Poem: True 'Til Death

Hi guys. I recently made the decision to be straightedge, not to fit in with anything, but because I believe that it is the right choice for me. I have never been attracted to all the hedonism and excess exhibited by people in my age group (late teens-early twenties) who place so much importance on partying every friday, saturday, and sunday night. It's not for me. I don't need these toxins in my body for the sake of doing what all these other people consider to be "fun". Here's a poem I wrote about my decision.

True ‘Til Death

I reject the joint,

The syringe,

The bottle,

And the pill.

I am straightedge.

True ‘til death.

They ask me with grins on their faces,

amused and condescending.

“So, you’re Straightedge?”

“What do you do then?”

What do I do?

I walk through the fiery trials of life

without having to use a crutch.

I can go to a party

and enter the next day unscathed.

I can face a crisis as mountainous as a bull elephant,

stress contorting my body,

with uncertainty insurmountable

and pull through without resorting to the poisons that took down my uncle,

my cousin,

and my grandfather.

I see each day for what it really is,

not through a synthetic lens.

I live in the moment

not in a hazy alternate reality.

I create while you destroy.

I prosper while you burn.

And I feed from your decay.

I stay high,

not from the herb

but in the mind.

I am straightedge.

True ‘til death