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jamesrkellogg submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about your best memory of 2024 6 months, 3 weeks ago
i see the manger
i see the manger
By: Jim Kellogg
(The Queer Poet)
11-15-24
(a great day — seeing the manger for the “first” time)i see the manger
through the eyes of…
the broken
shards of glass
stuck in their eyes
blood-red tears streaming down
their facesi see the manger
through the eyes of…
the refugees
no place to call home
just like the holy family
far beyond
a strange new worldi see the manger
through the eyes of…
the queer
rainbow blood
flowing through their veins
are they a part
of the covenanti see the manager
through the eyes of…
the abused
battered bodies
battered souls
battered spiritsi see the manger
through the eyes of…
the poor
the ones without
i was naked
i was hungry
i was sickI see the manger
through the eyes of…
the illiterate
those who cannot
for whatever reason
closed minds
vulnerable mindsi see the manger
through the eyes of…
the “unclean”
deemed so
by the plaster prophets
and the pew warmers
hypocritesi see the manager
through the eyes of…
the children
laughter
tears
wonder
paini see the manager
through the eyes of…
the words
spoken
sang
signed
left unsaidi see the manger
through the eyes of…
the shade of gray
the in between
fresh perspectives
blended thoughts
the impolitically correcti see the manger
through the eyes of…
the marginalized
those on the edge
no way in
no way out
trappedi see the manager
through the eyes of…
revelation
shaking with
sadness
joy
hopei see the manger
though the eyes of…
the mighty counselor
the son of god
the everlasting father
the prince of peace
god with usVoting is closed
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James, this is a powerful and moving poem! I am glad that you have created a strong relationship with God that can help see you through life’s challenges and successes. By doing everything with faith and certainty that He is our Savior, we can find true peace. Thank you for sharing this poem!
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michae1 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about your best memory of 2024 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Vulnerability
One of the best moments of
2024 for me, was that time
I decided to open Up
And be a Lil vulnerable.
Felt nervous but comfortable.
As we sat at a table eating lunch,
I let her read my
{Broken or Broke in} poem.
Opened me up more,
Pretty soon I started reading aloud.
Feeling high in the clouds,
The feeling was “unique”.
The way she sounds when she speaks
Had me expressing more
Freely & frequently.
I just wanted to hear that
Specific frequency.
So grateful for that moment
Of vulnerability.Voting is closed
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Michael, it is amazing what letting our guard down can do for us. Though it sometimes ends with pain, vulnerability is the only way we can find true love and friendship in our lives. I am glad that you opened up to a person who enriches your creativity. Thank you for sharing this poem!
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lovinganita submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about your best memory of 2024 6 months, 3 weeks ago
"Rediscovering Me: A Journey of Healing and Release"
This year began with me lost and confused,
Ignoring God’s calls, his voice infused:
“It’s time to heal, to let go, to break free,
Release what no longer serves, and set boundaries.”Each time I smiled at my reflection’s view,
The truth inside whispered, “I see through you.”
I kept running, avoiding his steady plea,
Until isolation season sat me down to see.Face to face with the shadows I’d flee,
For the first time in my life, I discovered me.
No longer bound by others’ demand,
I took my healing into my own hands.This year’s ride has been a twisting road,
A Rollercoaster of weight and soul unbowed.
Through tears, I’ve released what held me confined,
Through breath, I’ve found peace and time to realign.A spiritual journey, a path I now tread,
2024 brought the tears that needed to be shed.
It brought me closer to truth, closer to peace,
This year, I discovered a version of me unleashed.Voting is closed
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Anita, this is a beautifully powerful poem. I think we all experience times in which we feel lost and uncertain of the direction we want our lives to take, especially if we need to heal old wounds first. I am glad that you took control of your healing and have released what was holding you back. Thank you for sharing your story!
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James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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leslieann96 submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about your best memory of 2024 6 months, 3 weeks ago
This post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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opwriter submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about your best memory of 2024 6 months, 3 weeks ago
A Letter From Croatia (Pismo iz Hrvatske)
Dear Unsealers:
Dobar dan iz Dubrovnika!
It’s the afternoon of Friday, October 11th, 2024.
I’m walking along the city walls surrounding the old town of Dubrovnik. With each stick tap and every step, I can see more and more of the Adriatic Sea. The old town of the city is on the horizon. Red roofs as far as the eye can see.
This is the last day of a ten-day trip to Croatia. I don’t want to go back to NYC.
I’ve seen a bit of everything as we’ve moved along.
From the urban sprawl of the capital city in Zagreb. Gritty, quirky, and fiercely proud of its place in the Balkans. The shades of gray in the sky didn’t stop the sightseeing. From the Stone Gate to the Zagreb Cathedral, there are still signs of damage from the earthquake in 2020. To the Lotrščak Tower with a canon that fires every day at exactly noon. And the local delicacy, a cheese-filled pastry named Strukli complements all the pivo and lamb on offer.
A mishap happened during our tour of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. I nearly lost one of my hiking sticks in the lake but was able to recover it One step at a time, I was able to navigate the 2.5 mile hike in the rain.
