Constant chaos, endless drama and continuous troubles,
she‘s alone, fragile and weakened, trapped in a bubble.
Cast into a spiraling vortex of hatred and lies,
voiceless empty screams and silenced shrieking cries.
Crimson drips from her eyes, his bitter words sting,
anger and violence are what his daily habit will bring.
Such sadness for the children, they can’t handle the friction,
The pain he is causing from his liquid addiction.
Peace and quiet comes from alcohol-induced sleep,
frustrations loom large and his lady does weep.
He’s at the bar with a shot glass and topless dancers,
she’s questioning her logic and searching for answers.
With arms wrapped around legs, rocking, she will pray,
she ponders how she ever let her life turn out this way.
Something bad is about to happen, she makes a prediction,
he will cause them more pain from his liquid addiction.
She tucks in the children and cleans up as she should,
phone rings at 3 a.m., she knows the news won’t be good.
He was pulled over, sobriety test left him falling to the ground,
he’s been arrested, put in jail, the car is in impound.
She cries for the kids and those on the road he might have killed.
What happened to the future with him she wanted to build?
She’s left with the shame and he’s facing a conviction.
The most important thing to him was his liquid addiction.
Author notes
This is a true story about a good friend of mine. She has tried so hard to save her marriage but her husband is an alcoholic who doesn't want to recover. I wish somehow I could help her and her kids. I've been down this road myself so I know how it feels. They are still together, she is still trying, and he is still drinking.
1. This is a bigg one! Write about alcoholism. what it's like to be a drunk. how it effects your family and you as a person. how you over came it. how much it hurts to watch friend or family go through it. no humor here. not a funny subject.
"Fight"
photo courtesy of fotosearch.com
Written July 29th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Options!! Lots of `em by Maybe Anastasia.
390 points, ended May 8, 2007, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 54 of 54
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ok. first of all, im the person mentioned in the contest...it was made partially upon my request. im writing a speach, and wanted a poem or two for it.
now, about the poem...it is amazing. your poem is very well written and descriptive. its not quite right for my speach, but it is just an amazing peice and i had to comment on it. im sorry for what your friend is going through. i know how hard it must be for her. i have gone through something slightly similar, but to a lesser degree...a close teenage friend of mine basicly became an alcoholic at age 14. its really tough to stay friends with her and not be able to make her see how much she is hurting herself. she claims its just because she likes to 'party', but she went to the hospital twice this last summer...once for drinking ALONE. to me, it seems like she is trying to subtley kill herself really...
but anyways. i kinda went out on a limb there like i always do... i was just trying to say, i can kind of relate. but im not married, and if its this hard for me, then it must be extremely hard for her.
again, im sorry for what your friend is going through, and the poem is amazingly written.
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Thank you so much for the amazing comment on this piece, perplexed! It is greatly appreciated. Sorry that this isn't what you need for your speech but I am very pleased that it touched you. I'm very sorry to hear of what is happening with your friend. I've dealt with many alcoholic family and friends over the years and I've gained alot of understanding into the mind of an alcoholic. They might claim that they drink because the love the buzz and love to party, but in reality, they are only trying to numb and sedate themselves as a way to block out the pain of their reality. I personally have found that each alcoholic person I know has had something awful happen to them in the past that they can't handle or can't deal with appropriately or refuse to move past. They use alcohol as a sedative for their nerves and as a way to let their drunken thoughts speak things they ordinarily wouldn't say out loud. It is sad to watch this happen to people we love. Alcoholism IS a disease, not a habit. These people need help to overcome it and they need great friends like you. I hope that you are somehow able to help your friend gain some insight into her issues and help her help herself. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always lurking around AP! Take care hun!
~Lori
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First, let me thank you for entering my contest.
Second:
This poem's flow and imagery was very well done. I suggest the use of puncuation for a professional look and easier reading.
Otherwise, this was good. -
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Thanks for the sweet comment on this piece. I agree, I need to do an edit and add punctuation to this write, possibly even shorten the lines for easier reading. Thanks again!
~Lori
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First things first,she needs to get out of this. Sorry,but my personal opinion...it's not worth the saving. Written well with much emotion. I can read each line with perfect clarity of the entire picture taking place. I hope everything turns out for the best for your friend
Thanks for entering and good luck
Storm -
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Thanks Storm for your wonderful comment on this piece. I agree that my friend should leave this destructive relationship but she's committed to her marriage and wants to save him, so to speak. I wish I could convince her otherwise.
~Lori
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this a great write thankyou so much my father exactly
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Thanks bookdragon! I'm glad you liked this piece! Take care!
~Lori -
Thanks for entering. Liquid Addiction- destrys families. You got that across wonderfully.
