Miss Raquel: Saving the "Natives" One Latte at a Time

[GuineaPigCourtship]

Wow, just wow.  The copywriting comments are so rich I needed a glass of milk to wash them down.

[AmazonGrace]

Raquel doesn't like you:

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

Some may say that I am overly guarded —
too much barbed wire around my heart’s entrance.
I overthink too much for how little I seem to mind
but the truth is, my brain is analyzing every single move I make,
every word I say.
I don’t need the police to remind me that I am being watched;
I am my own stalker.
and maybe this is why I am so good at not letting people in.
the “no trespassing” sign I have tattooed on my eyelids seems to be working.
I guess I just don’t tolerate uncivilized morons and toxic fiends anymore
because this is where Peace lives
and many of you are not welcome.
——

© Raquel Z. Duarte

 

Well, I mean, nobody likes uncivilized morons and toxic fiends so I guess she has a point.

[AmazonGrace]

Raquel was upset and wanted everything else to be in pain with her, because if the ocean drowned in its own tears it would be aesthetically pleasing.

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

Maybe the world stopped to mourn when our lives were pulled apart. The ocean drowned in its own tears. The wind ceased to blow and observed a moment of silence.
But maybe that’s just what I hoped for — that everything around me would feel what I was feeling and pause in their tracks to sit in the pain with me.
But no, it was just another typical day.
I borrowed my brother’s car, got lost on some back roads, watched the sun set, drank a lot of red wine.
There wasn’t anything particularly poetic about it, you know?
I guess you can’t always turn something that painful into something aesthetically pleasing.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte

Don't drive drunk.

 

[LilMissMetaphor]

Problem is it's never brief with her...

 

[AmazonGrace]

More quotes from her book.  I believe she means "experiences the effects", not the affects.  Because at some what?
 

Spoiler

 

itsjustraquel

A person who drowns in a pool of water is just as dead as a person who drowns in the ocean waves. ?
Trauma cannot be measured by its end result. Rather, each individual experiences the affects in their own way.
This is why we must never judge, never shame, never find humor in another person’s pain. Because at some — maybe even right now — that is their reality.
And, like sin, I do not believe that pain can be measured on any certain scale. Whatever causes pain in a person’s life can only be felt by that person’s soul.

And no one can tell them how to let that pain affect their universe.
?
——
excerpt from my third book, In the Afterglow ✨
available at link in bio.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Raquel's adventures in Mixedmetaphorland:

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

I am covered in rough diamonds, and most people say that I cut deep.
but you have not only managed to touch me —
you have reached my soul in a language only we can speak.
and it’s wrapped in an infinity called “forever”
that we sign with our lips and longing stares.
I will not beg you to stay, but if you do,
just know that you will have to face the rain.
and I hope you like storms,
because they are seasonal in my atmosphere
but I promise I will keep you warm,
wrapping around you like your favorite hoodie.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte

I don't believe that a hoodie covered in rough diamonds that cut deep would be among my favorites but your mileage may vary.

[formergothardite]

17 hours ago, AmazonGrace said:

infinity called “forever”

Doesn't infinity usually mean going on forever? 

Someone needs to tell Raquel that if most people tell her she cuts deep, they aren't meaning she is covered in rough diamonds and is super special. They mean she says really hurtful things to them, maybe kicks their dog when she thinks they aren't looking and in general is an unpleasant person to be around. 

[AmazonGrace]

There's always a storm around me

but I will keep you warm

By wrapping you in sharp rocks

 

[clueliss]

She made a blog post (it sent to one of my email accounts) telling her blog followers that she's 'blogging' on instagram now and to follow here there.  (No thanks)

[mhainlen]

11 hours ago, clueliss said:

She made a blog post (it sent to one of my email accounts) telling her blog followers that she's 'blogging' on instagram now and to follow here there.  (No thanks)

I’m curious how many followers she’ll pick up.  When she was young she was “God’s Daughter” and had already made following that way.  Now she’s just a 20-something who is working in a coffee shop and self-promoting.   I can’t picture following her in earnest and not just to snark.  

[AmazonGrace]

More excerpts from the book.

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

We are so focused on reaching for what the world says we need,
instead of simply realizing the audacious blessings we already have.
Remembering these,
counting the victories –
this is how your trust is built.
Because without recognizing the power of the Bridge Builder,
you will not have the faith to step onto the path,
leading from one side to the other.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte
——
excerpt from my book, In the Afterglow ✨ link in bio.

 

 Do you reckon she meant abundant? Audacious does not seem to describe blessings.

Spoiler

 

adjective: audacious

1.

showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

"a series of audacious takeovers"

 

Similar:

bold daring fearless  intrepid brave unafraid unflinching courageous valiant valorous heroic dashing plucky  daredevil devil-may-care death-or-glory reckless wild madcap adventurous venturesome enterprising dynamic spirited mettlesome game gutsy spunky ballsy  have-a-go go-ahead venturous temerarious

Opposite:

timid

2.

showing an impudent lack of respect.

"he made an audacious remark"

Similar:

impudent  impertinent insolent presumptuous forward

 

 

If someone called me abrasive and muted me I might think he's not that into me.

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

You are such an odd soul.
I used to think 6+6 = 12 but when I asked your analytical brain about math, you put me on mute and told me to “be smart”.
I remember the last gift you gave me — a gift card to a store I never shopped at. You had written on it: “to the girl with the abrasive charm”.
And when I asked what you wanted in return, all you texted back was “hey “.
You were such an odd soul.
——

© Raquel Z. Duarte
——
excerpt from my latest book, In the Afterglow ✨ available at link in bio.

