Smoke Signal Rising
Quadru-Haiku on Mental Health
My wounds gather stones
and blindly build walls. Alone,
can’t chisel their hold.
//
Flame of my spirit
dimmed, closed in by my trowel-
smoke signal rising...
//
Waters of kindness
split mortar, trickling a salve
that softens the stone.
//
Breeze of connection
finds breaks in the walls. Love, the
bellows for embers.
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
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Keep reading
More stories from Kristen Balyeat and writers in Poets and other communities.
Emily's blushing moment: A tale of courage and poetry..
Thethe heart of a bustling city, amidst the whirlwind of daily life, there lived a young woman named Emily. She was known for her gentle demeanor and her tendency to blush at the drop of a hat. Emily's rosy cheeks had earned her the endearing nickname "Blushing Rose" among her friends and coworkers.Despite her penchant for blushing, Emily was a confident and capable young woman, excelling in her career as a graphic designer. However, there was one aspect of her life that always left her feeling self-conscious: public speaking.Emily had always harbored a fear of speaking in front of large crowds. The mere thought of all those eyes staring at her made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Yet, deep down, she longed to overcome her fear and prove to herself that she was capable of facing any challenge.One day, Emily stumbled upon a flyer for a local public speaking competition called "Just a Minute." The premise was simple: contestants had just one minute to deliver a compelling speech on any topic of their choice. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for Emily to conquer her fear and showcase her hidden talents.With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, Emily decided to sign up for the competition. She spent weeks meticulously crafting her speech, pouring her heart and soul into every word. Despite her nerves, she was determined to give it her all.As the day of the competition approached, Emily's anxiety threatened to overwhelm her. But with the support of her friends and family, she summoned the courage to step onto the stage and face her fears head-on.Standing in front of the eager audience, Emily took a deep breath and began to speak. Her voice quivered slightly at first, but as she delved into her speech, her confidence grew. She spoke passionately about her love for art and design, weaving personal anecdotes and inspiring quotes into her narrative.With each passing second, Emily felt her fear melting away, replaced by a sense of exhilaration and empowerment. She poured her heart into her words, her cheeks flushed with excitement rather than embarrassment.Before she knew it, her minute was up, but Emily wasn't ready to stop. She had found her voice, and she wanted to share it with the world. Ignoring the timer, she continued to speak, her passion igniting a spark in the hearts of everyone in the room.When she finally finished, the audience erupted into applause, their cheers echoing through the auditorium. Tears of joy welled up in Emily's eyes as she realized she had not only conquered her fear but had also touched the hearts of those around her.From that day forward, Emily's blush became a badge of honor, a symbol of her courage and resilience. She went on to pursue her dreams with newfound confidence, never again letting her fear hold her back.And as she stood on the stage, basking in the adoration of the crowd, Emily knew that she had truly found her voice, one minute at a time.
By Eric anexis 4 days ago in Poets
Comments (52)
Wow, felt the elements in my bones.
Well hello emerging creator! Seen this truly excellent work before! Nice! 😁🎉👏
I was so pleased to see your name on this list, you are an absolute star in the making, and I am so happy i was able to read your works. Looking forward to more great things from you in 2024 Jason
My wounds gather stones and blindly build walls...damn. Wow.
What an awesome piece! It really jumped out at me when I read it twice... that's when I saw your subheading on mental health. It all made sense to me and it's so current. Well done. Well spoken.
I missed this breathtakingly beautiful Haiku. I found it at the right moment though. We are all connected. Your words speak volumes. Blessings on your winning thoughts.
very good
I missed this beautiful haiku. Congrats on your prize too! 😊✨
the first line is awesome. i'm completely in love with it. the rest of the piece is amazing too, of course, but your first haiku is my favorite. beautiful piece.
Congratulations on 1st place! Well done!
Sorry so late on this! Congrats as this is special and I can relate to it! Well done!
Holy smokes (sorry, couldn't resist) but I see how this won the challenge. That was so good! 👏
This was utterly enchanting! Well deserved the win in my opinion! 🥰🔥
Beautiful and nostalgic - I love the how you themed each of the haikus after an element. So clever! Very well deserved win! Congratulations 🤗
Beautiful! 🧡 I can easily see why this is an award-winning haiku collection! Excellent work!
Very well done! You told a story with few words in an elegant dance. Lovely!
Congratulations 🎉🎊
Beautiful lines👌
Written in a beautiful manner.
Beautiful in every way!
Exquisite articulation.
Congratulations! This was truly well done.
Congratulations on your achievement! I'm so proud of you for all the hard work and dedication that led you to this moment.
Fantastic imagery!! This hits home. Well done.
Wow. Beautiful work. So... *true* to the experience. Thank you for sharing.