<script data-pm-proxy="intercept"></script><?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Duncan Holley's Substack]]></title><description><![CDATA[I use walking in the woods to muse about nature and spirituality.  These are the poems/stories I tell.  I will post 2-3 stories a week for free and paid subscribers.  Check out my webpage, dragontreelaboratories.com, to see additional services.]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png</url><title>Duncan Holley&apos;s Substack</title><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:33:44 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="/__u/duncanholley.substack.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[duncanholley@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[duncanholley@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[duncanholley@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[duncanholley@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Dream Scape]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here is my second song... wish me luck! I realize I need a musician&#8217;s name...]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/dream-scape</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/dream-scape</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 03:50:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hosted by Dragons]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let&#8217;s talk of dragons]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/hosted-by-dragons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/hosted-by-dragons</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 03:39:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Let&#8217;s talk of dragons</p><p>The ultimate gods of destruction</p><div><hr></div><p>Because when it thunders</p><p>And lightning is blitzed</p><p>It casts an overshadow</p><p>Over the land</p><div><hr></div><p>As these dragons bring the party</p><p>Down to where we stand</p><p>I beg to differ</p><div><hr></div><p>That the strobe of lightning strikes</p><p>And the blaring sound system</p><p>Of thunder claps</p><p>Are like a rock show</p><p>Hosted by dragons</p><p>In the heavens</p><div><hr></div><p>They come down to visit</p><p>Us Earthly beings</p><p>Usually during summer highs</p><p></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How I Zero-Balanced Book II]]></title><description><![CDATA[I come with great pride]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/how-i-zero-balanced-book-ii</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/how-i-zero-balanced-book-ii</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:51:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I come with great pride</p><p>And a stance of honor</p><p>And dignified to state</p><p>That my second book of poetry,</p><p>The Wave that Flows,</p><p>Has been printed</p><div><hr></div><p>As I laugh my ass off</p><p>From behind smoke and mirrors</p><p>Secretly quietly saying</p><p>Hush now hush</p><div><hr></div><p>As through the epic poem Fox Paw</p><p>Within Book II</p><p>I can see the world around me</p><p>But they cannot see me</p><p>At the mystery of such</p><p>An epic story</p><div><hr></div><p>This poem tells of trials lost</p><p>And battles won</p><p>The mystery here</p><p>Of Fox Paw is of justice</p><p>And redemption</p><p>And the temptation</p><p>At regaining my power</p><p>As it is that hour</p><p>That this story</p><p>Must be told</p><div><hr></div><p>To be direct it is a bold act</p><p>As this poem must be a cold</p><p>And decisive, deciduousness</p><p>To exhaust the poison</p><p>That elapsed my decades</p><p>Into one moment</p><p>When I could have been dead</p><p>And at my last</p><div><hr></div><p>Since it was time that was lost</p><p>And not my life</p><p>I stand against this strife</p><p>Of mental poison</p><p>But the light that illumined</p><p>That being of Me to</p><p>Enjoy the struggle</p><p>To tug and pull</p><p>And grapple with reality</p><div><hr></div><p>Is what Fox Paw</p><p>The epic poem in Book II</p><p>And how I Zero-Balanced</p><p>It all about</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Click here to leave a tip </a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[She Glows in the Bamboo]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is my very first song here on Substack. Yay!]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/she-glows-in-the-bamboo</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/she-glows-in-the-bamboo</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:08:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_424, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_848, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_webp, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg" width="396" height="527.9093406593406" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1941,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:396,&quot;bytes&quot;:3599983,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://duncanholley.substack.com/i/212495881?