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Thanks for the wonderful comment, Abused! I wish I could say this piece wasn't true, but it is, and I don't see anything changing anytime soon for my friend. Here husband is an alcoholic and admits it but refuses to work to change anything. It's a very sad situation for her and her kids. Personally, I think she should bail, but she believes in the commitment she made when they married, so I have to respect that. Thanks again for reading Take care
~Lori -
you have an amazing word choice.. liquid addiction, it sounds so pretty and angerous all in one.. this sadly is a lot of the times tru for most people, alcohol interferes the most among relationships and some women feel helpless when they have children with them.. I hope your friend wises up or her husband gets help before it turns worse. Thanks for entering good luck!
Abused
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well, actually it's not just alcohol. that's not his main addiction. he's hard into drugs. it's still very hard to get out of especially when you do drugs, pills, and alcohol. not a good mixture. I hope he finally gets off and stays off. the alcohol i'm not too worried about though. it's still sad especially when you have kids.
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Thanks so much Vanessa for the wonderful comment on this piece! I appreciate your kind words very much! I'm so sorry to hear that your cousin is falling into the same trap of alcohol addiction. It's so very hard to try to get out of and often the attempts are failures. I thank you again for reading this piece! Take care!
~Lori~ -
I can see how true the story is. my cousin has his own addictions as well and sometimes it leaves his girl in tears. he always says that he will end it and work on his life but somehow ends up going back. it takes time and he knows that but with this piece, your friend's husband has to want to get help. if he doesn't want to stop and doesn't want help, then there is no stopping. even if he wanted help, it would be hard. not just on your friend, but on him as well. I've seen what my cousin goes through and it can't be easy. your piece is an awesome write. I can see you are concerned for your friend and that you too wish that things could change. your friend thinks she's doing the right thing by staying and trying and I give her a lot of credit for that for the merefact that it must be hard. she probably stays and keeps trying not just for her and her husband's sack but for the kids as well. in a way, she is doing the right thing even if her husband doesn't think so. her husband needs to face reality and see how much his addiction is hurting those around him. this piece is wonderful and you should give this to your friend to give to her husband. maybe it will make a difference...and maybe it won't but it's always worth a shot. maybe he'll realize just what his addiction is doing by reading this piece. this piece is wonderful and the wording is amazing. you did an amazing job with this piece and I wish you, your friend, and your friend's husband all the luck in the world.
-Vanessa- -
Thanks so much for the wonderful comment on this piece! It's greatly appreciated! I'm sorry that you can relate to this write so well. Alcoholism is an awful disease to fight. I hope you're doing well today. Ironically, my name is Lora too! I go by Lori most of time, it's just stuck since I was little, but my name is Lora Ann. I look forward to checking out your work in the near future. I won't be on much right now, as my son-in-law just died this past weekend.
~Lori~ -
I luckily stumbled upon your wonderful poem (Liquid Addiction) today and thought "Thats my Life" to a T. Alcoholism is a wicked disease, as it makes the people living with an alcoholic sick as well. You are not secure or sure of a solid future, and feel trapped. I have had those 3am phone calls as well. I really liked this piece a lot!!
Lora -
Thanks so much for the wonderful comment on this piece grannyeri!! It's very much appreciated!! Take Care!!
~Lori~ -
Great gold winner you have penned here - poor families that live with an alcoholic. Easy to read and understand the sentiments you haae expressed so well in these lines.
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Friday, thanks again for the wonderful comments!! I do tend to write with alot of emotion because I write what I feel, it's my motto! I write about the things I'm going through or what I see other's going through. I'm very happy that you enjoyed this piece!! Take Care!!
~Lori~ -
Wow! You certainly have talent, that's for sure. But more than that you have emotion. Sometimes you see poems along this vein but there's no emotion to them, and it confuses you. This has more than a lot. I hope your friend gets out of this situation, or things work out for her, she much be a very strong woman to have made it this far.
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Thanks so much Darkangel for the wonderful comment on this piece!! It's very much appreciated. The problem is, an alcoholic doesn't open their eyes to see how they're destoying the ones the love. The alcohol seems to be more important. Usually by the time they come to the realization, it's too late. Thanks again for reading!
~Lori~ -
Thanks so much for the lovely comment blondone! It's much appreciated! Life with an alcoholic is not an easy life for sure.
~Lori~ -
so sad to read but oh so true this is a real write of real life with a alcoholic great writng, thank for entering my contest and good luck
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Thanks so much mj for the wonderful comment on this piece. It's very much appreciated. I hope you check out some of my other work and let me know what you think. Once you've read some of my others, maybe you'll understand "Little White Lies" better. Thanks again for reading. Take Care!
~*Lori*~ -
goo job
Now this is more like it! Loaded with detail. I have to admit, you're good storyteller. I can see everything that is going. you placed me right in the situation. -
Thanks so much Payton for the sweet comment and your applause!! It's greatly appreciated. Glad you enjoyed this piece. Alcoholism is a horrible disease. The whole family suffers. Again, thanks for reading!
