Tumbleweed Words

Tumbleweed Words is a Substack that explores themes of societal struggles, personal reflections, and cultural experiences through poetry, fiction, and must-read discussions. It often highlights the impact of class, love, technology, inequality, and personal growth, offering readers a blend of introspective and outward-looking perspectives.

Poetry Fiction Cultural Commentary Personal Reflections Societal Struggles Love and Relationships Technology and AI Cultural Experiences

The hottest Substack posts of Tumbleweed Words

And their main takeaways

more than enough | poem

46 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
  1. The poem reflects on the battles and responsibilities individuals face in their lives.
  2. External demands and tasks can sometimes distract us from what truly matters.
  3. Sometimes the obligations that give us purpose may not always be beneficial for us.

how about it | poem

49 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
  1. The poem reflects on art, lesser-known sports, and the desire to succeed.
  2. The piece highlights the journey of life with its ups and downs.
  3. It emphasizes the complexity and uniqueness of individuals.

tidal | poem

81 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on the author's childhood in a fishing community in Scotland
  2. It explores themes of local pride, hard work, and the connection to the sea
  3. The author's experience of leaving home, growing up, and reflecting on the past is a central theme

working class Friday | poem

134 implied HN points • 13 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem portrays the challenging life of a working-class individual on a Friday.
  2. It depicts a sense of exhaustion, isolation, and coping mechanisms like alcohol and writing poetry.
  3. The imagery captures the struggle and routine of daily life for the working class.
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black swan | poem

63 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post features a poem titled 'black swan.'
  2. The content touches on themes of consumption and dissatisfaction.
  3. There is an invitation to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to read more poetry.

forgotten | poem

74 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem talks about the feeling of remembering the first time and the weight of emotions.
  2. It encourages the reader to think about empathy and understanding the pain of others.
  3. Subscription required to read the full post and access archives.

drunk at twenty-two | poem

81 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem shares a personal experience of being highly intoxicated at a young age in a pub.
  2. The author reflects on the poor choices made and the company kept during the night.
  3. The writing evokes themes of regret, recklessness, and self-awareness.

autumn waves | poem

56 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'Autumn Waves' captures a beautiful moment by the ocean involving a brother's son.
  2. The imagery in the poem paints a vivid picture of joy and exploration along the coast.
  3. The poem evokes a sense of wonder and pride through the connection between man and boy as they explore the beach.

say it | poem

35 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
  1. Some words are more honest and impactful than others.
  2. There are voices that grow louder while others remain quiet.
  3. Words can be spoken either out of genuine love or societal duty.

a known situation | fiction

38 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
  1. The story revolves around two individuals in an intimate setting.
  2. They have a deep and complex relationship full of subtle interactions.
  3. The characters navigate through various emotions and dynamics in their shared living space.

come back | poem

120 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post is about a poem titled 'come back'
  2. The poem discusses presence and absence of love
  3. There is an option for a 7-day free trial to access more content

karma feels | fiction

120 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. Karma can feel unfair at times, impacting people differently.
  2. Events that seem senseless can end up depicted as drama on media platforms.
  3. Therapy can help individuals understand that challenges are often out of their control.

the unfinished | poem

84 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on feeling that goals are unattainable.
  2. It explores the struggle of making choices that feel good enough.
  3. The writer contemplates the cost of life and the persistence to keep going.

howl at starving writers | must reads

116 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Books Travel Poetry Culture
  1. The author lived among rough men in a bedsit, observing their struggles and lack of communication.
  2. Moving into a new bedsit in the UK was easily done without a contract, showing the transient nature of such accommodations.
  3. Traveling and living on the road in America brought the author in contact with diverse individuals, fostering a deep sense of exploration and cultural immersion.

riches of a poor man | poem

116 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
📚 Literature Poetry Fiction
  1. The poem describes a poor man visiting the author nightly
  2. The man seeks solace and companionship after facing hardships
  3. Through symbolism, the poem explores themes of loneliness and societal struggles

idle | poem

70 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. Build your days on consequence and actions you take.
  2. Challenges to achieving goals can test self-belief.
  3. In tough times, remember the importance of smiling and staying strong.

alone in a near empty room | poem

49 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
  1. The poem talks about solitude and emptiness
  2. There's a mention of inanimate objects personified with humanlike characteristics
  3. The imagery and language choices evoke a sense of isolation and quiet

how they blew | must reads

102 implied HN points • 08 May 23
📚 Literature Books Authors
  1. The post discusses must-reads related to Shakespeare & Co in Paris.
  2. The author reflects on a night of excess and forgotten memories in a city with rising crime and unemployment.
  3. Readers are offered a 7-day free trial to subscribe to Tumbleweed Words and access full post archives.