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="/__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_424, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 424w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_848, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 848w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_1272, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 1272w, /__u/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5khN!, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/w_1456, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/c_limit, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/f_auto, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/q_auto:good, /__u/duncanholley.substack.com/fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1290dfa0-b99f-4b3f-a741-d7749ba31c02_5712x4284.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>While listening to this song, try to imagine an orb of golden light embedded in the bamboo.  It&#8217;s a shamanic adventure.</p><div class="native-audio-embed" data-component-name="AudioPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;label&quot;:null,&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;73ec774f-1688-40a9-b013-650533209d97&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:127.84326,&quot;downloadable&quot;:false,&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>An orb in the sky</p><p>Flows and does</p><p>Floats through</p><p>A micro orbit</p><div><hr></div><p>This is crazy</p><p>A ball of light</p><p>Conjured in my bamboo</p><div><hr></div><p>This is crazy</p><p>So so slow</p><p>The Leaves</p><p>Move as you do</p><div><hr></div><p>So so lazy</p><p>Dancing trancing</p><p>Stepping singing</p><p>Groove too</p><div><hr></div><p>So so crazy</p><p>Maybe this</p><p>Vortice</p><p>Vortice</p><div><hr></div><p>Hypno</p><p>My naked eye</p><div><hr></div><p>A ball of light</p><p>I see in my eyes</p><p>Blinded by</p><p>Golden rays</p><div><hr></div><p>If you see it too</p><p>You are crazier</p><p>Than me three</p><div><hr></div><p>An orb in the sky</p><p>Flows and does</p><p>Floats through</p><p>A micro orbit</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://duncanholley.substack.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Duncan Holley's Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Waking Light]]></title><description><![CDATA[The two orbs in the sky]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/waking-light</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/waking-light</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 02:25:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The two orbs in the sky</p><p>Mother Earth has given birth to both</p><p>That being her Sun</p><p>And his sister the Moon</p><div><hr></div><p>As she makes all the other stars swoon</p><p>Her brother a beaming ball of fire</p><p>Whose light is tireless</p><div><hr></div><p>It is water here on Earth</p><p>The life giving element</p><p>That yielded our Sun and Moon</p><p>Into existence</p><div><hr></div><p>And as they all three</p><p>Live in a vast scape</p><p>Of darkness and silence</p><p>It is the close distance</p><p>Between the three</p><p>That is unforgettable</p><div><hr></div><p>As all the other planets</p><p>In our solar system, their family</p><p>Since they are so far away</p><p>It is a difficult amount of trouble</p><p>To keep them all together</p><div><hr></div><p>But when the planets align</p><p>With a crescent moon</p><p>On the sea scape of a nighttime sky</p><p>Such an omen it is to give</p><p>Illumined light</p><p>Such a beautiful sight</p><div><hr></div><p>I would embrace with a bow</p><p>This omen of alignment</p><p>If only they could hear me</p><p>At the irony of such a grande moment</p><p>When I feel so small</p><p>Yet tall enough to acknowledge</p><p>These omens on the sharp edge</p><p>Of this present moment in time</p><div><hr></div><p>The pressing rhyme</p><p>Being that our Solar System</p><p>Is a family of divinity</p><p>With eclipses</p><p>And twilight</p><div><hr></div><p>As when us humans</p><p>Go to bed at night</p><p>These divine beings</p><p>Party until we see dawn</p><p>At our waking light</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Click here to leave a tip</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Things Will Be Ok]]></title><description><![CDATA[Crazed and pacing]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/things-will-be-ok</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/things-will-be-ok</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:40:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Crazed and pacing</p><p>I&#8217;d rather be lazy</p><p>Than go mad</p><div><hr></div><p>Pacing is what I do</p><p>When my thoughts are all astray</p><p>Confused with disarray</p><p>These days it&#8217;s vertigo</p><p>It used to be getting my</p><p>Mind blown out in another kind of way</p><div><hr></div><p>When