Right on, man. Such an inspiring write! Addiction is very much like a ghost, haunting each moment of our lives. I am so happy you were able to push through and maintain. If you ever had any doubt, this poem is proof, that you absolutely do not need alcohol to conjure beauty and meaning on the page.

The last two lines in the third octet scream truth in my mind. Very, very wise.

Clay

Stay true to yourself and keep on pushing forward. Rock on dude!! Great piece of poetry

I love the honesty in this. What a purge of the soul amigo!
This has so much in it. It had its own evolution.
Just terrific!

That’s poetry for ya folks .. Bloomin brill my friend .. Neville 😎👍

“My pen became a sword
poetry served as pseudo armor”

Amazing how many of us are among this army. Accepting help is so hard. Especially if you’ve rarely been offered a hand. And we’re all kinda programmed to ‘suck it up’…like being human is a weakness. Stripped raw & flushing the wounds here, brutal honesty at its finest, my friend

This poem is raw, honest, and deeply moving. Knowing you wrote it just months into your sobriety makes it even more powerful –your pen becomes both sword and shield, guiding you from darkness to hope. A beautiful testament to resilience and the strength of new beginnings.

Phenomenally penned, Brenda. Incredible write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

Beautifully penned, Brenda. Love the depth and layers in this write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

Hello Crims!
I like the old-timey vibe of this. I wish there was more along this type actually. It just seems to set a nice tone when reading. Like those before us perhaps. At any rate, this is a wonderful poem that you’ve presented for us.

Hey crimson!

The last line is a dark but beautiful visual. It gives me a Celtic vibe.
It starts off with wonderful bits of love then changes tone.
I love the word pairing of sweeping crimson. It’s like a red wave of devotion.

Love your stuff chica:)

hello lovely poetess thank you graciously ❤️

Beautifully penned, Brenda. Amazing write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

“Observation is an art form that must be mastered.” I love the contempt you pour on the system, from the “Marshmallow figures” bowing to a “corporate bastard,” to the reality of censored voices. The final, detached image of “Strumming an old guitar while watching humans play” is the perfect, chilling exit from the chaos. Brilliant and perceptive.

I read this in a minor key….
Great work.

Art is an art. It takes a good eye and connection to emotions. But some treat it as a product. Like Lionel Richie said ‘there are creative artists and created artists’.

Great ink friend

Preach it, in rhymes! Well delivered in a poetic voice that stays to the front of our brains. awesome words Damian.

I hear you on this one, Damian. Nice work.

Brilliant imagery. Excellent.

The games people play are often cruel and thoughtless, and more often they don’t even give their own opinion. Like marionettes, they do and repeat what others tell them. We all should begin to be more authentic and have meaningful and responsible conversations for the sake of all persons involved.
A brilliant socially critical poem, dear Damian!

Well thought out and well executed. Marvelous write Damian.

I think most poets, indeed most writers in general are people watchers at heart .. You just nailed us with this one sir .,. Write on brother .. Neville 😎👍

Please tell me this one might have a place on the album. This is what’s called a hole in one! Makes me think about how much chaos is visible of what “they’re” doing. It’s like the iceberg. What aren’t we meant to see? That’s the shit that keeps me up nights. Eyes on honesty, as always, my friend

“Plastic people are always asking for motivation” I like the message on this, as if some folks seek validation from others to feed ego. I’ve always thought the initial motivation should be intrinsic so as to have a solid foundation in our true worth. Maybe social media has watered down much of that.
Amazing work.