This is an amazing piece with Jungian vibes throughout. It speaks of the archetypes that we all experience many times in our journey through life . It speaks of the anima that is our true essence masked by the different forms we show in society. It’s also referencing the fact that what is ignored will still remain until it is addressed , not suppressed but integrated into our personality. Only when we have a palette of our different shades of our selves and accept all our colours, that we can be truly whole. A great piece , so cleverly crafted together and so well written. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading and for your beautiful reflection. I'm deeply honored that you recognized the Jungian echoes woven throughout the story. Knowing that those archetypal threads and deeper layers spoke to you is incredibly meaningful to me.
Another wonderful collab with seamless transition of thoughts. The world is the mirror to ourselves and in this we can grow realizing we all go through similar motions and thoughts. 🫶🏼
Indeed, we do a lot more othering than necessary. Or at least it s usually directed to the wrong places… thank you for your kind comment and heart Lauren Marie ❤️
Thank you, Lauren Marie. I'm so glad to have found this space—Substack—where we can connect, write about, and explore these kinds of feelings and intuitions with kindred souls.
I really loved it all, but this section really spoke to me as I have been trying to reconcile what feels like 25 “wasted” years of my life remaining unhappily hitched. I was the woman who stayed, and now, finally, the woman who left 40 years later.
I need to be gentler, more compassionate, and accepting of the woman who stayed. I have been bashing myself over this and the toll it took on me to stay. Life is so short to be miserable that long. However, the woman who stayed had to raise her kids. It was either her happiness or theirs. And now she has both, her freedom, two well-adjusted adult children, and being proud of the mother she was in their formative years. It was worth it in the end.
Thank you so much. Your comment truly touched me on a deep level. I can feel and understand the depth and many layers within your experience and your words. Thank you for sharing something so meaningful. Sending you all my love. 💖✨
Such a beautiful piece from two talented writers🥰. I love the ease with which your voices flowed from one to the other. As always I enjoyed reading both of your shared words. 🥰🥰
I love this. So often we don't know ourselves half as much as we think we do.
I'm often reminded of the expression about knowing something like the back of your own hand. Science got bored and actually conducted studies on this. It turns out we don't really know the backs of our hands all that well either.
This feels less like a poem and more like a mirror for so many of us. The way you transition from the deeply personal 'flashlight' of self-exploration to seeing the reflections of the exhausted mother, the worried sister, and the collective journey is incredibly moving. You’ve given a voice to the things we so often carry in silence. Absolutely beautiful formatting and emotional depth!!!
A soft and remindful journey down the winding path of self-acceptance and love. The path never ends. The more we learn to love ourselves for who we are and have been, the more honestly and openly we can give our love. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Christopher. I deeply appreciate the wisdom you've gained through living life. Your gentleness, love, insights and experience are an inspiration to me, and you are someone I love having around.
This is an amazing piece with Jungian vibes throughout. It speaks of the archetypes that we all experience many times in our journey through life . It speaks of the anima that is our true essence masked by the different forms we show in society. It’s also referencing the fact that what is ignored will still remain until it is addressed , not suppressed but integrated into our personality. Only when we have a palette of our different shades of our selves and accept all our colours, that we can be truly whole. A great piece , so cleverly crafted together and so well written. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading and for your beautiful reflection. I'm deeply honored that you recognized the Jungian echoes woven throughout the story. Knowing that those archetypal threads and deeper layers spoke to you is incredibly meaningful to me.
Another wonderful collab with seamless transition of thoughts. The world is the mirror to ourselves and in this we can grow realizing we all go through similar motions and thoughts. 🫶🏼
Indeed, we do a lot more othering than necessary. Or at least it s usually directed to the wrong places… thank you for your kind comment and heart Lauren Marie ❤️
Thank you, Lauren Marie. I'm so glad to have found this space—Substack—where we can connect, write about, and explore these kinds of feelings and intuitions with kindred souls.
