One Poem Only is a daily poetry podcast offering a quiet moment with a single poem—read aloud, without analysis or noise.

Presence of Choice

Alecia Lewis

I hold no one.

They can come or go.

Freely.

Unbound.

They may disconnect

Online

or in person.

People may condemn me.

I remain unshaken.

Judgment falls.

I do not carry it.

If exiting brings peace,

I let them go.

With love.

With grace.

I hold only those

Who choose to stay.

The rest are shadows.

I release them gently.

More from Alecia Lewis ↓

1. @neutralmuse73 on Instagram and Substack

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Poetry slows us down. Thank you for listening.

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One Poem Only submissions are open.

I’m filling the next chapter of One Poem Only and would love to include your work. Send me the poem you wrote and want the world to hear. New this round: if you’d like to read your own poem on the podcast, you can. No need for a perfect studio recording—just a clear audio file recorded in a quiet space. If you choose this option, you’ll submit your poem and an audio file of you reading it. Submissions close Thursday, July 30. I’ll respond by August 12. Whether I read your poem or you read it yourself, I’d love to hear what you’re ready to share.