I see things others don&#8217;t,</p><p>And hear things others won&#8217;t,</p><p>Want to hear nor believe</p><div><hr></div><p>I hope no other has it worse than I do</p><p>That would be tragic</p><p>At least I have my magic tricks</p><p>But when the clock ticks</p><p>To kick it in the ass</p><p>I am right there with the rest</p><div><hr></div><p>If some other has it worse than I do</p><p>My prayers go out to their family</p><p>As it means they have witnessed</p><p>A real tragedy</p><div><hr></div><p>And loss of sanity</p><p>As the victim besieges reality</p><p>To break down those</p><p>Constructs of a mental wall</p><p>Can be a real haul</p><p>Up the most treacherous of peaks</p><p>That can take weeks</p><p>To regain one&#8217;s footing</p><p>On solid ground</p><p>And speak with a coherent sound</p><div><hr></div><p>To be bound for this path of recovery</p><p>Is way deep in thought</p><p>And as I&#8217;d say to this persons family</p><p>To never give up</p><div><hr></div><p>Because this one can make it</p><p>Through the toughest of stuff</p><p>And can be a blessing of good luck</p><div><hr></div><p>Back to my daily path</p><p>Of pacing when my thoughts are racing</p><p>I know of no other way</p><p>But to stay where I know I am safe</p><p>As long as my feet are on the ground</p><p>I will be ok</p><div><hr></div><p>But only if you are ok</p><p>This is the way a river flows</p><p>That of trusting in the strange</p><p>Workings of this world</p><p>That time tells the difference</p><p>That if we will it</p><p>Things will be ok</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Click here to leave a tip</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hello Loyal Fans]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello Loyal Fans,]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/hello-loyal-fans</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/hello-loyal-fans</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 03:36:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello Loyal Fans,</p><p>Firstly I must express my appreciations for your financial support in my Substack.  Every little bit goes a long way.  It puts me in a cathartic daze to provide posts for you&#8230; And I intend to write poetry until the last of my dying days.  The only way I could do what I do is with your support.</p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Through a Field of Mist]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let&#8217;s talk day dreams]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/through-a-field-of-mist</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/through-a-field-of-mist</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 03:11:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Let&#8217;s talk day dreams</p><p>Like walking through a field of mist</p><p>As it&#8217;s easy to miss</p><p>Thoughts wandering at such a gift</p><p>When all the mind does</p><p>Is wander in a daze</p><p>Of a cloud seeping through the hills</p><p>A watery haze</p><div><hr></div><p>I love these moments</p><p>They are some of my greatest joys</p><p>I get all snickered out</p><p>Like a little boy</p><p>Opening up birthday presents</p><p>When I have the presence</p><p>Of taking a walk through</p><p>The mist that evaporates</p><p>After a rain storm</p><p></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[To Give Them Space]]></title><description><![CDATA[In deep thought]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/to-give-them-space</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/to-give-them-space</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 03:23:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In deep thought</p><p>I wonder why I weep so</p><p>When my thoughts</p><p>Start to go all strange and weird</p><p>As the painful ones all bewildered</p><p>I beg to differ I do not wish</p><p>That on one another</p><div><hr></div><p>But it&#8217;s confusing being human</p><p>Humbled by the pain I&#8217;ve been through</p><p>As I can see through a window</p><p>That we all have our sufferings</p><p>And I don&#8217;t want to make that worse</p><p>For any other</p><div><hr></div><p>As empathy is a form of respect</p><p>To not assume we know</p><p>Another&#8217;s place in this world</p><p>Compassion has it&#8217;s grace</p><p>The strength to sit with one</p><p>To give them space</p><p>And protect them so they</p><p>Can grow and sow the seeds</p><p>That they know will yield</p><p>To their time will tell</p><div><hr></div><p>To sit and be still with the pain</p><p>That aches my heart</p><p>Having been broken</p><p>Compassion is worth</p><p>A golden token</p><p>Made of time and energy</p><p>To heal</p><div><hr></div><p>As to me it is love and light</p><p>That I find most appealing</p><p>To sit still for an eternity</p><p>Until after the bows</p><p>Have been bent with enough tears</p><p>To shed that weight</p><p>Into release</p><div><hr></div><p>I can cry freedom</p><p>From those wrath and chains</p><p>Alleviated