JUNE 12, 2026 POETRY Three Closed Doors PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 In the deep rooms where my silence lives, there are three doors that creak when the wind blows. The first hides what I silenced too early: folded dreams, letters never written, cries I abandoned before they began. Its name is Repression, and it breathes slowly. The second is a forbidden shrine, a hidden flame under an ancient veil. There, every step is watched by invisible eyes, and every shadow carries the weight of commandment. This is the door of Taboo, where fear dresses itself as sacred. The third—ah, that one deceives: it has mirrors inside. I open it and see faces that aren’t mine, borrowed guilt, wounds I hand to others. Inside lives Projection, making me battle enemies I invented. But one day, tired of carrying shadows, I touched all three handles with the same question: — Who am I when I no longer hide? And the doors, one by one, opened. Light spilled from the depths of the house, and I understood that growing up isn’t slaying monsters— it’s recognizing that every one of them was bearing my name. 7 Heavenly Attributes EMERI JADE BEY Groundcover vendor No. 660 In heaven’s garden, bright and wide, Seven virtues walk beside The weary hearts of humankind, Leaving trails of light behind. **Humility** wears simple clothes, And speaks in whispers soft and low. It does not boast, it does not claim, Yet kings bow gently to its name. **Kindness** carries golden rain To cool the fires of grief and pain. A tender word, a hand held near, Can quiet sorrow, calm all fear. With open palms walks **Charity**, A flowing river to the sea. It gives its bread, it shares its flame, And loves the lost without a name. **Patience** sits beneath old trees, Listening to the restless breeze. It teaches hearts to trust the dawn Even when the night feels long. **Chastity**, with crystal light, Guards the soul through darkest night. Pure not only flesh, but mind, Keeping truth and love aligned. Then steady **Temperance** appears, Balancing joy and human fears. Neither too little nor too much, But wisdom in a careful touch. And strong **Diligence** climbs each hill, With faithful heart and iron will. Through every labor, small or grand, It builds tomorrow hand in hand. These virtues are the stars above, The shape of heaven, the face of love. And every soul that walks their way Turns earth itself to brighter day. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 15 No Soft Entry DAVID CRANE Groundcover contributor I wear it on my sleeve but guard it like a wolf. No social corners, just roundabouts. People orbit, misreading motion for weakness. Some call it arrogance. I call it survival. Being unapologetically myself is the only rebellion I’ve mastered. Try to touch me and you’ll meet your own reflection. No Witness DAVID CRANE Groundcover contributor I don’t chase peace — I build days that don’t fall apart. Discipline doesn’t speak — it removes what doesn’t last. You don’t need to prove it. Not everyone rebuilding is building. Some just rearrange damage and call it change. Don’t wait for motivation. Remember the cost of not moving. The real flex isn’t winning — it’s showing up with no one watching. Imperfect weather KIMANI HAMILTON Groundcover vendor No. 518 Even water ain’t clean Even water gets pissed on Even water has fecal matter In it even water is Impure due to mud even, Water has blood in it Even water gets hit With lightning. Something so pure Has such a journey Before it is purified Simply water. #Chloride
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