I’m happy to welcome Forrest Stepnowski here today for day 6 of his Spotlight Blog Tour!
Spotlight Author Blog Tour Day 6
Poetry Excerpts from “Journey to the Rainbow’s End”
Diva’s Lament
Oh, sweet symphony of joy and love
How you have brought me to the grand stage of life everlasting
The sweet music you give me is a comfort
When I lay here in a world of solitude and seclusion
I am your Prima donna, your first lady, your grand diva
Dreaming that dream of time gone by
As the aria rises out of the ashes, so will I triumph
Bringing tears, laughter, and applause from all
I am the bride and the groom to all
I require love from all, not from the intangible one
I live the life of luxury, but one of humility, grace, and confidence, never scorning, never ridiculing
I am a man living a fantasy world of romanticism and despair
Watch me smile and the world beckons me, watching my every move, listening to my own personal diva’s lament
I put on the charade and musical farce, fooling all of those who gaze at the mystery I present
Who is this diva who masquerades, performing Broadway, rhythm and blues, and sweet arias of a lost era?
Wearing make-up and couture, diamonds and jewels, glitzing it up for the joy of others
Yes darlings, I am a drag queen
Living a lie some may say
The tears, fears, and joy I bring, those are true emotion and my honesty
The pain in my tears, the trembling brow and portrayal of every word comes from my story, my autobiography
You know you can relate
The tear from my eye as I glance into yours, the belt of the high c as your heart races with mine
We are one in the story that I foretell
In love, in lust, in tears, in joy
In grief, in sorrow, in soul, and in fabulousness
we all play a part, this Diva’s Lament
Ghosts
Ghost of my past follows me with the righteousness and fanfare
Why so many wants, when so many nights have gone by in the bleak mid-winter
I am not the same as I once was back in the day of frivolity and sexual mirth
What am I truly to your heart?
How do you really see me in these shattered reflections of broken dreams?
A Speakeasy to play and dance around to relieve tension or loneliness
Or a quiet and still temple for your love and understanding
There are multiples here at my window of memories
Ghosts of joy, ghosts of heartbreak
Why must they all haunt all at once
Do they enjoy seeing me squirm in the silent horror of my being?
What do they want I ask over and over again?
I am merely a perfectionist made by multitudes of mistakes
Who cannot seem to connect the dots of my dreams, wishes, and needs?
Like a toy train running ‘round and round
Repeating patterns that continue to haunt my darkest desires…. And darkest secrets
Ghosts… of my childhood play…. And adolescent angst
Let my soul rest and the dream begin
Let the ghosts of my past be my wisdom within
Social Media Links:
Amazon Purchase Links:
Journey to the Rainbow’s End: A Drag Queen’s Odyssey (Available on Kindle and Paperback)
AUTHOR BIO – FORREST STEPNOWSKI
Forrest Robert Stepnowski is an advocate, writer, social worker, and performance artist in the Pacific Northwest. He has been writing poetic works and prose for most of his life. He realized how important it would be to share his work with others, who may have tread similar paths of self-hate, self-deprecation, and self-loathing, in the hopes that they find they weren’t alone. Helping others who have been deemed as “different” because of varying sexual orientations or identities to realize that they are not deviants nor are the “against human nature” has always been of grave importance to him. He wants this group of beautiful people to know they are part of a collective, on an island where being different is embraced and accepted.
Thank you for hosting today!!! Hope everyone enjoys today’s post.
I’m excited to have you here today, Forrest:) I’m sure they will enjoy it, I did.
The best poetry is frequently a result of strong emotion, Denise. Forrest’s simply reverberates with feeling. I am very glad I discovered him through RRBC.
Yes, I agree Robbie! The emotion shines through and makes us feel and observe life differently. Happy we are all here together!
Thank you Robbie for your support and for stopping by today!
Thanks for sharing your poems with us, Forrest.
Thank you for dropping by, Wendy:)
Thank you Wendy for your support!
This is an amazing post! Forrest’s poems are beautiful and heartfelt.❤️You can almost feel his emotions while reading them. Congrats to Forrest again! Thanks for hosting, Denise❣️
They are, Vashti! I agree the emotions pull you right in. I’m happy to host:)
Thank you Vashti! That means a lot to me.
<3 xo
Thank you for hosting Forrest today, Denise. He has had a great tour.
I was happy to, John:)
Thank you John! You are have been an amazing support this week. I appreciate it.
The emotion in these poems from Forrest is overwhelming. I felt the loneliness, despair and longing for love. Thank you for hosting, Denise!
These poems really dive deeply into.our emotions, Jan.
I’m happy to host, thanks!
Thank you Jan! I am glad my work is emotionally connecting with others!
“Let the ghosts of my past be my wisdom within.” Beautifully put, this post moved me to tears. Thank you for hosting Forrest here today, Denise.
I don’t think it could said any better, Soooz. Thanks, I’m glad I could host this.
Thank you Sooz! You have been a great supporter in my journey with #RRBC! I appreciate it
Your words have the power to enlighten and move people, Forrest. It’s an absolute pleasure to support you.
Forrest’s poetry is powerful, packed with emotion. Thanks for sharing Denise. My best wishes to him.
They are, Balroop. They really draw you in with it.
Happy to:)
Thank you Balroop, my poetic soul sister!
Congratulations, Forrest, on being the month’s spotlight author. Your poems are so emotional and heartfelt! Good luck to you in your endeavors. I enjoyed getting to know you a bit through some of the posted poems. Write on!!
I agree, Maura! Thank you for stopping by and giving Forrest your support:)
I may not understand everything about poetry but I love reading them and trying to understand them. Thank you, D.L., for hosting.
What I love best about poetry is each person takes away something different, Joy:) Always happy to host!
You have become ubiquitous, Forrest! Good on you!
Excellent support, Denise. Thanks for hosting.
Thank you, Beem:)
Another fantastic & heartfelt post during your blog tour, Forrest. 🖤 D.L., thank you so much for hosting on your site!
Happy to host, Marlena:) Thanks for dropping by.
Wonderful words from Forrest.Good for you I say. Thanks to D.L. for hosting.
I was excited to host Forrest, Joy:) Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for this introduction to Forrest, Denise. Hugs.
Happy you got to meet him, Teagan:) Thanks, sending hugs back.