I talk to your brain

not you

but it's you that is odd

[clueliss]

I'm chuckling at the bridge builder business.  Yes, I know it's a reference to God - but there's a surname on my mom's side that means - more or less - bridge builder in German. 

[AmazonGrace]

Raquel is an empath. People believe they can heal just by being near her. 

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

from the heart of an empath //

When you have been gifted a therapeutic aura, damaged and broken people are naturally attracted to you.
They see you as a wild and free spirit that they wish to have;
a wealth of good energy.
They think that by being around you, they can heal wholly and quickly.
This is not a bad thing.
It is both a blessing and a bittersweet curse.
It is a strength to be part of someone’s path to wellness, but having them in your life can — and will — drain you of vitality and strength.
So you must remember:
you are not the healer.

You are the antidote.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte

Jesus had the same problem and look at what happened to him.

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

Chasing waterfalls was her favorite pastime —
second only to being held in his arms.
She loved both because she felt safe,
which wildly fascinated her.
for they made her feel insignificantly small,
yet recklessly love.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte

Ever since TLC I think chasing waterfalls means you're dealing drugs.

Recklessly loved? Recklessly in love?

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by AmazonGrace

[Botkinetti]

? Yup she’s still the same irritating twit she has always been. Most people mature and change as they grow up but Raquel seems determined to remain an eternal teenager desperately trying to convince the world she is special. 

[clueliss]

She’s been stealing crap off Pinterest again.  

[Petronella]

Wait, wait, wait—it’s both a blessing and a bittersweet curse that people adore her so much? They’re just flocking around because they want to be like her?

That is a bold claim. I don’t believe it.

[AmazonGrace]

Some calming and reassuring poetry from Raquel. The stars might burn but Raquel is cool with it.  The trees and clouds might move in the wind but Raquel is not at all anxious about it.
 

Spoiler

 

itsjustraquel

When the sky is crashing down around me,
and the mountains fall to their knees,
when the oceans roar their greatness
and the stars burn recklessly,
when the trees wave their promises
and the clouds float in the breeze —
I will be found in You,
still standing.
with every lie and fear,
every accusation and every heartbreak tear
under my feet,
I will be found in You,
still singing.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte
——
excerpt from my book, In the Afterglow ✨ available at link in bio.

 

Are there any poems left in that book that she didn't publish on Instagram?

The oilsofeminence instagram is now restoringeminence but there are no new posts.

[3splenty]

The more I read Raquel's writings, I am wondering who could meet her expectations.  Raquel sees a relationship as a transaction--what can she get?  Or as a fantasy, that she can close the book on when things don't go how she wants.  Or an experiment--How long could someone lavishly praise her, only to be given a starvation diet of attention in return?  

Learning about other people can give you focus you will never gain from looking in, and helping someone flourish is an experience you will never forget.  I hope someday she can drop her dramatics and see the excitement of life.

 

[formergothardite]

Of course Raquel is a Trump supporter who proudly voted for him. 

[AmazonGrace]

For once she quoted a source for the words she did not write herself.

Spoiler

But it's not a quote by George Orwell... https://quoteinvestigator.com/2013/02/24/truth-revolutionary/

[AmazonGrace]

There is over a hundred copies of Raquel's latest book in the universe.
 

Spoiler

 

itsjustraquel

Today marks 186 days // 6 months that IN THE AFTERGLOW was released into the universe — a collaboration of words + thoughts + feelings + photography by @robbyzabala.
I have sold over 100 copies. and it still makes my heart flutter, knowing that people across the planet have read my journey through the words in this book.

 

And more poetry from Pinterest:
 

Spoiler

 

itsjustraquel

Wait for her —
She has been hurt
She has been betrayed.
Wait for her —
She needs to move on
She needs to heal.
Watch for her —
The woman will emerge
The woman will flourish.
Watch for her —
Suddenly,
All at once
When the girl is healed
The woman will appear.
Then you may love her.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte

 

Spoiler

[formergothardite]

18 hours ago, AmazonGrace said:

There is over a hundred copies of Raquel's latest book in the universe.

From a casual glance it looks like a lot of the people who interact with Raquel on Instagram are also trying to sell their own poetry books, so I wonder how many of those books were bought by people who hoped Raquel would return the favor. 

[Botkinetti]

Maybe some of the books were bought by family members or friends of her parents. If a niece or nephew or one of my kid’s friends that I have known for years published a book of poetry I would probably buy it even if I had no intention of reading it. 

[AmazonGrace]

But she said people are reading it all across the planet :0  It was released into the universe and I am picturing little  capsules with books floating in the space between stars. 

[AmazonGrace]

Raquel does rhyming

Spoiler

itsjustraquel

Meet me at the cemetery
a quarter after three
We will bury the ashes that remain
of all the dreams we thought we would gain
and then we will sit and watch the sun rise
to a new dawn, a new day
and the rays will make the memories fade away
of what we once claimed was ours to stay.
——
© Raquel Z. Duarte
——
anybody else have a certain serene attachment to cemeteries? I have always lived near one, and I have never been scared of them, like most people are. in fact, I feel drawn to them..

She is special because she is not afraid of cemeteries, and I must be too.

[AmazonGrace]

Raquel's real friends give her money.
 

Spoiler

 

itsjustraquel

want to know who your tribe is?
pay attention to the people who encourage your dreams and art by spending time ? effort ?? and money ? to help you achieve your endeavors.
the ones who not only congratulate your success, but act on their words with actions to support your goals.
those are the real ones.
those are the ones you can depend on.