SHEENA POWELL POET

SHEENA POWELL POET

Polyhymnia

Polyhymnia is Sheena Powell’s debut poetry collection, published by Finishing Line Press, a national award-winning small press. The collection is inspired by the Greek muse of sacred poetry; it is an intimate exploration of nature, love, art, and the creative spirit.

Cover of “Polyhymnia” by Sheena Powell, featuring an Art Nouveau-style woman

Cover of “Polyhymnia” by Sheena Powell, featuring an Art Nouveau-style woman

In Greek mythology there are nine lovely, divine sisters called the Muses. The Muses are of one mind and one heart, free spirits thriving on song and poetry. They also are distinguished by their unique gifts. Polyhymnia, an intellectual depicted as pensive and meditative, is the Muse of many hymns, or songs to the Gods. The eloquent Polyhymnia and her sister Muses used the grace of poetry and song to comfort the heartbroken.

Portrait of poet Sheena Powell smiling, standing against a brick wall

Portrait of poet Sheena Powell smiling, standing against a brick wall

Decorative letter S monogram

Decorative letter S monogram

Excerpts from

POLY

Atlantis is a girl who lights the

stage for unruly poets while un-phased by

the clamor of drunken revelers. Despite the

fate of the once thriving civilization for

which Atlantis is named, her spirit is

very much alive and her demeanor so

sweet she could turn sugary the sea.

Illustration of a woman holding a lantern in a blue-toned, atmospheric scene

Illustration of a woman holding a lantern in a blue-toned, atmospheric scene

HYMN

In this grove the barn owl perches on the

stump of the old cypress tree, its brittle

wood loosened where the tallons dig in.

The owl bows her head, weary it seems,

from generations of protections as

the white-faced descendant of Isis.

What does the poet know about a field of grass?

How to describe a sprawling lawn freshly cut:

what words to describe its earthy, rich

chlorophyll scent filling my nose?

The feel of the cut blades on the palms of

my hands grazing the sharp tops of

jagged leaves leaning this way and that, as if

they were leaping from the path of the

spinning mower blade. How the lawn from

afar is a lush green dance floor of dewy

living matter cut into uniformity.

How soil is kicked up and sprinkled like sugar

making a nature-confection: Gaia’s layer cake.

Oh, what words does the poet hold?

IA

Forest scene with a barn owl, surrounded by floating leaves and light

Forest scene with a barn owl, surrounded by floating leaves and light

Close-up of a hand brushing through tall green grass in a sunlit field

Close-up of a hand brushing through tall green grass in a sunlit field

What the Poet Does Know

“He is happy whom the Muses love.”

– Hesiod, Greek Poet

Polyhymnia

Poem for Atlantis

The Barn Owl

The Barn Owl first appeared in Ekphrastic 2024, published by Craven Arts Council.

These excerpts present a glimpse of the poetry inside Polyhymnia.
Discover the full poems and the complete collection by reserving your book now.