Suffering hallucinations is quite real.
My reputation has suffered acutely
For those screams and moans. They only occur
When I am tired beyond comprehension.
I have cinematic dreams, and blinding green
lights pulsate and revive, illuminating walls.
Sometimes writing from my teaching years
Appears in the air, a cloud of equations.
My father is watching in his Rice sweatshirt.
I am waiting for him to talk, but ghosts
Must have their etiquette and methods.
I don’t know what I would say if he appeared,
I should probably write it down, just in case.
He’s my phantom. I have so many questions
I would have difficulty insisting on answers
And perhaps equations cannot be solved
Without mentioning heaven. It’s our final
Inside joke. He told me I would always
Have the last word. Sometimes it’s painful
To be correct. I’m waiting for his voice
To issue forward. I finally found
The last word: silence. Silence and damages.
I’m hot but I like it mild
Sometimes needy, labeled the wild child.
Lucid Dreamer like the Pisces I am.
Born on the only day that’s not always there….got me questioning LIFE from the day it began! Thank you.
If you do the math I equal 55.
But I failed that subject.
Words over numbers that’s where I thrive. Trouble maker Too cool for school
but finished that shit cuz I wasn’t no fool. Babies having babies so quick to be grown. Took on that roll
I still proudly chill on that thrown.
Thank you.
My reasons to grind, a whole new light.
My Pride n joys and Proof
That I can do something right! Thank you. Welcomes more lost identity.
Still Shandi but constantly morphed,
searching for real serenity.
Somedays up somedays down,
sociable emotional, ready to get devotional. Thank you.
Spread love n laughter
maybe a people pleaser.
Make plans to break plans,
but follow thru with promises.
I write to write about all these feelings just to read them at my own leisure.
If you took a test about YOU
would you pass or fail?
Do you know what make ur own boat sail?
I won’t answer my own questions…
What if everything you have been told was wrong with you is actually everything that is right? Ok here comes the rabbit hole it’s time to say good night. Thank you!
If you took a test about YOU
would you pass or fail?
Do you know what make ur own boat sail?
I love that part of your piece. So many of us don’t know ourselves, or think we know ourselves and we don’t until we really take a pause. Thank you for sharing this insightful piece. <3 Lauren
Hello Everyone!
I’m new to The Unsealed. The site caught my eye because of the backstory and I believe the contests seem interesting. I’m a writer with a handful of poems published.
This is my first letter so I thought I’d introduce myself briefly. I am a recovering addict with some mental health issues. I also have two daughters and a grandson. I live in the house my grandparents raised me in before they passed away.
When I’m not reading or writing, I enjoy photography, swimming, hiking, listening to music, traveling to places I’ve never been and painting ceramics.
I’m also a Scorpio.
Welcome to The Unsealed, Donetta! Your introduction is truly beautiful, and your devotion for writing shines through. Your journey of healing and strength is inspiring, and it’s wonderful to hear about your creative goals and love for exploration. I look forward to reading more of your letters and sharing in this community with you.
A glimpse into your world, so free.
With a heart that’s kind and full of care,
You spread compassion everywhere.
A seeker of knowledge, curious and bright,
You strive to learn with all your might.
From tech interviews to healthcare debates,
You explore diverse topics, no question waits.
You stand by your brother, guiding his way,
Helping him shine, day by day.
And in the face of challenges, you persist,
Finding strength in the midst of any twist.
Dyslexic students, you champion their might,
Recognizing the strengths they bring to light.
You wonder about accommodations and support,
Empowering them to excel, their dreams to court.
In the realm of health, you seek understanding,
From medical concerns to ovarian branding.
You navigate the complexities with grace,
Seeking answers, embracing each new space.
Rebecca, you’re a friend so true,
With a spirit that shines in all you do.
Keep exploring, learning, and being kind,
For in this world, you’re a treasure to find.
Rebecca, I’m glad that you’re recognizing and appreciating your dedication to spreading compassion, seeking knowledge, and supporting others. I hope you continue to explore diverse topics and support dyslexic students. I am grateful for your friendship and will strive to shine with kindness and a spirit of learning.
Hello all!
