Self-Respect

You want realities rawest form, you want me to make things clear…
Come live under my skin and feel what is like to be anchored by endless fear.

Come be present in a heart that has felt no lack of love…
For everyone outside of himself as he begs for help from above.

Sadness did not lead me down this road nor did hate…
It was the good and bad that serviced my outcomes through an endless debate.

Yet here I stand with truth flowing freely without a point to prove…
In hopes that it will help you stand up, take charge, and allow your feet to move.

Move away from living in fear and guilt for good…
For you to start to understand happiness in the ways you should.

I hope this poem hits more people than ever before…
I hope this helps you get through addiction, sadness, and that crippling door.

I hope you break through the moments in life that have held that frown…
I hope you realize that your darkness has no right when it comes to keeping you down.

A man who had not faith or belief in hope…
Now speaks hopeful truth through a brand new lens and scope.

Change is here…
It will become very clear…
Once you hit enough bottoms to place your hands on the wheel and steer.