Absolutely. Survival is never selling your soul. Nice;))

This cuts like a jagged blade—raw, relentless, and unflinching.
You’ve carved the chaos of guilt and power into verse that doesn’t beg for mercy, it demands it.

“Bloodshot brain struggles to recognize.” A lot of powerful lines, but this right here, I think, hits the hardest. So much is happening, so many of us walking around dazed and confused, so many of us see what’s going on and struggle to make sense of it, so many of us find it hard to process, we look away, hide behind comforts, behind lies, behind whatever makes it digestible. Loved this!

Well done Damian. This one cuts deeps and lets the truth ooze out into our consciousness. Perfect!

Survival.. its the only logical way to go forward .. Muchly enjoyed .. thankfully with my soul intact .. Neville

I love a great write about survival.
There have been times where I tell myself to get through the next few hours.
Just get through it and it will be fine.
Then the next and the next.

One of my ‘good or bad” traits is that I don’t back down from anything. I have no problem questioning literally anything that seems wrongish. Your write reminds me of that. How the masses fall off the cliffs blindly, not hesitating or asking why.
You’ve been on quite an artistic soapbox lately. Stand tall, preach it brother. You’re a natural.

I wish more of them would admit their wrong-mindedness when Truth hits them. But they seem to double down on their willful ignorance and continue their zombie march. Fueled by the love of division and dominance. Too blind to recognize they’re being dominated by their white messiah. This time has definitely brought the hate and ugliness out in broad daylight. It’s always been there, but not as overtly. When the dust settles and (hopefully) decency as returned to the top, they’ll ooze grudgingly back into their sewers. But we will always know they’re there and remember who they really are. Never sell the soul…powerful indeed, my friend

Powerfully penned, Ghosteen. Incredible write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

hello dearest ME I myself don’t know where my poems come from this a great glance into your soul ❤️

Thank you, Damian! Highly appreciated “)

This is a hell of a write, my friend — very powerful; but I see a typo, I think, when you wrote, “In a battle of write and earse” when I believe that last word should be “erase,” yes?

Also, you may not be aware of the big LISTEN button that now lives on this page and no doubt many more of yours as well as many others who labour but are not aware of our unwanted AI reader who has hitch-hiked on the work of everyone who has not attached the #excludetx tag to their work.

This is quite mind-blowing.

I admire the punchy and reflective lines through each stanza.

I can sense this is a personal piece, it describes an emotional journey taking place.

It is enlightening and tragic at the same time.

A pleasure to take in. x

Dude…This is a kick ass piece. Your writings always intrigue me.

Once you accept “self” the candle of time, flickers bright.

Through a repetition to our unconscious mind, we become our own worst enemies. We talk ourselves into defeat and fall into a slot that we can’t get out of even though we know it’s erroneous information.

If I leave my keys in a certain spot for a month, when I lose them I’ll find myself constantly going back to that spot even though I know they’re not there. It’s that constant repeating I previously did that sticks. It’s the same way with self confidence and self talk.

Good one, Damian.

This is good. The opening lines got me. Felt them deeply.

Thanks so much for reading and your kind words, Elke. So glad you connected with the write my friend. It happens, we’re all human. lol. Totally agree. Appreciate you.

Damian

hello dearest Damian a lot of great lines in hear I feel you my mind puts me through hell ❤️

Some things don’t need to be spelt out .. but this one most surely did .. I’m guessing a load of people will appreciate the reassurance they are not alone .. Neville

Magnificent poem my friend. Your words always strike a power chord!

“If sanity doesn’t break it has to bend”

Never has a statement rang more loudly and clearly with fact than that one. We’re learning to adjust what we once deemed impossible…to be unjust but still happening. If we pay too close attention, it risks breaking us. If we don’t pay close enough attention, it will take us unaware. We’re walking a tightrope of razor blades these days. I’m finding it necessary to keep my loved ones in constant contact. The comfort of the familiar is a dangerous thing because this reality snuck up on us in a bum’s rush and tackled us flat on our asses. Bend, my friend. I got your back if you need to rest

A brilliant poem, dear Damian! I can absolutely relate to it
We are ourselves greatest enemy. Damned self doubt has never helped anyone, it only blocks our power to take action and stay true to our own opinion.