My name is Danielle and I’ve been writing since I was 10 yrs old “not professionally” But for me, for my sanity for me to understand me! for me to understand other people and for me to make sense of the world. It’s something that always came natural when there was trauma in my life. somewhere I could hide from everything and hear myself out loud.
I think it’s the people who have a hard time getting their emotions out verbally in the presence of others, that make the best writers!
I’ve been inside out and upside down in my own head, It can be really scary sometimes and it can be very endearing at others.
I will end it with one of my favorite quotes from One of my favorite authors,
“I was not proud of what I had learned, but I never doubted that it was worth knowing.”
Hunter s. Thompson
I started writing young as a way to express myself as well. You remind me a little of @bakerdeandrea94icloud-com You should check out some of her writing!
I am a busy guy. There’s no denying that. In fact, my work week sees me writing practically every single day. I’m not one to complain. I love what I get to do every day.
Not everyone has that luxury to be able to go to work and know that they’ll enjoy what each day brings. I consider myself fortunate to be able to do that.
When the work day ends, I take some me time. Having the time to myself at night after work does wonders for my mental health.
I’ll often unwind by going upstairs, turning on my XBOX and playing some innings of MLB The Show.
I find that video games like MLB The Show and Power Wash Simulator are a great way to relieve stress. Taking the time to relax and unwind is important. Be sure to take time for yourself.
That’s great and Good for you. Anything we can do to relax and take time out for our mental health is something we all need to do. Relax, unwind and gather all that was done in the day, and or the week and reflect back on possible mistakes and/or the great things you’ve done and take it all in. Think if there’s anything you may need to do over…read more
Power Wash Simulator is one of the best video games out there. It has the right mix of fun factor and challenge, which is crucial toward a video game’s success on the market. The producers had no idea that the game would be a hit.
I, too, need to unwind sometimes. For me, its exercise or TV. Sometimes I binge-watch one show. Right now, I am watching old-school Sex and the City episodes.
Hopefully, these are the uncensored versions of the episodes. Sex and the City, much like some of the other shows initially airing on premium cable, have had to be scissored when entering broadcast syndication. Tales From the Crypt had a plan to make the edits less noticeable: Certain scenes in the syndicated cuts of Tales From the Crypt were…read more
Awwwwww, that’s so sweet of you to take out the time to wish everyone a Happy day. Easter is definitely one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy it a lot, because I have grandkids. When I was younger, we barely celebrated Easter, because we didn’t have much growing up in a very large family, where the girls/sisters had to wear hand-me down dresses and…read more
Karen, I’m glad you are able to give what you did not have the opportunity to receive to your grandchildren! I am sure they are so happy to be able to celebrate with you!
My name is Oswald Perez. I’m a poet and writer that lives in New York City. I’m also a person that has Cerebral Palsy.
I’m thankful to have found this group. It took a bit of effort on my part to take the leap and become a member of the group.
As I happened to be scrolling one night and came across the sponsored advertisement for the group. After asking for the Zoom link for one of the candid conversations, I knew that this would be a new landing spot for me.
I’m in the midst of trying to become my ideal self, or something close to it.
Among my goals in life, I want to become an independent adult and a writer/speaker. Someone tells his story of inspiration to those that need to hear the message. That it’s okay to embrace every inch of yourself and not let the circumstances of the past define who you are in the present moment.
And a person that chronicles everything that he’s doing. His travels, hopes, dreams and ambitions for books, posts on various feeds and videos.
Aww Oswald,we are so happy to have you and excited to read your writing and share it with the world. I am glad you are excited about the community. We are so happy to have you. Tell New York City, I say hello :).
Hi Oswald! Welcome to the Unsealed family. I’m Kayjah! I feel like we are so lucky to have you join a place where you can tell the world how you feel and what you go through without any judgment. I can’t wait to hear more of the stories and poems you have to show us! Welcome again. I hope you enjoy your stay here.
