Author's Notes: This particular poem, entitled: "Jukebox Gigolo" is one that I've wanted to write for a while. The character of this poem, "Zack Adams," is a fictional character of my invention. He is somewhat of a composite of a number of personality types I've observed over the years in various bar-room settings during my life experience. Zack, in effect, in my mind's eye is that old style country playboy type who personifies someone way past his prime, deeply and hopelessly alcoholic, and day-by-day and night-by-night giving into the ravages tormenting his mind, body, and soul -- and his very existence as his drinks and smokes himself slowly and methodically to death. Old Zack's earthly punishment, as this type of person, is to continue doing the negative things he's doing toward slowly killing himself, while continuing to be the "joke of the town" and fading away toward a horrible and hopeless oblivion in the end. This is not a pleasant picture, of course, since it's fictionally representative of real-life situations that some people (men and women) find themselves in too late due to life style choices and chronic substance abuse. And so, I wanted to share this deeper view with you, the reader, so you get an understanding of the real message behind this certain character from my artistic perspective. (Gary Bateman, October 7, 2014) (Rhymed Quatrain)
Categories: abuse, addiction, allegory, emotions, hurt, life, lust.