Recovery Through Poetry

The NY Times article featuring Gil Fagiani was exceptionally written – and exposed me to a side of Gil that I didn’t see in person. Two lines that particularly resonated with me were “poetry can affect people in a way that is more powerful than an essay because it stirs up the emotions” & “he understands the thrill and allure that precedes the fall [of drugs], because he saw it in his own life.”

I love to read poetry myself (never write – maybe one day). I usually turn to my poetry books when I don’t want to talk about heavy issues that I’m not able to express in words, but am able to feel it.

In terms of his research, I think he expresses the bitter truth about racial politics in the Bronx. I think Russians, (speaking from experience) too developed a sensitivity about their position in the world like the leftist Italians he was exposed to in the 70s.

Lastly, kudos to Gil for his years of political activism and external work with drug recovery. He sounds like someone I would want to march with and fight “chemical fascism” as he says.