Addict Chick

There is no remedy for love but to love more. - Thoreau

I talked with you when everyone said, "Never mind her."

I listened to you when you told me how life had raped your soul.

I cried with you when we connected through the pain and hurt.

I stayed up all night holding you in my arms to keep the demons at bay.

I walked through the snow to sit with you at the hospital.

I held your hand when the nurse couldn't find a vein.

I caressed your cheek and ran my fingers through your hair despite how the stuff had aged you.

I kissed you even though your breath smelled of tobacco and the

junk had rotted your teeth.

I gazed into your inner beauty through gorgeous, cinematic eyes which served as looking glasses to your heart.

I saw an innocent, little girl holding a teddy bear, not withstanding your tough exterior.

We listened to music and sang together as we discovered that we knew the same words to the same songs.

We walked together in the street that day when we both laughed so hard that we doubled over and our stomachs hurt.

We laid naked in bed together where nothing hides.

We made love for the sake of love because all that we had to give each other was ourselves.

I sat with you week after week in the pew while they stared, pointed and whispered.

I carried your trash bag when they said you weren't welcome there anymore.

We never judged each other, despite our heavy baggage and different paths.

I pulled your hood up over your head because nothing is ever going to hurt you again, not even the wind at the train station.

Time flies when we're together because I never want it to end.

Most times, we don't have to talk; we look at each other and just know.

The poison that was in your hand has been replaced by my hand, our fingers intertwined.

You showed me how to care again and have the courage to face the new day.

Thank you addict chick.

I love you ...

Author's Note

"Things do not change; we change." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is brilliant & beautiful. Someone could've said a lot of these things about me, altho I've never been a hardcore addict with regards to drugs. But there are many ways to act out compulsively so as to blot out one's life and all these addicts have similar characteristics. You paint the scenes of this story with such a stunning tapestry of acceptance next to stark, sometimes almost painfully stark observations. There isn't one word that doesn't sound authentic for this type of relationship. I get so tired of reading typical love poems, it's a breath of fresh air to have love portrayed in all it's compelling layers. This is so well balanced, nothing jars anywhere! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

thank you ever so much. you get it all!! the test of true love lying in the dark valleys. when we can smile as the wheels are coming off ... well, then we have arrived. when we emerge from the fire, everything is gone but the gold that remains and that is spelled ... L O V E ... you are one smart cookie. i love this review ... :)

[barleygirl]

Your reply to my review is pretty special, too! *smile*

[flaco]

Pete
This is a beautiful uncommon love poem. Well done

I wonder though if addict chick in the next to last line is how he would refer to her ? He had a deep and personal love and addict chick seems impersonal

[Pete]

thank you flaco. i understand what you are saying about the next to last line. i will consider it but the most important thing in the poem is unconditional love and wanted to show that he loves her for who she is regardless of what she is. hmmm, that's a tough one. i will have to give it more thought. thanks, your thoughts are appreciated ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Now that it unconditional love for you. Seeing the true personality under all the baggage they carry. That takes incredible strength and perseverance. It would take a very special person to be able to do that. Most would try their best, which would never be good enough in a tragic situation like this. I would imagine it would sap every amount of energy out of you. This is a superb piece of writing and I am so pleased to have been able to read it. Thank you Pete. The photograph you posted is stunning. They are always someone's daughter, someone's son and we should never lose sight of that.

[Pete]

you have hit the nail directly on the head. your thoughts are spot on. it does take a lot but well worth the work. doesn't everyone deserve understanding? who are we to condemn? when that light finally dawns and we see a glimpse of the real soul within there is no better joy. your thoughts are very much appreciated. thank you for understanding Chris ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

After 20 years of thinking I had lost my daughter, she has come out of the tunnel into the light. I am overjoyed. I understand.

[Pete]

see, wasn't it well worth the waiting, heartache & pain? isn't that what the almighty does with each of us?

"We do not live by justice, but by grace." - Thoreau

[Chris Shaw]

Great quote from Thoreau. How right, justice doesn't come into it.

[/]

i'm sure to be able to see through the obvious and recognize the beauty within can be a big reward. rather than go in a more hostile direction you wrote the opposite of what i expected. i like the different perspective and i'm glad i saw this

[Pete]

i've come 180 degrees around on such matters. it's much to easy & unchallenging to find fault and write people off. i'd rather labor & sweat to find the good that lies within people and nourish that. thank you. your thoughts are much appreciated ... :)

[Effie]

I am overwhelmed with emotion from reading this and at a loss for words. It touches something painful and raw within. It is complex yet simple. It is love. Unconditional. Bittersweet to love so deeply, so completely.

"I saw an innocent, little girl holding a teddy bear, not withstanding your tough exterior."

This touched the core of my being. Amazing write.

[Pete]

thanks effie. this could only touch the core of a beautiful being to begin with ... :)

[Effie]

You're welcome...and thank you. :)

[Richard McLin]

Fantastic, one of the best pieces I've read in some time.
-Richard

[Pete]

thank you.

[Richard McLin]

Of course, always a pleasure to read your work man.

[Ardra]

That sure is true love... to stand the test of time.... to be with them in their difficult time takes lot of effort ...it's easy to be a part of ones life when everything is shiny smiley...it's when darkness strikes if you can hold on to her hand then that's what matters.. :) very nicely done...

[Pete]

thanks galadriel. i can see you get it!

[hoplessly_forgotten21]

I really love this! I can relate to this in so many ways. I love that this piece of writing shows such unconditional acceptance and love. And, the baring of a lovers soul.

[Pete]

thank you. i appreciate that. stay strong & be well!

[Tracey~]

I absolutely love this write and all that it holds for accepting someone unconditionally and seeing and believing in their light. And becoming each others point of light. Personally though I've become so aware that we can only hold them up to heal but the job of healing and loving themselves enough to be empowered to heal is up to them .... grrr life has made me hard lol.. Thank you for allowing us to read about your love...

[Pete]

thank you Tracey. everyone has a light. indeed life can block that light and make us hard. you are correct about the self-healing. love is the only solution i am aware of that has a chance. bless you hon ...

[TerryDarcy-Ryan akaSh..]

I can barely reply. This is so raw and it hits so close to home. Beautiful. God Bless

Sheer Terror

[Pete]

thank you Sheer. long live truth. amen.