About
52connect.org
52connect mission statement
Why does this website exist?
Addiction and poetry. There, I said it. With that out of the way, we can get to the easy part. For me, the easy part means crafting a collection of poems, musings, essays, whatever. And by craft, I mean write a collection of poems, then publish it in a hardcopy paper reader.
Hardcopy? Paper? What the heck? This is twenty twenty something?
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Well. Yes, it is twenty twenty something, but my own experience tells me there is a need and benefit for hardcopy books in the world of addiction and addiction recovery… and for everyone else, but that’s an even longer story. I can explain this crazy little theory of mine, so I’ll start with the paper hardcopy part. And it’s not that a paper book is so great, it’s that all the alternatives are so dammed shitty. Stone tablets are heavy, papyrus is expensive and smartphones are a lousy way to start a day. Don’t get me wrong, smartphones are great, but folks dealing with addiction and recovery should avoid smartphones as much as possible, especially when starting or ending the day.
I believe a contemplative poetry reading is a great way to start or end a day of recovery, and I also believe that is best accomplished on something other than a smartphone. (Amazon gave me a price on what it would cost to publish on papyrus or stone tablets and I have decided to go with an actual paper book.)
Now for the hard part. I’ve got to finish my collection of 52 poems and that’s where the rest of the world comes in. As a writer I have learned the value of workshopping my poetry with other writers and potential readers. Every addiction journey is different and I don’t have everyone’s story in me. So, I’m asking for help here.
And why 52, you may ask? Because 365 sounds like way too many poems for this guy. I envision a desk or bedside table book, which will contain an aptly and terribly named Poem Of The Week, slightly akin to reading a weekly newspaper column.
So, there it is folks. I hope to hear from everyone about the poems I am working on, poem ideas I blog about and selected works I’ve already completed.
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One of the things I’ve learned in addiction recovery is the importance of asking for help. I’ve also learned nothing works in isolation, not even that brooding artist schtick.
Please join me as I craft Fifty Two. I'd like to hear everyone's input at jdkashman@52connect.org, or join me on Instagram