And so it begins.

3 poems from my upcoming book.

Photo by jules a. on Unsplash

Hi all!

I want to preface this entry by re-iterating my personal commitment to never pay-walling my Gambling Journey/Recovery story. This is still a position that I staunchly hold; reflected in my primary Substack remaining completely free.

This post is pay-walled as it pertains to my debut poetry book, “A Flat White; Medium, Half Sugar”. This will be a self-published piece, which is on track to be available to purchase from the 1st of July, 2025. Up until that date, I will be continuing to share poems from this collection weekly.

If you’d like to read on, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to this publication. The money that I have made thus far from Substack has gone towards buying the ISBN’s for the two versions of the book; as well as supporting other Indie-Writers both on this platform, or by buying their books. I have also treated myself to a Chicken Parmigiana or two...

If you’d like to read on - and support my poetry work in general - please consider becoming a paid Subscriber. A full year of my poems is only $50AUD (roughly $33USD), and includes a physical copy of my book upon release, sent directly to you via Amazon.

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There is, of course, trepidation in putting some of these poems to print—mainly those in Chapter 1. They are...jagged; written both at a time of great personal distress, and low-levels of Poetic ability.

Yet, the more I reflect on them individually, the more I realise that perhaps they are simply part of the natural artistic process. I have never consider myself an artist, to any degree. Maybe, as a younger person drawing, sure—but not an artist in the sense of free-flowing, self-expression.

And so, these poems remain in the book. Not despite their subjectively lower levels of quality, but because of them. Those Chapter 1 poems are not for friends or family to read and be filled with pride, or see beauty. They’re for those who might be struggling to read, and—if I or they are lucky—feel something.