As the trip moved on, the gray skies of the continent gave way to the coastal portions.
From Split and its starring role as the backdrop for Game of Thrones to departing the mainland for the island of Hvar. The moonlit skies in the harbor overlooking our hotel, with the islands of Brac and Korcula on the far horizon.
Here we are in Dubrovnik. It’s every bit as scenic as my mind thought it would be. The city walls surround the old town, tiled streets, and views of boats in the harbor leading excursions out to the other islands off the coast.
Thirty-eight of us are in this group, and I’m the only solo traveler. As in previous trips, I didn’t let that fact deter me from befriending the group. Everyone’s been so kind to me, especially our tour guide Nikoleta.
I released my first poetry book while this trip happened, “A Poetic Journey, Staying At Home” and to my wonder and amazement, everyone took a liking to me and to my poetry. In fact, there’s a bit of a surprise during the farewell dinner later this evening.
I was worried that there would be a letdown after the epic trip to Greece the year before. But thankfully, that didn’t materialize. This was a fast-paced trip, and I enjoyed every minute once I touched down in Zagreb.
I was able to forget the delayed flight to Munich from JFK and the fact that I missed my connection to Zagreb. When you have views of the Adriatic in front of you as I do, all the negativity gets pushed aside and the joy is what remains.
It’ll be tough to say zbogom Hrvatska!
But I leave Croatia in awe of this country and all of its beauty.I hope to be back again soon, as there’s so much more to explore.
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Oswald, I so enjoyed reading your description of Croatia. I have never been but have always wanted to visit the country. It sounds like it is just as beautiful as I imagined! I am impressed with you for having the courage to travel alone and I love that you made friends with the group. Thank you for sharing this experience!
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sadie submitted a contest entry to
Write a poem or letter about your best memory of 2024 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 7 months ago
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Shelby Warren Gomez shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 7 months ago
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Sasha Poet shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 7 months, 1 weeks ago
Addictive
Anxiously waiting an emotional state
Anticipating just so I can relate
You’re addictive, I’m the addict
Bad habit forming, so eager to date
Compulsive behavior that couldn’t wait
You’re addictive I’m the addict
Compelling thinking,
Let’s keep it straight
Put you on a peddle stool
I needed you, not hate
You’re addictive, I’m the addict
Everybody was doing it
Falling so deep,
In my eyes, it was great
Good feelings I couldn’t shake
You’re addictive, I’m the addict
A feeling that creates, a feeling of escape
My problems you eliminate
You’re addictive, I’m the addict
The real problem was you LOVE
I thought I found it in many versions of him but I couldn’t find it within
You became a drug,
Always needing, looking, searching
Finding that thing called love
You’re addictive, I’m the addict
Confessions of a recovered Love-aholic
Looking in the mirror,
Contemplating the reflection looking back at me
Appreciating that feeling,
The beauty that’s skin deep
The feeling of self loveSubscribe  or  log in to reply
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James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 7 months, 2 weeks ago
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Cheyenne Jamerson shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 7 months, 2 weeks ago
The Crystal Ball
What is it that you seek?
What is it that you saw?
You should never listen to my wicked crystal ball.
What is it that you seek?
What is it that you saw?
You should never listen to my wicked Crystal Ball.
Have you seen the crystal ball?
Have you heard the souls scream trapped in her cloudy walls?
Everything you love gone before it even happens,
nothing left of your soul among the cold dark ashes.
They say fools wish to be free,
until they’re in a free fall…
Fools gamble time and the ball she takes it all
‘Cause the crystal is a cheat,
the crystal is a liar,
The crystal is a frozen world of ice and of fire. To live in a lie the price is the truth,
to be frozen in time the price is your youth. But you knew, it never tricked you,
You let it seduce you, left scars on your skin-as if it ever needed you.
Some always come crawling,
some may escape her call.
But you should never listen to my wicked Crystal Ball…
What is it that you seek?
What is it that you saw?
You should never listen to my wicked crystal ball…
You should never listen to my wicked crystal ball.A young boy sits in a wooden chair
Gazing forward
A ball of crystal perched before him
Almost invisible
It warps and clouds what lay behind it
He knows there will be a price
But he must try
He wants to know,
He has to know.
He gazes into its prism chamber
And it tells.
When he lifts his head, his breath taken away
The awe of the secrets told to him
Fade
When he sees his reflection
He sees that he is no longer the same man
But old, so old.
The ball has told him what he wished to know
But he had to pay the price of time
He walks away, as many have before,
Feeling cheated
Feeling like it all went by so fast
If he could only have another chance
If he could only get that time back
But he can’t
Time is the only thing you have
And the only thing you can never have
It is yours, spent
And the crystal ball will steal your time
The crystal will steal your life.Subscribe  or  log in to reply
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Love this! I’m a recovering addicted also but, mine was opiates. Now I’m going on 7 years clean.
