18 Comments

Always looking forward to your work Bradley

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The dialogue in this poem was deeply introspective, the way it perfectly portrayed how our minds can be both out battleground and solace. Each alternating line was like a wave of different tones.

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Thank you! You're absolutely right, the mind can be a sanctuary or a prison depending on the day of the week (at least, from my experience). Always appreciate your feedback!

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I don't know if you want to elaborate on this deeply personal piece, but I was intrigued by the suppurating metaphor since it stands out from the rest of the poem - to whom are you referring as thinking they're better than you? The world at large, or someone specific? You don't have to name them, was just curious.

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All good! I’ll avoid names, but that part in particular is in reference to a person from my past who made me feel like a burden when I struggled with several mental health issues a few years ago. The same person in question told me that I talked about my writing too much and that I was exhausting.

I wrote this piece in the fallout of that inevitable separation and divorce.

I didn’t draw that connection to that part of this piece, but if I had to guess what my subconscious was drawing from, it would be that. I appreciate you asking!

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Talking about your writing too much? Out the fucking door, bitch.

That's like saying a bird mentions flying too often.

Glad you're rid of them and with someone who appreciates you for who you are from the sounds of it!

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Yes, I wholeheartedly agree! That was the moment I knew it wasn’t worth saving. Took a while to heal from that, but Sarah is absolutely amazing, and incredibly supportive.

So, things are much better now. 😊

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My ex-gf, while not a bad person, and supportive generally, simply wouldn't read a page of my writing. I would get up early on a Monday to take her university coursework in for the 9 AM deadline after she'd stayed up all weekend cramming to get it done (because she would procrastinate), and if there's one thing I loathe it's the tube into central London at that hour. I did that for her several times, but she wouldn't even read a page of my writing from the comfort of home. I'd rather be alone for the rest of my life than date someone to whom my writing wasn't everything to them, because it's everything about me - there's literally nothing else left, especially now I've written two and a third books. Anyway, best wishes to you and Sarah!

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Appreciate you sharing, and I’m glad that person is also your ex. Very glad to have you here as part of the writing community, your support means everything as well! 😁

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Thanks. It's taken me a while to settle in because I spent so long grinding out my books in total isolation, but I came to realise this was ultimately what all that work was for - to have the credentials to stand among peers. I still suffer from being a natural outsider in terms of generating any readership, especially with Taylor Saville having left Substack the other day, she was the first person to really interact with me on here and was a very cool person to chat with. I know you have a very large community on here now, but did you know her at all?

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Once again you painted a deep visual that was experiential Bradley. Powerful. ♾️💜💋

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Thank you, Naketa! I'm so glad the piece resonated with you.

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This is so beautiful 😭😭

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Thank you, Mina! I was really happy with how this one turned out, especially the dialogue aspect of the stanzas.

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wow. I could really feel this deep in my soul. very relatable. beautiful dedication to your partner. 🫶

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Thank you, V! I was really happy with how the poem felt conversational without ruining the flow. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

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you did that perfectly! ❤️‍🩹

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