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deep within

stream of consciousness

By Kristen BalyeatPublished 11 months ago Updated 11 months ago 2 min read
Top Story - May 2023
55
deep within
Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash

it takes

such

c o u r a g e

to

j o u r n e y

deep

w i t h i n

to

s t a r e

d i r e c t l y

into the

p a r t s

of

y o u r s e l f

that you

w i s h

not

to

s e e

to

s p i r a l

into the

d a r k

s h a d o w s

of your

m i n d

to

w i l l i n g l y

look at

and

d e m o l i s h

your

embodied

d e l u s i o n s

to

s c r a t c h

b l i n d e r s

from

your eyes

to

w i t n e s s

the chains

y o u ’ v e

w e l d e d

wrapping you

in the

w e i g h t

of

your

o w n

d o i n g

so tightly

e n s n a r e d

that your

f i n g e r s

become

b l o o d i e d

in the

r e l e a s i n g

to

q u i e t

the

c a c o p h o n y

echoing

in your

m i n d

allowing

t r u t h s

to

ring deep

e m b e d

to

l e t

g o

to

l o s e

t h o u g h t

and

f i n d

p r e s e n c e

to

s u r r e n d e r

to crawl

t o w a r d

the light

to

r i s e

w o b b l y

on your

o w n

two feet

k n o w i n g

l i b e r a t i o n

to

s t a n d

a g a i n

without the

s h a c k l e s

and

w a l k

on the

e d g e

but not

fear

the

f a l l

because you

u n d e r s t a n d

what it

t a k e s

to

f l y

to fully

i n t e g r a t e

t r u t h s

buried deep

to be

R E B O R N

not as the

p e r s o n

who

w a s

but

as the

p e r s o n

w a i t i n g

t o

b e

inspirationalsurreal poetry
55

About the Creator

Kristen Balyeat

Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night– I’m humbly one of the many vessels they use to come to life.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

  3. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

  4. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

Add your insights

Comments (36)

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  • Jay Kantor9 months ago

    So Kristen ~ Fun: Thought that was "YOU" again embedded-deeply within our little Village ~ Jay

  • Faisal Bilal11 months ago

    https://vocal.media/confessions/when-love-dies-kt6p056z

  • ARC11 months ago

    I read this one the morning you posted it... and apparently my phone glitched and saved neither my like nor my comment lol. (Guess that means that comment must have sucked) I'll be honest: I don't have a lot of words on this one, Kristen. You said them all. Perfectly. There's only so much agreeing a person can do with a piece before just... nodding and smiling softly. You keep drawing me back to the power of your opening line: "it takes such courage to journey deep within" ... This line... I *feel* you meaning this in a very particular way. The way that only someone who actually embodies (not just comprehends) these words can mean. For me, the poem could have ended there and been a complete masterpiece of yours. But then... you kept unfolding... ✨ Thank you for writing this. I can't help but feel our interactions have played some small role in your crafted inspiration for this piece... and this fills my heart with happiness.

  • Grz Colm11 months ago

    Very cool Kristen. 🙌 I must have missed this one! 😊

  • Stage Frame11 months ago

    Weldon on this one..

  • Cezanne Libellen11 months ago

    This is such a good poem!! Awesome job on this one!!

  • Gerald Holmes11 months ago

    I felt a spark go off in my mind as I read this. It is such a wonderfully encouraging piece of art. Loved it. Congrats.

  • Dana Stewart11 months ago

    This is beautifully affirming- congratulations on Top Story!

  • Melissa Ingoldsby11 months ago

    Congratulations top story!! This deserves an. Acknowledgment

  • David Balyeat11 months ago

    This is a new favorite! The mind is such a difficult labyrinth to navigate sometimes. I also think it's really creative how you use the various formatting to accelerate through the copy. Congrats on top story!

  • Gina C.11 months ago

    Soooo gorgeous, I really, REALLY loved this, and the style 😍 Amazing work, Kristen!! And congratulations on Top Story!!

  • Very good

  • Naomi Gold11 months ago

    Congrats! 🥂

  • J. R. Lowe11 months ago

    These words were just what I needed to read today - beautifully written poetry as always 😊

  • Babs Iverson11 months ago

    Brilliant & beautiful!!! Loved it!!!💖💖💕

  • Zack Graham11 months ago

    This was sobering and refreshing at the same time - exquisite use of textiled fonts, and the pacing via one word lines is superb (reminded me of EE Cummings in that regard). Excellent poem with topshelf alliteration and stylishness! Congrats!

  • Lamar Wiggins11 months ago

    Wow! That felt so real, inspiring and exciting. Thank you! I needed that. And congrats!

  • Congratulations on your Top Story🎉💖

  • MARIE ODEMS 11 months ago

    AMAZING!!!

  • Melissa Ingoldsby11 months ago

    A deep poem indeed. Congratulations on your beautiful top story!

  • Mariann Carroll11 months ago

    Congratulations 🥰👏👏👏

  • Roy Stevens11 months ago

    Hey, congratulations on the Top Story Kristen! 🎉✨

  • so well don, so much to take away. Congrats

  • Heather Hubler11 months ago

    Yeah! Congrats on Top Story for this one!!

  • Paul Stewart11 months ago

    This is brilliant and I can't believe I hadn't commented yet. Just...every single damn word is working hard for you, the formatting is awesome and I just love your mind rolls and flows! Congrats on Top Story, not surprised at all!

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