Good for you, seeing others writing and expressing their feelings is a great resource and comfort area to share how you’re feeling. I’m glad you’re seeking to become your ideal self, but as I stated to another, don’t allow your illness/disease stop you from doing “anything” you want to do, unless it interferes and causes your illness to worsen.…read more
Hello everyone, first this is the first letter I’m posting on this so please don’t be too judgmental lol. Kidding aside, let me tell you a little more about myself I suffered a devastating lower back injury from a car accident I suffered when I was 13 years old. It turned my entire life into a tailspin downward for a decade I was in a wheelchair in severe pain in my lower back and extremities to the point where I needed to use a wheelchair to get to the bathroom in my own home!!!! My social life was non-existent and no Doctors would do anything to help me because of my age. All they would do is drug me and put me in Psychiatric wards and never believed that I had pain, I heard so many times, “He’s a kid, he don’t know pain” so many times I wanted to go home and cry and many times that’s exactly what I did. At the same time I was prescribed numerous prescriptions harmful drugs that had massive side effects and had me throwing up and getting me immensely sick. I spent night after night in various ER’s around the Western New York area including out of the area such as Boston, Rochester and Cleveland but none were willing to do what it took to help me. But I finally found the right Doctors after a decade that felt more like an eternity, after an eleven-hour procedure I can get around, walk, move and actual live life again after watching so much of it go by my bedroom window. I am now pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a sports play by play announcer and got to spend this past summer announcing games for the Batavia Muckdogs a local baseball team here in Buffalo as I work my way up to one day hopefully becoming a radio play by play announcer for Major League Baseball. However, I am also writing this letter to lend an ear, what makes this community great is that we all bond over the trials and tribulations of life and within that we become closer as potentially friends. During my medical ordeal I thought about committing suicide three different times but I thought no there is a better way. But, I’ve certainly been through my ups and downs in life and I know that sometimes just having someone to listen makes all the difference, so if anyone needs somebody to listen or just needs a friend I’m available and willing to help when I’m not calling games of course lol. But I am here and want the members of this community to know that I am here because I know dark times in life and not just my own physical health, I’ve dealt with alcoholic family members, family members who survived domestic abuse and a lot of other dark and scary and downright sad and messed up things this world can thrown upon a person. And when you get swept up in the darkness, sometimes you just need someone to know you care. Unfortunately, I know how quickly life can change in the blink of an eye. I’ve lost family members to covid and even in my own life, one second I’m perfectly healthy coming back from religion class on a Sunday and the next second I get in a major accident that flipped my life on its proverbial ear. And just the rapid and sudden change of life can be a ton and overwhelming to deal with, I know that feeling firsthand and again I am willing to listen to those who may be dealing with that currently in their own lives and again I am here. Again I understand that you do not know me and I would never ask any of you to share anything with me you don’t feel comfortable sharing. I’m just offering a friendly ear to listen and I think especially with the hard times this world has seen the last couple years whether it be the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine Conflict, or just flat out life itself I believe we can get through it so long as we all support each other and listen to each other in times of need and great distress. So I would like to extend the olive branch and offer my friendship to anyone who feels the world is against them or they have very little company in their own lives I know what that feels like and if I can help you guys from feeling the almost hopeless isolation I felt for so long then that will make my day and hopefully make yours as well. One last thing to conclude my incessant ramblings, I think I speak for everyone when I say what a wonderful person Lauren is for putting this all together making this forum possible, she has been nothing but kind to me my entire time as a member of this community and I’m sure she has done the same for everyone in the Unsealed Community, Lauren you should be very proud of yourself for what you have accomplished and are accomplishing with this, the world needs more people like you!!!! You are a true angel. Once again, my name is John and I want to thank you guys in advance for listening to my long-windedness, I truly do appreciate it. I know it has been a while since I posted my first letter but I felt given the nature of this community I felt it necessary to offer a potential friendship and just to have another person in your corner when it feels like you have no one. Remember you are not alone and you truly matter, even though life may do things that make you feel that you don’t you do. I’ve been there and that’s why if you need someone to listen I’m here, I’m just a letter away. On that note, that’s it for me for now, feel free to reply or reach out guys if you ever need someone to just listen. I look forward to interacting with you guys very soon. Your friend John Carubba
Hello John,
I cannot imagine what it was like for you to lose your mobility at such a young age. To make matters worse you could not find a compassionate, competent doctor for the longest time. I am so glad you finally received the treatment you needed to walk and that you are here at The Unsealed to share your journey and wisdom.…read more
Hi Mrs. Brill, thank you for replying. I always love listening to your questions during Lauren’s Unsealed Conversations you are very intelligent and empathic person and I respect that about you. You should be very proud of Lauren what a wonderful community she put together here, she is one of the nicest people I ever met and you as well. Thank you…read more
Thank you Roger!!!! That really means a lot, I’m glad you know of Batavia too. They are in a different league now the PGCBL they lost their affiliation with the Marlins but we are happy to have them back. We were one game away from winning the championship but came up short and we had to watch the other team celebrate on our home turf which was…read more
John, your courage, your strength and your journey is so inspiring. I am so glad you decided to share your story with our community. And I am even happier that these days, you are feeling better and chasing your dream. I am cheering you on every step of the way and I am so very proud of you. Thank you for also sharing you kindness with our…read more
Meet Roger! Roger lost his mother when he was 23 years old. Ever since, he has struggled with grief, anxiety and depression. He misses his mother who was a source of love and comfort in his life. One of his favorite memories of his mom is seeing her joy when she watched him perform in his first band concert in high school.
