Thank you for writing this, sometimes poetry is the only way we can find the words to transform something that is truly traumatic and devastating. And it was beautiful, thank you Neal.
i didn’t know how much i needed to read this until i did. the way you hold pain, honesty, and growth in the same sentence.. it’s not just brave, it’s holy.
When you write, it feels like the words are on my shoulders like Im living in your world. It’s beautiful, it’s harsh and real asf. And I think thats exactly what poetry is . THIS is by far my favorite🔥🔥
I never really open up about this, but this September marks 14 years clean for me. At sixteen I became addicted to heavy substances my then twenty something boyfriend sold. By eighteen, I looked around and saw all of my friends dealing with the revolving doors or the healthcare centers and prison systems. I knew that would become my life. So I kicked and never looked back.
Today, only a very small percentage of them remain.
This brought me to tears. I felt like you wrote this for us. For me, for them, for anyone in the struggle.
oh wow! im glad i could pen something that could hit home. I didn’t really want to release this one but i felt like it was bigger than me and im glad i was right, thank you for sharing that!
Oh what this somethng seems oddly familiar here…..
I would never write this though ever, so put that in the algorithms
lol I don’t know how
“The pain didn’t kill me..it built me.” I loved that so very, very much.
it was a very raw moment for me. thank you for reading!
Thank you for writing this, sometimes poetry is the only way we can find the words to transform something that is truly traumatic and devastating. And it was beautiful, thank you Neal.
thank you for reading!!!
Neal, your words are raw yet beautifully crafted. That takes so much skill; thank you for sharing this with us.
thank you so much! i appreciate you reading it 😭
i didn’t know how much i needed to read this until i did. the way you hold pain, honesty, and growth in the same sentence.. it’s not just brave, it’s holy.
thank you so much!!!
When you write, it feels like the words are on my shoulders like Im living in your world. It’s beautiful, it’s harsh and real asf. And I think thats exactly what poetry is . THIS is by far my favorite🔥🔥
thank you so much 😭🤞🏾 i was scared to drop this one fasho
“and yeah,
i feel like muhammad ali
on the days i don’t flinch.
on the days i rise with a swollen face
but still dance in the ring with my guilt.”
This quote knocked the wind out of me.
I never really open up about this, but this September marks 14 years clean for me. At sixteen I became addicted to heavy substances my then twenty something boyfriend sold. By eighteen, I looked around and saw all of my friends dealing with the revolving doors or the healthcare centers and prison systems. I knew that would become my life. So I kicked and never looked back.
Today, only a very small percentage of them remain.
This brought me to tears. I felt like you wrote this for us. For me, for them, for anyone in the struggle.
oh wow! im glad i could pen something that could hit home. I didn’t really want to release this one but i felt like it was bigger than me and im glad i was right, thank you for sharing that!
Anyways a great piece. People who are suffering with their desires and sins should definitely read it.
Okay you are talking about Muhammad Ali nvm
Ali? I clicked on the piece because of I spotted "Ali". What dy mean by Ali?
Absolutely wonderful and soul-filled piece, Neal! I’ve subscribed so I can read more!