from that mental pain</p><p>The torment dissolves</p><p>Diluted into a vapor</p><p>Of mist and steam</p><p>When I can breathe again</p><p>And see clearly through</p><p>Fog wiped off my window</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Click here to leave a Tip</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What of Gratitude ]]></title><description><![CDATA[What of gratitude]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/what-of-gratitude</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/what-of-gratitude</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 06:00:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What of gratitude</p><p>That feeling that we appreciate</p><p>Something or someone</p><p>For something special</p><p>For someone memorable</p><div><hr></div><p>Because at any moment</p><p>They could be at their last</p><p>Or that something has past</p><div><hr></div><p>To honor is to</p><p>Be conscience of that</p><div><hr></div><p>So all day long</p><p>I say thank you to myself</p><p>Just for being here</p><p>As I have seen death in the face</p><p>And it is a gift that I am alive</p><div><hr></div><p>So what I ask of people</p><p>Is to be aware of these</p><p>Strange workings of this world</p><p>To live each moment</p><p>To its fullest</p><div><hr></div><p>With out this gratification</p><p>There will be regrets</p><p>As everything has an end</p><p>But amazement to live</p><p>Time will bend</p><p>With a magic pixie dust</p><p>Or seamless flow</p><p>To know that there is love</p><div><hr></div><p>Of course with a heartbreaking end</p><p>There will be a new beginning</p><p>But it is gratification</p><p>That gives a seed of life</p><p>A new returning</p><p>Like the abundance</p><p>Of Spring and its green</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Please Feel Free to Leave a Tip</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Magic of Sunlight]]></title><description><![CDATA[Where does the Sun come from?]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/the-magic-of-sunlight</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/the-magic-of-sunlight</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:32:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Where does the Sun come from?</p><p>Both the one up high in the sky</p><p>Just like the one in our hearts</p><div><hr></div><p>Made from love and light</p><p>Sensations of joy and delight</p><p>Above and beyond</p><p>Such great heights</p><p>This light reaches</p><div><hr></div><p>Down into the dark valleys</p><p>And in between places</p><p>We haven&#8217;t seen nor heard of</p><div><hr></div><p>What is the word</p><p>Of when this all began</p><p>I know science says one thing</p><p>But I think something different</p><p>That our Sun has always been there</p><p>As the Sun&#8217;s light brings</p><p>Our light of who we are into a place</p><p>A fabric of tiny strands of energy</p><p>Creating matter that banter</p><p>And talk to each other</p><p>About how to bond together</p><p></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is always an Omen of Truth]]></title><description><![CDATA[These stars up so high]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/is-always-an-omen-of-truth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/is-always-an-omen-of-truth</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:35:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>These stars up so high</p><p>In the nighttime sky</p><p>Tell many stories</p><p>Of where humans have been</p><div><hr></div><p>These stars behave when</p><p>People have been like them</p><p>To fall to our Earth</p><p>Shooting across the wide and vast</p><p>Scape of darkness</p><div><hr></div><p>They like to twinkle</p><p>Like one&#8217;s eyes who are alive</p><p>But to witness a planet</p><p>Bright on the horizon</p><p>In alignment with a crescent moon</p><p>At such the time of twilight</p><div><hr></div><p>Is always an omen of truth</p><p>In how and when</p><p>The sky turns from blue to black</p><div><hr></div><p>Isn&#8217;t it a pleasant dream</p><p>To think of one of us beings</p><p>Here on Earth</p><p>Being a wandering star</p><p>A sage of sorts</p><p>Wizened and old</p><p>As stories are told</p><p>Of this elder</p><p>Who could this person be?</p><div><hr></div><p>But free from karmic bondage</p><p>No age can tell us anything</p><p>Of this ancient soul</p><div><hr></div><p>But a far off distant sun</p><p>Since time has begun</p><p>Forever as time will never be done</p><div><hr></div><p>That limitless vast scape</p><p>Of darkness is this stars home</p><p>Alone with how many</p><p>Other eternally setting suns</p><p>Where did they come from?</p><div><hr></div><p>As these questions may never</p><p>Be answered?