Love isn’t always roses and fireworks. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s survival. Sometimes it’s choosing someone again… and again. Write a poem about a love that stayed. It could be romantic. It could be friendship. It could be a child. It could even be yourself. Keep it under 20 lines. Make it real.

Where is everyone? I am missing the poets. So I am provoking a game of peek a boo Because I am missing seeing all of you!

There it sits, in shadows cast, Silent keeper of the past, Worn and weary, wood and thread, Holding all the words unsaid. Still it waits, both proud and bare, Memories etched in empty air, Once a throne of laughter bright, Now just echoes through the night. I see you there, though you are gone, Your presence lingered far too long, Stories told and secrets shared, Now just whispers, unprepared. How many mornings did we greet Side by side in that old seat? Coffee steaming, sun would rise, Love reflected in your eyes. But life moved on, like rivers bend, And fate, it took my dearest friend. Left behind this vacant space, A hollow shape where love took place. And yet I sit and talk to you, Pretending like I used to do, As if your warmth still fills the air, And you’re just resting in that chair. So here I’ll stay, until I find The strength to leave it all behind, But for now, it’s where I dare To dream you’re here, in that empty chair. By Jason Strickland

comment For the next 48 hours, we’re filling this thread with love—in all its forms. 💘 Romantic 💔 Heartbreak 🌱 Healing 🪞 Self-Love🤝 Friendship Rules: • 5-7-5 syllables • One haiku per comment• Encourage at least one other poet This is about connection. I’ll start us off. 👇

It’s that time, poets. If you’d like feedback on a poem, create a new post and make sure you select the “Feedback” category before you publish it. That’s where you’ll drop the poem you want eyes on. Not surface-level “nice job.” Not drive-by emojis. Real feedback. What worked. What hit you. What could be stronger. And if you post, give feedback to at least one other poet in the Feedback category today. That’s how we grow. That’s how we sharpen each other. We don’t tear down here. We build up. We refine. We rise together. Let’s make each other better. 👇 Head to the Feedback category and post your poem.