Shot by Marie Rose Photography & Videography
In Poets Corner, OUT40 spotlights Frederick-based poet Lanai Monroe, whose ethereal poem, “Wild Flower,” is a celebration of feminine resilience, nature, and spiritual alignment. Monroe’s words paint an image of a woman in constant communion with the elements—raised by the sun, grounded in soil, and lulled to rest by the moon. Each line is a meditation on growth and gratitude, rooted in self-awareness and healing. Her metaphors—scorch marks as lessons, grass as gentle kin, and nightfall as both rest and rebirth—carry the weight of ancestral wisdom.
More than a performance, Monroe’s piece feels like a ritual. With lyrical cadence and reverence for the natural world, she invites the listener to honor their own inner bloom, even in the face of harsh seasons. As part of OUT40’s mission to elevate POC artistry, “Wild Flower” stands tall: a tender yet powerful reminder that true beauty is wild, untamed, and undeniably rooted. Watch her full performance here.