~*Lori*~ -
pen of value
this was penned like a poet's screenplay,you are growing on me -
Thanks GodeSs!! I appreciate it. I wish I could help my friend more somehow but she's not really letting that be an option. She chooses to stay. Sorry that you can relate to this addiction. It's very hard to deal with. Thanks again for reading!! Take Care!!
~*Lori*~ -
interesting piece
i know how it feels
my cousins are alcoholic
its hard...
thank you for sharing -
Thanks so much mystic for the wonderful comment and applause for this piece. It's very much appreciated. Living in an alcoholic family is truly a painful experience and I hope that someday my friend will pack up and get out but for now, she's believing in her commitment to her marriage so I just continue to support her. Thanks again for reading this piece. Take Care!!
~*Lori*~ -
The title caught me eye, and it fits the perfectly. Well done and well said. Such a strong true reality to this piece. So much emotion and heartfelt sorrow in it.
This is a bad place for your friend to be and hopefully she will realize it and seak help for herself and the children.
My mother stayed 11 yrs before she left and it has destroyed her and hurt us deeply to this day.
Best wishes and praryers to all involved.
Good luck in the contest! -
Thanks so much for your kind words Tracey. It means alot. I hope you are well too, my friend!! Take Care!!
~*Lori*~ -
oh my this is very deep and heartfelt a good write..I hope she leaves him...be well my friend
from Tracey
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you`re welcome ma. heh. cheaaa well she doesn`t deserve to be treated like that just like you didn`t. =) aww. i love you <3
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Thanks baby girl for this kick ass comment!! I've told her I'd help her leave but she wants to stay and work everything out. Easier said than done but I respect her so I'll keep being supportive. Thanks for all the sweet things you say to your Mama, it means more than you know hunny!! Take Care Baby Girl!!
~*Mama*~ -
mama, you wish her good luck from me. and tell her to keep her head up. if she needs to get outta there, then help her. no one deserves a life like dat. i`m so glad she`s got you to help her. you`re amazing. fuck scratch dat, you`re more den amazing. i love you mama <3 so much. you keep helpin ppl da way you do. keep doin yo thang.
love yous <3 -
Thanks so much Abused for the sweet comment!! I really appreciate it. You're right, he's the only one that can change what's happening but he doesn't want to. He enjoys his alcohol too much to put it ahead of his family. It's very sad. I'm glad you liked this piece!! Take Care!!
~*Lori*~ -
i hope your friend realizes that he canonly change himself, that she is causing herself so much pain when she can move on. i luv the title of this as well, its amazing and so creative!!! thanks for entering!
Abused
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Thanks Claire for the wonderful comment on this piece!! It means alot!! It's an awfully sad situation my friend is in but she's strong and she keeps on trying and keeps on loving him. Someday maybe she'll see he's not going to change his ways. Until then, I keep supporting her. She needs it. I'm sorry you can relate to this. I'm glad that it's not that way for you now though!! Thanks again for reading this piece Claire!! Take Care!!
~*Auntie Lori*~ -
Oh auntie Lori, yet another fantastic, heartwrenching piece of writing. It sent shivers down my spine propbably cause I know something of what this person is going through, except i did not have kids to think of when i escaped this kind of hell.Those last 2 stanzas chilled me to the bone. I was constantly waiting for him to kill someone and was forever getting calls from his parents and the police to tell me he had been arrested for drink driving, drug possession and assualt. I can only pray that this person has the strength to make the right decision before she comes to any serious physical harm. Love this Auntie Lori,
Love Claire
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Ck, your kind words mean so much to me. I'm so glad you liked this piece. I am sorry though, that you can relate so well to this poem. I've lived through something very, very similar myself so this poem touches a place in me too. My friend is commited to her husband and believes in the sanctity of marriage so she wants things to work out. I have to support her no matter what. But I wish she would just leave. Anyway, thank you so much for the wonderful comment. I truly appreciate it!! Take Care my friend!!
