I nearly died, twice, due to my drug addiction. I was caught in the grips, the vicious cycle for many years. Thankfully, I was given a second chance and found recovery and a 12 step program in 2010. I’ve been clean ever since. Your work here is brilliant. From a recovering addict’s perspective it is very accurate and it filled me with gratitude to be free from that darkness
Ending a habitual cycle takes courage to enact, as we are the only ones who know it’s ending. But that is always the choice we take on, the ultimatum we give ourselves. Do we sit and willingly add links to our chains and shackles. Or do we break free…
Every time I read another one of your poems, I am in awe. The parallel experiences of our shared darkness both saddens and elates me. Sadness because I know your pain. Elation because you know mine. Thank you.
The content is wonderful. Reminds of buying cigarettes. 3 smacks on the top, tear the wrapper, pop the foil, bite the first one out with the teeth, tasting the freshness of the filter and paper, the sound of the flint and steel crisp as the first hit of a new day brought your decaying body to life…
Remember the first hit after a long break that would make your head spin to where you had to sit down and you’d swear you were briefly high- or passing out? lol. Ah, to be 19 again.
This poem is really sublime, Lauren. Not only does it speak so directly to a battle all of us face and one that has been particularly on my mind of late, but the craftsmanship is exquisite. How refreshing to read a modern poem with meter and rhyme, deployed elegantly and with mimetic effect. Amazing stuff.
Well, everyone has taken all the superlatives... I too relate. I also found that in early recovery when I stumbled into different behaviour I was chasing shame. How shame at least made me feel something, that gnaw, the jolt.
Everything about your writing is raw and real and so fuken beautifully irreverent. It makes me feel equally sad and ecstatic. I love the multitudes of your soul.
The un-sanctimonious writings of lauren oliver -to which I am addicted.
I nearly died, twice, due to my drug addiction. I was caught in the grips, the vicious cycle for many years. Thankfully, I was given a second chance and found recovery and a 12 step program in 2010. I’ve been clean ever since. Your work here is brilliant. From a recovering addict’s perspective it is very accurate and it filled me with gratitude to be free from that darkness
I am so proud of you. This is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you’re still here and we have both found the light ✨
🙏🙏
echoing this sentiment.
Ending a habitual cycle takes courage to enact, as we are the only ones who know it’s ending. But that is always the choice we take on, the ultimatum we give ourselves. Do we sit and willingly add links to our chains and shackles. Or do we break free…
Exactly… ✨🙏
Every time I read another one of your poems, I am in awe. The parallel experiences of our shared darkness both saddens and elates me. Sadness because I know your pain. Elation because you know mine. Thank you.
Thank you so much… I’m so happy we have connected here ✨🙏
If a goddess were to bless us with her terrifying beauty, this is what she would say
Good shit
The content is wonderful. Reminds of buying cigarettes. 3 smacks on the top, tear the wrapper, pop the foil, bite the first one out with the teeth, tasting the freshness of the filter and paper, the sound of the flint and steel crisp as the first hit of a new day brought your decaying body to life…
Rites of worship.
Thank you. I feel the same about tobacco/ nicotine pouches. My cravings are gone but I’ll never forget the feeling.
Remember the first hit after a long break that would make your head spin to where you had to sit down and you’d swear you were briefly high- or passing out? lol. Ah, to be 19 again.
Oh yes. The best. And the first one of the day? After your first meal? Fucccck hahahahah
Absolutely. I still think the best was probably in the evening around 1 am, for me personally. lol.
Love this! It is phenomenal!
TRUTH
you will never unhook from patterns
without betraying the rules
that kept you alive.
This poem is really sublime, Lauren. Not only does it speak so directly to a battle all of us face and one that has been particularly on my mind of late, but the craftsmanship is exquisite. How refreshing to read a modern poem with meter and rhyme, deployed elegantly and with mimetic effect. Amazing stuff.
“Nervous system wired like a prison” 👍
Well, everyone has taken all the superlatives... I too relate. I also found that in early recovery when I stumbled into different behaviour I was chasing shame. How shame at least made me feel something, that gnaw, the jolt.
mm thank you
L.O.
Everything about your writing is raw and real and so fuken beautifully irreverent. It makes me feel equally sad and ecstatic. I love the multitudes of your soul.
The un-sanctimonious writings of lauren oliver -to which I am addicted.
J.B.
Incredibly written. Brutal and soft at once.
Beautiful words. So deeply relatable.