From Cool Runnings to a historic bobsleigh win a day after Jimmy Cliff’s passing, this is about the will that keeps showing up.
Category: Poetry
Holding Change & Loss
I’ll be back here soon with new stories, new reflections, and the same commitment to honesty and hope.
we are JamaiCAN, we CAN rise again — a tribute poem for Jamaica ©Dawn Minott
A tribute poem for Jamaica post Hurricane Melissa (category 5) which devastated the country.
Jamaica Strong ©Dawn Minott
Through it all, we will rise and rebuild—Jamaica strong.
A Prayer For Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa ©Dawn Minott
We cannot command Hurricane Melissa’s wind nor contain its rain — but we can pray. This is my prayer — for Jamaica, for our people, and for the planet we all share.
David & The Bully ©Dawn Minott
Beforeword: You may be familiar with the Bible story of a young shepherd boy, David, who defeated a mighty giant, Giant, with nothing more than a sling and a stone. I chose that story as the inspiration for a children’s lesson I was asked to teach at church about bullying. To bring it to life, …
Your Future Is Starving For You ©Dawn Minott
Tomorrow’s you is waiting for the true you to show up—authentic, unapologetic, bold!
Gucci Cross: written by Fragile Dogubo, recited by Cherry Paul Ede
Grateful for the old rugged cross! Nothing boogie about it.
5th Blogiversary: Shared Moments| a Haibun
Words: the beauty of shared moments.
The Taste of Memory ©Dawn Minott
Memory—connecting present to past.
He Hears Me ©Dawn Minott
God hears me louder in the silence.
Enough ©Dawn Minott
Living silence – a silence that breathes and holds life.
The interval, or: A rengay ©️Dawn Minott
Rengay—two minds working in synchronicity to create a single piece of art!
Rain ©Dawn Minott
A return to those simple days, where rain was enough to dream, enough to rest, enough to believe.
Travelogue: La Quinta—A Retreat for the Soul ©Dawn Minott
Rest, reflection, and renewal are the most valuable gifts we can give ourselves.
Énouement ©Dawn Minott
I will never be able to turn back and tell my past self the fullness of what I now behold
Milli-between-Seconds ©Dawn Minott
The ache of timing being the only thing standing between two people who are otherwise perfect for each other.
Echoes of A Silent City ©Dawn Minott
The unexpected ways a city can speak—even when it’s silent.
Travelogue: The Trees of Palm Springs & Sabbath Peace ©Dawn Minott
Like palms sway to winds, yield with grace and stay rooted in what is lasting.
Travelogue—The Mountains of Palm Springs ©Dawn Minott | a Haiku Series
Watching the Palm Springs Santa Rosa Mountains transform with the sun, shifting beauty from morning to dusk.
Milestone: 1,000 Posts ©Dawn Minott
1,000 posts and counting ‼️
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: PRAISE ©Dawn Minott
Mary’s prayer, a song of awe and gratitude, praising God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness for all generations.
Simple Love ©️Dawn Minott
The simplicity of love.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: JESUS ©Dawn Minott
Jesus’ prayer is a timeless intercession for our protection, holiness, and unity, so the world may see God’s love.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: DELIVERANCE ©Dawn Minott
A bold appeal for God’s deliverance, offered so that His power and glory would be known to all.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: FAVOR ©Dawn Minott
A prayer for God’s mercy, guidance, and favor before stepping into a bold mission.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: GRATITUDE ©Dawn Minott
We ought to praise God for who He is, not just for what He’s done. #Gratitude
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: FORGIVENESS ©Dawn Minott
David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is a raw confession and a plea for God’s mercy, cleansing, and a renewed heart.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares: MORE ©Dawn Minott
The prayer of Jabez is a bold request for God’s blessing, guidance, protection, and expansion.
Ancient Prayers for Today’s Cares — Reflect. Pray. Release. ©Dawn Minott
Timeless prayers from the Bible reflected on, reimagined for today, and released into God’s hands.
