
“Elf Tree” (Central Coast, California)
“The Burden”
You fear those things, deep inside;
Run away, try to hide.
Escape you want, from the past;
Hold me down, this pain shall last.
You look at me with judging eyes,
Yet, you live – with all those lies.
Don’t deny this bond we share,
Life’s hard enough, so please show care.
The façade you front, is oh so tough;
Yet I know – it’s all a bluff.
Love I seek, is that too much;
To ask from you, a gentle touch.
– Kevin J. Hotter (2017)

“Escape into the Blue” (Santa Clarita, California)
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Categories: Inspiration, Photography, poetry
Tagged as: American culture, American West, art, beauty, blogging, california, California's Central Coast, Central California, choices, dreams, experiences, happiness, ideas, images, imagination, inspiration, journey, Kevin J. Hotter, life, nature, people, personal, Photography, photos, Poem, poetry, Prose, self awareness, Southwest, story, Trees, universe, West Coast, wisdom, writing
What a beautiful poem. And I just read that it is one of your first? You need to post more along with your fabulous poetry!
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Hi Joan, thank you! This is the first poem I’ve posted to my blog, but I’ve been writing poetry (off and on) since I was a teenager. I really appreciate the kind words and support!! Have a terrific day. 😎
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I am very particular about poetry and yours is first rate- simple and to the point. Post more!
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Wow, thanks so much Joan! That really means a lot to hear! 🙂
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When love is misplaced…
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😊
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Hi Kevin! I enjoyed reading your thought-provoking poem. It really demonstrates how complex our existence is – we have this inner world filled with hopes, regrets, and a variety of conflicting feelings, and then there are the worlds we create and share with friends and loved ones. It is easy to get so tangled up in ourselves and our problems that we neglect the other people in our lives who love and care for us and take them for granted. And no matter how much we resolve not to do this, we often end up doing it again and again. 😦
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. At least this is one time of the year when people can focus on being grateful for what they have and appreciate the special people in their lives. 🙂
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Hi Arlene, thank you so much for your kind words, and for sharing your thoughts on my poem. I really enjoyed your interpretation, and the feelings evoked. And, Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁 to you and yours! Great to hear from you!!
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You are welcome, Kevin. I am glad to reconnect with you again. I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving celebration with your family. Take care. 🙂
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Thanks, Arlene! Glad to reconnect with you too. Have a great weekend!!
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You are welcome. I hope you have a wonderful week. 🙂
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Kevin, it is a surprise, I didn’t know you write poetry. It is really good, and I hope to read more in the future. The tangled branches of the Elf tree illustrate your words and add to the story. Well done!
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Hi Inese, thank you!! You are the first person to comment on the relationship of my photo with the poem – thanks for noticing that! 🙂 Appreciate the support of my poetry. I will certainly post more. Have a great weekend. 🙂
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Thank you Kevin! I love poetry and look forward to reading more of your work 🙂
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😊👍🏼
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Awesome Kevin!
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Thanks, Rob!! 😎
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Wow, this really speaks to me. Very well done!
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Hi Michael, thank you so much! So cool to know my poem resonates with others. Have a great day, man!
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Poignant and intense poem.👍
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Thanks, Imelda!!
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Exquisite poetry, Kevin!
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Thank you, Carol!! 🙂
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Kevin! Is there anything you can’t do? Haunting yet lovely. Well done my friend.
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Haha, thanks Lennon!! Appreciate all the support through the years! Have a great week. 🙂
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Hey Kevin, I’m ok cheers bud! How’s you? I liked that poem a lot. Great post!
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Appreciate your kind words! All good here. Just living the dream here in California. It’s truly the Wild West out here. Have a great rest of the weekend!
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Sounds good! 😀 have a great week!
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Thanks man! 😎
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Great post & a fantastic poem!
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Lee! What’s up buddy? Thanks man!
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You have obviously touched many people with your words. I’ve had a couple of scenarios with students in the past 2 weeks where a “gentle touch” meant more than words! So your poem is very engaging. Look forward to reading more!
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Hi Barbara! It’s awesome that my poem resonates with my friends from the Land Down Under! 🙂 Yeah, life is challenging sometimes. And, instead of tough love, it is often better to show compassion. My inspiration for this poem comes from many different facets of my life (both former and present). Always great to hear from you. See you in America soon!
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Some lovely words, my friend. Keep sharing!
