Edward Ibeh | + Follow Poet |
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A Gnawing Urge

Meet Otis; drug addict and alcoholic.
            He walks the razor's edge of life daily.
A sad sack of a man bedeviled by stubborn demons.
Swimming against the tide of recovery; crying out for help.

                        Surviving one day at a time;
struggling with addictions threatening to submerge him in a quicksand,
wrestling with harrassing voices in his discombobulated head.

      They keep swirling around him like a noisy, bothersome flies.
            He's pulled into a rabbit hole of temptation
                        everywhere he goes. His gnawing urge...

to drink alcohol growing stronger and stronger at happy hours.
            His addiction to cocaine and heroin is just as potent.
      Each day, he tries his best
                        to stay sober, but can't do it alone.


Submitted for...
Writing Prompts - Fragmented Spaces - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
Theme: sadness in life
Dates posted: 07/29/2021

Copyright © Edward Ibeh | Year Posted 2021

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Constance La France Date: 8/17/2021 8:04:00 AM Edward, congratulations on your win in my Writing Prompt, Fragmented Spaces, using my created form. You made my created form look marvelous, well done, yes, so many crying out for help, great image used also ~Constance Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/17/2021 6:22:00 PM Thank you very much for my placement and the congratulations, Constance:-) Most appreciated.

Bhawana Pant Date: 8/13/2021 11:36:00 PM Congratulations on your win.Lovely.. Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/14/2021 8:46:00 AM Thank you, Bhawana!:-)

Eve Roper Date: 8/13/2021 8:57:00 PM Edward,congratulations on your win in Constance's contest . Hugs Eve Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/14/2021 8:46:00 AM Thank you so much, Eve:-) *Hugs*

Ms Affection Date: 8/13/2021 2:12:00 PM WOW! The struggles of Otis. This was great to read Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/14/2021 8:47:00 AM Thank you so much, MA:-)

Sotto Poet Date: 8/13/2021 11:01:00 AM Edward, congratulations on your well-deserved win. You deserve it with this great poem. The imagery, metaphors, and exquisite poetic lines were very numerous and attractive—best wishes, dear friend. Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/14/2021 8:48:00 AM Thanks so much for the lovely feedback and visit, Lasaad:-) Have a blessed day, my friend!

Sam Kauffman Date: 8/13/2021 10:35:00 AM Congratulations on your win Edward. Addiction has stolen the potential, and lives, of hundreds including Otis. Thank you for articulating the pain of addiction. Blessings. Know that Otis will remain in my prayers. Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/14/2021 8:45:00 AM Thank you very much for your comments and visit, Sam:-) Most obliged.

Christuraj Alex Date: 8/13/2021 8:04:00 AM Otis will be remembered. You have dealt with a very serious problem. Beautiful writing. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 8/13/2021 9:50:00 AM Thank you very much, Christuraj:-) God bless.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/29/2021 8:40:00 PM You have created a marvelous character sketch of Otis. "wrestling with harrassing voices in his discombobulated head." Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 7/29/2021 8:43:00 PM Thank you very much, Caren;-)

John Lawless Date: 7/29/2021 5:40:00 PM Edward, this poem is a perfect definition of the contest theme....Fragmented Spaces..those hours of torment fighting an unwinable battle and being incapable of surrender. Nicely Done. Login to Reply Edward Ibeh Date: 7/29/2021 5:42:00 PM Thank you very much, John:-) I'm glad you liked it.