The AWEdacity of You ©Dawn Minott
You don’t have to be fixed. You don’t have to be more. You have the AWEdacity to simply be.
Unchanged ©Dawn Minott
A limerick of wishes.
The best compliment is knowing your work inspires someone else’s…
If ever you find yourself cracked, fragmented, or shattered, you are in a place to be remade.
Introverted ©Dawn Minott
Don’t mistake reservation for lackluster. Sincerely, an Introvert
Dear Future Me—When You Get There ©Dawn Minott
Dear Future Me. If you ever feel distant from your WHY, let this letter be your compass.
On Spillwords — Life Lessons! ©️Dawn Minott
My poem’s found a brand-new spot. Spillwords picked it up, oh yes. I’m feelin’ proud, I must confess.
Midweek Boost: Play The Game of Life ©Dawn Minott
Life is a play that does not allow rehearsals
Soul Cry: Hiraeth! ©️Dawn Minott | Loop Poetry with audio
Hiraeth: an unaccountable homesickness for a place you’ve never visited.
Midweek Boost: Life’s Rescue Plan ©Dawn Minott
The week is long. The weekend is short. Midweek is a good point to recharge to get over the hump.
Midweek Boost: Laughter ©Dawn Minott
Laughter is the only emotion that cannot be forced or faked for long.
A Table Set With Words ©Dawn Minott |a Haibun
Just a menu set of words, plain but sincere.
That’s It! I’m Telling Jesus! ©Dawn Minott
Beforeword: I saw this image and it made me think of a child tattling to a parent when bullied and contrasted it to capture that same childlike honesty of turning to Jesus in times of struggle. Instead of fighting back alone, we can run to Jesus, our ultimate defender and protector. When life gets hard …
More Than Enough ©Dawn Minott |with audio
You are and have more than enough for what you’ve been called to do!
The Gift Leads The Way ©Dawn Minott |a Haibun with audiovisual
A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” — Proverbs 18:16 (NKJV)
The Return—The Bronzes Speak: “Omawale” ©Dawn Minott
Thousands of brass, bronze, and ivory sculptures and carvings were looted from Benin City—priceless pieces of history scattered across the world for decades now being returned.
Midweek Boost: You’ve Got Everything ©Dawn Minott
You likely already have everything!
Protest Art ©Dawn Minott |Senryū
Art is a powerful tool that activists and movements use to convey their messages, build awareness, and motivate people to take action.
The Quiet Strength of Later ©Dawn Minott |a Haibun
Waiting is a quiet strength, the courage to pause long enough to discern, to seek light.
True Independence: Free-not-Free ©Dawn Minott |a Shadorma
In any land, til every soul finds solace and glee, none of us are truly free. Independence/freedom for one and all.
My Roots, My Crown, My Hair-a-tage ©️Dawn Minott |in honor of National Crown Day, July 3rd
National Crown Day commemorates the inaugural signing of the first CROWN—Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair—Act legislation, which passed in California on July 3, 2019.
The Wall They Couldn’t See ©Dawn Minott
Longer than China’s wall. But never longer in textbooks—because what conquerors don’t understand, they erase!
In Memory’s Garden ©Dawn Minott
You left in the prettiest season of all, where trees are transitioning in the beauty of fall. We’ll remember you always in the beautiful parts of your life, preserved in memory’s garden we’ll keep you alive,
Shabbat Shalom: The God of Piece ©Dawn Minott
In a world where peace feels fragile and our lives can feel like scattered pieces, this poem invites us to remember the God of Shalom—who lovingly restores us piece by piece.
Journey to Excellence ©Dawn Minott
You don’t stop learning because you grow old. You grow old because you stop learning.
Free Not Free ©Dawn Minott
Freedom Day in the USA!!
God Blesses the Child Who Hurts ©Dawn Minott |with audio
The pain of fatherlessness, the longing for love, and the eventual healing found in God—a Father who never leaves, who restores the broken, and blesses the child who hurts.
