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The poison that was in your hand has been replaced by my hand, our fingers intertwined.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

[Egonarc]

Its such a simple concept that could move a mountain. With the lining of the certain turns as you work your way down. "I want to keep going," and before I know it its was done and left me speechless.
Thanks for sharing its really great~!

[Pete]

glad you could feel it. thank you for your thoughts.

[Diamond]

Outstanding expression of emotion and superb imagery. I loved the poem. Thank you for sharing it.

[Pete]

thank you Queen for saying that. much appreciated. :)

[Michael X]

wow, that is so emotional! So poetically creative!

[Pete]

thank you Michael. I appreciate that.

[...]

Pete, that was a hard core difficult read. It feels real and I suspect one can only write with such raw passion and power when it is indeed true.
Hugs. Starz xo

[Pete]

You are correct. It is 100% real & true. It breaks my heart & I live with it every day. She is lost & I can't do much about it anymore. I finally had to cut her off and it's killing me.

[m.s.early]

Moving and powerful. I wish I could not so intimately relate.

I would have a few suggestions as a concern for flow. Most of the poem is as eloquent as it is provocative and powerful. There are only one or two phrases that I might choose differently to keep the readers eyes engaged and prevent distraction.

Spectacular piece.

[Pete]

Thank you. I'm sorry you can "intimately relate". Feel free to comment on your recommended changes.

[m.s.early]

I'm no literary critic. I'm probably well under-qualified to give any true literary comment.
These are just lines that i was distracted by, all said with love and kindness...

"I didn't judge you and you didn't judge me."
I think the cadence of this line disrupts the fluid nature of the rest of that stanza. More important though, I don't think it is necessary. By the time we reach the end of the poem, it is obvious there is no judging between these two. They are blatantly full of gratitude and adoration for each other.

"I walked with you that day in the street when we both laughed so hard that we doubled over and our stomachs hurt."

I would find a way to rephrase with the article "that". The repetition made me feel unbalanced and I think there might be smoother ways to say it. It's a personal preference of mine to stray away from articles and the verb "be" as possible. But that's just me, personally.

Anyway... this is all said with kindness and hopefully encouragement. I have been both characters in this piece at one time or another, and I wouldn't have offered any critique if it hadn't touched me so.

[Pete]

Thank you m.s. I will take it under consideration and I appreciate the fact that it touched you. Best Regards.

[Coyote Poetry]

A sad and powerful write and I liked the ending.
"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..."
Fallen souls and hearts can find comfort in each other. Must know the pain to grasp. Thank you Pete for sharing the amazing poetry and thoughts. Real life poetry is raw and needed.
Coyote

[Pete]

Thank you Coyote. I really appreciate that. That is what I try to do. “How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” ― Henry David Thoreau

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. We write from the gut and our experiences. You are welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there was every reason not to love her, yet he did---love through the bad times makes for love that is even better when those times are behind us...there is always that feeling of love for love's sake..not because we got something from that person...but because we were there when she needed us.

this is so real...

[Pete]

You are a wise man. I enjoy your writing & your reviews. You have good insight. Thank you Jacob.

[Hebe]

I can see you have passion in your soul and a gift to express it, in many ways. I don't know if the story is true but you brought tears to my eyes....

[Pete]

The story is 100% true. She is destroying herself and I tried everything and can't stop it anymore. Finally had to cut her off & it's breaking my heart. Thanks for such a thoughtful review.

[Hebe]

I am so sorry to hear that... I have tried to explain these situations, and the answer I have come up with is that some people resent that they were forced to be born into this life .....someone said to me once, who had a near death experience. ...I wish I had died, because its so much more difficult being alive.... Your energy is like the brightest star allow it to pull you to an equally bright star... not to the depth of darkness ...hugs

[Pete]

We all fight - some of us to stay, others to get out.

[D Connolly]

Pete, I'm sitting at my desk with tears in my eyes, getting my papers all wet. I was that girl a long time ago, and... well, thank goodness for people like you. That's the most I can say right now. XOXO

[Pete]

You're strong and you made it. It is not easy. All my best to you.

[D Connolly]

One day at a time :)

[Pete]

The jury is still out on my friend (the subject of the poem). She is struggling greatly and I am very afraid for her. I took her to church with me and look after her when I can but I'm scared for her. She has to want it for herself. I've done all I can. I cry for her every day.

[...]

They say love covers a multitude of "sins" You say love is a warm blanket in a very cold and cruel world. It keeps your heart from freezing to death and helps you love yourself along the way. Pete every time I come here, I never leave untouched. You are a deep strong powerful writer, serving real meat and potatoes :)

[Pete]

Thank you Lynn for your kinds words. I write only what a truthfully feel deep within my heart. I'm glad you appreciate it and thanks for stopping by & reading. Warmest regards as always.