Battling Addiction

You  told
               me  once  
               about the
               R e l i e f:
               the  f o g,
               that haze
               of apathy
               that  veils
               the  mind,
               b l urri n g
               the  edges
              of your pain. 
             Can  you  feel
          anything  at all? I  
        watch you drink your 
      life  away, far too many 
     moments  lost,  forgotten
    in that  h a z e. I watch as
   you   f e e d   your  disease, 
   suck yourself dry before you
   suck  me  dry,  draining  me 
   like  one of  your bottles, till
   I'm empty inside. But I can't
   wait around for you to  snap,
   to throw me against the wall.
   I won't  shatter  like a bottle. 
   I won't  burst  in a mosaic of 
   glass  and  light.  You cannot 
   b r e a k   someone   who  is
   already b r o k e n. You can't 
   fix someone with  s l u r r ed 
   apologies  or  promises  that 
   smell  like  stale   alcohol.  I
   can't  be  there  to  drown at 
   the  bottom  of  your   bottle. 
   I’m done  with  rock  bottom.


  For Anne's "Battling Addiction" contest
  Placed: 1st
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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12
Ludovice Avatar
March 8, 2021 at 10:40 AM
So beautiful! Courage!
Levasseur Avatar
December 27, 2020 at 8:56 AM
Phenomenally well done.
Watt Avatar
July 14, 2020 at 3:02 PM
This is amazing poetry, Heather. I was captivated by the shape, so carefully and perfectly rendered. The words are powerful and have the ring of authenticity. Strong lines: "draining me / like one of your bottles, till / I'm empty inside" and "promises that / smell like stale alcohol". Just awesome... going in my faves ~ John
Martin Avatar
April 11, 2013 at 1:10 AM
Excellent poem. Love the shape. You deserve your 1st. place.
Zerbst Avatar
March 19, 2013 at 8:57 AM
I find this poem sad, but not overly depressing; a fine line that takes skill to achieve. It is one of the best-looking shapes I have ever seen.
Jordan Avatar
March 13, 2013 at 10:13 PM
I commented on this earlier, then found myself telling numerous non-soupers about it. It's really a marvelous piece, and deserves the win. Jack
Martin Avatar
March 12, 2013 at 6:28 PM
Beautiful physical shape and highly effective and powerful powerful words. This poems shines like a blade, you deserved this win tenfold.
A   Avatar
March 10, 2013 at 9:04 PM
HEATHER, :-) CONGRATULATIONS in Anne's "Battling Addiction" contest.. I think very highly of Miss Anne, take care~ LINDA
Sister Avatar
March 9, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Great great great.
Essence Avatar
March 9, 2013 at 3:43 PM
Fantastic!! Congrats are your win!! :)
The Gypsy King Avatar
March 9, 2013 at 6:47 AM
Cool
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
March 9, 2013 at 5:49 AM
Congratulations heather a superb write and shape well done xx
Dietrich Avatar
March 9, 2013 at 1:06 AM
oh yes, I remember this superlative poem!!! Congrats on your well deserved win.
Lamoureux Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 8:12 PM
I think I should open a psychic hot line, after all I did predict a first place finish, ha ha ha. Mind you with your skill it was an easy prediction to make.
Lamoureux Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 8:09 PM
Without a doubt my hands down favorite. I am so in awe of your talent.
Ryerson Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 3:24 PM
'You cannot break someone who is already broken'...favorite line of many... EXTREMELY effective and compelling using the 'rock bottom' line as the last and bottom line...Whew! - Tim
Gasun Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Excellent poem and form my dear friend Heather! I like it! Big big congratulations on your well-deserved super win! love/hugs, Leonora
Hunter Avatar
March 8, 2013 at 6:31 AM
Yep...I knew it was gonna be up there...top spot! Go Heather!
Akinwande Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 10:32 PM
Congrats Anne... You deserve the win... :)
Dillard Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 8:07 PM
Tonight the bottle took you to the top! Great shap and content. RAY
Jones Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Congratulations heather. Great win!
May Avatar
March 7, 2013 at 6:41 PM
congrats on a great win Heather
Jordan Avatar
March 5, 2013 at 9:24 PM
I've returned to this poem several times, never failing to be taken into the clarity, honesty and bravery of your words. They seem barely contained by the form. On first reading I didn't understand the need for the concrete poetic form. However, upon reading it again, I came to realize how important the form is to the power of the writing. Thank you for sharing and trusting. Jack
Jordan Avatar
March 4, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Very powerful writing! Thanks for putting it into words. J
Hunter Avatar
February 26, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Ok...this is awesome. Not everyone can pull off a shape or concrete poem. You nailed it. I'll be surprised to not see it near the top of the winner's list....just great
12
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