It starts to take hold very slowly...gently seeping into your very being...but as it takes hold...the fire burns for it deep inside. An uncontrollable fire...wild and untamed fire...desire
nothing stands in its way when it takes its grip...nothing can stop its destructive control, the way it commands and conquers you
too often taken for granted - simply written off as a passion...a treat...a bit of escapism...a way to numb out the world temporarily
only, it's never quite as benevolent as it's made out to be, and it's never quite as harmless as people would like you to think...
Xanadu-like feelings course through your body, to begin with, while the facade still takes you in
initial serenity clears and makes way for something else, something darker and more desperate
cravings pull you under and give you an itch that can't be scratched but must be scratched...must be scratched
as you accept its control, you give yourself over to it, the power of that uncontrollable fire, that wild and untamed fire, that desire
the crash continues, and you feel withdrawn and restless, unable to function until you get another hit, another scratch for the itch
it has you in its grasp, the grasp you only notice once it is too late, a vice-like grasp with fresh tendrils wrapping around you
only escape is to break off completely, but the panic and desperation are bound to send you to hell and back; the tendrils won't release you easily
need to escape this escapism that has you under its control, you need intervention from the blinding intoxication ...
*
Thanks for reading!
A new acrostic for a forthcoming book - the non-dark one! Though this is quite dark.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Here are a few more to chew over:
You can also take a look at the rest of my work here.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (10)
Wow. This is amazing. Very dark, but relatable to probably all of us in one way or another. Toxic substances, toxic people or situation or toxic aspects of ourselves, they're all difficult to purge. Well done, buddy.
Wow– this is a POWERFUL piece, Paul! No matter what any of us are going through, I think each person can relate to this on one level of another. You absolutely nailed it here– the itch that must be scratched. Just truly brilliant, and as an acrostic at that. Next level, friend! 💫💞
And those affected aren't even aware of all this! Until its too late for some; but for others there is a way back to a complete life, by learning to take back control . Though that's just the beginning.
This is a powerful meditation on what it feels like to be addicted, and though I can see exactly what you meant, it could mean many things to many people. You left it open to interpretation without it being vague and pretentious (something I hate about poetry). I don’t think there is a person alive who hasn’t formed an attachment to a habit. This is relatable to anyone who dares to be honest with themselves. Another great acrostic!
Oooo, this was quite dark. I would never wanna experience this! Loved your poem!
Addiction, obsessively numbing the pain through intoxication, so painfully & aptly described.
Truth overload brother, nice piece, 😊
RELATABLE. Damn brother! You slayed this piece to shreds. What exquisite darkness so carefully contained. Paul, I like this so much. No, I love it.
Outstanding!!! Loving it!!!♥️♥️💕
Here is my www.youtube.com/iamjustjen and my website: www.futureproductionsonline.com and my FB: www.facebook.com/isuperwoman I wish for us to become more acquainted, I have a feeling I will be reading a lot of your work over time! Would love to look at the possibility of working on a project that uses one of your pieces, I`ll let you know when I find it! And I also think it might be fun to co-write something together at some point in the near future! I`m still on a holiday visiting family, but I will be back in Vancouver in a week from now, so when I`m settled in again we can go from there! :-) I would love your interest in reviewing the last 7 pieces PRIOR to YESTERDAY`S JOURNAL POST, I`m looking for input on which poem has an emotional impact that may resonate very well with a large audience of people attending an artists event I will be doing a Poetry reading at, and I need some FRESH OUTSIDE opinions on which piece might be the most gripping and affective 1? Let me know if you`d be willing to read and help me figure out which I`m going to read on July 25th when the event is scheduled for? TY! :-) I`m going to go read some more of your work now too! LOL :-)