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Hi Jean, thank you!! I really appreciate your awesome support! Have a stupendous weekend! (That’s right, I used the word stupendous lol) 😎
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Hey, I love using splendiferous whenever possible. It’s fun to make words, too! 😀
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Very moving and beautiful, Kevin. I’m waiting for more!
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Thank you so much, Michele! Have a wonderful weekend!!
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What a pleasant surprise to find your poem here. You have written from the heart and it speaks to us the reader on many different levels; one of the things I love about poetry.
I’m glad you took the plunge and look forward to more of your creativity. 🙂
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Hello! Thank you! I’m glad too. For a while, it has been on mind to write a poem for my blog. I’m very glad I did it. And, that’s great to hear that it spoke to you on different levels! That’s what I was aiming for. Thanks again, and have a terrific weekend. 🙂
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Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying goes! 🙂
I’m happy it was such a good experience; here’s to more poems. 🙂
Happy Weekend 🙂
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Thank you, Kevin! You have a nice weekend, too. I am looking forward to your future posts. 😊
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😊👍🏼
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Very touching, Kevin.
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Thank you!!😊 Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend! 😎
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That was great Kevin, I hope theirs more to come.
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Hi JC, thank you so much! I definitely think I’ll be posting more poetry! 😎
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This is beautiful Kevin 🙂
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Thank you!! Appreciate your kind comments! 😁😎
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Hey Kevin, I’m the one in the front row, cheering you on!! Love the feeling and imagery of this piece! Please share more. 🙂
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Nice!! Thanks, Dorinda!! It’s so great to connect with other creatives. More poems to come. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thanks, you too!
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Wow! I love this poem, Kevin, extremely powerful and strong emotions. I see this is the first one on your blog but do hope to see many more. 😀 You have a gift!
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Annika! Thank you. 🙂 Yep, it is my first poem here on my blog. You’re such a great supporter of my stuff. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. You rock!!
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Kevin: Keep it up. You never cease to amaze me.
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Thanks Dan! Very nice of you to say. Appreciate it, bud. 🙂
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Excellent poem and cool photos, too!
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Thanks, dude!! I appreciate it. 🙂
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Do write more poetry. This poem clear shows you’ve got a gift there that needs to be explored more.
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Hi Andrew, thank you! That’s very nice of you to say. I agree – I should write more poems, because I thoroughly enjoy it.
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Wow, what a fantastic poem. That was fantastic, Kevin. Is that the first poem you shared?
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Yep! My first one published on my blog. I was definitely a little apprehensive. But, I am glad I did it. Thanks for the support, Erika! That’s awesome you enjoyed it. Means a lot to me. 🙂
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Oh, yes, I am glad you did too. It is great. I absolutely like it, Kevin. Now you can combine your inner images with your pictures!
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Nice! I should hire you as my creative coach. 🙂 Always awesome to chat with you, Erika!
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I feel honored, Kevin and I enjoy our chats very much too 😊
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Wonderfully expressed, Kevin… this heartfelt poem. Nice, reflective writing. 🙂
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Thank you, Iris!! Hearing that from a poet such as yourself is a real honor. 🙂
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It’s a pleasure. Enjoy this new genre. Happy writing, Kevin! 😃
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Thanks! You too, Iris – happy writing!
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Excellent, Kevin, and I felt your anxiety and passion. I do hope you’ll continue to write poetry (you’ll develop a distance from it, in time, although the passion and cathartic feeling will remain)!
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That’s great; so glad you could feel the emotions I was trying to convey. Thanks so much, Clarissa! I used to write poetry when I was in my early 20s. My wife loves when I write it, and she always encourages me to write more poems. I think I will follow the advice from both of you guys. Thanks again for always supporting my work!
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This is really well written Kevin, you have many talents 🙂
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Irene, thank you!! How are you feeling? Better, I hope!
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Thank you and yes, I’m recovering and things start to work in a better speed than earlier.
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I am happy to hear that, Irene. Have a wonderful weekend! And thanks again for the kind words and support. 🙂
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Happy weekend for you too 🙂
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Kevin, this is a very deep and heartfelt poem. I am deeply touched, didn’t even
know you wrote poems.
I hope soon to hear more of your poetry.
miriam
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Hi Miriam, thank you so much. It took a lot out of me to write this poem. That’s why I don’t write them very often. But, I thoroughly enjoy the cathartic experience. Really appreciate your kind words!
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Great work, Kevin!
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Thanks, Angie! It’s the first time I have ever published a poem on my blog. I was a bit nervous. I really appreciate the support!! 🙂
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Don’t be! It was really good! 🙂
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That means a lot to me, thank you. 🙂
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