That’s some heavy fucking irony, Keith. The title reminded of an old song, though it had to do with trains it wasn’t this twisted. Appreciate you.

Damian

Gotta be on your toes. Getting too comfortable can get you hurt.
This also reminds me of people who text and walk into polls because they don’t look around.

Scrumptious minced blind meat…

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.

I often wonder about those who comit suicide,if at the point of no return,they reconsider their options.
Well written piece about a subject that needs much more open discussion.
🙏

Perhaps in his contrition he realized a schmaltzy and powerful truth — “you live once then you’re dead forever”. I cannot recall where I read it but that line has helped me stay around for 8 years. The simple things… you know? Thank you for sharing this incredible write!

Clay

“Eyelids like asteroids hailing down unto the earth.” Fantastic!

I get almost the image of the female Frankenstein with this piece. I like it.

This is an intense write. Lots of raw emotion and great metaphors.
It’s hard to comment on writes like these because of the subject matter.
Brave write

Oh goddess, this feels so agonizingly familiar. That kind of damage leaves us so afraid to trust the good moments, the sweet touches, the gentle words. Because those things were once used as weapons. This bleeds vulnerability and honesty all over the page. You are heard…

“before my daily rebirth” I dug that line because the rest we get (sometimes) refreshes us, although for some more than others, it’s likely the last time. It reminds me that I have to be thankful for every day I get and try to make the best of it.
Nicely done.

I turned 78 today, so I hear you loud and clear. Each night, one wonders if dawn, or something else, or nothing at all will come. We get one of them, but not our choice.