Jannie Breedt Poet Free verse

Gutter Pavement Runway Flight

They elude me now ...words
Drinking befits a drowning man possessed
Swimming off this broken page
Baton winning in a relay race
I breached the ribbon sliced with chest
Joy! I gasped


Grown tired of my own riddles
Those halting jagged lines
Conversely I committed 
So disrespectful of my crimes
In dispatchment utter lunacy
Forgiveness once again!
Ive come to claim my lost respect
My place so quick forgotten was 
So Zeroed out of ten

Twelve steps from cursed enslavement
Danced to music uncontained
Toi-toi in lone detachment
Side stepping their allure
And tangoed with enticement
And cha-cha'd with no cure

Then dropping over hurdles
Burning through those barricades
All over all these obstacles
So help me God I try to change

No longer need prescription
Still sometimes do I crave
Unshackled is your prisoner
Dispossession freed this slave

There is something about that -ism
A mystery by name
Other than recovery
Benign this deathly game
Be it known that happy healing
Doubles, behind the curtains of shame

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Kyle Kriticos July 5, 2018 at 4:15 AM This was masterfully woven and a pleasure to read ! Thanks for sharing !

Lyric Man July 2, 2018 at 2:46 AM Hi Jannie.. Congrats on being a featured poet this week. This poem is certainly worthy of that recognition. Blessings! Jannie Breedt July 2, 2018 at 9:55 AM Hi Lyric Man, thank you. So nice of Soup to do that for me.

CayCay Godwin November 13, 2017 at 6:23 AM A touching outpouring from your core self, and touched I am. Recovery? Now, there's something we could discuss heap long time! For now, no - but WOW on you. Stay in the NOW, Jannie, don't drag a big sack full of yesterday, ya hear? Love ya ... CayCay

Patricia Cresswell August 23, 2017 at 8:50 AM You are very brave to choose sobriety. It is difficult and a forever commitment. Your poem puts into words the work that must be done bit also the reward of Joy. Excellent words.`

Patricia Cresswell August 6, 2017 at 5:42 PM Very good work. Enlightening. Jannie Breedt August 7, 2017 at 8:31 AM Hi Patricia I'm so happy for your visit and kind words. Thank you

Robert Warlov June 6, 2017 at 12:01 PM The shame is not yours. Only understand and accept powerlessness. Welcome to healing. Jannie Breedt June 6, 2017 at 12:32 PM Ah Robert you are such a loyal visitor and one with some peculiar comments but I receive you with warmth and love and gratitude.

Gayle Rodd May 26, 2017 at 8:47 PM My hope for you is that you will be able to use your wonderful talent of writing as a healing tool in your therapy. You spoke from the heart and I felt it. Jannie Breedt June 6, 2017 at 12:30 PM Hi Gayle Ditto as below. The heart is but a fickle thing though, mine is. Its so hard to let certain things go - like my ego grrrr. This forces me to be honest. No more b/s. Thank you

Darlene De Beaulieu May 25, 2017 at 2:34 PM This is a poem that speaks of lots of pain and struggle. Lief is full of pain no matter where you are. I hope that you are starting to heal. Jannie Breedt June 6, 2017 at 12:19 PM Darlene if only you knew.! This is one helluva ride. Recovery is so kick ass yet yesterday I crawled in under the door. Yes yes yes my poetry is my therapy

Cyndi Macmillan May 25, 2017 at 8:36 AM Strong and honest write, this. I was especially struck by the "there is something about that -ism." I hung there for a long time... I didn't want to leave that line. Another was 'burning through barricades." Stunning work. REAL. I hope you also share this off Soup. Potential here for a book, methinks. Jannie Breedt June 6, 2017 at 12:17 PM Cindy, Firstly I want you to know that your poetry is off the page! To think that I might dwell amongst the likes of you and so many others fill me with exasperation. Deeply I thank you

Gregory Richard Barden May 14, 2017 at 12:09 PM A fav for sure!! :-) Jannie Breedt May 14, 2017 at 3:02 PM Im giddy and gobsmacked. Thanks again

Gregory Richard Barden May 14, 2017 at 12:08 PM I ADORE this, Jannie, and if I hadn't told you before, I am in recovery as well. I have not "abused" anything since 2005, but I can NOT say I'm "clean", as I am on Suboxone therapy, and probably will be for life. I have been an addict for 30 years and my heart stopped three times, so I should not be here. I am glad we BOTH are, and are on the right side of this thing, and ANY time you wish to chat, day or night, I'm here ... no one knows it like those who have been there. Extraordinary poem! Jannie Breedt May 14, 2017 at 3:00 PM Omg. I never knew. Greg. Do you realise why we were spared? We were born to overcome and bring our work to the light. To see it shine on man! What a guy. Ty.

Connie Marcum Wong May 14, 2017 at 4:23 AM I give you so much credit Jannie. I know you can recover with your determination and divine help. You paint with your words and I can see all the colors of your world. This is simply brilliant Jannie. You are a Poet's poet my friend. I am Faving this masterful piece! 7 ; ) Jannie Breedt May 14, 2017 at 5:20 AM Leave me speechless .. Connie. Humbled beyond words and thanking you

Carol B. May 11, 2017 at 2:47 PM I respect you and your writing Janine. I am very happy to know that you're on the road to recovery. I tip my hat to you! Very honest and heartfelt piece:) Jannie Breedt May 14, 2017 at 5:22 AM O Carol, Im singing your song here. Thank you so much

Andrea Dietrich May 10, 2017 at 6:52 PM Jannie, this is brilliant writing . You put so much of yourself into this.I'm sorry for all you have had to go through. You know, I do not feel as helpless perhaps, but I feel very sad and hopeless about my own country because of all its corruption and greed. It's a worldwide epidemic and god help all of us. Hope you can stay sober, my friend! Jannie Breedt May 10, 2017 at 6:58 PM Pardon victrix lodorum.. Jannie Breedt May 10, 2017 at 6:57 PM Andrea, when we have something like poetry going for us from such an incredible forum , then it matters little because were not the losers I guess. And I welcome you so much on my site. You are numero uno poet victor lodorum .

Darren White May 9, 2017 at 4:27 AM I have been reading your introduction/notes to your poem. I am not from South-Africa, but yes, I understand what you are saying, and I agree. I am Dutch (and Egyptian) and for good or for worse, my country still has a connection to your country, and I follow what's happening there closely. This poem of yours carries a message. It should be heard. Jannie Breedt May 9, 2017 at 6:39 AM Wow fhanks Darren. Thats all I want is that people will look and see. Thanks for your observations.