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 disconnectOnlineor 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 thoseWho choose to stay.
The rest are shadows.I release them gently.

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