</p><p>But such a joyous quest</p><p>It is to venture into</p><p>Utter darkness</p><p>To fathom how the sun</p><p>Always sets in the west</p><div><hr></div><p>As suns never rest</p><p>Even when shadow</p><p>Gets of us the best</p><p>As a star has its bed</p><p>With other moons</p><p>Swooning around its orbit</p><div><hr></div><p>A compass that goes on forever</p><p>Always spinning back on itself</p><p>Like the planets and moons</p><p>Living together</p><p>Bonding as if lovers</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Tip-Jar</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Balancing the Force]]></title><description><![CDATA[What is zero but an empty space]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/on-balancing-the-force</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/on-balancing-the-force</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:20:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is zero but an empty space</p><p>What is a hero but one</p><p>Who saves us from disgrace</p><p>Who stands against those racist faces</p><p>When time hasn&#8217;t lost its place</p><p>Where a sage has his case</p><p>Why in and how the empty mind</p><p>Of a Zero-Balancer I am</p><p>Has found his grace</p><p>Against&#8230;</p><div><hr></div><p>Against is why I use</p><p>This balancing technique</p><p>To even out the odds</p><p>As the tide ebbs and flows</p><p>So does the life force</p><p>Find balance in emptiness</p><div><hr></div><p>As emptiness is in everything</p><p>And everywhere but beware</p><p>Of the riptide that can steal</p><p>One away from its ride</p><p>As that capturing force</p><p>Has the worst case of deceit</p><p>That can go on for leagues</p><p>But between you and me</p><p>Let&#8217;s see beneath this</p><p>Abducting current</p><div><hr></div><p>That needs the tides to shift</p><p>Which is why I am here</p><p>When I balance my psyche</p><p>And I get to cry freedom</p><p>I know I have served well</p><p>As my light is stronger than hell</p><p>As my light chimes a bell</p><p>Of victory and the tides swell</p><p>I know I have completed</p><p>Casting my spell</p><div><hr></div><p>To keep hatred out of</p><p>This watering well</p><p>So we can all drink</p><p>Fresh water with no poison</p><p>This is my rational</p><p>And my ethos put to use</p><p>Which is why I meditate</p><p>The way I do</p><div><hr></div><p>On balancing the force</p><p>This is my art of</p><p>Zero-Balancing</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Feel free to leave a tip</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[As I’m a Lone Soul]]></title><description><![CDATA[I usually travel alone these days]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/as-im-a-lone-soul</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/as-im-a-lone-soul</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 03:20:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I usually travel alone these days</p><p>Its what I&#8217;ve been given</p><p>And when it&#8217;s time play</p><p>I like to stay alive</p><p>And to be present to catch</p><p>Those perfect fleeting moments</p><p>That are bent over crazy with laughter</p><div><hr></div><p>Having been driven</p><p>Crazed over poems</p><p>About imaginary girlfriends</p><p>As most my age are already wed</p><p>So so lonesome in the bed</p><div><hr></div><p>It befuddles me in a confusing</p><p>Kinda context when I do my best</p><p>To not wither in tears</p><p>Over such lonesome moments</p><p>As these when I write my poems</p><p></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Deep in the Nighttime Sky]]></title><description><![CDATA[The path that I have chosen]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/deep-in-the-nighttime-sky</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/deep-in-the-nighttime-sky</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:33:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The path that I have chosen</p><p>Is one of least resistance</p><p>As my stance holds strong and steady</p><p>To behold awe and wonder</p><p>At all that I discover</p><div><hr></div><p>The mysteries of the deep</p><p>Embedded in the way that I keep</p><p>Secret and dear to my heart</p><p>As some of the strange workings</p><p>That I see in this art</p><p>Of scribing words</p><div><hr></div><p>Are hear and now</p><p>To zero-balance</p><p>And to remember why did I start</p><p>With my left foot backwards</p><p>And my right foot</p><p>In the right direction</p><div><hr></div><p>Yet this path I have had to dissect</p><p>To scrounge for answers</p><p>From my blurred past</p><p>As a good omen</p><p>That of a catalyst</p><p>Is as simple as the alignment</p><p>With a crescent moon</p><p>And a planet or two</p><p>On the setting suns horizon</p><div><hr></div><p>To decipher these messages</p><p>I have become aged and wizened</p><p>Not with birth years</p><p>But with years of my soul</p><p>As time has elapsed</p><p>In a greater to few</p><div><hr></div><p>To own my serenity</p><p>I have grown ancient and old</p><p>As I attempt to warmth for my heart</p><p>That has grown oh too cold</p><p>From seeing a bitter side of life</p><p>And deflecting too much strife</p><div><hr></div><p>And when something in my psyche shifts</p><p>I cry freedom and feel a weight lift</p><p>This zero-balancing,</p><p>Deciduous, and a gift</p><div><hr></div><p>An omen is given when I have won</p><p>A tussle that many might not see</p><p>But some thing my mind senses</p><p>And makes peoples unconscious self</p><p>Quite tense with apprehension</p><p>And curious many are</p><p>About what lies down</p><p>Deep in the night time sky</p><p>When all we see are stars</p><p>Twinkling hiding in darkness</p><p>But the thought realm is such a mess</p><p>Which is what I am trying to discuss</p><div><hr></div><p>Some may say this foresight</p><p>Is unknown and unrecognized</p><p>But when I decide to witness</p><p>Balancing as a pendulum</p><p>It is as beautiful as a sundial</p><p>Timed with noon on the skylit sun</p><div><hr></div><p>And to blue sky</p><p>Always makes me feel un done</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Feel Free to Leave a Tip</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Love is Green]]></title><description><![CDATA[Green tea when it steeps]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/love-is-green</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/love-is-green</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 02:48:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Green tea when it steeps</p><p>It pleases the soul</p><p>As the steam</p><p>It mimics the tears</p><p>Shed while weeping</p><div><hr></div><p>It&#8217;s this flow that graces</p><p>The bows of a Weeping Willow</p><p>When moss in this tree</p><p>Ages as if it were a beard</p><p>From that of a sage</p><div><hr></div><p>This stage we speak of</p><p>Is laced with green</p><p>And lichen growing</p><p>On its bark like a tattoo</p><p>A green mood</p><p>Deep in sky blue</p><div><hr></div><p>But why do willows weep?</p><p>Unless they dream too</p><p>It&#8217;s as if dreams and tears</p><p>Are graced with its years</p><div><hr></div><p>Why do willows weep?</p><p>As their stillness in gentle breezes</p><p>Keeps those little creatures</p><p>Such as gnomes and crickets</p><p>Chipmunks and fairies</p><p>Close to its roots</p><p>And flirts with the sun beams</p><p>In between clouds</p><p>To think of how</p><p>To make its voice out loud</p><p>Only heard by wisps of grass</p><p>But only so soft</p><p>Amongst its branches</p><p>Aloft for the song birds</p><p>To chime in on their tune</p><div><hr></div><p>To sway to such a gentle</p><p>Wind eddy yet smooth and steady</p><p>When this Willow Weeps</p><p>So does its time</p><p>Held within the keep</p><p>Of its roots in how</p><p>Deep down they grow</p><div><hr></div><p>With rows of moss</p><p>Tossed in the wind</p><p>And tanned by the sun</p><p>For its little creatures</p><p>Living here</p><div><hr></div><p>Who hear of the love</p><p>Of the wood</p><p>Engraved on its trunk</p><p>&#8220;Love is Green&#8221;</p><p>Is its tattoo so subtle too</p><p>As to how blue this willow</p><p>Below its canopy</p><p>Growing its dream</p><p>Made of green</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">Tip - Jar</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[I Witness to Protect]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this crazy and chaotic world]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/i-witness-to-protect</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/i-witness-to-protect</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:27:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this crazy and chaotic world</p><p>I speak of - that we live in,</p><p>It is this internal strife that I mention</p><p>When we all raze questions</p><p>But when we have invasive voices</p><p>Against one&#8217;s personal space</p><p>I approach this with grace</p><div><hr></div><p>But for me it&#8217;s a different story</p><p>Than guessing games</p><p>And putting down the blame</p><p>On its sources of shame</p><div><hr></div><p>Because of who I am</p><p>I have been called to higher power</p><p>Because of who I&#8217;ve become</p><p>Defense to protect my people</p><p>Is my hour - to shine light upon</p><p>Those who wish and pray</p><p>For a more peaceful path</p><div><hr></div><p>To be free of affliction</p><p>And the torment of evil</p><p>To be safe from those who steal</p><p>As I know how to turn the tables</p><p>As if it were a wheel</p><p></p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[And Breezes with Her Tricks]]></title><description><![CDATA[On these beautiful summer days]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/and-breezes-with-her-tricks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/and-breezes-with-her-tricks</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 03:25:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On these beautiful summer days</p><p>When the heat swelters</p><p>A punishing form of humidity</p><p>Sweating to the point of humility</p><p>Humbled by how all I want to do</p><p>Is get naked</p><div><hr></div><p>And sweat and bake some more</p><p>As my psychic core gets confused</p><p>Whether or not I&#8217;m in a sauna</p><p>At