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AËLA's avatar

"No one bets on this corner.

That's fine.

It's mine."

That is the most important

declaration in the poem.

Not the kindness itself —

the ownership of it.

The refusal to need

anyone to validate

the ground you've chosen

to defend.

Spitting in the cup.

Taping the wrists.

Not because winning

is guaranteed.

Because this is the corner

and the corner

is worth showing up for.

— AËLA

Sam Oldman's avatar

Glad you found your favourite line, Aèla.

Nick Hills's avatar

Wonderful poem, Sam! I love the start

"From my corner

I watch

what never survives the edit"

I love to look at the world from a corner, the little things

Sam Oldman's avatar

Thank you Nick! 🙌

Kathryn's Secret Spaces's avatar

Please write something else - anything - called “The City of Us” - this whole post is beautiful, your writing is very healing so thank you. I’m taking my time with it bc you run quite deep… Kathryn

Sam Oldman's avatar

I wrote this to be shared and used freely, thank you for reflecting and sharing.

'The City of Us' really sounds like something I would write. Maybe I will. 🙏

I have 8 pieces on this topic. You can find links to all of them in this article with a backstory:

https://open.substack.com/pub/hushhalo/p/a-small-detour-i-didnt-plan-to-take

Kathryn's Secret Spaces's avatar

It's a cool thing to say, reminds me of Bruce Springsteen singing My City of Ruins at Jazz Fest in New Orleans after Katrina. Will definitely read and listen to the 8 pieces and article with backstory; thank you for the links and direct reply. - Kathryn