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Girl On the Moon

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January 9, 2023

*Miller High Life: also known as the Champagne of Beers is a classic, American- style lager created in 1903 by Frederick Miller.

**Girl On The Moon: an advertising image for Miller brewing Co. The Girl On The Moon is a century-old image with an innocent and fun appeal found on vintage Miller Beer bottle caps.

***bottle caps are sometimes used by people who abuse heroin to hold and cook their shot when a spoon is unavailable.

Poet’s note: This poem is not autobiographical, but the portrayal of the person who uses opioids could be anyone’s wife/husband, mother/father, sister/brother, friend, co-worker, neighbor, acquaintance. My poem is expressed from a place of empathy for anyone dependent on heroin and for the pain and sorrow of their tragic human experience.

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The Miller High Life bottle cap a perfect circle – like the fattened moon face leering through broken windows — shards glitter the floor like fallen constellations your black pearl eyes two muddy puddles life drained through rows of tiny needle holes slip-knot above your elbow just tight enough your pulse beats its fist against the restraint — or maybe it’s pounding the table inpatient to be fed you and this dragon’s den a dilapidated pair abandoned and without family you share the blank stare of broken windows veins collapsed like crumbled staircases — empty inside of empathy and dreams.. a junkie’s spot where shooting stars crash embers in your bloodstream turned to dust elusive euphoria cooked in a bottle cap by candlelight the candle’s glow your Sun in a dirty universe with your teeth you pull back on the syringe this house unused by the living – a cold corpse but in the warm rush of your skin’s flush your gaunt gray body melts like hot wax pale horsehair walls a slouchy silent witness... your soul escapes as it scrapes across the floor flurries sneak through broken windows a swirl of wind whistles on its rounds rattling rooms as it kicks around the litter of life ironic bottle cap and burnt fingertips —all you have left

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Bill Baker

Date: 12/11/2023 9:55:00 PM

What an exceptionally clear picture your poetry paints, Suze. Hard to believe you know of this life so explicitly. It is a tragic existence, barely life at all. The introduction information was interesting and helpful, it enhanced the reading experience. Thanks for sharing this important information, I pray it will be of help to some lost soul or a caregiver. Have a pleasant week, my dear friend. Hugs, Bill

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/13/2023 6:26:00 PM

Dear Bill, this poem and its companion poem Girl With The Black Pearl Eyes seemed to just come to me from somewhere out of the blue. The verses just flowed as if being dictated to me from beyond the veil. My daughter is a psychologist who councils addicts and she read my poem in one of her groups and said her patients were amazed that I was never a user.. isn't that crazy? I think the muse has wisdom your intellect isn't aware of. My heart goes out to people afflicted with the disease of addiction. Thank you for your gracious visit and kind words my inspiring friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Suze

Robert Lindley

Date: 9/21/2023 3:56:00 PM

My friend, this is truly a dark exceptional new creation. Your fine verses sing out to this old poet's heart. a glistening jewel and a fine fav for me. God bless you

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/22/2023 7:35:00 AM

Also, I love your poet's note too. God bless..

Robert Lindley
Date: 9/22/2023 7:34:00 AM

My friend, your poem inspired me , I am working on a new dark poem. God bless you.

Susan Ashley
Date: 9/22/2023 7:10:00 AM

My dear friend, thank you for spending time with this harrowing poem depicting the irony and agony of drug addiction. I truly appreciate your thoughtful comments, Robert, and the honor of your fav. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 1/20/2023 12:04:00 AM

This poem is sad, no country can honestly say that their population is exempt from this horrid addiction, people are labelled and cannot shake off this scourge, this affliction which grips them holistically and renders them useless to society and 9 times out of ten kills them. A wonderful brilliant poem written with your breathtaking enormous poetic talent and eloquent style. Blessings by the score dearest Susan, my poetry sis and may 2023 be a year of health and happiness. Love and hugs Jenny

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/22/2023 8:08:00 AM

Dearest Jennifer, my lovely poetry sis, indeed the use of illegal drugs, are unfortunately, everywhere around the world. The tragic toll taken on affected users, their families and society is incalculable. The antidote is continued access to drug treatment facilities and a sense of compassion to make available a space for positive change to occur. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for sharing your treasured thoughts. The honor of your friendship and sistership is held in the depths of my appreciative heart. Warmest wishes, love and hugs sent to you, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Sara Kendrick

Date: 1/19/2023 3:12:00 AM

Very descriptive, emotive and expressive lines you have penned in this one. I feel for anyone addicted and the families that have to deal with the addict. Sad that the illegal drugs can't stopped. It would be a better world without them. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/22/2023 7:50:00 AM

Dear Sara, I agree, it would be a better world without illegal drug trafficking. Your compassionate heart shines in the tender tone of your comments. Thank you, Sara, for sharing your treasured thoughts with me. You're welcome for my visit to your page, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Panagiota Romios

Date: 1/19/2023 12:53:00 AM

A incredible work, such marvelous talent,Susan. I remember those bottle caps! I also worked with alcoholics in LockWards in Chicago Hospitals. The dual addictions of alcohol plus drugs are anathema. But, people do not understand, That God must be in the picture!Many do recover, some do not. These days it’s addiction to food, the same steps used in AA are applicable to both addictions, all addictions are life out of control. Including addiction to sex and gambling,I pray for all these.PR~