the tipping point of dawn</p><p>I dream of breathing clouds</p><p>That are made of gold</p><p>At no price can that be sold</p><p>Sun sets are as ancient as the old</p><p>Ways of wooing in the night court</p><div><hr></div><p>And when sun down comes around,</p><p>After the super soothing sunsets</p><p>It&#8217;s those gentle summer breezes</p><p>That teases my senses</p><p>Into subtle notes of ginseng</p><p>At wonder and awe</p><div><hr></div><p>Darkness at the caw of a raven</p><p>Behaving with mischievous tricks</p><p>As the subtle zephyrs</p><p>Are to remember between shadows</p><p>Having been given</p><p>The gifts of laughter and joy</p><p>At how sensational</p><p>Shadows and breezes</p><p>Rhyme between their</p><p>Sensation of touch</p><p>And how they feel</p><p>Intermingled and bewildered</p><div><hr></div><p>At the touch as delicate as water</p><p>Or from a significant other</p><p>Graced by unconditional love</p><p>For the art of breathing</p><p>And scheming at a ravens play</p><p>With shadows</p><div><hr></div><p>And darkness knows</p><p>The differences mixed amongst</p><p>All of what this passage</p><p>Has been betwixt</p><p>Musing about shadows</p><p>And breezes with her tricks</p><p></p><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[It is Truth that I Speak]]></title><description><![CDATA[When I think of poetry]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/it-is-truth-that-i-speak</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/it-is-truth-that-i-speak</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 03:23:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When I think of poetry</p><p>Whoa I say this one</p><p>Is going to be a deep</p><p>Moment of becoming un-done</p><p>Think of a tea kettle</p><p>And steeping tea</p><p>Especially green it is</p><div><hr></div><p>As green is my favorite color</p><p>It&#8217;s lush and abundance</p><p>At this time of year</p><p>And to dancing</p><p>With the leaves in the wind</p><p>And combustible greeneries</p><p>Are funnier than how</p><p>Fast a fat cat falls asleep</p><div><hr></div><p>These sensations are</p><p>What I feel when I write poetry</p><p>But to those dark moments</p><p>When I ask provoking questions</p><p>That comes from my heart</p><p>Not the same as some</p><p>Tantalizing squeeze</p><div><hr></div><p>But when I ask those difficult questions</p><p>I am saying please&#8230; please listen</p><p>As there are too many in dire situations</p><p>That crave elation and freedom</p><p>From those binding mental chains</p><div><hr></div><p>It&#8217;s as if all the hurt in the world</p><p>Goes silently recognized</p><p>As soft as the hum in a sea shell</p><p>But could we move as one</p><p>A united whole</p><div><hr></div><p>With a single prayer called Love</p><p>Because a lot of the hurt</p><p>In the world is a silent secret</p><p>I beg to differ it&#8217;s only a whisper</p><div><hr></div><p>As it&#8217;s a mental thing</p><p>Those wrath and chains</p><p>Encumber-some and hidden</p><p>In the deepest crevices</p><p>Of reality that go too far unseen</p><div><hr></div><p>But in my experience</p><p>It is light upon those dark places</p><p>That can illumine</p><p>The elusiveness of these creatures</p><div><hr></div><p>But what I speak of are things</p><p>That don&#8217;t even cross</p><p>The paths of common knowledge</p><p>So many of us haven&#8217;t ever</p><p>Heard of the things I have seen</p><p>But the in between glance here</p><div><hr></div><p>In these are my words</p><p>To express on Independence Day</p><p>Stating so I know I will rest better</p><p>My freedom of speech</p><p>Beneath the dying weeks</p><p>It is truth that I speak</p><p>And Love that I know</p><div><hr></div><p><a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00">https://buy.stripe.com/dRmeVdfDW8fWdXj8uU2kw00</a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Happy 4th of July!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Happy 4th of July!]]></description><link>https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/happy-4th-of-july</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://duncanholley.substack.com/p/happy-4th-of-july</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Holley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:08:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UlVw!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F564aa978-edcd-474f-b14b-2a4c324bbe0c_1280x1280.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy 4th of July!</p><div><hr></div><p>As I fell asleep the other night</p><p>Listening to thunder and lightning </p><p>A premonition of our 4th</p><p>And America&#8217;s magnificent </p><p>Fireworks</p><div><hr></div><p>Such explosions are so worth it </p><p>As the fireworks make my solar plexus</p><p>Boom as if I ate a stick of dynamite </p><p>And chewed on that for dinner</p><p>As the 4th in terms of holidays</p><p>Is my biggest winner</p><p>And M-80&#8217;s are a real sinner</p><p></p>
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