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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

Date: 7/5/2018 4:15:00 AM

This was masterfully woven and a pleasure to read ! Thanks for sharing !

Lyric Man

Date: 7/2/2018 2:46:00 AM

Hi Jannie.. Congrats on being a featured poet this week. This poem is certainly worthy of that recognition. Blessings!

Jannie Breedt
Date: 7/2/2018 9:55:00 AM

Hi Lyric Man, thank you. So nice of Soup to do that for me.

Caycay Jennings

Date: 11/13/2017 6:23:00 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

Date: 8/23/2017 8:50:00 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

Date: 8/6/2017 5:42:00 PM

Very good work. Enlightening.

Jannie Breedt
Date: 8/7/2017 8:31:00 AM

Hi Patricia I'm so happy for your visit and kind words. Thank you

Robert Warlov

Date: 6/6/2017 12:01:00 PM

The shame is not yours. Only understand and accept powerlessness. Welcome to healing.

Jannie Breedt
Date: 6/6/2017 12:32:00 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

Date: 5/26/2017 8:47:00 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
Date: 6/6/2017 12:30:00 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

Date: 5/25/2017 2:34:00 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
Date: 6/6/2017 12:19:00 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

Date: 5/25/2017 8:36:00 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
Date: 6/6/2017 12:17:00 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

Date: 5/14/2017 12:09:00 PM

A fav for sure!! :-)

Jannie Breedt
Date: 5/14/2017 3:02:00 PM

Im giddy and gobsmacked. Thanks again

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 5/14/2017 12:08:00 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
Date: 5/14/2017 3:00:00 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

Date: 5/14/2017 4:23:00 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
Date: 5/14/2017 5:20:00 AM

Leave me speechless .. Connie. Humbled beyond words and thanking you

Carol B.

Date: 5/11/2017 2:47:00 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
Date: 5/14/2017 5:22:00 AM

O Carol, Im singing your song here. Thank you so much

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/10/2017 6:52:00 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
Date: 5/10/2017 6:58:00 PM

Pardon victrix lodorum..

Jannie Breedt
Date: 5/10/2017 6:57:00 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

Date: 5/9/2017 4:27:00 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
Date: 5/9/2017 6:39:00 AM

Wow fhanks Darren. Thats all I want is that people will look and see. Thanks for your observations.