and essays, and is at work on this third. After a lengthy career as a journalist and editor, Lee left the day-job world to devote more time to travel and writing. He earned an MFA from Sewanee.
Richard Everywriter (pen name) is the founder of EveryWriter and a 25-year veteran of the publishing industry. With degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology, and Education, Richard has dedicated two decades to teaching writing and literature while championing emerging voices through EveryWriter's platform. His work focuses on making literary analysis accessible to readers at all levels while preserving the rich heritage of American literature. Connect with Richard on Twitter Bluesky Facebook or explore opportunities to share your own work on ourSubmissions page. For monthly insights on writing and publishing, subscribe to our Newsletter.
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