This is really cool, I like how you find certain sentences that resonate with you and highlight them. How does one get turned into a found note by Jamal Robinson?
I create them whenever I find a line that resonates or stands out to me while reading a piece. In that way, having a note made is very much up to chance.
"Ten plus years later and I am a far cry from the boy that once masqueraded as a man. I have since seen myself. I have wept bitterly at the harm done to me and done by me. I have been made tender by life. And it is that tenderness that now fuels my art and desire to love fully."
This was my favourite part! How beautifully written Jamal!
It is said that we find our purpose, our mission, our calling through the discovering of what breaks our hearts…but, it seems, we also find our way through the understanding of how we’ve broken others. This micro story was like listening to an interlude that’s too good, and so you want it to last longer, so you can keep listening.
"I have wept bitterly at the harm done to me and done by me. I have been made tender by life. And it is that tenderness that now fuels my art and desire to love fully." Yes. *Tenderness* IS the right word. I feel this with each of my senses.
I’ll echo others here, thank you for sharing your personal story about your grandmother. Your Found Notes deck is its usual brilliant, but I was struck today by the vulnerability in your prose. That’s a trusting and courageous thing to write about and a wonderful model for others out there who think they have to hold on to a facade of manhood. Thank you Jamal!
This is really cool, I like how you find certain sentences that resonate with you and highlight them. How does one get turned into a found note by Jamal Robinson?
Thanks Istiaq 🙏🏽
I create them whenever I find a line that resonates or stands out to me while reading a piece. In that way, having a note made is very much up to chance.
The micro story is really fun, and it keeps me wanting more!
And of course a story about grandma will get to my heart immediately! I'm Asian :)
Yay! That's my hope all of my micro stories 😊
I'm glad my Asian family has the same propensity for awesome grandma stories! lol
I'm happy to see that you've included your own essays here. xo
Indeed 😊
"Ten plus years later and I am a far cry from the boy that once masqueraded as a man. I have since seen myself. I have wept bitterly at the harm done to me and done by me. I have been made tender by life. And it is that tenderness that now fuels my art and desire to love fully."
This was my favourite part! How beautifully written Jamal!
Thank you Athira! 🥲
I like to think of poetry as using the least but the best words - essentially condensing your message but with depth.
And my goodness have you met that definition by all accounts.
Very well done.
Thank you Ezra 🙏🏽
I'm grateful you can see my love for the simple and the depth of less in my work.
“I have been made tender by life.” A gift we give ourselves. 🙏🏻
Indeed 🥰
It is said that we find our purpose, our mission, our calling through the discovering of what breaks our hearts…but, it seems, we also find our way through the understanding of how we’ve broken others. This micro story was like listening to an interlude that’s too good, and so you want it to last longer, so you can keep listening.
I appreciate that friend 🥲🙏🏽
I’d like to say the hurt I caused taught me the lessons about self that I needed, but it was my own heartbreak that ultimately revealed my inner self.
Uooof. Growth….
Growth indeed 🥲
"I have wept bitterly at the harm done to me and done by me. I have been made tender by life. And it is that tenderness that now fuels my art and desire to love fully." Yes. *Tenderness* IS the right word. I feel this with each of my senses.
Thank you Mik and I’m grateful my words resonated 🙏🏽❤️
Loved your essay and was charmed by this description “she said with a voice still kissed by her childhood in Panama.” Well done
I appreciate that and I’m glad that part caught your attention 🙏🏽
It was my favorite bit of writing 🥰
I have been made tender by life. ❤️ What a gift to be open for life to shape you like this.
Thank you Nadia 🙏🏽
It feels like a gift receiving such a hard learned lesson on love.
I’ll echo others here, thank you for sharing your personal story about your grandmother. Your Found Notes deck is its usual brilliant, but I was struck today by the vulnerability in your prose. That’s a trusting and courageous thing to write about and a wonderful model for others out there who think they have to hold on to a facade of manhood. Thank you Jamal!
Thank you Kert ❤️
I am grateful for the gracious way you, and others, receive my words 🙏🏽
Love love love the story with your grandma, and your poem at the end. Gorgeous writing.
Thank you Noha! And I'm glad that you caught that the last piece was actually a poem 😊
I struggled on labeling it as such or a "micro-story" 🙃
Prose poetry is my jam! So yes, I could see it immediately
🙌🏽
Love your personal essay and your micro story. Clearly showing that YES, hearts matter most. Thank you for being so open about your personal journey.
Thank you for these kind words Birgit – and for receiving mine 🙏🏽
deck 023 is cutting. i love it ❤️🔥
I appreciate that Riley 🥰
Thank you for including me.
Very welcome 😊
Wow the vulnerability as you shared about the loveless games. It’s a reminder to all of us to know our intentions and choose love
I appreciate it bro and yes 🙏🏽