The Sentinel’s Dawn

by Elena Stewart

Genre: Poetry / Illustrated

ISBN: 979-8359924498

Print Length: 129 pages

A fantastical poetic expression of a young woman’s powerful desires

“The Sentinel’s Dawn” is an enchanting poetry book adorned with stunning visuals by Elena Stewart. It tells the tale of a young woman who calls out to her distant love, weaving a captivating story with its evocative verses and imagery.

“My sisters warned me—don’t play this game,” the fantasy poem begins. “They said he doesn’t feel the same…” Yet she issues the call anyway: “It’s time for you to return and save your queen.”

The book can be interpreted as one continuous poem or a collection of untitled poems. The characters remain unnamed, the rhyme scheme is slant, and the narrative takes on an impressionistic quality. Readers are invited to project their own details onto the mist that emerges or retreats within the lines. Within this mystical realm, a fairy spirit resides, “Melting through the endless twilights, Full of pines and candles and lilac dreams.”

The imagery within “The Sentinel’s Dawn” explores the clash of opposites, such as early and late, love and hate, lies and truth, sky and earth, ebb and flow, come and go. The invitation presented in the book carries a romantic or mystical allure, a gravitational pull. The narrator asks, “Will you take my hand if I ask you to enter my world?” It is not a mere vacation but an entanglement with consequences. Stewart poetically portrays the moon as a catalyst for fighting for one another, suggesting themes of love and the creation or destruction of worlds.

One of the standout features of the book is the graphite, chalk, ink, and paint art, also created by Stewart. The illustrations often depict a young, slender woman with long, wavy hair, exuding contemplation, power, and hope. Some illustrations feature vibrant reds and blues, while others are rendered in black-and-white. The reader feels as if they are witnessing the face of the person speaking, providing a gateway into her fantastical world. The mood of both the faces and the poems fluctuates, creating an immersive experience.

“The Sentinel’s Dawn” captures the essence of youthful emotions and delivers them through an innocent and pure voice, akin to that of a dreaming princess yearning for the transformative kiss of true love. The words resonate with those who perpetually seek their spiritual counterpart. Through these gentle magical spells, readers may find themselves drawn closer to someone they hold dear.

The character within the book expresses an overflow of emotions that can no longer be contained. Light breaks through the darkness, marking a shift from the “time of usual” to the “time of strange.” Embracing daydreams, nightmares, and adventures leads one wherever they may go, willingly walking towards the stirring dragon.

“The Sentinel’s Dawn” is a poetic journey that intertwines love and imagination, inviting readers to explore the depths of their own desires. Elena Stewart’s enchanting words and captivating visuals create an immersive experience that will resonate with those yearning for the power of love and the allure of the mystical realm.