Someone close to me who experienced a hard early in live, but has turned the old into a new life full of hope and promise, shared this poem with me.

ABUSE

I overstepped my bounds with abuse,

Simply, because I could, and simply, because it was offered to me,

I finally found a way to silence my “inner critic” and I finally saw a way out,

I abused substances, I abused others, and more importantly, I abused my own identity,

Finally realizing, I was slowly erasing myself.

Erasing myself from me and everyone that ever truly loved me.

I now see all the pretty people sipping drinks.

With a smile on my face…

Now fully understanding, I could never muster the strength to tolerate what they deem normal..

What struck me with the most force was the line “erasing myself.” Imagine what it feels like to make pieces of your self, your identity, your being disappear until drugs or alcohol is the entirety of your world.. I found it powerful.