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”

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 ©️