19 Comments
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Mark Armstrong's avatar

"... watering that seed of doubt."

Great turn of phrase!!

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Chad R Herman's avatar

What is contentment? What is connection? What is loss. What is the truth. This is great

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you, Chad! Always appreciate your feedback on my poems.

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Bougie Hippie's avatar

fkg brilliant. do you do professional voice overs? sounds like you do or could.

that's exactly how the addict demon sounds like in my head.

>>>

Right, yes, I must have it wrong.

Without the drugs you’re not strong.

You need that high to feel like you can stay.

To make it through another fucking day.

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you so much! I've never done voice acting professionally, but I have been doing it on my own for about ten years now for my own projects. Since joining Substack here, I've been narrating a lot of my work and running a weekly podcast, so that's been great for practicing my skills.

That stanza you picked is my favorite one as well. 🙏

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Elizabeth Hagenlocher's avatar

Ahhhh, I love this! The narration is epic, and that back and forth! Top tier

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth! It’s been a while since I narrated one of my poems, so I’m really glad you liked this one!

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Elizabeth Hagenlocher's avatar

You’re welcome! You are a phenomenal narrator, and it just adds whole new dimension to your already incredible work 🥰

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Wendy Cockcroft's avatar

Wow! I felt like I was right there with you. Great work.

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you, Wendy! One of my favorite parts of hosting challenges is how the other work I read inspires me to push the boundaries of possibility with my own work.

Really appreciate you checking this one out!

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Mina Howell's avatar

Goddamn this is amazing

I love the voice of the demon and the desperation in your voice? Literal chills 😭

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you, Mina! I was so inspired by your poem and some of the others yesterday. This piece wouldn’t exist without those others pushing me to create this one.

So, I really appreciate you! 🙏

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Shadow Journal Dispatch's avatar

And an added bonus with the voiceover. My favourite line, 'To free your soul of all that dead weight', beautiful.

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you so much! That’s one of my favorite lines as well.

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Wild K. Nebula's avatar

AND THE AUDIO 😭😭😭😭

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Maryellen Brady 💗📚's avatar

What a battle!!! I feel this one.

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

It’s a war that feels like it’ll never end, but that doesn’t mean we can stop fighting. I appreciate you checking this one out, my friend.

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Wild K. Nebula's avatar

I FUCKING LOVE THIS! The back and forth. The battle that comes with addiction. Damn!!!! Bradley— bars!!! 🔥🔥🔥

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Bradley Ramsey's avatar

Thank you, Nebby! Your poem today inspired me to tell my story as well, so I’m really glad you liked this one.

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