Birth In Reverse

An analogy of my experience with addiction and recovery

Staring into the flame

Recalling the beginning

He wondered at my smile

And I explained the story of my birth in reverse

I was a wanderer, through the expanse

    Neither here

          Nor there

When the violence of conception jarred me

     Into chaos

           And being

Appearing as a phantom

     The walking dead

            A wraith

So lonely.... so confused.... and locked in time.....

The peace of the grave wrapped me

       In darkness

            Rest for bones grown weary

I felt the pain of dying

      Excruciating

            Paralyzing

I drug myself into the womb

       The warmth and softness comforted me

             I was nurtured

Turning over in the safety of space

       My eyes began to open

              My heart began to beat

To the rhythm.... of Earth.....

I was born of soft flames and gentle fires, I told him

         Now I burn

               And I am ALIVE

Reviews

[An owl on the moon]

A sacred, powerful journey it seems, from death to life. I am grateful for your path to light, as I realize so many never quite find the way out. May your life and words give others the desire to find the key to their recovery as well.

[D Connolly]

thank-you so much, I really hope I'm able to help at least one person

[Mr.Writer]

So engaging, heart whelming and bold. Very bold

[D Connolly]

Hi Shaan! Good to see you! Thank-you for the visit

[Bala Gorthi]

What a powerful and inspiring write, D.Connoly.
My eyes began to open
My heart began to beat
......
Now I burn And I am alive.
The coming back and sharing with all sets example.
So lonely....so confused...and locked in time.
Very beautifully explained here. I salute to the person and the writer in you.
Thank you for sharing.

[D Connolly]

Thank-you Bala :)

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for sharing your experience in recovery ..it is noteworthy always ..i am your cheerleader my friend ..as you take each day and stay alive in it ...your poem flows very easily for me ...your imaging is jarring as birth may well be for the born .. labor pains are inevitable so bravo to you for enduring and your closing gives me a soft landing ..and i feel the joy .. i agree with YumnaKay about those lines especially ..thanks for sharing big D!
E.

[D Connolly]

Thank-you Einie, it's a rare thing when one of my poems makes me tear up a bit and lift my head a bit higher. This one does it for me every time, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it

[Paul Bell]

At first i was thinking. Pushing that baby back in takes a lot more gas and air.
The journey through hell was a tough one.
But also serves a great purpose as you proceed through life. I would rather take advice from someone who had lived the nightmare. Than someone spouting from a book.

[D Connolly]

I'm very glad that I survived and something good has come from it. I'm grateful to be able to help the people who allow me to help them. I wouldn't change my history for anything in the world. I've learned too much

[Paul Bell]

I suppose that's the confirmation, life has purpose.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

"I turned over in the safety of space
My eyes began to open
My heart began to beat

To the rhythm.... of Earth....."

This is a powerful and heart touching write up for sure. Believing in oneself is important. That you can fight these demons and live once again to feel the rhythm of your heart.
Good piece.

[D Connolly]

Thank-you so much YumnaKay. This is a special write for me

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Indeed as is clearly shown from each word.
You're welcome, D! A pleasure 😊

[Pete]

cool & clever & tells a great tale. from the soul & very polished. your writes keep getting better & better!

[D Connolly]

Thank-you Pete, I appreciate the compliment

[Robert Haigh]

Addictions can be difficult to deal with... many can't manage to do that. Glad you are in a better place now, and thanks for sharing this.

[D Connolly]

Thank-you Robert. I'm grateful for my addiction. The things I learned during and since have really impacted me in a positive way, and have given me a purpose; now I can help others, whereas before I probably wouldn't have been able to for lack of understanding and compassion. My LIFE started with my addiction

[Valentine]

Glad you are so open about this as you may be helping others to get some help. Valentine

[D Connolly]

Thank-you, I spend a lot of time helping women who are trying to learn how to live a new life.

[Lydia Shutter]

An empowering write. Honest emotions expressed from the heart. Life gives us many chances if we keep our eyes open and take them. Lydi**

[D Connolly]

Thank-you Lydia, it felt empowering to write it :)