I started creating art using Photoshop years ago, but only started creating book covers a little over a year ago.  Finding inspiration for both can come in different ways, but sometimes things come together in almost mystical ways.  This one is one of those - led by inspiration, a challenge and sealed with a lost poem from nearly a century ago.  Most of the book covers I make are with Cathleen Tarawhiti through DeviantArt.  I don't really do them to make money, but I am thankful when my art is added to her catalog of covers authors can buy.  I am also part of a group on Facebook that puts out challenges for artists like me.  These two things came together last month when Cathleen asked for book covers using any of her models and backgrounds and the group I am in set the challenge with the theme "Dreaming".  It didn't take long for things to come together and I searched the internet for a poem that might help. I found this poem to be both moving and beautiful. 

Ascent (partial) - by Laura Lee Bird - 1933

They stripped my body of its dress
And, twisting tight my silken hair,
They thrust a candle in my hand
And sent my on a broken stair
        A blackness laps before, behind
        The wick that licks the gusty wind

The stones uneven were and steep;
Their darkness chilled my fumbling feet.
I shuddered with each breath that shrived
My swaying body of its heat.
        Above the rapid wind's repeat
        I hear my frightened pulses beat.

More pale than ghost was I who climbed...
More pales than I the tallow flame
That was bestowed on me to find
The way the other dreamers came.
        Frail ghosts, frail ghosts, but wraiths in name
        Who upward creep the stars to claim. 

Read the entire poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?volume=42&issue=5&page=13

The dual nature of this piece complicated things a little for me as I consider this both a fine art piece and a book cover.  I hope it sells as a book cover some day, but I will also include it in my fine art section.