52 Comments
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Ellen Rowland's avatar

Thank you, Sam. I'm so grateful to have discovered your poetry and for your presence in my workshops. This poem speaks so beautifully to that thread of connection that we, as poets, can extend to others.

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Ellen. This poem wouldn't be here without you, and I am thankful for that. : )

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Allegra's avatar

This is absolutely beautiful, and reached a quiet space within me as I read it; it felt grounding and truthful in the a quite profound and heartfelt way.

“You ask, why bother.

I ask, what else is there

that even briefly

makes the heart

recognize itself?”

These lines will stay with me 🙏

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Allegra. You are one of the answers to why we write! : )

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Wendy  Gray's avatar

Sam! My goodness! This is one that holds its arms out to every cell and offers a warmth that welcomes us to nestle ourselves in without fear. Oof...

"Because sometimes,

a poem is the only place

where truth doesn’t tremble."

You keep bring these out and offering me a new favorite! Oh, yes, I'll be rereading this one again and again!

Many blessings and MUCH LOVE,

~Wendy💜

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Many thanks, Wendy, and blessings back at you!

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Beautiful, Sam—absolutely sure and steady, a quiet banger of a poem.

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Paul. It's one I toss around in my head for a while, and had been sitting around while it made it through the submission circuit.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Happy to see it published and happy you shared it here.

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Sandra Fox Murphy's avatar

Love these lines:

"Because sometimes,

a poem is the only place

where truth doesn’t tremble."

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Sandra! : )

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Tina Rogers's avatar

It’s like you’ve heard my heart when I read your words. My head says it matters how many responses I get, but my heart says “just write” And your poem reminded me of this important truth.

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Tina. My mind also plays the numbers games with me, the trickster that it is, which is why I pay attention more to the heart. It also means my decisions aren't always grounded, and I may have to backtrack from time to time. : )

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Jamie Millard's avatar

Beautiful Sam. Just beautiful. Poetry Matters. To have language attempt the gesture of witness. 🙏❤️

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Jamie! <3

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Micah Josiah's avatar

These are the kind of words that keep us going, Sam. Thanks for this. Incredible poem.

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, my friend!

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SAM's avatar

this

'I write

not to be heard by thousands

but to find the one

standing barefoot in a dim kitchen,

cup cooling in her hand,

reading by the light

of what I almost didn’t say.'

this poem is so full of thought and imagery ad why we write. just beautiful.

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Sally! : )

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Jordan Elings's avatar

Very deep and emotional, thank you.

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Natalie Wilkinson's avatar

Arriving with whatever language we have left-

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Sometimes, that's all we have. And most of the time, it's all we need.

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Jo-Ann Petrarca's avatar

This is so truthful and touching! Thank you 😊

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thankyou, Jo-Ann.

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Jo-Ann Petrarca's avatar

You’re welcome

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Poetry for sanity's avatar

Omg absolutely this! This is why I write as Poetry for Sanity

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you! : )

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Patris's avatar

Just found this, and wow very beautiful and true..

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Patris. I’m glad this found its way to you. : )

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Debora Tremont's avatar

And this gorgeous poem hits me right in the heart!! Perfect.

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Sam Aureli's avatar

Thank you, Debora!

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Debora Tremont's avatar

Isn’t she the best?! Can we do another April soon? So glad you joined us, Sam. ❤️

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Sam Aureli's avatar

She is! And I can’t wait for the next one. : )

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