~*Lori*~ -
excellent
Hamiltion, just simply an amazing poem, this is absolutely your best write. The rhymes are excellent and the emotion is all out there. At first I thought it was about you and then to read it was about a friend really touched me. In my younger days I too was addicted to the bottle and to weed and all I could feel was depression and anger at trivial things. Just another reason to get high because my job sucked or my home life sucked and on and on. In reality it was me, I was the problem. When my two boys were real young yet I caught myself alone at the bar memorizing the order of the liqour bottles and how they were arranged that I finally said to myself "What the fuck am I doing? There has to be something better then this." In other words I finally woke up and got my shit together. I coached my boys and daughters softball teams, became a scout leader and got involved with my kids lives and turned myself around. I had to for the kids. As for your friend, if he can't be there for the kids then she needs to give him an ultimatum and if he doesn't change then she needs to get the kids out of that situation. He needs to bend over and look into his kids eyes and see that all they want is there dad to be a dad. To love and care for them and be there for them when they need him. The kids need there dad to be a role model for them to look up to. Good luck to her, we all feel for her. Thanks for sharing your poetry, it's beautiful. -
Thanks Carol for the lovely comment on this write. You know it means alot to me. I feel for my friend and all she's going through. She believes in her husband and her marriage vows and she knows alcoholism is a disease so she keeps trying. But I don't feel he's even trying to combat his illness so I wish she would just leave. It's her choice, so I just support her no matter what. Thanks so much for reading this piece!! Take Care Sis!!
~*Lori*~ -
Thanks dod for the awesome comment!! It means alot!! I'm sorry you relate so well to this piece. Living in an alcoholic family is not a good way to live at all. I hope things are much better for you now hun. Take Care and thanks again for reading!!
~*Lori*~ -
Thanks Faith for the sweet comment and applause!! I really do appreciate it. Your kind words mean alot to me. Take Care!!
~*Lori*~ -
Thanks so much dramaqueen for the lovely comment on this piece. I'm so sorry you can relate to it though. It's a horrible place to be. I agree with you, I think my friend should just bail now while she can but she strongly believes in the commitment of marriage and she knows alcoholism is a disease so she keeps trying to make things work. I have to respect that and support her. Again, thanks for reading this piece. Take Care!!
~*Lori*~ -
Thanks Marie for the awesome comment and applause for this piece!! It means alot. I'm glad you liked it but sorry you can relate to it. Growing up in an alcoholic family is a sad situation. Take Care Hun and thanks so much for reading!!
~*Lori*~ -
Absolutely Amazing
WOW Sis this is another amazing piece from you. These lines really spoke to me:
"Crimson drips from her eyes, his bitter words sting
Anger and violence are what his daily habit will bring
Such sadness for the children, they can’t handle the friction
The pain he is causing from his liquid addiction"
This is very powerful. Those poor children,I feel for them. I hope things work out for the best for you friend, especially the children who shouldn't have to live with all that anger and violence.
You have done an amazing job on this incredible write!!!
Best of luck to your friend and her family and to you in the contest.
~much love~
carol
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Wow amazing write that really hits home, my dad's an alcoholic who refuses to give it up and my mum finally kicked him out last year after giving him an ultimatim to kick the habit or get out of our house. I hope your friend leaves him if he won't give up drinking cos otherwise things'll just get worse. Great job expressing the situation so strongly.
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Awesome
Lori - Another great peace. You are so talented my friend. You're poetry touches people in the most personal of ways. -
This touched me; I've been the child of a liquid addiction and I know how it feels... if your friend's husband doesn't want to try then maybe she's better to walk away to save herself and her kids more heartache. Amazing write.
Maria xoxox -
wow that was a very strong powerful long piece but very good and breath taking and just wow you are so incredible I can picture everything you've wrote I can relate to some of it as well which makes me apriciate it all the more great job
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Arlie, thank you so much for your wonderful comments about this piece. It's very much appreciated!! I was unsure if the flow held together well enough. I wish somehow I could help my friend more, but she is the only one who can make the choice of whether to stay or go. I can only support her.
I'd be honored to have you in my AP family!! Just let me know what role you'd like to assume and I'll be sure to put your link on my author's page. Take Care Arlie!!
~*Lori*~ -
Excellent
First let me just comment on the writing of this you did such a beautiful job on a very sensitive subject your tallent is nothing short of excellence. like all your work your tallent excells.
Now let me just say I can relate to this from personal experience. believe me I have seen it all in my own family close friends neighbors and Etc. one in my own family HE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC for eight years there was nothing he wouldn't do for just one more drink. he did every thing you related to in this piece.and more and how she stuck by him I will never know but she did for eight long years.Then one day He went out to get another Bottle was gone several hours as He was walking toward the house the children all ran to hide His wife was prepared for the worst. He came in and was completely sober.
He started going to Church eventually became an ordained Deacon He lived to be 85yr.old and never drink another drop. so you see there is hope for some ( This is a true story )
Now I will make this one short.His wife was in College got in with the wrong crowd started drinking and soon was into all types of drugs she would get extremely vilent and self destructive tried to kill herself three times with overdose she became intollerable started staying out at night untill finally He just said thats enough and walked away. oh yew for some reason He still loved Her but enough was enough.
So you see it can go either way so I can say to this young Lady you will have to decide when enough is enough or just hang in there and hope for the best.
I wish her all the Luck in the world. I will keep her in my Prayers.
Your Good Friend Arlie,
PS. I would consider it an Honor to become a member of your AP. Family love ye ED.
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