I really liked how this slowly reveals itself. At first it feels personal, almost like a relationship, but then it becomes something much larger, the quiet pull of addiction in whatever form it takes. The line “I need to listen and do whatever you say” gave me chills. It’s unsettling because it feels so familiar. Powerful writing. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you. Glad my layering comes through. The poem explores addictive behaviour in its various forms including toxic relationships that we cannot let go of.
https://pattismith.substack.com/p/the-acolyte?r=2u1ui2&utm_medium=ios. Here is something to listen to
I see this in our culture the speaker isn’t choosing freely “for pleasure”—they’re trapped in a learned, cyclical surrender.
Yes. I understand that framing. I don’t think this is “pleasure” as much as it is momentary release. An avoidance of truth.
Is it the behavior isn’t satisfying in a deep or honest way; it mainly numbs or distracts so you don’t have to face something.
I really liked how this slowly reveals itself. At first it feels personal, almost like a relationship, but then it becomes something much larger, the quiet pull of addiction in whatever form it takes. The line “I need to listen and do whatever you say” gave me chills. It’s unsettling because it feels so familiar. Powerful writing. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you. Glad my layering comes through. The poem explores addictive behaviour in its various forms including toxic relationships that we cannot let go of.