This is the age where energy meets intention, Where silence speaks louder than every mention. I’ve traded people pleasing for inner peace, and cut the ties that never offered me release. No more circles that spin with selfish ambition, I walk with souls who match my mission. I’ve given light to those who stayed in shade, but this is where the scales get reweighed. I won’t water roots that never seek to grow, Won’t dim my flame for fear of how it’ll glow. I’ve held the weight, stood tall while they leaned, Now I seek balance, not just in dream, but in routine. I’m no martyr for the ungrateful or blind, My love is deep, but so is my mind. If I reach out and you're never reaching back, Then I retract my hand, it’s simple as that. This is the age of mirrored devotion, Of mutual tides and reciprocal motion. No longer feeding what starves my soul, I align with purpose, I reclaim control. I’m not seeking perfection, just truth that reflects, A bond that respects what my soul protects. I’ve earned the right to require return, To honor the lessons my scars had to learn. So I walk in grace but I guard my space, With a heart that’s kind and a sacred pace. I don’t chase energy, I attract what’s mine, In this age of reciprocation, I define the line. Give as I give. Speak as I speak. Stand where I stood when your world was weak. If you can't echo what I extend, Then this chapter ends, no need to pretend. This is not bitterness. This is precision. A man refined by fire, fueled by vision. Welcome to the shift. No more hesitation. You either match my love... or meet separation. @Aod Village

Welcome to The Gilded Ink Parlor — I’m so glad you’ve stepped inside. This is our shared sanctuary for stories, creativity, curiosity, and the strange little sparks that keep us writing, reading, and dreaming. Let’s begin gently. If you feel comfortable, introduce yourself in the comments: ✨ Your name (or pen name) ✨ What kind of writing you do — poetry, fiction, journaling, essays, anything at all ✨ Or, if you don’t write, what you love to read ✨ And: what inspired you to step into this community? There’s no pressure to be polished here. Come as you are — messy drafts, bold ideas, soft questions and all. Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or someone who simply loves beautiful language, you belong in this room. Pull up a chair. Light settles. We’re listening.