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This is really powerful and well-written. I feel like it’s a story that people could read and apply to their own lives in myriad ways as the crystal ball can represent so many different things – depending on the person and their story. Thank you for sharing! <3 Lauren
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Shelby Warren Gomez shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 8 months, 3 weeks ago
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Anita Jordan shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Surviving Addiction
I had an addiction for 23 years, I have been clean for over 30 yrs minus my slips and falls that through me into the ring of addiction, because I let my guard down thinking that I was stronger than it, when actually the addiction was stronger than me. But such as life try and try again. I am clean and have been for many years. I allowed myself to lured back but the last time was the last time. I asked myself some questions and the most important was do you want to live or die, do I want to live a full life filled with endless possibilities or die not reaching my full potential. I choose life . I became to love self, and wouldn’t accept any old thing , I have been hopeless and helpless and I have done things that only me and God know about. I have come full circle I know my value . I graduated from college and wrote a book. I hope to be a recovery coach, where I help those who are still trapped be free and stare in the face of addiction and say I won and I am stronger than you. Now in my life there is so many things I want to do all for the glory of God not for fame or fortune all though these things have there place, that is not my motivation. I survived so that I may be a help to others.
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I am so glad you chose life. Addiction is not an easy thing to battle. I congratulate you for fighting it and coming out on top. With each day that comes, keep making the most of it. Congratulations again. Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for being part of The Unsealed. <3 Lauren
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Benjamin Fuller shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 10 months ago
Tree By Many Waters pt. 1&2
Tree By Many Waters pt.1
There was a tree planted by many waters and it did grow, oh how it did flourish
There was much of creation which this tree was able nourish
Birds from afar would come make their nest
And many creatures would lay under the tree to find rest
Then one day a serpent slithered under its shade
And while it was there, the tree it did persuade
To drink from a pond that was stagnant and full of pollution
Promising that the solution was sweet to drink, and good to the taste
So the tree took a drink and saw what the serpent said was true and let none go to waste
Day after day it continued to drink the poisonous waters by its root
Until it’s limbs began to wither, and it’s trunk started to rot
Then came the day which the tree longed to bear fruit
But alas, it could notTree By Many Waters pt.2
(Seed of Hope)There was a tree that once was, but alas is no more
For the tree was deceived, and believed the words of a serpent
And drank from poisonous waters until the rot ate through to its core
Once the pride of the forest, standing so valiant and tall
Able to give rest and nourishment to all
Reduced to nothing but a hollowed out shell
Until a mighty wind came, and what remained finally fell
But as it fell, one little seed crashed to the ground with a “thunk”
And deep into the ground that little seed sunk
Its roots began to web through the earth
And from this little seed, came forth a new birth
A tiny little sprout, with a hope of reaching the heavens beyond the sky
A dream in which it would let no one deny
It began to fight its way through the old trunk
Chipping away through the rot, chunk after chunk
The rains beat it down, and the winds meant no good
But yet unmoved, the young tree stood
Before long the tree began to gain nature’s attention
There was not one creature who could not make mention
For the trees trunk had grown very large, and it branches began to cover the forest
And much of creation would flock to it to find nourishment and restSubscribe  or  log in to reply
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Shelby Warren Gomez shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 10 months ago
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jpck918 shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 11 months, 2 weeks ago
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sarabrooke88 shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 1 years, 1 months ago
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Torrie Hrdlicka shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 1 years, 2 months ago
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Timothy T. Willett shared a letter in the
Surviving Addiction group 1 years, 3 months ago
From my heart to yours...
I normally pre-mate poems with pen and paper But, this cannot wait any longer or later. Your words truly have pierced mine, and I remember surly the same state of mind. So, I will simply type on this phone my friend, even though it might not have another end. Sitting alone here on a 5 corner square, I look and see nothing in the middle of nowhere I will re-read your note that was truly wrote- From eyes of faucet water-in these tears I float. Though there’s no end at all to this telephone line, Emotions they do crawl from your heart to mine. Surly an addiction at the bottom of Erie’s Lake- I had no problem fixing every high I had to make. I would want to write to you from the bottom where it comes, But I don’t know if that is true, when mind games are so dumb. Nor has any heart bore but only similar strings, Unless one is ripped apart-it’s just not right it seems. I just cannot believe there’s people out there like me, Nor do I ever think I’m any better you see For God has made different all human existence, Yet we’re all still sinners so full of resistance And the very best thing that came from covid disease… Is the simple quote that had the note, “Please”. Now we clearly see, “We are all in this together”… In the same boat-(as light as a feather)… Is the message of Salvation for the world to live forever! The basis of a Christian is not a perfect life, It’s more of who’s been missing-but been found by Jesus Christ! It is that of progress and not of perfection… It’s a brand new spirit that with God has made connection! Jesus promised all that whosoever will… On Himself may call-that He’ll save forever still! All the talents and gifts He gave to express Of how it’s always Him to pull us out of our mess. And to lead the way over glassy seas to shore My dear friend I pray-may this heart get to yours.
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Greetings, a beautiful expression of a deep connection and appreciation for shared emotions, despite physical distance. Very heartfelt, touching on themes of vulnerability and hope. The personal reflections and spiritual elements add depth, offering comfort and reassurance to whoever reads. Thank you for sharing!
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That is very encouraging.Thank you so much! ♥
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