Addiction

By Lillian Chen, Del Norte High School, '31

Artwork by Leanne Fan, Westview High School, '26

CW: includes explicit references to drugs/addiction

Addiction

The world, a dwelling, tainted with obscurity and melancholy 

People give away to addiction

Luring behind the mask of temptation 

Money, Drugs, Pain

Whatever they find pleasure in 

Obsession comes to playSome know they should quit

Incapability takes control

Falling deeper into the rabbit hole of euphoria

But in the universe of darkness

A soft glow breaks through the tunnel of bleakness

Hoisting out of a submerged mind 

Landing on to the warm light of a Promise

Companions, Counselors, Confidants,

Sincerity encompasses the never-ending despondency 

Engulfing in an embrace of hope

Shattering the last remnants of despair

But a haunting darkness lingers 

of Regrets and Remorse

Tumbling back into the infinite void once more

Feeling that senseless numbness

Just to let it slip the mind 

But returning to connection

An essential choice

To the same people who pulled you out before

Towards the redeeming light

Erasing the mistakes 

Ignoring their existence

Futile attempts

New awareness transpires

Grasp the recovery at the end of the trajectory 

An enlightenment