Father ©Dawn Minott |an Abecedarian
Happy Fathers’ Day from A to Z
Whole Meets Whole (The Nutrients of Love) ©Dawn Minott
When whole meets whole, you bring your 100, and I raise you mine.
To Hurt IS To Steal ©Dawn Minott
Conversations were awkward at first. But slowly, honesty grew. They showed up. They listened. They prayed.
Back Home ©Dawn Minott
The memory of your touch? It still lingers like perfume in a room you just left.
Me And God Got Back Together ©Dawn Minott | with audio video
Rediscovering God’s unwavering love.
In The Frame ©Dawn Minott |Spoken Word Poem
For centuries, they missed the message. Called the canvas satire, mockery disguised in oil and linen. But truth don’t die—it waits.
The Turtle, The Moon and The Plane ©Dawn Minott |a Limerick
The race is not for the swift but the steadfast!
Stay Single Till Then ©Dawn Minott
Stay single until you find a love that is real, intentional, healing, and worthy.
From His Side ©Dawn Minott
Parallelism—woman and humanity came from (first) Adam’s side, the Church and God’s family were born from the pierced side of Christ (second Adam).
Dot The “i” of LiFE ©Dawn Minott
Life’s simple pleasures.
Memorial Day in Gratitude ©Dawn Minott
For service given unselfishly, thank you!
Honoring the Life of George Floyd, 5 Years Later: I Can’t Breathe ©Dawn Minott |with audio
George Floyd your life mattered. Your death sparked a movement. We will not forget.
Cleared for Takeoff: A Welcome for the Women Who Lead ©Dawn Minott
A testament to resilience, faith, and the evolving role of women in the body of Christ.
darkness ©Dawn Minott for Mental Health Awareness Month| with audio
Darkness can be from issues that you dare not let anyone see or know about, the issues you struggle with alone and silently … it’s time to open the door, let in the light!
Daughter ©Dawn Minott
A bold, desperate, and unshakeable faith earned her the bestowal of “daughter”—used only ONCE by Jesus!
Do You!? ©️Dawn Minott
Defining yourself by roles, titles, or societal expectations is not the same as truly knowing your identity.
Power In Quiet Strength ©Dawn Minott — Tribute To My Mom |Quatrain with audio
Honoring the strength and power of a mother. The power and strength of mothers, grandmothers, other-mothers and motherhood have been historically overlooked. I honor and celebrate my mother and mothers everywhere.
She’s Not The One ©Dawn Minott
She’s not the one to chase if you’re still running from yourself!
When the Contacts Go Quiet ©Dawn Minott
Life is fragile. I knew it. But now I feel it—in every quiet reminder that I am still here and they are not.
A.P.R.I.L. ©Dawn Minott
A reflection of the changing season through the lens of Abundance, Praise, Restoration, Intimacy, Love.
Love ©Dawn Minott |birthMONTH, Week 5
Love is not just a feeling—it’s a way of living.
Dear Mother Earth ©Dawn Minott | a Haibun for Earth Day
There’s no Planet-B, cherish Mother Earth.
Intimacy ©Dawn Minott |birthMONTH, Week 4
Intimacy with God is not about perfection. It’s available to each of us—right now, right where we are.
Easter: More Than Bunnies & Chocolate ©Dawn Minott
Easter is about conquering sin, defeating death, and offering new life!
The Easter Trilogy: Sunday Speaks—He Is Risen! ©Dawn Minott
Sunday speaks, and the grave has no reply. Easter!
Featured on Spillwords: Sunday Speaks©Dawn Minott
My poem, “Sunday Speaks” which focuses on Jesus’ resurrection was showcased in a dedicated featured post by Dagmara and the team over at Spillwords.
The Easter Trilogy: Saturday Was Silent ©Dawn Minott
God holds His breath before He speaks the loudest word.