While Roger has found healing in writing, giving back to others and expressing himself through photography, there are still days that he struggles.
Write to Roger about your experience with loss, your favorite memories with your loved one and what has helped bring peace to your life and your grief. You can respond to this thread or post your own letter in this group or the group Remembering those we lost and tag Roger @oneturbobenz
@oneturbobenz
Dear Roger,
It is always so painful to lose someone you love who is so very close to you. Their spirit and light is always with you. I feel your pain. I have lost both my dear parents and this loss is felt every day. But I will say that I always try to live each day with purpose and happiness because I know that is what my…read more
I’m so sorry for your loss, and believe me I truly understand, especially when it comes to your mom. I lost my mom in 2016, and to this day, I still struggle with hurt, anger and disbelief, because I feel that she should still be here. I hated the way I wasn’t there when she passed, but feel I or someone in the family should have been. I hate that…read more
I’m a writer and words have meaning. My Dad was a Marine and for him Action is what matters. I don’t expect him to say I love you, because that is not the generation he grew up in where Men expressed emotions. Yet I know he loves me when he took care of his family and bought me action figures (Star Trek or Superheroes) even when I broke the last ones. I learn from my Dad to be more of a Man who may not always say what he feels but shows it. I’m not going to ever hear my Dad gush with emotions and I don’t need to.
He didn’t say it when I was a little boy who wanted to make movies and he’s not going to say it now.
Paradoxically, I do use the words, “I love you,” but only if I mean them and I have did some action to show it is how I feel. I’m not going too much into my personal life though. I do that by writing characters and using fiction as a basis for truths I have found in life.
I have found some use “I love you” to manipulate others and their actions are the total opposite of Love. In writing and researching crime stories, I find Women and Men who have been abused verbally and physically by people who constantly say “I love you.”
So as the son of a Marine, I will say, if someone really and truly loves you, they won’t have to say it. You will know it.
@prelude2cinema this is so true Alex. But sometimes the words are nice to here. You really should check out @telina27 letter. She talks about some similar feelings and emotions in regards to her relationship with her mother. Here is her article. https://theunsealed.com/activity/p/1710/
My mother’s parents (my grandparents) also weren’t very good…read more
I feel like saying I love isn’t meaningless to certain people I think it’s only meaningless to the person who doesn’t feel the meaning behind the words truly. I’ve said I love you to many people but I’ve always felt forced and never really meant it. I don’t think I myself am a lovey-dovey person. I’ve only ever felt real meaning towards the word…read more
I love it, because I’m right there with you. Growing up, my parents, nor my siblings we never said I love you to each other, and I thought there was something wrong with us, or we didn’t love each other, because people on television said it to each other all the time. But of course once I got older, I grew to know we did truly love each other,…read more
Oddly enough one of my friends likes to compliment me in what can be called paradoxically jealous. He said, I was fearless.
The circumstances was I went and talked to someone while he didn’t. Often times I strike up conversations with people I find intriguing. I didn’t want anything but just to say hello.
