Disclaimers

Poetry is a language, not a concept

It's communication, not decoration

When I paint you a picture of my pain with words

And they illustrate my eyes and the pattern of my tears

It's just a coincidence that it's pleasing to your ears

Because what sounds beautiful isn't always the reality

And I guess what I'm trying to say is this is the only way I know how

To give myself a voice and put some of my ghosts at bay

When I write it's not a show

It's a plea

For my mind to quiet down and instead soothe me

I write about the drugs and I write about skin and bone

I write about misery and never finding a home

Though these beautiful words might make it easier for you to digest

There is nothing beautiful about seeing stars because you've starved for so long

There is nothing beautiful about watching the man you love snort line after line while saying "where did I go wrong" with a laugh but you know he's laughing to keep from crying

There's nothing beautiful about seeking refuge in the very thing that destroys you

So don't get me wrong

Some words just sound right

They go together in patterns and lines that you can recite

But don't for one second think that I'm trying to lessen the fear of it all

Because poetry is not decoration

It's my communication.