This is powerful, it holds a great amount of emotions. Really great piece.

"Believe it or not, I've said yes when I knew the answer was no"
^^
This reminded me of the book I am reading, it had the same line. And I think many can relate to it.

Awesome job :)

Sometimes Chelsey, you can just write something that touches the heart to the point of where I cannot comprehend anything and write anything that would make any sense...you just have a way of making each stanza as amazing as the last, and you know when you read a poem from you, you cannot be disappointed, in fact, you want to read more...this piece is just one of those that gets you thinking, and you can't think straight...like now, I'm rambling and I haven't even started on the comment properly yet, and I'm not making much sense.

This piece, it's really powerful, but not just because I can relate or that it is personal to you, but because each stanza has something that someone can relate to and it holds so much thought and meaning...

There have been many times the rope needed to get me up was my own hand.

^^This part, I mean, so many times we wait for someone else or something to pick us up, but really, it is us that needs to take control of ourselves, not wait for someone else to.

My gosh, that ending, is just really powerful, because we get second chances, third, fourth, and even five chances but if we don't actually change now, the chances will come to an end, that another day shouldn't be another chance, we should continue, day in, day out to make the most of what we have, and yes, we make mistakes and must learn from them, but in the darkest and hardest times, days on end are bad, and tough and we can't always rely on tomorrow to be better.

I'm rambling, this piece was very powerful, deep and emotional, it was sad, but spoke so much truth and made a lot of sense.

Really thought provoking write
xx

Wow Chels, I'm a bit at loss for words because of the emotion each line had.... I felt you were pouring your heart out and there was frustration while writing this.

This whole stanza held so much powerful and sadness.

"Often, my heart holds a cardboard sign that asks for help,
but my mind doesn't allow for its visibility. Stubbornness and
denial remind me that I am not an addict, I am not bound
to chains, yet the constant tripping of my feet, on the same
wicked path, torment me with, "yes you are.""

- I can see this image so clearly in my mind! Like you are at the end of your road, holding a sign written with permanent market, and you are holding yourself back from that. You are in need but there is a battle within. And you deserve help. I also liked where you went with the addict, that had me wondering and then realizing we all may be addicts... maybe not have physical objects or things to be consumed, but of not loving ourselves, of turning away from this and that. This was quite dark, and it really got my heart.

I'm with Tara Kay all the way in that ending... I was thinking my, oh my... I mean just the way you wrote it as a "continuation of damnation" was filled with depth as you have fallen to this dark time and believing it is the only way for you. But there will be light, not just for others but for you.

Incredible verses as always <3