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The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
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Home - Guilty Prayer by Steve Henn: A Profound Exploration of Poetry Through the Lens of Addiction
#QUITLIT

Guilty Prayer by Steve Henn: A Profound Exploration of Poetry Through the Lens of Addiction

Alysse BrysonBy Alysse BrysonAugust 6, 20233 Mins Read
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Guilty Prayer, a collection of poems by Steve Henn, may be short in length, with only 40 pages, but its message is anything but small. Initially apprehensive when approached to review this book due to my limited knowledge of poetry, I was captivated by Henn’s writing and deeply moved by the themes he delved into.

The poems within Guilty Prayer are imbued with raw emotion, skillfully expressing pain, religious introspection, suicide, and the gripping clutches of addiction. Carrying the book everywhere in my MTV sequined handbag, I began to follow Henn on Instagram (@indiana_sad_man), intrigued by the insights he shared.

Grief & Loss

One recurring theme that struck me profoundly was the exploration of grief and loss. Coincidentally, shortly after receiving the book, I found myself attending several funerals. The correlation was not lost on me, and I came to realize that in sobriety, we often encounter life’s harsh realities head-on, leading to a greater understanding of loss.

Hann’s contemplations on our collective obsession with mindless internet humor and using humor as a defense mechanism to cope with life’s challenges resonated deeply with me during this period of grief. His words made me feel understood and normalized the emotions I was experiencing.

In conclusion, Guilty Prayer is a powerful and poignant collection of poems that dives fearlessly into the depths of human emotion, addiction, and spirituality. Steve Henn’s ability to convey complex emotions through his writing is commendable, making this book a thought-provoking and enriching read for anyone seeking to explore poetry through the eyes of addiction.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HIS BOOKS

About Steve Henn

Steve Henn teaches high school English in northern Indiana. His previous books include Guilty Prayer (Main Street Rag, 2021) and Indiana Noble Sad Man of the Year (Wolfson, 2017). He’s proud of the children of himself and the late American artist Lydia Henn. He roots for the Fighting Irish, played high school soccer, and gives poetry readings in all kinds of places, from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee to Long Beach, travel conditions and money conditions and time permitting. His most recent collection is the chapbook American Male from Main Street Rag (2022). His favorite food is crab cakes, which are also a unit of value measurement for anything in the world (this website = 37 crab cakes).


Speak Out Speak Loud

SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! at The Sober Curator is a celebration of authentic voices in recoveryโ€”echoing Madonnaโ€™s call to โ€œExpress yourself!โ€ Here, readers and contributors take the spotlight, sharing transformative sobriety journeys, creative talents, and new avenues of self-expression discovered along the way. Through videos, poems, art, essays, opinion pieces, and music, we break the silence that often surrounds addiction, replacing it with connection, hope, and inspiration.

Your story mattersโ€”and we want to hear it. Submit your work to thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on social media.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in the Speak Out! Speak Loud! Section are solely the opinions of the contributing author of each individual published article and do not reflect the views of The Sober Curator, their respective affiliates, or the companies with which The Sober Curator is affiliated.

The Speak Out! Speak Loud! posts are based upon information the contributing author considers reliable. Still, neither The Sober Curator nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such.


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Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

#QUITLIT: This is our curated list of addiction and recovery book reviews. All Sober Curators should be well-read, from addiction and recovery memoirs to fiction and self-help. You can also find us on Goodreads here. 

Whatโ€™s on your nightstand? We want to hear about what youโ€™re reading and the addiction and recovery books you canโ€™t live without. Please email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com

A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!

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If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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Alysse Bryson
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Alysse Bryson is a strong woman in recovery, an innovative media maven, marketing guru, and gal about town. "I'm just a laid-back old school Seattlite...with sober superpowers. You can take the girl out of the party, but you can't take the party out of the girl."

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BigVision Recovery Horror Film Reading
October 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Recovery Horror Film Reading

BigVision 309 Social Club 309 East 49th Street @ 2nd Ave, New York
$15.00
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Hill Country RV Resort and Event Center 17740 Texas 16, Medina
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Planted Cafe 333 Smith Street, Brooklyn
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Hill Country RV Resort and Event Center 17740 Texas 16, Medina
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October 25 @ 9:00 am - November 1 @ 5:00 pm PDT

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$4000 โ€“ $5000
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October 25 @ 5:00 am - 9:00 am PDT

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Pier 76 Hudson River Park 408 12th Avenue, New York
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Goodman Community Center - Iron Works 149 Waubesa Street, Madison
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October 25 @ 5:00 am - November 2 @ 2:00 pm PDT

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Antigua 12 Sober Travel Retreat

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MACHU PICCHU | Capsule Adventures Our journey blends the culture and cuisine of Cusco with the legendary Salkantay Trail, culminating at the Incan masterpiece of Machu Picchu. Trek through shifting

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Antigua 12 Sober Travel Retreat

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Antigua 12 Sober Travel Retreat

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antiqua If youโ€™re in recoveryโ€”whether newly sober or years into your journeyโ€”and ready to reconnect with your purpose, build meaningful connections, and embrace a life

$4000 โ€“ $5000
October 23 @ 2:00 pm - October 26 @ 10:00 am <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

15th Annual Texas Serenity Run 2025

October 25 @ 5:00 am - November 2 @ 2:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

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Antigua 12 Sober Travel Retreat

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BigVision Recovery Horror Film Reading Step into the shadows for a spine-chilling evening at the 309 Social Club. Join us for a live reading ofย In The Ghost Light, a recovery-themed

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October 23, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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October 23 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

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October 25, 2025 11:00 am - 6:30 pm
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