Kelsy Melton is a poet whose verses flow like the wind through the trees, shaped by the rhythm of the natural world. A newcomer to the literary scene, she finds her creative spark in the quiet moments spent in nature, where the elements whisper stories waiting to be told. Her poetry is a deeply personal exploration, a means of tapping into the human condition through lyrical introspection and raw emotion.
Her journey into poetry began in Los Angeles, where she attended a poetry workshop at the Los Angeles Public Library. Immersed in an environment of words and expression, she found a space to refine her craft and connect with a vibrant community of writers. Since then, her passion for poetry has only deepened, and she continues to expand her creative horizons, using poetry as a mirror to better understand herself and the world around her.
In her poem “Waive,” Melton captures the interplay between submission and strength, surrender and resilience, as she paints an evocative picture of the ocean’s embrace. Her words, fluid and organic, mirror the ebb and flow of waves, each line a ripple of emotion that pulls the reader into a sensory experience. The poem moves with the tide, shifting between delicate imagery and powerful undertones, illustrating a profound connection between the self and nature.
Her ability to translate human emotions into vivid, tactile imagery makes her poetry both intimate and universal. With each verse, she invites readers to immerse themselves in her world—one where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blur, and where nature serves as both muse and mirror.
A Review of “Waive”
In her poem “Waive,” Melton captures the interplay between submission and strength, surrender and resilience, as she paints an evocative picture of the ocean’s embrace. The poem carries a delicate balance between vulnerability and power, mirroring the movement of waves—gentle yet relentless. The poet employs striking imagery to evoke a deeply immersive sensory experience:
“jade tresses crisscrossing
stamping transparent ribbons
across my body on my knees”
The ocean, personified as a force both nurturing and commanding, washes over the speaker, shaping and transforming her. The shifting interplay of light and water—“gold flecked / watered down / turquoise blues”—creates a visual mosaic, reinforcing the poem’s meditative quality. Melton masterfully conveys the paradox of stillness within movement, where the ocean’s force is both an act of erasure and renewal.
The lines—“your roaring hushes / the world / around me / hums”—exemplify the poet’s skill in capturing contrast. The vast, roaring sea becomes an intimate presence, silencing everything except the speaker’s raw communion with nature. The imagery of submission—“kneeling me / down”—evokes a sense of surrender, yet it is not one of weakness but of acceptance. The ocean becomes a sanctuary, a space where thought dissolves and the self merges with the vastness of nature.
Melton’s closing lines leave an indelible impression:
“your residue
left on my skin
and in strands
of salty hair”
Here, the poet cements the lasting impact of this encounter, a momentary immersion that lingers long after the waves have retreated. It is a testament to her ability to craft poetry that is not just read but felt—an experience that stays with the reader like salt on the skin.
Kelsy Melton’s poetry embodies the fluidity and depth of the natural world, offering readers a journey through emotion, introspection, and the ever-changing tides of existence. With each verse, she invites us to immerse ourselves in her world—one where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blur, and where nature serves as both muse and mirror. As she continues to build her poetry community and expand her collection, Kelsy Melton remains a voice to watch—a poet whose words will undoubtedly continue to shape the literary landscape with their quiet yet powerful resonance.