My Friend, on the other hand, puts a lot of thought into how things benefit him and tries to make calculations on whether it is worth it to meet someone new.
I didn’t see it as being “fearless,” but just being friendly. I explained this to my Friend who didn’t get the benefit of saying hello to a stranger. Although I just decided to take the compliment and keep being fearless (friendly).
I told my Friend, sometimes you just have to do nice things and not want anything in return.
I told him a story from a movie “The Fisher King.”
ly saw a man alone and in pain. And he asked the king “What ails you friend?” The king replied “I’m thirsty. I need some water to cool my throat”. So the fool took a cup from beside his bed, filled it with water and handed it to the king. As the king began to drink, he realized his wound was healed. He looked in his hands and there was the holy grail, that which he sought all of his life. And he turned to the fool and said with amazement, “How can you find that which my brightest and bravest could not?” And the fool replied “I don’t know. I only knew that you were thirsty”
For the title of your story friendly or fearless, I believe that you are both. Not many can go up to people and start a conversation with someone you have never met before. I was just like your friend. I never said good morning to anyone on the street or talked to anyone because I found it very weird to just talk to people I never knew or had to…read more
So love it, and so true, and to me you’re both. Your friend didn’t want to take a chance, you do and it pays off and he feels it’s fearless. What he’s doing is taking away from himself, he’s missing out. You can’t do anything in life, or have great friends in your life, if you don’t make the first move. That doesn’t have to be a person that’s…read more
To break the ice, share with each other the best compliment you have ever received. One of my personal favorites was from a friend from Buffalo. She had a lot of issues with the guy she was dating at the time. And when I was leaving she wrote me a card. In it she said, “Whenever I have to make a strong decision in life, I think of you.”
I was so touched. Another favorite came from a man who was blind. He said, “Everyone keeps telling me that it’s too bad I can’t see because you are really beautiful. But I don’t need vision to see that you are beautiful.”
He was saying I was beautiful person.
I can’t wait to hear your stories!
You guys can start a new letter/new thread in this group or any other group. You can post your letters on your social media and decide whether you want the letters to be public for the world or private for The Unsealed community.
Thank you for being a part of the family, and I hope you guys enjoy writing to each other. If you have any questions, I am always here to help.
Dear Lauren,
I know I don’t say it often enough but you inspire me. I know a lot of people are afraid to share their personal pain and even so to make something positive of it. I write crime stories and have heard how horrific sexual assault can be. It takes a lot of strength to discuss it and the law seems to be unkind to listen or respond. Y…read more
Aww thanks Alex. You are too sweet and I am so glad we got to know each other over the past few years. And thank you so much for supporting @theunsealed It means THE WORLD to me.
Anyways, not sure if you read what I wrote, but to break the ice share the best compliment you have ever received. I shared a few of mine.
To break the ice, share with each other something that made you proud during the pandemic. Maybe you learned something new. Maybe you realized you were stronger than you thought. Perhaps you opened yourself up to making new virtual friends or maybe you started a business.
When the pandemic hit, I thought The Unsealed would unravel. I thought no one would sign up, and I wouldn’t be able to afford to keep going. While I was scared, I decided to step on the gas, even more, using the extra time at home to work harder and reach out to people one by one.
During the pandemic, I built enough of a foundation to get it to where it is today (which is still in its infancy, but it is a start). I am really proud I didn’t give up. I am really proud I pushed myself. I am really proud that I fought as hard as I could when facing fear, and I was blessed with all of your support.
You guys can start a new letter/new thread in this group or any other group. You can post your letters on your social media and decide whether you want the letters to be public for the world or private for The Unsealed community.
I can’t wait to read your letters and why you are proud.
Thank you for being a part of the family, and I hope you guys enjoy writing to each other. If you have any questions, I am always here to help.
@sarita@lisaferreri21@vcalero to all of you a say good evening. Lauren, thank you for breaking the ice by sharing your story on how you overcame the pandemic. Your amazingly genuine compassion for your beliefs and others is second to none. I’d like to introduce myself to the other 3 fellow Unsealed community members. My name is Jamie Ellifritz…read more