There is time you spent looking
somewhere in the course
of the day
or days
or weeks and months
maybe even years
for that certainty of presence.
This is where you are no longer any sort
of impostor
of fearful
of lacking
of emotional
or dramatic
when the only thing there is, is that you, yourself, are.
those noises in your head are you
however not you
the illumination from introspection is many thousands of years old
from the masters it is possible to experience
the presence of who you are being
there is a grayness before the shining bright white
the smell of this work is the odor of freshly cut grass
and the sense of it, is that what you are looking for, is no longer missing.
That what was missing was always there, even so.
Poem copyrighted 01/2023, Ray Whitaker
Photo Copyrighted, 01/2023, Ray Whitaker. “Snowstorm over The Garden Of The Gods”
Someone asked me about my goals for 2023.
It’s an easy answer, I just want to be a better me.
Continue improving me.
Master the art of self-love, as I cut away the baggage that’s been holding me down. In 2023, I want to forgive myself. Now is not the time to focus on nonsense or on things that cause regrets.
Yes, some decisions were for the worst. My own actions made me hurt. I accept that those decisions had to be made for things to turn out this way, and that’s okay. Because 2022 left no stones unturned. I truly learned. And I’m ready for what’s next. In 2023, I’m stepping into my best.
In 2023, the plan is to live positively.
Provide an environment that is healthy, physically, and emotionally.
For not just me but also for my seed.
2023 is about my daughter. Developing that bond that can be broken by none. She needs to know that she is the one my world revolves around. Surrounding her with love only a mother can provide.
2023 is to make her thrive.
Last but not least, my goal for 2023 is to not let anyone walk all over me.
Self-betrayal is no longer an option. So, a word of caution…negativity will not be tolerated in 2023 or any year thereafter, so don’t bring it to me.
2023 is not just for me its for all of us,
To make it better than it was.
My goal for 2023 is for us to spread love rampantly.
I love your goals, Charmaine. They are so set and so reachable. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store even with how powerful your bond will be with your daughter. I believe that you will be the best most amazing mom ever. Your goal to spread love is just so sweet and amazing in a world filled with hate we need to show more love towards…read more
💜 WOW! Such beautiful, and so very real words. You are taking control and you are spreading love through your words. Motherhood is hard, yet rewarding for so many of us. You keep on, keeping on! You are such a beautiful soul and I am so happy to have crossed paths with you on your writing journey.
Charmaine, this is so sweet. Your daughter is so lucky to have you as a mom. Don’t worry about the mistakes you made in the past. Mistakes are how we learn and grow and also they will make you more wise when giving advice to your daughter one day. You sound so strong and like an amazing momma. Keep shining and keep showing your daughter what it l…read more
I know you’re listening
I know you are there
I know that you’re hiding,
but I can see you in the reflection on my screen as I write this down,
as the tears fall down your cheeks.
This year was painful wasn’t it,
this year broke you didn’t it,
this year things got out of your hands, didn’t they?
You broke up with friends, with your sister, and with a mother who you wished have cared,
this year you healed,
not fully,
but you did what you could to an extent,
and now you ask yourself “what’s next, what is it that’s coming your way”,
2022 was a year of tribulations that proved that you can,
that you are capable of overcoming obstacles, and that you can keep pushing even when your legs really feel like they can’t,
2023, you got a lot to do in this year
you have to work on forgiveness
you have to work on loving yourself again,
2023, has to be the year that you accomplish at least one of your dreams,
the one you’ve always been afraid to commit to but the one that describes you best,
2023, has to be the year that your smile seems sincere,
and that your body feels in shape.
2023, will be the year that you accept yourself and you feel beautiful in your own skin.
2023 will be a huge year for you, don’t forget that sometimes you’ll feel sad and will want to cry
don’t forget that sometimes you will fall
and you’ll want to stay down,
don’t you forget that you are charming,
and no matter what,
you are the price,
And through it all you will be standing tall.
2023 will be a year full of blessings, and opportunities to be who you want to be,
2023 will be a year that will mark your heart
With abundance of love and success.
2023 girl,
There’s so much coming your way,
I can’t wait for this new year, I know you feel it too, I know you’re on the same page.
