Pen Fiend
By D.W.
As I sit back
And operate this pen
In my mind
I feel like I’m a pen fiend
Sick with words
Sick with the pen
Whoa! Just had a brain freeze
Right back at it
Like your every day dope addict
Sick, can’t go without it
Got to write about it
In my eyes
I see the light
And only I can see what to write
Every day and night
I think, am I doing what’s right?
This is my life
Some say pray to Christ
But every time I think about it
I am back writin’ with the pen
Sick with so many emotions
And no one to talk to
So who can I turn to
But my pen
I’m just your every day pen fiend
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
Hi DW,
Your poem shows us that your pen helps you layout your emotions in a very beautiful way. If it motivates you to keep on going, then let your friendly pen guide you every day and night, it will not disappoint you. Hope to read more from you. Cheers, Gisela
D.W. – I really enjoyed reading this poem. It has a lighthearted flow to it while also touching on some heavier topics, but the idea of turning to writing as a means of processing emotions and finding strength is clearly outlined in a way that I think likely resonates with many readers. I know spending time writing down what I’m feeling helps me organize my emotions, so I like the idea of considering oneself to be a “pen fiend.” 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This poem flows so beautifully, and I appreciate you sharing a part of yourself. This one really hit me. I hope you keep writing, and I hope to read more of your work!
This is a wonderful piece. It is insightful and eye opening.
Loved this poem! Shows great juxtaposition between the struggle to write and freedom that coming with writing! Great job!
I enjoyed reading the poem because of the writer use of personification and his creativity. The writer helped me realized that any object could be valueble no matter how much the price is. Each object has its unique qualities. Most importantly an object has value depending on how you use it.
Hi DW –
I really like your poem! It has a special flow to it and it almost reminds me of a rapper freestyling. While they’re using their voice, and you’re using your pen, both have that same flow. The only thing I think could possibly make it any better would be if perhaps you stuck to a more cohesive rhyme scheme / stanza length? Great job though.
I love this poem. I like how you compared being a pen fiend to a dope addict. Thank you for sharing this!
I really like the one use of onomatopoeia, it really changes the tone of the poem. I also enjoyed the short words or phrases of each line, it sort of sounded like it had a rhythm to it. Also, love how you expanded on the deep meaning behind a pen because it can really lead to something big if you compare it to something, and compare that to another, and so on.
D.W., I loved reading your poem! I really liked how you describe yourself as “sick with so many emotions” and that you express how a pen has been your tool to face and process these emotions, which never just go away as much as we would like them to! I also appreciate how you compare your experiences with writing with addiction, both of which can involve seeking a “release” of some form. Writing is such a powerful way to confront ourselves, and to be our own witness to our internal struggles. Thank you for sharing your beautiful writing!
Dear DW,
Thank you for sharing your experiences in this poem. I like that it is so focused on one topic, writing and being a “pen fiend,” it is unique and interesting. You extend the subject past simply writing for the sake of writing, you express the sickness associated with it, and you say you “got to write about it.” It is like you are comparing writing to an addiction. It is so powerful that you seem to cling to writing like a lifeline, I hope that it is a way for you to express your important feelings and emotions. I hope the positives outweigh the negatives that push you to write. This poem was also rhythmic, it felt a little like a rap. I am wishing you all the best! The words that you are writing are meaningful.
D.W.,
I love the term “pen fiend”! I feel like it really captures that intense need to write and keep writing when you have so many thoughts and feelings to get out. This poem also has such a fun and unique voice (ex: “Whoa! Just had a brain freeze”). Please keep writing!
Best,
Maya
Wow, I really resonated with this poem. Sometimes I also feel like I cannot talk to anybody so I write about it. It is just amazing to see that I am not the only one to feel this way. I honestly feel like I have a lot of emotions all the time as well, sometimes I wish I didn’t feel all of them all the time. Writing really helps me though and I am glad it helps you too.
Dear DW, nice poem! I am glad you found your outlet! I am still trying to find mine. You writing poems really is a talent! Keep working.