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/22/2023 7:56:00 AM

Dear Pangie, the beauty of your faith and empathy shines in the depth of your tender thoughts. What wonderful work you've done to help people who abuse alcohol and drugs. I agree there can be an addiction to anything that is abused in excess. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Your insightful comments are cherished and received with gratitude. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Timothy Ray

Date: 1/13/2023 12:19:00 PM

i struggle with the content, not the craft dear colleague...i counseled psychiatric disorders/substance abuse, only men, only alcohol/prescription drugs...this area never entered my world dear colleague...excellent execution line by line...blessings this day upon you and yours

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/13/2023 4:52:00 PM

Dear Timothy, it's a delight to see you! I'm honored to receive your visit and I revel in your heartfelt thoughts. I imagine you to have been an excellent and compassionate counselor for those in need, I'm sure you served them very well indeed. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. The beauty of your empathy shines not only in your comments but in your tender poetry as well. Thank you, my dear friend. Warmest wishes for a healthy and happy new year.. ~Susan

Paul Callus

Date: 1/12/2023 4:21:00 AM

This is an excellent sequel to your previous poem on the same theme, "The Girl With The Black Pearl Eyes", Susan. In my childhood days we collected bottle tops as a hobby; a pity their use now includes drug taking. ~ Thank you for the footnotes which gave me a helping hand. ~ Warm regards and hugs, my friend // paul

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/13/2023 8:08:00 AM

Dear Paul, it is a delight to see you! I'm so glad to know you think highly of this sequel to "The Girl With The Black Pearl Eyes". Both you poetic and personal insights are cherished. I remember kids having bottle cap collections too when I was young.. I was always amazed by the artwork and the amount of information a small bottle cap could convey. Thank you for sharing your time with my poem. Your precious thoughts are held in my deepest appreciation. Warmest wishes and hugs, my friend.. ~Susan

Brian Sambourne

Date: 1/11/2023 7:32:00 AM

"Girl On the Moon" powerfully reveals how addiction crushes life. It alters perception, relationships, inner peace, motivation + so much more. Your poem, Susan, captures the addict in her decay - the "gaunt gray body" - memorable + tragic. A posting valued for its all too stark reality. Be well. Brian

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/13/2023 7:51:00 AM

Dear Brian, your gracious visit and precious thoughts are treasured. Indeed, drug addiction "crushes life" and is a tragedy for the user and their family and friends. The feelings of loss and helplessness must be overwhelming. Thank you, for your insightful and poignant comments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Joanna Daniel

Date: 1/11/2023 6:38:00 AM

Such brokenness painfully portrayed through your astounding poetry, Susan, brilliant:)

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/13/2023 7:44:00 AM

Dear Jo, thank you for your gracious visit and for your heartfelt comments. Your compassionate words convey your sincere and tender spirit. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ann Foster

Date: 1/10/2023 8:42:00 AM

The blank stare of broken windows... So beautiful written... cold and warm and serious, profound... Ann

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/10/2023 8:39:00 PM

Dear Ann, your visit is received with gratitude as are your precious thoughts. Thank you, for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Warmest wishes for a happy new year.. ~Susan

Michael Tor

Date: 1/9/2023 5:54:00 PM

Heartfelt read Susan you have painted a scenerio that hits home in todays society. A dark world that you so eloquently shared. Love this piece. Thanks for sharing...

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/9/2023 6:10:00 PM

Hi Michael, it’s wonderful to see you! Thank you for sharing your time with this poem and for sharing your thoughts with me. I’m so glad that it resonated with you. Your kindness and compassionate shines, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy new year to you and yours.. ~Susan

Vijay Pandit

Date: 1/9/2023 1:57:00 PM

Another brilliant write, Susan, on the plight of addicts whose lives are wasted away or as you so ably describe:--leering through broken windows — shards glitter the floor like fallen constellations... Kudos my friend for highlighting the ills lurking in society. A definite FAVE from me for your poetic brilliance.

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/9/2023 4:05:00 PM

Dear Vijay, your compassionate response to the social ills depicted in my poem is touching. The beauty of your empathy shines, my friend. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. The honor of your friendship and fave are deeply appreciated. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ann Peck

Date: 1/9/2023 11:10:00 AM

Dear Susan, A wonderful, sad poem you paint of a life wasted. Yet, what can we do if they don't want to quit? I hear of it daily about a friend's nephew--64. Too old to change, I guess. It's a terrible problem our country has. Thank you for speaking of it.

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/9/2023 11:29:00 AM

Dear Ann, thank you for the delight of your visit and for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. I feel your turmoil, and yes, it is a terrible problem for our country and for the people caught in the vicious cycle of drug abuse. Their families and friends suffer too. The only antidote is continued access to drug treatment facilities and a sense of compassion to make available a space for positive change to occur. I'm sorry to hear about your friend's nephew.. but I feel that so long as there is breath and a heartbeat in his body there is hope for him to get clean.. and I pray that he does. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan