If we want not, we shall never get. If we desire more, we will never be worthy enough. If we push the limits, we will rot in a cage. If we allow them to walk over us, we will be nothing more than a stain on the concrete. But somewhere between each extreme there resides the faint glimmer of hope, that sweet promise of possibility. It is there that we should strive to achieve. This is merely a corridor between existences. It is a time-out for us to push through the bullshit. It helps us remember what has been hidden away from us.

The trick is not to get too distracted. Not to get too caught up in the things that never mattered. Not to get led astray. Avoid being influenced by the one who holds your heart carelessly. They may dangle it recklessly above the garbage disposal. It will never be about anyone but yourself when the curtain falls for the last act.

Breathe in. Exhale. Stop and pause. Appreciate the current moment before it slips out of reach.

We are near the holidays. I am days from facing the judge in a county that gets off on maxing out addicts from the bench. I would be a liar to say that I wasn’t nervous. I can’t deny that the plea deal they offered me was the harshest possible. Since when was it deemed just to max out the guy who has spent the last 226 days sober? The one who sought out rehab on his own. Why take away everything from someone trying? It makes no sense.

BUT enough of the boo-hoo bullshit whining. In the world of my writing, two manuscripts of poetry are being assembled. One outline completed for a non-poetry, non-fiction title. I have managed to read 50 books in 2.5 weeks. I have things to express beyond the prose I transcribe in here. The poetry adorns every page of my notebooks. Poetry has, is, and will forever be my life. I even went as far as to join the Poetry Society of Indiana in these last few weeks. I found a desire that burns a fire, and it can’t be extinguished.