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 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.

Upon reflection on a year gone by,
I notice that life is short and needs to fly.

As time dissipates in the fog of winter
Storms that flog your optimism into a pauper,

I lie back and wonder …
How do I make the following year better?

My goals are set for my self-improvement,
Where I wish to feel no bereavement.

Goals are so arbitrary, that, at times
They pull you down into hades.

As I set my goals: reducing my intrusive
Conversation and being more conservative

In my opinions, but only with certain
Peoples, who lack perception.

Another goal is too write more,
Submit more, and succeed more.

I believe the latter more feasible,
As the first requires me to be more biddable

I hope to achieve a certain censorship
As not to reach hardship.

©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

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.

Dear, 

My most divine and optimized being I am so grateful for 

You 

Each and every day 

Breaking free from The Chaos The Heart Ache 

and 

The Social Restraints 

Staying true to 

Your 

Divine ethereal youth 

I am so very proud of 

You 

I am proud of 

Your 

Bravery 

Your 

Ability to choose 

You 

While addressing the trauma 

You’ve 

So long been oppressing 

For this is the year 

You’ve 

Finally released 

Released

Every Physical Mental 

and 

Spiritual Tragedy 

This is the year I get to thank 

Me 

For consciously choosing to step into My 

Highest being 

An Ethereal Goddess 

What some may call a 

Masterpiece 

What I’ve always been put in this world to be 

A starseed committed to evolving 

Effortlessly and consciously 

For the growth 

You’ve 

Showed me 

And ease at which 

You 

Manifest the life 

You’ve 

Always dreamed 

Is truly inspiring 

It is how 

I 

Know 

I am 

A powerful and strong starseed

Placed on this earth to do something bigger than Me 

My 

Mission serves 

justice and peace 

For this is 

My 

Divine Calling 

2023, 

Thank You, 

for never straying away from 

Me 

Rather, 

Vowing to finally show up as 

My 

Truest most Divine being 

Brought here to teach 

Selflessly 

That this world deserves 

more 

Happiness Love and Genuine Peace 

Just like the heart in 

Me.