young, dumb & addicted
by Jawn Van Jacobs
i’m young, dumb & addicted
don’t even try to fix me –
i don’t want an intervention
just give me the next best thing
a coke to meth downgrade
smoking, now injecting –
tomorrow i could fly high
or be listed in the local obituaries
cause each hit is like a rapture
turnin allies to crystal stairs –
i got angels in my vision,
turpentine in my veins
if i live to see morning
by miracle, i’ll fall to my knees –
still young, still dumb, but praying
to one day not know my own face
What draws you to poetry? What are your poetic muses?
Poetry, for me, is a natural extension of my love for music. During my teenage years, I found myself drawn to writing lyrics, although singing wasn't my forte. Nevertheless, I was captivated by the power of words and their ability to touch people’s lives. This fascination eventually led me to explore poetry. It's a quiet passion, yet it has the remarkable ability to speak volumes. Life often presents challenges that can tear us apart, but I believe that poetry possesses the unique ability to put people back together.
Many of your poems include working class or counterculture type characters. What draws you to this archetype?
The inclusion of working-class or counterculture characters in many of my poems stems from my own upbringing and life experiences. My childhood was marked by adversity, with both of my parents facing challenges related to disability, addiction, and mental illness. Growing up in such an environment, I realized early on that my experiences were radically different from those of many others. Despite the hardships we faced, I found our life to be intriguing and rich with lessons.
Through my poetry, I aim to shed light on the resilience and complexity of individuals who often go unnoticed or are marginalized by society. I believe that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, possesses inherent worth and is capable of both good and bad. My poems serve as a reminder that a person's socioeconomic status or life struggles do not define their character or diminish their capacity for kindness.
Additionally, I utilize these characters and their narratives as cautionary tales, offering insights into the consequences of certain choices and behaviors. By sharing these perspectives, I hope to provide guidance and inspire reflection on the paths one chooses in life, ultimately striving to encourage others to pursue happiness and fulfillment through positive means.
You mentioned at a recent reading that Bruce Springsteen is one of your influences. Can you tell us a little bit more about how The Boss inspires you?
Bruce Springsteen's influence on my work stems from the raw, unfiltered honesty present in his lyrics. Much like Springsteen, I adopt a "No BS" approach to my poetry, believing that genuine connections can only be forged through authenticity and truthfulness. His ability to capture the essence of everyday struggles and triumphs resonates deeply with me, and I aspire to infuse my own writing with a similar sense of realism and sincerity.
As a fellow Catholic-raised Jersey boy, I feel a strong sense of kinship with The Boss. His portrayal of working-class life and the human experience strikes a chord with me, reflecting aspects of my own background and upbringing. Springsteen's music serves as a source of inspiration and validation, reminding me of the power of storytelling and the importance of staying true to one's roots.
Do you have any particular writing habits? What moves you from all-possible blank page to finished piece?
Consistency is key to my writing process, as I endeavor to write every day, even if it's just a few lines scribbled in a journal. I find that keeping a journal close at hand ensures that I'm ready to capture fleeting moments of inspiration whenever they arise. Additionally, the notes app on my phone serves as a convenient tool for jotting down ideas on the go.
When I encounter writer's block or feel stuck in the creative process, I often seek solace in nature. As Emily Dickinson eloquently put it, "Nature is what we know – yet have not the art to say." Nature has a way of inspiring reflection and introspection, providing the perfect backdrop for observation and contemplation. Whether it's the serene beauty of a forest or the rhythmic crashing of waves by the sea, immersing myself in nature allows me to reconnect with my innermost thoughts and find clarity in my writing. As a poet, I consider myself a professional observer, and nature offers me the tranquil space to observe both the world around me and the depths of my own soul.
Tell us a little bit about your current project!
As an MA in Writing student at Rowan, we must produce a book-length project by the time that we graduate. My project is a poetry collection titled Edge of the Ave, a gritty, lyrical poetic explosion about trying to achieve freedom within the heteronormative, white-picket confines of lower-middle-class small-town suburbia. This collection follows the life and death of the poetic persona Jawn Van Jacobs, an outlaw on the outskirts of suburbia who lives by the mantra of James Dean: live fast, die young, leave a good-looking corpse. Jawn, more assertive than his creator, says what others are afraid to say about the hard truths of growing up as a boy who likes other boys. While not for the faint of heart, this collection not only celebrates youthful and queer rebellion but also depicts the consequences of when it goes too far, thrusting readers unapologetically into the dark street corners of the Edge of the Ave.
Where can readers find more of your work? Keep up with your writing?
Readers can discover more of my work on my Instagram page, where I share my poetry under the handle @jawnvanjacobs. Additionally, one of my poems titled "the remembering tree" was recently published in Issue 3 of Cool Beans Lit. Keep an eye on my Instagram for updates and new releases!
Jawn Van Jacobs is a spitfire South Jersey poet who lets loose on the page with unapologetic passion. His poetry has appeared in Cool Beans Lit and Beyond Queer Words, where he fearlessly explores the gritty, untamed stories of outlaws and outsiders. Through his work, Jawn sheds light on the lives and viewpoints of those often marginalized by society, painting portraits of the human experience beyond the mainstream.
John Wojtowicz grew up working on his family’s azalea and rhododendron nursery in the backwoods of what Ginsberg dubbed “nowhere Zen New Jersey.” Currently, he works as a licensed clinical social worker and adjunct professor. He has been featured on Rowan University’s Writer’s Roundtable on 89.7 WGLS-FM and several of his poems were chosen to be exhibited in Princeton University's 2021 Unique Minds: Creative Voices art show at the Lewis Center for the Arts. He has been nominated 3x for a Pushcart Prize and serves as the Local Lyrics contributor for The Mad Poets Society Blog. His debut chapbook Roadside Oddities: A Poetic Guide to American Oddities was released in early 2022 and can be purchased at www.johnwojtowicz.com. John lives with his wife and two children in Upper Deerfield, NJ.