Paul Bell Poet Free verse

Jesus Saves

What came first
The bottle or the glass
The bottle
Seventy percent proof
Thirty percent doubt
That always made her laugh
The proof of doubt
The glass half full
Her life half empty
There was a time
Once upon a time, there was a time
But that was then, and this is now
God, how poetic was she
That deserved a drink
Or maybe three
The neon sign across the road
Jesus saves
It shone a light
Well, it did at night
Which was alright
Cos electricity was really tight
The bottle seemed to disappear
Not a trickle, not a tear
Jesus saves across the road
Shining bright 
In the night
Seventy percent proof
He existed just to say
Thirty percent doubt
She would have laughed
Maybe a tear
But like the bottle
Sadly
She was no longer here.

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Sara Kendrick June 26, 2024 at 8:21 AM I can feel the pain of maybe a spouse or a child or even the parents of this person who has developed a drinking problem. Sad that someone goes the way of the addict. Thanks for sharing the emotion with us. Your visit to my page was delightful. Sara K

Linda Alice Fowler May 27, 2024 at 11:17 AM This is really gut-wrenching with a bit of humor thrown in Paul. Excellent. Congratulations! :) Paul Bell May 27, 2024 at 11:25 AM It is a sad one.

Susan Ashley May 27, 2024 at 9:53 AM Dear Paul, I was captured within the poignant imagery, emotive tone and irony of your poem from title to sad finale. The repetition of "Jesus saves" was impactful in view of what was being lost. An intimate portrait of a woman with a sense of humor, a poetic voice and an addiction that took her away from the narrator. "Seventy percent proof/Thirty percent doubt" - wow! powerful! "The glass half full Her life half empty" - hits my heart with force. A soulful saga so beautifully expressed. Congratulations for your win in Charlotte's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Paul Bell May 27, 2024 at 11:24 AM Many like this woman in the world. Trying, but not quite making it.

Charlotte Puddifoot May 27, 2024 at 5:13 AM have you been peeping through my window? lol joking aside, a sad scene and sobering message, but delivered with your customary touch of dark humour, and punchy rhyme to drive home the poem - congrats on your win in my contest! Paul Bell May 27, 2024 at 11:21 AM Here's me thinking the title would have thrown you. Is that my street cred up now. You still got the blue curtains. lol