“sucks the iron from your blood” quite literally !! I loved all of these, Jessica. The lenten poem soothed me. I can relate to your ramblings, and couldn’t agree more to your thoughts on the poet’s inner life. Self-aware, but not self-focused. That’s exactly right!
Thanks Rosa! I am glad you could relate to my ramblings, its good to know I am not alone in my thoughts about all of this. Really appreciate you reading my poetry!
Darn this stupid internet. But bless this stupid internet, that sometimes takes our breath away with written beauty. I will continue to pray for you and your own discerning process, Jess.
Totally agree, darn (love this, I have never said darn in my life but it feels fun and cathartic) and bless the internet. It also makes me happy to know when you say you are praying for me you are, thank you!
I relate to this soooooo much: "I am a bit wary of Substack because I want to be fully present in my life. I don’t want the publication of a post to be at the back of my mind when I have an interesting train of thought or am simply writing in my journal at the end of the day."
Thanks for reading, Abigail! It is encouraging that you can relate (makes me feel less like other people whose poetry I admire have it all figured out). I guess this is something we have to continue to navigate, please let me know if you have any tips about being present in your life but still showing up on Substack.
I will be thinking about this, Jessica. Same for you! I told myself I would only go on Substack when I wasn’t with my kids in 2026, but to be honest I’m not keeping to that all that faithfully. I keep making exceptions which become the rule. So, I’m glad you asked this. I keep wrestling with it as well.
Ahhhh I love all of this. So good to re-read those precious poems on here. A HUGE yes to all of it, and all of this..
"I want to write poetry that helps me work through my life and experiences. Write poetry to remind myself of truth. Write poetry to encourage myself and others. Write poetry to help me notice. Write poetry because I notice. Write poetry because the words are in me. Write poetry for the people around me, write it about them. Write poetry for people to read but also write poetry for no one to read. Mostly though, I want to write, to simply write. So I will do that while I figure all of this out."
“sucks the iron from your blood” quite literally !! I loved all of these, Jessica. The lenten poem soothed me. I can relate to your ramblings, and couldn’t agree more to your thoughts on the poet’s inner life. Self-aware, but not self-focused. That’s exactly right!
Thanks Rosa! I am glad you could relate to my ramblings, its good to know I am not alone in my thoughts about all of this. Really appreciate you reading my poetry!
Darn this stupid internet. But bless this stupid internet, that sometimes takes our breath away with written beauty. I will continue to pray for you and your own discerning process, Jess.
Totally agree, darn (love this, I have never said darn in my life but it feels fun and cathartic) and bless the internet. It also makes me happy to know when you say you are praying for me you are, thank you!
I relate to this soooooo much: "I am a bit wary of Substack because I want to be fully present in my life. I don’t want the publication of a post to be at the back of my mind when I have an interesting train of thought or am simply writing in my journal at the end of the day."
Thanks for reading, Abigail! It is encouraging that you can relate (makes me feel less like other people whose poetry I admire have it all figured out). I guess this is something we have to continue to navigate, please let me know if you have any tips about being present in your life but still showing up on Substack.
I will be thinking about this, Jessica. Same for you! I told myself I would only go on Substack when I wasn’t with my kids in 2026, but to be honest I’m not keeping to that all that faithfully. I keep making exceptions which become the rule. So, I’m glad you asked this. I keep wrestling with it as well.
Ahhhh I love all of this. So good to re-read those precious poems on here. A HUGE yes to all of it, and all of this..
"I want to write poetry that helps me work through my life and experiences. Write poetry to remind myself of truth. Write poetry to encourage myself and others. Write poetry to help me notice. Write poetry because I notice. Write poetry because the words are in me. Write poetry for the people around me, write it about them. Write poetry for people to read but also write poetry for no one to read. Mostly though, I want to write, to simply write. So I will do that while I figure all of this out."
All so beautiful! And hard relate on what to call DJ 😂
😂 “O Captain, my Captain!”