The Crazy Thinkers: Writing from ARROW Community Center

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NY Writers Coalition Press SPRING 2016

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She looks in the mirror.

Do she like what she sees?

A woman lost bending down on her knees.

“I need a healing!” she cried out loud.

A healing of mind, body and soul.

Because the negativity in my life has kept me from achieving my goals.

Acceptance of who I am is in progress I understand my feelings I have forgiveness.

No more misery, I’ve gained happiness My desire to love and sit right in my skin.

Has given me pride in being a woman.

Once frightened and living with guilt and shame.

Using my addiction as a scapegoat, hiding behind the blame Now I embrace the truth in my womb, be FREE. I set boundaries and I’m proud to be ME. I’m outspoken, inspirational, healthy and proud.

“A healing I’ve received!” she cried out loud.

My heart is cleansed and I’ve

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Gifts of a Struggle The Addicted Poet

She started out with a goal that she was determined to achieve.

But little did she know the tricks the devil had up his sleeves.

She rose every day at 4am in the morning No money, no breakfast in her stomach but she kept on going.

She thanked God for her lunch each day And let the Devil know he failed to stand in her way.

But he wouldn’t give up, he tried another route.

He taunted her marriage daily, to whether or not she loved her husband became doubt.

They argued with each other everyday.

But then they made up.

I guess God seen another way.

He was stronger than Satan and stopped him in every path.

Every little trick he continued to try, GOD just sat back and laughed But the struggle didn’t stop. It continued every day. But there were many gifts that were given upon the way.

Things that people overlook.

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Like food, clothing, shelter and love.

All these things given from the One up above.

Her husband and children are still by her side.

And every day she has her phone and music to soothe her on her daily ride.

Her grades are good and she understands her worth.

And soon people will publish her work.

Her poetry that is, which is one of her dreams.

And with this career life can be as it seems.

Happy, Sad, Fun, Mad. Ups and downs.

But boy how being drug free can turn your life around.

I never thought I would see this day when Gifts of a Struggle would come my way.

I will graduate this program, as well as school.

But God and remaining drug free is the number one rule.

I will get the career of my dreams.

And bells, my name will ring.

My family will finally be back together as one.

And many more Gifts of Struggle are to come.

Because without a struggle there is no lesson.

And without a lesson, there is no blessing So respect your struggles from day to

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Showstopper Sheila The Addicted Poet

Her Presence So Strong You Can Feel Her. Introducing Showstopper Sheila.

Her scent mesmerizes her victims before she steps into the room.

The sweet smells of her poisonous perfume.

It compliments the tone of her skin, In which she feels so confident in.

Her strut is held with such great posture and class.

And her luxurious hair hangs down to her high and firm ass.

Showstopper Sheila is her name and getting what she wants is definitely her game.

Her arched eyebrows sit above her slanted beautiful eyes with makeup of glitter and gold, Stare into them and become hypnotized.

Showstopper Sheila has dreams andher goal is to make them come true.

She uses her beauty or maybe even you.

But when she looks in the mirror who does she see?

Showstopper Sheila can be you or me.

Her outfits flawless.

Her Jewelry Impeccable.

She carries herself as a lady

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and is very respectable.

But Showstopper Sheila has many problems.

And has no idea on where to start or how to solve them.

On the inside she’s very confused.

Her main downfall is drug abuse.

All dressed up looking clean as a whistle, never trying to resolve her addiction issues.

Beautiful by day and ugly at night.

Showstopper Sheila is tired of the fight.

But who can she turn to with so much pride.

She could never come clean about what’s inside.

The things she’s done just to get by.

The life she’s living is such a lie.

How would people look at her?

How would she feel?

Would the help she seek be for real?

Can anyone hear her cry at all?

Will anyone be there when she falls?

All I can say to Showstopper Sheila is never think you are unique.

And no one can help you if you don’t speak.

So for all the Showstopper Sheilas in here today.

Stop dressing up the outside, and let the real you come out and play.

Nuff respect.

Looking good Ms. Showstopper Sheila.

But I think the person inside is much realer.

NOW. A round of applause to those that just found themselves and decided to put

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