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Open Poetry #47
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Puttin' Down the Spike
| Open Poetry #47 |
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Puttin' Down the Spike |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana 
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This may not be exactly what you meant by sharing some old poems, Margherita, but it's time I put this out. And thanks again for the pep talk. I was too old to start But I did And it killed me More times than I can count Killed me without dying At least five times Three time sitting in a chair Flying Once on the floor In Memphis And once in a cubicle in the Greyhound Bus Terminal Big D When I awoke the spike was Dangling from my arm Stuff and Shinola Happens I got through the sixties' Seventies, too Watched Joplin, Morrison and Hendrix Blow a fuse My own Death, without dying Came in the eighties' Damn Decade of greed They say Who knows I was though Greedy To take that next step To my death without dying I'd settled down Kinda Had a job Kinda AND THEN SHE FLUTTERED HER BABY BLUES! Heck Feme Fatale lying in my bed Whispering Cooing Why don't we do this? We did This Sticking metal rods in my veins And Shooting up cause it's so cool don't you know The good stuff Yes Fun Uh, huh For awhile Then Ugly stuff began to happen Paranoia Ate us Alive Trust was gone We hated to think One of us got a drop of D-O-P-E More than the other Then, You ready for this? She took off with another druggie With a bigger spike And I was dumb enough to think Mine was big enough Now I'm Alone Scared SCARED! Paranoid Uh, huh Getting' the stuff by myself No pad now Nowhere to shoot up Get on the bus Everyone on it is a narc I'm thinking Yank cord Get off Where am I I . . . don't . . . know . . . where . . . I . . . am Mobile, Alabama Esso Service Station No water in sink Draw water from toilet Yessss! From the toilet. Shoot up. Get up. Look in mirror Who is looking back at me? P-a-r-a-n-o-i-d Oh, it's me My God, it's me High as hell Blood streaming from arm Bad veins Butchered Saw myself in my casket Flushed all the dope down the toilet Sat down Cried Like Hell Got up Walked out of that toilet And Found my life. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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| © Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Thank God you woke up...  Wow! I think I saw that movie. Didn't end good for the character. JL  |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
The real thing was worse than the movie, JL, but I survived. Thanks. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
It's a small club, Jer, and it's a bit like surviving a vampire bite, and then learning how to live with that without taking down everybody around ya. living to tell the tale, now that's the thing.  Be well, Jerry. You've got me wincing in the dark memory place today. |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Hah! You about got it right, serenity, but I'm afraid I took some down with me before it all straightened itself out. I look back and chills start in my solar plexus. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
You are so right, dear Jerry, as a survivor of this hell you must speak out and may it help those who still haven't looked into the mirror to find themselves and their lives again. You were meant to live and share your voice, dear Poet. Love, Margherita |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Ah, would that anything someone would say could turn someone away from taking that first step into the demon-driven hell called "shootin' up." It is doubtful, but maybe . . . Who knows? Thanks, Margherita . ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Gotta love ya Jerry! Glad you made it! Lori |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
You're a sweetie, Lori, and I thank you for being one. The world needs them badly. Thanks. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Powerful stuff here, Jerry. I wish my brother could have found his way out. Ida |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I'm sorry for your brother, Ida, it is a vicious circle and some, unfortunately, fall below the escape line. Again, sorry for yuor brother. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Throughout this poem I wanted to destroy the hurt you went through, and embrace you for the courage it took to look into the mirror and walk out. Congratulations Jerry, Ms. E |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I so thank you, Ms. E. I have to admit, that was one scary moment. I also believe that if I hadn't walked out that day the chance to do it again would have never returned. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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naturegirl Member
since 2009-09-30
Posts 168England |
powerful write. I can't pretend to relate to your experiences but I hope you writing this was cathartic & I applaud your honesty. love naturegirl.x |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you very much, naturegirl. This was written a few years back, and yes, it did help me put some demons to rest. Thanks you for being here. ~ Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. ~ |
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Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
"Oh, it's me My God, it's me High as hell Blood streaming from arm Bad veins Butchered Saw myself in my casket Flushed all the dope down the toilet" Fine poetry, raw and true words. Very few people are able to get out this social evil, glad you came out of it, Jerry. "The secret behind survival of mankind is kindness and love within our hearts" |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I hear what you're saying, Prasad, I am one of the fortunate. It just shows that it can be done, it is all a matter of priorities, my friend. ~ I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. ~ |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Jerry...check your mail... This struck a chord...and cord. K |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Okay. ~ I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. ~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I'm so very glad you're here to tell the tale!! |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Me too ~ I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. ~ |
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