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anwaarhassan
Member
since 2003-07-09
Posts 181
Menifee, CA

0 posted 2003-12-12 10:45 AM


The Alcoholic

The Street is his home
A wayside bench his bed
A tattered coat his only blanket
And an arm to pillow his head.

He jolts awake in the early morn,
His body craves for a drink;
A small sip would soothe his nerves
So his mind can clearly think.

Today on the dawn of a new day
He ponders his fate once more
And renews his vow to change his life
As he has many times before.

But he needs a place of quietude
A place where he just might
Seek the advice of many a friend
Who truly understand his plight.

So he shuffles over to the local bar
And waits patiently by the door;
He’ll be the first to walk in
The last to leave the floor.

He staggers in on unsteady feet
Orders a shot of whiskey and rye,
The first of many to come that night
His sustenance to live by.

A soothing balm to the nerves
And its only his first drink;
Such pleasure, Oh such relief
Now at last he can think.

But first he must take account
Of funds he has in store
So he can pace his drinks today
To last the night and more

He spies his friend of yesterday;
Ah! some free drinks will come his way;
They’ll talk of what he must do
Rather than squander his life away.

The night is spent in much earnest talk
Of past and present affairs,
Of things that one cannot change
But none,of what the future bears.

The time is all but gone tonight
Now it’s time to go to bed
It’s time to seek a way-side bench,
Than to think of life instead.


[This message has been edited by anwaarhassan (12-12-2003 10:47 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 Anwaar N. Hassan - All Rights Reserved
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

1 posted 2003-12-12 10:48 AM


boy, this was so sad...I wish no one in the world had to suffer this...no one...God bless all those who have no homes or family to go to...very sad to think about.  
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

2 posted 2003-12-12 10:51 AM


boy, this was so sad...I wish no one in the world had to suffer this...no one...God bless all those who have no homes or family to go to...very sad to think about.  
garysgirl
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Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
3 posted 2003-12-12 11:32 AM


There are so many people who are bound by alchohol.....
my brother being one of them. He was a very devout
Preacher, then he and his wife of 35 years got
a divorce and he turned to alchohol. It is so sad,
and I know nothing to do about it, since he lives many miles up North.

This poem really touched my heart.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hugs
Ethel

Aimster
Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297
Charlotte, NC
4 posted 2003-12-12 01:59 PM


your words touched me. i myself am not
an alcoholic, but my life has touched
many who are. your form and rhyme were
right on target, but it's your emotion
that got to me!
take care.
happy holidays,
amy

"love is like a butterfly--
if you chase it,
it will surely fly away,instead
hold it close and watch it grow into
something beautiful"
~me~

skyshine
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Member Elite
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars
5 posted 2003-12-12 02:20 PM


That's so sad....too many people have to deal with this....thank you Anwaar for sharing their story with us.

~sky

Dreams last for so long, even after you're gone...
~Jewel

dingusjr
Member
since 2003-09-24
Posts 415
Missouri
6 posted 2003-12-12 03:27 PM


Tis sad....but written by a talented poet.
anwaarhassan
Member
since 2003-07-09
Posts 181
Menifee, CA
7 posted 2003-12-12 06:01 PM


Thank you everyone for your comments. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is one of the many plagues that soceity has to deal with. Alcohol and drugs do not descriminate between gender or social standing of an individual since many with secure jobs and families still fall prey to addiction.
Nightshade
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Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
8 posted 2003-12-12 07:31 PM


Today on the dawn of a new day
He ponders his fate once more
And renews his vow to change his life
As he has many times before.

These words really caught my eye. I have dealt with ones whose lives have been plagued by addiction, and it is the first step of change that seems the toughest to take. What a blessing it is to see them grow stronger with each sober day. Well written piece - enjoyed. Chris

"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet."
-Plato



    

bbent
Senior Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 521
Alaska
9 posted 2003-12-12 11:52 PM


Good stuff...an excellent example of that daily cycle lived by alot of addicts.It's sad how alcohol addiction is such a acceptable one when more people die alcohol related deaths yearly then from any other drug.Kudos for posting a so often ignored topic.

Live like it's your last day...
Dance like nobody's watching...
Love like you've never been hurt...

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
10 posted 2003-12-13 12:06 PM


This goes straight to my heart, with today's Denver Post story. A homeless man named Rick was found dead in sub-freezing temps Thursday, near warm and money-filled tall buildings in downtown Denver.  

[This message has been edited by Midnitesun (12-13-2003 09:08 AM).]

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
11 posted 2003-12-13 02:08 PM


I undstand ths more than you know...and not all end up on benches in the cold...yet in truth they are already there.

M

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
12 posted 2003-12-13 02:12 PM


sad but true

this is a touching piece

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