Congratulations to Kathleen Bryson, joint winner of Adfam’s Family Voices Competition 2025, with her moving entry “Not a Piece of Cake”.
Family Voices is Adfam’s annual poetry and creative writing competition for anyone with lived experience of a family member’s substance use or gambling. The competition provides an opportunity for family members to share their story and creatively express their thoughts and feelings.
Adfam Ambassador Deidre Sanders reads Kathleen’s winning entry at Adfam’s Carol Concert on 17th December 2025
You can read Kathleen’s winning entry below:
NOT A PIECE OF CAKE, by Kathleen Bryson
Do you want a cup of coffee, do you want a piece of cake,
I really don’t have much time, as I am running late,
you look at me with eyes so blue, the colour of the sky,
and I can see it in your face, I know you’re going to cry,
I reach across the table and take hold of your hand,
to see you looking so upset, is something I can’t stand,
you say mum I need to tell you, there’s something you should know,
Mum please do not be angry, I hate to hurt you so,
I look at you and tell you of course I won’t be mad,
and you can tell me anything, I hate to see you sad,
you look across the café, you look the other way,
and all I hear is thunder when I hear the words you say,
you say you’ve got a problem, but it will be okay,
as you are really trying to stop, and you will find a way,
the service that you’re using has told you to tell me,
and I will beat this problem mum, just you wait and see,
I look across the table, you haven’t ate your cake,
and now I’m really looking, I don’t care that I am late.
my daughter who I’m looking at she looks so pale and thin,
and now I know the reason, she’s using heroin.