
We were caught in the rapture of it all,
our youth, a wild unwritten thing –
holding hands and running up the street,
laughter spilling out of us like a river,
dancing in an old warehouse, lights dim,
with our friends and promises flying like sparks in the air.
we swore, didn’t we, that even if the world stopped,
we’d keep spinning?
You were the thoughtful one,
always remembering the little things—
the way the sky blushed at dusk,
the name of every song we danced to,
the exact shade of my favorite flower.
I was the dreamer,
with visions of a bungalow by the sea,
where you could write your quiet words
and I could pick daisies and buttercups,
weaving them into crowns for us—
crowning our naivety with blooms,
as if we could wrap ourselves in all the loveliness
and stay untouched by the world’s sharp edges.
We were besotted with it all,
gobsmacked by the sheer aliveness,
the brambles at our feet, the tendrils of youth curling around us
like a first kiss,
all golden knowing and none at all,
believing in the magic of it—
that nothing could break us,
that we could weave through the wilds unscathed.
But the crowns were fragile, weren’t they?
We wove them anyway,
daring the world to bruise us,
thinking we could outdream it.

SOBER POETRY: This corner of the site offers a space where recovery and creativity meet. It features heartfelt verses that capture the emotions of sobriety. Written by various Sober Curator Contributors and readers about their recovery journeys, these poems provide inspiration, healing, and reflection for readers seeking solace and connection.
Do you have a sober poem you’d love to submit? Please email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com.

THIRSTY FOR WONDER: Anne Marie Cribben is a passionate recovery coach and spiritual companion based in Washington, DC. As the founder of Thirsty For Wonder, she offers 1:1 coaching, spiritual companionship, and recovery support rooted in compassion and empowerment. Creator of The Wellspring: A Celtic Recovery Journey, Anne Marie blends the Celtic calendar with sobriety, connecting participants to ancient wisdom and nature’s rhythms. A fierce advocate for sobriety as liberation and self-love, Anne Marie challenges the targeted marketing of alcohol to women and promotes authentic, joyful living. Her approach goes beyond addiction recovery, fostering a life of vibrancy and fulfillment.
In her personal life, Anne Marie enjoys baking, cooking, poetry, being a Swiftie, weight lifting, reading, embroidery, and creating mocktails. She treasures time with friends and embraces creativity in all forms.

Resources Are Available
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.
