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Notes About The Poem

Back in the days of the 80's, where I grew up was fast-paced and wild times in my neck of the woods. The days of hitting up the clubs, disco dancing and partying-hardy till the nights end at sunrise. Cocaine was everywhere and easy to get. The crowd I hung around with all did it.  I Thank the good Lord that none of my friends lost their lives from that, and that most all have went on to live beautiful lives and have grandchildren of their own.  

How Could I Have Let This Happened To Me

I was a menace to society 
A monster; smashed, trapped inside my own world 
How could I have let this happen to me 
Young, naive, foolish...my life; whirled and twirled 

Drugs- grasped and stole a big part of my life 
Age twenty-five to thirty, I was an addict 
Thirty-five years clean...thank you, to my wife 
Thought I would always be a derelict 

Ashamed "Yes" but so proud of myself now 
A husband, father and grandfather too 
I had beaten the odds...someway, somehow 
If you're still an addict "I pray for you"

From drugs- I choose to run, but had I stayed 
I think I'd be dead- the way my cards played 


I Choose to Run, But Had I Stayed, Things Would Have Been Like- Poetry Contest 
Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabisoon 
11/3/2022

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David Kavanagh Date: 11/5/2022 11:48:00 AM I love your opening line Charlie, I was a menace to society, but I think probably more a menace to yourself, I’ve no doubt if you hadn’t got clean, you wouldn’t be around now to tell us about it, all my teenage friends inc myself experimented with various drugs and pills, quite a few died in their 20s, hey this is like one of those rehab meetings where we all sit around in a circle and talk openly, confessional poetry at it’s best, cheers David Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 11/6/2022 4:29:00 AM I think when my job was on the line, and people started dying, it really opened my eyes to the real world, thank you for such a kind response! Charles Messina Date: 11/5/2022 8:30:00 PM David, you are absolutely right...a menace to me. the Cheers to you my friend for the sit-around confession. So very sorry to hear about the loss of your friends. You too, as well as I were very lucky to have survived those horrific times. You have my utmost respect...and I am happy you and I are both here to share our experiences with some of our forgotten days. Cheers Charlie.

Speaks Volumes Date: 11/4/2022 8:01:00 PM Pride is well deserved when someone breaks away from the grips of addiction. Having a pillar of strength for support is a wonderful gift. Its a fine sonnet Charles and a beacon showing hope for those that crave one day to be free and lead a prosperous life. I enjoyed the outcome. Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/4/2022 7:26:00 AM wow, you REALLY changed your life Good for YOU, Charlie. Well done with this honest poetry Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/4/2022 10:51:00 AM Thank you so much, Andrea. I really did :)

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 11/4/2022 4:51:00 AM you were one of the lucky ones dear poet, my uncle was addicted to Heroine, and he wasn't so lucky , thank you for telling such a truthful heart felt story, a winner by far :) Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/4/2022 6:18:00 AM Vie, I am so very sorry for the loss of your late uncle. I too have lost some very dear friends to Heroine. My older brother was lucky to have survived being an addict for 20+ years. It takes a ton of will power and a lot of love. Thanks for commenting on this! :)

Mike Gentile Date: 11/4/2022 4:39:00 AM Wow, Charlie, your honest words crafted in such a poetically beautiful way really inspirational ! Though I only had experimental experiences with drugs, I can truly relate and feel as you do! Great writing! Good Luck and Happy Friday !! Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/4/2022 6:24:00 AM Thanks, Mike. It was just the crowd I hung with, good people by all means...in fact, I am still friends with many of them today as we'll go out to watch some local bands playing good music. Thank goodness you held your own and never let it get to you as it did to me. I really appreciate your kindness and honesty, my friend. Happy Friday :)

Gary Radice Date: 11/4/2022 2:53:00 AM Love your heartbreaking and ultimately heartwarming sonnet Charles that had me thinking about the term 'confessional poetry'. I wasn't even sure the term existed until I looked it up having read your poem: " ..a style of poetry that emerged in the United States during the late 1950s and early 1960s..sometimes classified as a form of Postmodernism..focusing on extreme moments of individual experience, the psyche, and personal trauma..often set in relation to broader social themes." Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/4/2022 6:32:00 AM This is what I love about PS, Comments like yours, Gary. Teaching me, and other poets about new forms/terms that we too have never knew existed. "Confessional poetry" sounds heartfelt in itself...thanks for reading this, adding your kind words, and taking the time to research about this style of writing. Much appreciated...Cheers - Charlie

Victor Buhagiar Date: 11/3/2022 9:22:00 AM This is so true. Drugs are for mugs. Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/3/2022 10:51:00 AM Absolutely!

L Milton Hankins Date: 11/3/2022 8:33:00 AM So many of us can relate to the disco years, Charlie. I never was into drugs but loved the club scene and all-night dancing. Thanks for your transparency. Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/3/2022 10:52:00 AM Those were the days, disco club scenes. Terrible times otherwise.

Tom Cunningham Date: 11/3/2022 7:09:00 AM When everyone else is doing it you just get swept along and if not careful can end up in a downward spiral. Thank God you managed to escape it Charlie, also your friends. You're lucky to have such a caring wife. Good luck in the contest. Tom Login to Reply Charles Messina Date: 11/3/2022 10:54:00 AM Thanks, Tom. I was very lucky. Thank God! Charlie