May day in Berlin | poem

70 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on a grandmother with dreadlocks and the cross-cultural family she belongs to.
  2. The dream sequence in the poem evokes feelings of connection and unfamiliarity.
  3. The writing captures the shared experiences and differences between the narrator and the grandmother.

cool | poem

88 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post shares a poem titled 'cool | poem'
  2. The poem reflects on a memory of a mother multitasking and the narrator's actions
  3. The post includes a link to subscribe and share the poem

land of the free | poem

99 implied HN points • 12 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'land of the free' examines the concept of America and freedom.
  2. The author reflects on personal experiences with America starting from a young age.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to access more content on Tumbleweed Words.

too much | poem

84 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'too much' explores themes of time and existence
  2. The poet reflects on the concepts of presence and the uncertainty of time
  3. Consider subscribing for more access to poetry like this

Be Drunk by Charles Baudelaire

95 implied HN points • 03 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post is about the poem 'Be Drunk' by Charles Baudelaire
  2. The post includes a link to a poetry reading of the poem
  3. The post also offers a subscription for 7 days of free access to full post archives

bittersweet | poem

56 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'bittersweet' reflects on love and relationships.
  2. The imagery in the poem captures themes of change and tension.
  3. Consider subscribing to Tumbleweed Words for more poetry like this.

subculture call out | poem

81 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry
  1. The poem reflects on societal issues and the struggles of the marginalized.
  2. It encourages embracing individuality and creativity within subcultures.
  3. The imagery and metaphors in the poem evoke a sense of resilience and empowerment.

war cry | poem

63 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem discusses the consequences of war on children, highlighting how they may become killers at a young age.
  2. It reflects on the impact of war, suggesting that children forced into violence may not have a chance to grow up.
  3. The poem evokes a sense of sadness and loss, painting a bleak picture of youth affected by conflict.

real east | must reads

42 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
  1. Memories can unexpectedly return in different places and situations.
  2. Visiting cultural and historic places can provide a sense of peace and reflection.
  3. Exploring new environments can evoke strong memories and connections.

how to make the slush pile | poem

77 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'how to make the slush pile' is featured on tumbleweedwords.substack.com.
  2. The poem addresses individuals from elite backgrounds, particularly those from prestigious universities and private schools.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial on Tumbleweed Words.

beyond a window view | poem

42 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
  1. The poem reflects on memories of childhood and adulthood.
  2. It describes various sensory experiences like smells and sights.
  3. The imagery evokes a sense of movement and change.

at parlour with permanent ink | poem

67 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'at parlour with permanent ink' talks about getting tattoos and the deeper meanings behind them.
  2. The poem emphasizes the importance of relationships, trust, and reflection on oneself.
  3. There's a theme of togetherness, entitlement, and introspection present throughout the poem.

a self-help guide | poem

67 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem discusses being welcomed into homes and conversations by others.
  2. It mentions not being able to afford the means to reach far-off places.
  3. The post encourages readers to subscribe for more content and offers a free trial.

possible mistake | poem

74 implied HN points • 15 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The post features a poem about mistakes and foreplay
  2. Subscribers get 7-day free access to full post archives
  3. There's an option to sign in or start a free trial

how to appear | fiction

56 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The post is about a fiction novella titled 'how to appear.'
  2. The writer shares a personal experience related to visiting a therapist.
  3. There is an option for a 7-day free trial to access more content on Tumbleweed Words.

process of ours | poem

70 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
📚 Literature Poetry
  1. The poem 'process of ours' emphasizes the creative process of writing.
  2. The poet encourages exploring emotions and consistency in writing.
  3. The poem highlights the importance of narrative voice and storytelling techniques.

to want | fiction

38 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
  1. The story is about the strong love between Gabriel and Lucia
  2. Their meeting was by chance at an all-night jazz bar in Western Europe
  3. Their relationship evolved from cyber exchanges to deep, impactful conversations

expat in Paris | must reads

63 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
📚 Literature Fiction Author Book review Themes Writing Style
  1. Discovering new authors in unexpected places, like bookstores, can lead to transformative reading experiences.
  2. James Baldwin's work in 'Giovanni's Room' delves into themes of love, despair, and societal expectations, providing a deep and impactful exploration of the human condition.
  3. Baldwin's writing style combines poetry, sharp observations, and social commentary to create a powerful narrative that resonates with readers across generations.