19 Comments
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Cynthia's avatar

😘 I love you.

This is exquisite. I feel it right down the middle, deep within—in my heart, my skin.

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The Sea in Me's avatar

Thanks so much Cynthia. (I'm catching up this weekend on all the reads I've missed!)

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Gala's avatar

beautiful, so glad I found this substack (today is my reading day) wohoo ❤️❤️

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The Sea in Me's avatar

Lovely to connect, you are very welcome here, Gala.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Thank you, Siodhna, for finishing up this piece so you could post it. Missed you of late, missed the music, too. Lovely photos. Tell me, is there a place that’s never been wounded?

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The Sea in Me's avatar

I've missed you too Paul, and this place on Substack. This new algorithm is pulling us all away from each other. My writing has fallen away with the busy here. I'm hoping to do more in 2026. I think from time to little infrequent virtual writers circles would help us all stay inspired.

The place that's never been wounded? ,…. our beautiful souls.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Is there a new algorithm or is there always a new one? I have another collection in the works, perhaps a last one, almost all new work. I’m looking toward Ostara for publication. We’ll see.

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The Sea in Me's avatar

Oh wow, go you Paul, what number collection is this? Will look into Ostara. You've not noticed a change in engagement of late, it perhaps coincided with my writing, posting less. Sense Substack is a bigger beast now, vs tribal connection.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

This will be the 3rd collection, tentatively titled Beyond These Wounds, 72 poems, 111 pages. I published the last collection on the autumnal equinox, so I'm thinking the spring equinox might be a good time to send this one out into the world and then that will be it. Anything written after than will probably remain private.

In terms of engagement: I've seen more followers than subscribers, lately. I have also posted fewer poems, averaging maybe 2-3 weekly, at times only 1, and that cuts down on opportunities for engagement. I have read others grousing about how the platform has changed into that "bigger beast" you mention above. I think that's the way it is with all of these online platforms: it starts as a village and over time grows into something much larger. Not everyone is content with that. I'm happy to stay here. I have no urge to go anywhere else.

Hope you share more of your work with us, Siodhna!

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The Sea in Me's avatar

Great title, possibly a universal theme. I'm very happy to stay too. You've amazing output, Paul. You live and breathe it.

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Paul Wittenberger's avatar

Happy to hear you’re staying, Siodhna. Thanks for the nod on the title—I think it’s a good choice. I spend a good deal of time writing, and I’m not inclined to fret over whether my posts get pushed by the algorithm or not.

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Fotini Masika's avatar

"the lesser i— does not want to be seen"

yet it secretly hopes

🖤🖤🖤

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rena's avatar

Hope 🧡

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Sean M Kelly's avatar

Pretty deep, Siodhna, thanks for sharing your gifts!

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The Sea in Me's avatar

That’s lovely Sean. Great to hear from you!

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Jo Bower, Poet's avatar

I love the imagery and the layout of this piece. Very strong, very intense. Kudos!!

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The Sea in Me's avatar

Thanks Jo, maybe it's condensed as I've been pulled away from the scribbles of late. Thanks for your lovely comment.

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Jonathan Foster's avatar

Thanks for the beautiful words, and music too. Glad to read you again :)

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