42 Comments
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Neth Williams's avatar

I am happy that so many have a place to share their voices and pleased to be a part of it.

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Edward Swafford's avatar

Thank you for sharing yours, an important voice.

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Ral Joseph's avatar

Oh my! I got stuck here and I doubt I'll be out in days. Every poem and poet brought the game on and it's a melody.

A perfect body of work BCP. Y'all should sing

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Black Coffee Poetry's avatar

Thank you, sweet Ral 🙌🏻🙌🏻

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Shay Brené's avatar

Thank you again for submitting my piece. It's definitely a topic hard to discuss but much needed. Appreciate all who poured their hearts out. I can sense the pain in each piece. But knowing that I'm not alone in this pain is a great feeling

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Edward Swafford's avatar

It’s a difficult topic to write about, and you my dear, let it ALL out.

Superb from start to finito.

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Mark Armstrong's avatar

An extraordinary collection. Profiles in courage. I salute you all, and I'm glad you're all here. My thanks to BCP for erecting such a big tent, and making everyone feel so welcome.

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Black Coffee Poetry's avatar

Erecting community-centric tents is my specialty 🥹🥹🙌🏻.

Thank you for sharing your piece.

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Jill Eng's avatar

I look forward to diving into these beautiful contributions... thank you all for your art and sharings on such a sensitive topic.

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Black Coffee Poetry's avatar

Thank you for your continued support, sweet Jill 🥹🙌🏻

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Debdutta Pal's avatar

Writing about pain is a solitary activity. Living is lonely. But together? We alter the Universe.

What a bunch of sorcerers. So happy to be here.

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Black Coffee Poetry's avatar

Living is lonely = the title for your memoir.

I called it first 🥰🥰.

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Boo Pfeiffer's avatar

I love that

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Samantha Lazar's avatar

What a brave and gorgeous collection! Each one a deep breath into the rawness. Thank you for sharing these words.

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Ann Marie Steele's avatar

Sam, your piece was incredible. It really stood out.

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Samantha Lazar's avatar

Wow! 🤩 thank you

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H. R. Sinclair's avatar

I’m in shock and awe at all the pain, beauty, raw talent and authenticity in this collection. Every writer he has blown me away, broken my heart and soul and is now mending it with all the love shown. Thank you to everyone who shared their poetry. And thank you to everyone who reads these, and continues to read and support BCP.

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Edward Swafford's avatar

ShOcK & aWeStRuCk

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Marcia Abboud's avatar

Where do I even start... So many favourites. The boy's narration always makes me shiver. So SO good! But I have to give a special mention to Dan J Wilson because I have been where you've stood. I didn't catch the bus (I drove). I didn't reach the fence; I couldn't get out of my car. My dead brother spoke to me. He saved me from jumping. I've written that story :)... Dan, I don't know you, but I'm so glad you didn't jump 🤍🖤

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Edward Swafford's avatar

As soon as I read Dan’s submission in email, I felt chills. And I thought about your experience with that place.

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Marcia Abboud's avatar

Ah, you remember, Edward :) It’s a chilling place, alright 🖤

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H. R. Sinclair's avatar

I want to echo your special mention. Dan, your piece was truly “A fucked up pilgrimage” in every sense. I feel like I went on it with you. I felt every inner thought you had, and felt every consideration you took, and most of all, Im so glad you never made it to the end of that pilgrimage. Instead, I believe, you made it through to a different pilgrimage. And I’m so grateful you’re now walking with us, sharing your innermost self with all of us 💛

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Marcia Abboud's avatar

That is beautiful, Harry :) My thoughts exactly 🤍🤍

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Tina, Ginger Ghost Poetry's avatar

I'm left speachless and in tears 🖤 so much talent, so much power in words.

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H. R. Sinclair's avatar

Tina your piece had me in tears. And you’re the second one so you can imagine I was f**ked for the rest 😂

“she is so strong

i never wanted to be strong

i never wanted to feel excommunicated from life”

This broke me. You write so viscerally and beautifully.

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Tina, Ginger Ghost Poetry's avatar

Thank you for the kind words about my writing, it was definitely the most emotionally open I have been in my writing in a long time.

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Edward Swafford's avatar

Thank you for being you, Tina.

Your piece was relentless, and oh-so-oh pOwErFuL ⚡️⚡️⚡️

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Edward Swafford's avatar

Thanks to all co-authors in this collection.

This is an uncompromising, raw n’ real anthology, and every writer and reader makes the change 🌪🖤.

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Emma Steel's avatar

I’m extremely impressed with the feeling, candor, and talent of the authors. You all rock, dealing with this difficult subject.

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H. R. Sinclair's avatar

Thank you Emma. I appreciate you holding our words 💛

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Ute Luppertz's avatar

Thank you, Emma

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Jozef Cain's avatar

Thank you all for sharing this poetry with us. Ann's son's poem turned the tears into something more. Every one of these is gut-wrenching. I don't have much else to say. One Love.

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H. R. Sinclair's avatar

I second this 📢

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Ann Marie Steele's avatar

I loved your piece, HR

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Emika Oka's avatar

This is too sad

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Edward Swafford's avatar

It’s a lot. 🙏🙏🙏

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Apr 17
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Edward Swafford's avatar

It’s a brutal collection.

It needed to exist 🙏🖤

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Apr 17
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Ann Marie Steele's avatar

Ruth, thank you! I found that line about attention-seeking to be so eye opening.

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Apr 17
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Debdutta Pal's avatar

I feel too much as well. Then I switch to my bot mode.

So honored to have you read and experience my words.

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