Like rivers carrying traces
of every mountain they have touched,
I carry each season within me.
The winters that hardened my ground.
The springs that arrived
long after I had given up waiting.
The summers that taught me abundance.
The autumns that asked me to release
what no longer belonged.
I once believed healing meant
becoming someone new.
Now I suspect it means
becoming impossible to divide.
To sit beside all that I am—
the frightened child,
the hopeful dreamer,
the weary traveler,
the woman who stayed,
the woman who left—
and recognize each one
as a beloved companion.
I really loved it all, but this section really spoke to me as I have been trying to reconcile what feels like 25 “wasted” years of my life remaining unhappily hitched. I was the woman who stayed, and now, finally, the woman who left 40 years later.
I need to be gentler, more compassionate, and accepting of the woman who stayed. I have been bashing myself over this and the toll it took on me to stay. Life is so short to be miserable that long. However, the woman who stayed had to raise her kids. It was either her happiness or theirs. And now she has both, her freedom, two well-adjusted adult children, and being proud of the mother she was in their formative years. It was worth it in the end.
Well, if nothing else, this is the reason we write. I'm happy to see things reflected in such a beautiful way 💖 Stay strong 🙏🏽
Thank you so much. Your comment truly touched me on a deep level. I can feel and understand the depth and many layers within your experience and your words. Thank you for sharing something so meaningful. Sending you all my love. 💖✨
Such a beautiful piece from two talented writers🥰. I love the ease with which your voices flowed from one to the other. As always I enjoyed reading both of your shared words. 🥰🥰
Thank you so much 😊😘🙏
Thank you for your kind comment my friend 🥰 happy it brought you enjoyment 💗
What a wonderful piece pHotonic and Be.
The way you take us through how you perceive the world, those around us, and more is a lovely read pHotonic.
Thank you for writing and sharing.
Thank you for reading, Mark ❤️
Thank you kindly Mark, I appreciate you and your thoughtful comment.
I love this. So often we don't know ourselves half as much as we think we do.
I'm often reminded of the expression about knowing something like the back of your own hand. Science got bored and actually conducted studies on this. It turns out we don't really know the backs of our hands all that well either.
That's a nice reflection, thank you 😌
When your story started moving toward the back of your hand, I already had a feeling we don't know that part very well at all. 😅 Nice metaphor.
Thank you. That’s the best way I could think to put it. Just because you think you know yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you do.
This feels less like a poem and more like a mirror for so many of us. The way you transition from the deeply personal 'flashlight' of self-exploration to seeing the reflections of the exhausted mother, the worried sister, and the collective journey is incredibly moving. You’ve given a voice to the things we so often carry in silence. Absolutely beautiful formatting and emotional depth!!!
Thank you!
Thank you yaar… you know how much I appreciate you…
Each wound spoke
in its own voice,
using one throat.
She didn't silence them.
She gave them a seat
at the same table—
and discovered
that what she'd been hiding
was never asking
to disappear.
Only to belong.
— AËLA
You two create beautiful poetry together, deeply resonant and carrying such a gentle acceptance of self. <3
Thank you Petra, glad you enjoyed it <3
My pleasure <3
Thank you so much, Petra!
<3
A soft and remindful journey down the winding path of self-acceptance and love. The path never ends. The more we learn to love ourselves for who we are and have been, the more honestly and openly we can give our love. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Christopher. I deeply appreciate the wisdom you've gained through living life. Your gentleness, love, insights and experience are an inspiration to me, and you are someone I love having around.
With love,
Be 💖✨
Thank you, Be. Still learning.
True words, thank you for your kind comment.
Mmmmmmm is all I want to say. 🙂🌸
Ahhhhhhh, nice 💖
🕉️👁🙏🏽💖🎶
Many blessings
Thank you so much 💖
Right back at you friend
Thank you so much, Eleora! I'm really pleased that you felt the energy of the piece 🌟
Thank you for your wonderful comment my 🧬 dearest ❤️🔥🧿🐦🔥