Repost: God’s SO Love—Blessed Easter
https://createdbydeesign.com/2024/07/06/gods-so-love-unconditionally-dawn-minott/?page_id=13959 Reposting this reminder of God’s unconditional love for us: God SO loved us that He willingly divested Himself of glory, stepped into human flesh, and entered the world as a vulnerable baby—exposed to the frailties and suffering of humanity. He chose death, the ultimate sacrifice, so that we might receive grace and be spared …
The Easter Trilogy: Friday, The Longest Night ©Dawn Minott
All creation watched the crucifixion, wondering if hope itself died on Friday.
Reblog / Collaborature
https://createdbydeesign.com/2024/12/15/purpose-drops-dawn-minott/?page_id=14673 Special thanks to Melissa for featuring my piece “Purpose Drops” on her new platform Collaborature. Please head over there in support of Melissa and while you’re there also show my work some love. Thanks!! https://collaborature.blogspot.com/2025/04/blog-post.html
Blood Moon ©Dawn Minott
Total lunar eclipse of March 2025.
Jamaica: Travelogue 4—birthMONTH 2025 ©Dawn Minott
A rich mosaic of Jamaican culture, flavor, nature, and nostalgia.
Happy Birthday to Me! Dear Younger Me ©Dawn Minott
When did you last reach back for your younger self?!
Restoration ©Dawn Minott |birthMONTH, Week 3
We can experience deep healing and soul-refreshing restoration wherever we are. Restoration means allowing God to meet us in our broken, tired, or weary places—and trusting that He is making all things new.
A Gastronomy Discovery in Ocho Rios, Jamaica—birthMONTH 2025 Travelogue 3 ©Dawn Minott
There are the 5 love languages, then there’s Jamaican food the 6th love language!
HOLY WEEK: The Last Week to Easter
Hi WPers! I’ll be reciting this poem live on April 19th as part of a Easter program. You’re invited to join starting 11 AM EST on this channel: https://youtube.com/@mountvernonsdaevents?si=E_JQ3EM2k2ts-tEH https://createdbydeesign.com/2024/03/30/last-week-to-easter/
Pretty Close, Jamaica—birthMONTH 2025 Travelogue 2 ©Dawn Minott
It’s that time again—when I quench my wanderlust with my annual birthMONTH explorations.
Drama of Jamaican Sunset—birthMONTH 2025 Travelogue 1 ©Dawn Minott
The drama of a Jamaican sunset is unmatched. It doesn’t just set—it performs. The sky becomes a stage, bathed in gold, set ablaze with orange, then kissed by fire-red and indigo. The sun takes its time, lingering like a lover not ready to leave. It dips behind the horizon with flair, casting long shadows and …
Continue reading Drama of Jamaican Sunset—birthMONTH 2025 Travelogue 1 ©Dawn Minott
Praise ©Dawn Minott |birthMONTH, Week 2
Praise is more than celebration—it’s surrender, trust, and presence.
Abundance ©Dawn Minott |birthMONTH, Week 1
Abundance is already present in our lives.
birthMONTH Celebration—Overview ©Dawn Minott
As I celebrate my birthMONTH this year, I invite you to join me in a journey of renewal and restoration.
We Are Golden ©Dawn Minott | closing Women’s History Month 2025
We are whole—Strong. Unshaken.Shaped by history’s hands, fired in the kiln of time.But when the weight of patriarchy pressed too hard—Cracks appeared. What does the world do with women it tries to break?It tries to— Dismiss them.Silence them.Bury them. They say once something fractures,it can never be the same again.That the scars will always tell …
Continue reading We Are Golden ©Dawn Minott | closing Women’s History Month 2025
Imperfectly Perfect ©Dawn Minott
Affirmation of self-acceptance and confidence, celebrating the beauty of individuality beyond societal standards.
Undecided ©Dawn Minott |a Shadorma
When Mother Nature decides to create no “either/or” but both!
Poems & More 