D.W.-
I was so moved by this poem and by what writing means to you. I learned about the Free Minds website in a small group I’m in, where the teacher shared “Pen Fiend” as an example of the way in poetry that everyday objects can become a sort of lifeline. I can’t imagine a better example. Thanks for sharing your work – I hope you never stop writing!
Jill
This has a really amazing flow! I really like the repetition and the use of the different meanings of “sick.” It’s so satisfying to read and it sounds really smooth.
Dear D.W.,
Thank you for sharing this poem. I loved the rhythm, and I am glad to see that you are able to find solace in the pen. I hope you continue writing, and I hope you are doing well.
– Joe
Hi D.W,
I love the rhythm of this poem, I hope that writing is helping you to cope with everything because you are certainly very talented at it!
I love this poem, really shows the power of writing on the mental state.
I really loved the concept of this poem, I feel like a lot of people who are writers gravitate to writing everything down. I loved the lines “ Sick, can’t go without it. Got to write about it” and “ And no one to talk to, So who can I turn to, But my pen.” I feel like a lot of times it’s easier to write about our feelings than talk about them, so people will use writing, whether it’s poems, books, songs, or simply just notes to express how they feel. I also enjoyed how you called it a pen fiend, that’s a really cool and unique idea I’ve never thought about before! I loved this poem, it was great!
Hi!
I love this. I often feel like I can’t express my own concerns or worries through anything but writing. The medium is an amazing outlet for us to express our true feelings without feeling isolated or scorned, or at least to vent to ourselves. Of course, this doesn’t mean there is no one to talk to. There are people out there that love you and that you can talk to. This is great. Keep writing.
Thank you for your poem! We may not be able to talk face to face right now, but there are so many of us who are cheering you on. Your words are so powerful, and I hope you continue to hold them close. The energy of your poem is incredible. Keep on writing!
Hi D.W.
I hope that you’re able to make it through this experience and continue writing. The pen is the most powerful tool in the universe and you’re really good at using it to express yourself. The final lines about not having anyone to talk to are hard to read and so while I hope you get the chance soon to have a heart to heart with someone about how you’re feeling, at the very least I hope you keep writing down your thoughts and feelings whenever you can because they have value and the pen is a tool that can capture a moment forever.
I loved this poem D.W.! This gave me vibes of rap lyrics because it was so catchy. It’s amazing that you found passion in writing and have such a talent to produce poems like this one. It’s not often that people are able to pursue a creative outlet, and I hope that you continue to do so. Keep this up!
D.W.,
I think your poem is great and shows your true love for writing. Writing can be so therapeutic and can be a way to express all of the emotions you are feeling. I hope you keep writing because you are a wonderful writer!
D.W.
My name is Maria Griffin, and I am a second-year student at Wayne State University in Detroit. This semester, I am taking a class whose goal is to engage with the community, beyond the university and corporations.
Your title, “Pen Fiend,” fits perfectly to your poem. The addiction you have to your pen and writing is powerful. I gathered this impression because of the way you compared it to an “everyday dope addict,” and praying to Christ. It is cool how you turn to your pen for help instead of others. I think an addiction to writing is an impressive thing that gets many people through a lot of stuff. So many inside emotions can be spit out through a pen that cannot be spit out in words. Great job D.W. Keep up the good work!
Hi D.W! I love your expression of the addiction to writing, and how you talk about how it provides you an emotional outlet. Writing can be such a powerful and emotional form of self-expression. I’m glad you can seek release and comfort from the pen.
I am a student in a community service course at Wayne State in Detroit whose goal is to engage with the community beyond the university. When I discovered Free Minds I was immediately thrilled to see the connections build around your writings and heart, and what you have to offer is a powerful and beautiful gift to the community. It was a true privilege getting the opportunity to read what is on your heart and mind, your desires and passions, thoughts, and struggles. You have so much to say, so much wisdom to give, and such deep experiences and desires to share with the community that people from all walks of life, backgrounds, beliefs, and ages can deeply connect with and affiliate with. Keep engaging with the community and making your voice heard. You bring healing, hope, and renewal of mind to many who have the privilege to share in your poetry. Your poem is pretty cool, your connection with the pen is insanely written. It is like it is a real person you are describing- someone who is loyal, constant, and will never let you down in a time of need. Thank you for your writing and I hope it continues to serve you as it did for me.
Hey D.W.,
From the title of your poem I already knew it was going to be fire! I love your metaphoric use of having an addiction to writing as one could have an addiction to a substance. As I am a writer myself, I can say that I relate to how you can’t go without picking up your pen to write out whatever is in your most deepest thoughts or a spark of inspiration. Writing is very therapeutic, so it is most certainly the best kind of addiction to have. Most of the time it is best (and much more safe) to write things out because you never know how things may be interpreted when being said verbally to others. Again, loooooooove your poem! Keep writing.
From one pen fiend to another.
Dear DW,
Your poem has so much personality and such a strong voice. I love the wordplay and rhyme. I also relate to the theme of writing as an outlet. I often journal as a way to organize my thoughts and work through anything I’m struggling with. However, I’m not brave enough to make those private writings public, so I’m so impressed with your ability to share your life through the written word. Keep up the amazing writing!
Best,
SS
DW,
This is a sick poem. Very lyrical and rhythmic in structure and well spoken. I am so happy for you that you have found an outlet in writing. It is a great way to express your worries, fears, triumphs, and emotions in general. Continue to “turn to your pen” and use this amazing gift you have as a tool for your mind!
The rhyming in this poem is amazing! My eyes bounce line from line to read for the next. The way it just flows is beautiful. Not only that but your message of love for your work is powerful. How you have so many emotions and don’t know what to do but to write. This is how you get all your thoughts and emotions out and we absolutely love to read whatever you want to express.
It sounds like your pen definitely is helping you through your time and your hardships at the moment and thats amazing you found something that can help you through everything you are going through right now. Always finding a way to relax or forget about your problems at the moment is always a good thing to keep doing, believe me it helps a lot I’ve had to do the same. Amazing work
Dear D.W.
Wow. I really loved your poem “Pen Fiend.” I heard an audio recording of you reading it aloud and as soon as I heard it I knew I wanted to write to you about it. To me, this poem felt like a snapshot inside of your mind, it felt like getting to know you and what the experience of writing has given to you.
One thing I really appreciated about this poem was how literal and straightforward it was. Sometimes when I read poetry I feel it gets too bogged down by metaphorical language, and I really liked how your poem was so upfront about your experiences and how you feel about them. What’s really powerful about this, though, is even though there isn’t a ton of metaphorical language there is still SO MUCH to unpack and analyze. I feel I could spend hours figuring out why you chose to use specific verbs in specific lines. For example, I love how you use the word “sick” throughout your poem, and how it’s used in slightly different ways throughout. First you say you’re “sick with words” and then towards the end you say you’re “sick with emotions.” The way I interpreted this is that you have so much you feel you want to say that it’s ready to just pour out of you at any given moment. Then you say you’re “sick with the pen” and later compare writing to “your everyday dope addict.” I understood this to mean that you now feel like writing is so important to you that it can feel like you need it as much as drug addicts need the drugs they take. There seems to be this overarching theme of sickness, pain, etc. I love how you used the analogy of writing as a way to express your feelings of emotional pain.
I am so curious about the title you chose for this poem, and I wish I could speak with you and know more about what you intended when using the word “fiend.” Here’s how I interpreted it, I wonder how close I am to what your intention was. My thought was maybe how you are finding so much power through writing; you use the pen as an escape and a way to better yourself and express your emotions, but the world still sees you as a “fiend” or someone to be wary of. This would relate back to this overarching theme of pain; it’s like the world sees you as being afflicted with something that needs to be “cured” like a sickness.
Thank you for sharing your poetry. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and analyzing it and I hope you continue to write!
GK
Wow, D.W. That’s so intense and raw! Your words really capture the struggle and the solace you find in writing. It’s like your pen is your lifeline, your way of making sense of everything. Keep pouring your heart out like this; it’s powerful stuff.