Reina, I am so sorry for all the hurt you endured last year. But it sounds like last year’s struggles helped you lay a solid foundation for this year’s goals. Keep healing. Keep forgiving. Keep growing. Keep chasing your dreams. And when it gets tough, read this poem. It will remind you that you are so strong – you are unbreakable. You got this!…read more
You’ve been through a rough last year. But your motivation is what’s gonna help you get through goals this year. You have such a drive and adrenaline to you that no one can stop you from reaching your goals. Keep your head held high and keep fighting.
Malak, what I love about your writing is that your heart always shines through. Life does fly by… keep being you. I hope you keep writing like you said you wanted to and keep succeeding. However, please know that you are already a huge success. Thank you for sharing this poem and being a part of our family. <3 Lauren
Lauren, I humble me with your comments. I love the fact that you understand my perspectives and that my writing appeals to you. Everything I write comes from within as well as a from my perception of our society.
I feel as though gh sometimes our goals can bring us down they can also bring us up at times. You said that you wanted to write more. I feel like that will help more with your goals just like how you are writing about your goals now. Your writing can always be an ongoing reminder of what you have on track of what you need to do.
I totally agree with you, which is why your advice will be taken to heart. There are times though when you feel too empty to write. This creates a heaviness that can block me from expressing my feelings.
The last few years have felt like a blurr, but now it feels like things are glowing 🙂
It’s winter but
The future is
emitting light.
It’s dark outside
but that’s mostly because
we live mostly at night.
Vibe; phosphorescent
not real yet
but I feel its essence.
My future, future self
is reminiscent.
She thinks about the year
that she hoped things would change,
she let go of fear,
she let the universe rearrange.
The year that she received exactly
what she wanted;
it all gradually came to me
it was never chased, never hunted.
I finished my script
then it was time to sell,
if I sold it by my 30th birthday
well, wouldn’t that be swell.
But, “I’m not worried”
life is better when enjoyed
not rushed nor hurried.
I’ll keep teaching English
because of I am lover of literature
a lover of words, of nomenclature.
Also, happen to be a lover of nature.
Spring will come and winter will fade,
dead leaves for flowers
will make quite the trade.
We bought a patch of land
we never knew what we wanted
but now it’s all planned.
Can’t wait to build our home
brought to us by
little prayers and little ohms.
Tiny home living out in the woods,
shipping container turned into a locally made good.
Wearing carhartts,
connecting pieces and parts,
my partner and I,
we will do this together.
Me? Build a house?
I would have thought never!
Then, later we will gear up for the fall
Gear up for when we answer the call
Filming the story I dreamt up in my head
I can hear actors saying lines
that I wrote in my bed.
Deeply inspired by my drive through the swamp,
deep down in Florida where the alligators stomp,
deep down where the story takes place,
deep down where my main character
learns the story of grace.
Wrap up filming
probably not in 2023
but probably 2024
and by then I hope to be
living in my house
writing a dozen stories more.
I am thankful for this new year to evolve,
it’s not like the things from before
will completely dissolve;
We can alchemize the past
We can live in the present
We will wait for the future
I can feel
that it’s phosphorescent.
Madi, this is so well written. Congratulations on building a home. That is so exciting! It’s sounds like you not only laid the bricks for a beautiful home but also a beautiful year and life. Thank you for sharing this creative, insightful and inspiring poem. And thank you for being a part of our Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
Your Poem is so amazing Madi. I love the line where you said The year that she received exactly
what she wanted;
it all gradually came to me
it was never chased, never hunted.You just knew that your dream wasn’t just a dream and that it would come gradually. You didn’t stress about what you didn’t have any control over but you only did what you…read more
Michael – You are SO strong and courageous. YOu should be so proud for addressing your pain and expressing yourself and choosing to embrace the Goddess that you are! Keep growing. Keep writing. Keep evolving. And keep pursuing your greatness. You are right. You are here to do something so big and so great. Never lose sight of that. And thank you…read more
Sometimes in life when there aren’t people thanking us and even with people having us we have to always thank ourselves. We tend to accomplish things but not acknowledge the goals we did and sit down and think to ourselves about the journey it took to reach that goal.
You are right, Ray. At the end of the day you only and always have yourself. <3 Lauren
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