deep within
stream of consciousness
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
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
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Keep reading
More stories from Kristen Balyeat and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (36)
Very nice poem
https://vocal.media/confessions/when-love-dies-kt6p056z
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.
Very cool Kristen. 🙌 I must have missed this one! 😊
Weldon on this one..
This is such a good poem!! Awesome job on this one!!
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.
This is beautifully affirming- congratulations on Top Story!
Congratulations top story!! This deserves an. Acknowledgment
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!
Soooo gorgeous, I really, REALLY loved this, and the style 😍 Amazing work, Kristen!! And congratulations on Top Story!!
Very good
Congrats! 🥂
These words were just what I needed to read today - beautifully written poetry as always 😊
Brilliant & beautiful!!! Loved it!!!💖💖💕
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!
Wow! That felt so real, inspiring and exciting. Thank you! I needed that. And congrats!
Congratulations on your Top Story🎉💖
AMAZING!!!
A deep poem indeed. Congratulations on your beautiful top story!
Congratulations 🥰👏👏👏
Hey, congratulations on the Top Story Kristen! 🎉✨
so well don, so much to take away. Congrats
Yeah! Congrats on Top Story for this one!!
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!