…You, who recognized the mineral
pulse beneath my words and heard the slow geology
of my voice before I named it.
You approached the text
as one approaches a cliff face,
reading its fractures
as if they were deliberate inscriptions.
You understood that some sentences
arrive already wounded,
carrying the iron scent
of what they had to survive.
You did not flinch from
the density or the silence between lines,
You treated both as materials worthy of touch.
You saw the sediment of old rituals in my gestores
and the quiet red thread that binds them to the living.
You honored the weight I carry
without asking me to lighten it,
And for that, I offer you this small stone of gratitude…








“Some sentences arrive already wounded” is a powerful line. I really appreciated how you treat silence and density as material, not absence.
Thank you, dear fellow poet.
This is beautiful, and it felt peaceful in its write.
Thanks Fia. It was from the deep of my heart that I wrote it to our fellow poet Styxian. His words made me happy so I got inspired to write some and offer them to him.
Beautifully penned, PAR. Such a heartfelt tribute to Mark (Styxian) my friend. He’s a class act and a brilliant writer who always takes the time to comment words of praise and positivity to members of this community. Nicely done my brother. You never cease to amaze. Appreciate you.
Damian
Appreciate you back my brother-friend.
A given stone will turn to a polished shine when kept tightly in the palm.
It’s something solid to keep us mindful and kinships and the strength of that.
I am a very down to earth person. I actually do have a few rocks that I picked up from somewhere, because they caught my eye.
I enjoy your writing a great deal, Paulo. It is maturely done, strong in its messages. That is why I bother to join writing sites; to find and read quality material that will inspire me to keep my own motivation going.
Thank you for this, and for your contributions of writing.
All the best to you, my friend.
This is as amazing tribute. Mark was touched by this. I remember him calling me and telling me about this write.
I think he forgets how inspiring he is with his writes and comments.
It’s awesome when he gets a reminder!
Merry Christmas 🎄!
Merry Christmas 🎄! Thank you! Mark is really an inspiring poet and I am very happy to have him reading my humble words.