Keep moving forward my friend. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Great poem.

It’s a lot to carry. I’ve only been in the support role for people struggling, my daughter for one. But I see how heavy it can get to keep up the mask & maintain a facade of functionality. You’re right, it changes people. Im glad you’re no longer that person, my friend

I think sometimes we get shackled by our passed. I was thinking about that while going through some of my old DUP post. It’s nice to see the creativity, but they were wrote from pain.

Great ink

The poems written from our pain, are probably my favorite. Not because they are from pain, but because something so raw, and so beautiful can come of it. This was a beautiful ode to your former self, and I’m proud of you, Damian. It’s not an easy feat, but you beat the odds and became a better version of yourself.
I wish you all the best for the future my friend.
xx

~P.G💋

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Angel. So glad you connected with the write my friend. That’s an interesting story, sometimes anything can throw the switch, to obtain that moment of clarity. I still have like 4 beers in the fridge, that have set there for over two years. So I can relate, I keep meaning to throw them out, I just forget they are there sometimes. At first it was motivation to see them, and ignore the temptation. But I’m past that now. I’m glad you got to know your grandfather, the better version of himself. I’m a better version now as well. Thanks so much for sharing. Appreciate you.

Damian

Excellent piece of writing Damian. Nicely written with some great rhymes.

Well penned, Damian! Thought provoking write. “) <3

I stopped on the line “it’s pride that needs to conquer the beast.” And read it again. Now I got questions…is pride the beast? Conquering self? Can pride conquer? See what I mean? Ya stirred up the hornets in my mind & now they’re buzzing! Very thought provoking piece, my friend

1st two Crue records YES! Huge, influential band. I remember some friends really becoming upset when Corabi joined the ranks. Some never went back to listening to them. Many bands change their singer, as you mentioned. I heard the record. It wasn’t bad. Not amazing but I was never a huge fan of the bands material. Awesome Spotlight Damian.

Love learning about this. Its like delayed gossip. Enjoyed this.

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Tim. So glad you enjoyed the story my friend. I was a fan of the first two records with Vince. But that was before they went full glam. That started on “Theatre Of Pain. The first two had makeup as well, but it was more in the vain of, W.A.S.P. Which is interesting enough because Nikki had played in a band with Blackie Lawless, the frontman of W.A.S.P. Some say Nikki just totally stole the idea from him. But those first two records were raw and powerful. Mick Mars, was the true bright spot on guitar. Appreciate you.

Damian

I don’t know much about these guys. But from what you’ve just shared here, it sounds like they should have closed the Motley Crue door & embarked on a new journey under another name. Fresh start. Perhaps the record label wouldn’t let them? Banking on a name to carry the weight of change seems risky to my uneducated mind. Another intriguing story, my friend

I remember that moment. And yeah, it is such a lose to the music industry with Eddie gone. It reminds me of something Doyle from the Misfits said. Something like the music industry is the only industry where people can’t get along to make millions of dollars.

Great ink

Great piece of writing Damian. Never enjoyed VH’s music. DLR or Sammy Hagar. It doesn’t matter to me. What does matter is this piece you wrote. Deep, intriguing and full of some fun facts. Backstage is one great idea my friend.

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Mary. So glad you liked the story my friend. Memories, are something I have in abundance. There will be more. Appreciate you.

Damian

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Tim. So glad you connected with the story my friend. Loved “Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More.” were both great songs. Mike was always the anchor on backing vocals. DLR, often referred to him as the, Art Garfunkel, of the band. lol. Ed, went through a rough time for sure with addiction. Like you said he did clean up though, and turned his life around. They were great with, Hagar. But I’ll always be a Roth guy. I loved them both as solo artists as well. Actually I sometimes prefer Sammy on his own. Appreciate you.

Damian

I’ve heard both incarnations of Van Halen. I’m a DLR era girl myself. Different energy. Oddly enough, I enjoyed Hagar solo better than in Van Halen. I could never quite reconcile that innocent boy face on Eddie with the incredible fucking skill he blasted out of his guitar. Damn. Those were good days & great tunes. Thank you for taking us back, my friend

This is truly beautiful, Damian.

What a sweet and seductive muse you have! A beautiful write, Damian!

This is beautiful. Very sigh worthy😊

excellent write

Dammit! I wish I could get the bookmark to work for me! Consider this one well & truly bookmarked! The muse is a sly creature…never know which road she’s gonna lead you down. But she always seems to do right by you, my friend

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Duende. So glad you enjoyed the write my friend. They can be all that for sure. It just happens mine is pretty good at guiding the creative ship. Appreciate you.

Damian

Kind of feels like being married to a muse. A romance that sparks on pages. Great ink.

A lovely piece of writing Damian. Nice work.

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Mary. Glad you enjoyed the write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian