Cover of The Junkie Who Loved Horses

The Junkie Who Loved Horses

by Sonja de Vries

Poetry June 2020 ISBN 978-1-936628-57-5 122 pages Softcover, 6" x 9"

This book contains beautifully authentic poems by formerly incarcerated men. These poems do not leave the reader indifferent. They teach, surprise, delight, break your heart. We're thankful for the hard work Sonja has put into editing this collection and we're honored to carry it out into the world.

"These poems are raw and unflinching. They are filled with regret and possibility. They pay tribute to those loved and lost and confess their humanity on each and every page. If you need to escape, inside this cake is a saw."—Frank X Walker

From the Book

My life has consisted of stormy dark skies Of fleeting pleasure, of mountains of lies, I seek shelter for the storms never pass, I've been an outsider, always looking through the glass I've been through hell. I've seen it all Again and again, I've taken the fall
But today I'm a phoenix I'll rise through these flames I wear sorrow like diamonds And fight on with grace

What Others Say

These poems are raw and unflinching. They are filled with regret and possibility. They pay tribute to those loved and lost and confess their humanity on each and every page. If you need to escape, inside this cake is a saw.

— Frank X Walker

In The Junkie Who Loved Horses, Sonja de Vries has assembled poems by formerly incarcerated men who are finding a kind of freedom on the page. To that end, this anthology serves as a collective hymn, prismatic in its array of emotions and encounters. From humor to hunger, regret to release, these poets cover the gamut of their lived experiences. The best part about this anthology is its power to surprise. You can't read these poems with any expectations of what you think you know or have seen. Thanks to de Vries's careful stewardship, each voice has its own clout and autonomy. The result is a blend you won't soon forget.

— Bianca X

This is a poetry that is alive. Alive to language and history, alive to all the combustable contradictions of being human and flawed. These are intense, brave poems, brimming with raw power and a rebel sensibility.

— Naomi Wallace

About the Author

Sonja de Vries

Sonja de Vries

Sonja de Vries has worked in the ArtsThrive program for eight years now. She is a published poet, filmmaker and queer social justice activist. She grew up believing in the power of poetry to heal the spirit and mind, but only saw that truly materialize through doing this work with traumatized populations.