I am very much enjoying your writing and look forward to your posts each week. The last couple of weeks I have had great opportunity to be still and present - just about laid flat with a really bad allergic reaction to poison ivy. I can't recommend the experience but I will say that it gave me many moments where I was doing nothing but being in the moment, tuning into how I was feeling, what my body was doing. It really brought me to focus on the situation at hand, not what was, or will be, but NOW.
sometimes little setbacks like that force us to pause and realize stuff we were neglecting before. life has a way of bringing us back to those moment of awareness. and thank you so much, it means a lot to hear you enjoy what I'm doing. cheers <3
I'm new to your Substack and really enjoyed this poem. The message was clear, even before I read the backgrounder below it. We all struggle with self-doubt, so this message resonates with everyone. Thanks for sharing.
If you can be in the present, you are not bound by the past and not afraid of the future. If you cannot be present, you are paralyzed and stuck in routines and habits and ways of seeing and thinking that have become self-defeating ruts.
that paralysis is a true sickness in our world, when the distractions make it so much more difficult to remain still and present. thank you for your analysis, Polly :)
I believe you will, you're the strong kind of person that knows what's real and what's true. It's about constant attention and mindfulness and compassion for yourself and others. Thank you, my friend.
oh woww! Hearing what you sound like finally! This was so fun to listen to. You’ve got a great voice, very deep and resonant! Looking forward to more of these, Franco! :)
Damn bastards. Dude you really have a voice for poetry, real nice to hear it.
thank you, my brother, that means a lot. glad you enjoyed it.
I am very much enjoying your writing and look forward to your posts each week. The last couple of weeks I have had great opportunity to be still and present - just about laid flat with a really bad allergic reaction to poison ivy. I can't recommend the experience but I will say that it gave me many moments where I was doing nothing but being in the moment, tuning into how I was feeling, what my body was doing. It really brought me to focus on the situation at hand, not what was, or will be, but NOW.
sometimes little setbacks like that force us to pause and realize stuff we were neglecting before. life has a way of bringing us back to those moment of awareness. and thank you so much, it means a lot to hear you enjoy what I'm doing. cheers <3
Lovely to see you read this one--it was one of my favorites.
thank you!
Hi Franco,
I'm new to your Substack and really enjoyed this poem. The message was clear, even before I read the backgrounder below it. We all struggle with self-doubt, so this message resonates with everyone. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Linda. I'm glad you could relate to it ❤️
I really enjoyed the recitation and the explainer after. Love to see this. I’m drawn in to this sort of engagement! 💕🙏🏼💕
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you, Dusk :)
Excellent work, Franco! A well worded perception. Are you familiar with T.S. Elliot's The Four Quartets.
Much fun Andrew 🧐
Thank you, Andrew!
If you can be in the present, you are not bound by the past and not afraid of the future. If you cannot be present, you are paralyzed and stuck in routines and habits and ways of seeing and thinking that have become self-defeating ruts.
that paralysis is a true sickness in our world, when the distractions make it so much more difficult to remain still and present. thank you for your analysis, Polly :)
Glad to have discovered your work
Likewise, happy to have connected with you :)
This line is what I take from your poem, Franco: "the pull of the past
steals my attention
breaks an ironclad focus
on the truth that’s at hand". May I always remember the importance of the truth that's at hand.
I believe you will, you're the strong kind of person that knows what's real and what's true. It's about constant attention and mindfulness and compassion for yourself and others. Thank you, my friend.
oh woww! Hearing what you sound like finally! This was so fun to listen to. You’ve got a great voice, very deep and resonant! Looking forward to more of these, Franco! :)
Thank you Catrina. It was great to hear your voice on your debut post as well. Keep up the good work.
Never judge yourself against other people and their situations. What's okay for them could be so wrong for you.
You are where you need to be at this moment in time
Beautiful, thank you for that wisdom. <3
🤍🙏🌟
Thank you, Marisa!
Another outstanding piece. I needed this reminder! Thank you Franco!
Thank you, Frankie!
I loved it 🥹🤍
thank you!
Read them more often. Keep killing it
Thank you, brother. Means a lot. 🙏
🫶🏻
Thanks Elaine ❤️