an open poem to closed hearts

(an open poem to closed hearts - recorded live at a bustling coffeehouse) ❤️

when you hate 
someone else 

because they are
     different than you

you are unknowingly hating on 
the very Architect of Creation itself 

~ to rage against a color
you have never seen before 

because its exotic
tincture offends
your orthodox eyes

suggests that you believe
the Divine Artist is worried
about what you think 

did the first burst of
cosmic energy care 
about its critics when
it began to paint life
across the constantly 
unfolding canvas of
the known universe?

hell no

it just wildly created
this delicate masterpiece 
of endless fire, orchestrated chaos and a trillion or so wobbling worlds like a Michelangelo made out of an
army of swarming angels 

every inch of everything
that exists is a unique piece
of abstract splatter art 

so, if the Divine was so 
unrestrained when
it came to creating 
the stretching forever 
kingdom of stars

it would make sense
that God was even
more uninhibited when
it came to how we
were made 

each of us are a wow sculpture of
unbridled never-seen-before genius 

who are you
to decide how
The Everlasting Potter 
molds their art? 

get over your fear
of people who 

look
   live
pray
    love
believe

     differently than you do

because the more you hide
from what is foreign to you 

the more you hide from
the miracle of this existence

you only get to ride this
skin and bone rollercoaster
for so long 

quit closing your eyes
     stare into the swirl 

   because that’s where God’s
most profound artwork is 

hurry up
open your eyes

you’re missing it

open your eyes
hurry up 

and once you do
you will see it

the relentless power
of creation

oh, and how you’ll gasp 
when you finally see it

   ~ john roedel 

Image courtesy of Wyoming Equality

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Come and explore your wild heart with me at The Art of Living Center this August!

Save the date! I’m so excited to announce that I will be bringing my writing retreat back to the Art of Living Retreat Center in beautiful Boone, NC in August of 2024.

This will be my third time facilitating my retreat at the iconic AOLRC and each time has been a transformative event in my life.

The HeartWrite retreat is an opportunity to embrace the wildness of your narrative, to celebrate imperfections, and to write with unguarded honesty.

As a Poet, writer, and comedian I will guides you through this transformative experience with my signature blend of humor, heartfelt insights, and engaging activities that are meant to help you explore the story inside of you.

My approach to writing is not about crafting a perfect narrative but offering a mirror to the soul, allowing others to see their reflections within your words. Through the art forms of writing and storyteller, this experience peels away the layers of pretense to reveal the raw, untold stories that reside within us all.

HeartWrite is more than just a writing retreat; it’s a journey of discovery and authenticity. Whether you’re a seasoned writer of any kind, a storyteller at heart, or simply someone longing to connect more deeply with your own story, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to write without fear of judgment.

I would love to see you there!

Registration details are below

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/.../the-heartwrite.../