17 Comments
User's avatar
Mother Hood's avatar

I would give you all the boxes Sir Carlos Maximeowliano!!! 🎁 💝

And thank you for the best gift of all, your friendship! 🙏🏼

Carlos M.'s avatar

Aww 🥹

I know you would MH 🫂

M3Cents's avatar

I don’t usually “get” poetry, but this one landed for me; clear, human, and generous. I loved the turn inward with From: Me — To: Me.

The ending stayed with me because it felt like that very human moment where freedom shows up… and expectation sneaks back in.

Beautifully done.

Carlos M.'s avatar

Thank you Chanti.

I'm really happy that this poem landed for you. I wanted to capture a feeling I think many have experienced.

I appreciate your comment. 😊🙂‍↕️

Rebecca Watson (ReBe)'s avatar

Thank you, I really needed this..💚

Carlos M.'s avatar

Always happy to give you something to read with your coffee. 😊

imarkanx || istvan markan 🍁's avatar

Happy holidays and may the right boxes always find you when you need them!

Carlos M.'s avatar

Thank you Istvan.

I appreciate you and your words so much.

imarkanx || istvan markan 🍁's avatar

You’ve added so much to my Substack experience. Your writing, your notes, your sense of humour are all greatly appreciated.

And above all your kindness in helping anyone that needs some assistance. With a supportive word, or a spontaneous collaboration.

This platform would not be the same without you.

Carlos M.'s avatar

This means a lot coming from you.

I often feel like my writing is subpar and all I do is post kitties, it’s nice to know I’ve had a positive influence in any way.

I greatly admire your work and kindness too and I feel fortunate that our paths crossed. 😊🫂

imarkanx || istvan markan 🍁's avatar

Funny thing. Our judgement of our own work — we are highly critical of ourselves. I keep thinking man my writing is so lame. That Carlos, or that ReBe, or that Klar Nett, criminy they gots it together…

Look at ‘em, look at ‘em, posting with no effort. Words flowing like honey infused with chilli.

🤜🤛

Carlos M.'s avatar

Hahaha, I know I’ve thought the same thing about you (posting with no effort) when I see your haikus and poems with beautiful language.

I often feel like mine are like: “Here’s Carlos talking about heartbreak and loneliness again” 😂

Dr Sam Illingworth's avatar

Thank you, Carlos, for this gorgeous writing and for treating us all to the greatest gift of all this Christmas: poetry.

Carlos M.'s avatar

Sam, thank you for your kind words.

I write with the hope that my words reach others and hopefully reveal in themselves something that might have been hidden in me as well.

Your comment is highly appreciated. 😊🙂‍↕️

Linda Blatnik's avatar

This was nice and the gifts are perfect. I forgave this past year and it was definitely one of the best gifts I've given myself. I also was forgiven. YAY!

Carlos M.'s avatar

Forgiving yourself is definitely one of the best gifts we can give ourselves.

And being forgiven too?

I'm so happy for you Linda. 😊

Bear Sage's avatar

One of the best gifts I've received this year is your steady presence in my little corner since we met. You are a treasured friend Carlos 💝