Taken from ADDICTION - A collection of poetry, short prose, and personal stories from around the world on the theme of addiction. CLICK HERE for further details and to order a copy.

GAMBIT-HIGHS

By Mark Andrew Heathcote

Gambit-highs form part of the lowly? 

That has a humble, authentic-technique

when too restricted are dire to fail

lose all the wind in their mainsail.

Worded too many, or a word too few

too many syllables encountered undue

shall reason our rebuked withdrawals

from lines not worthy of any laurels.

Tumbling forth without any morals

the nostril steam of a horse as it chortles

like drug addicts past all critique

perfected habits are what we seek.

THE EMPTY GLASS

By George Colkitto

The glass is empty - drunk

a faint aroma all that remains

a smile upon my lips

a triggered memory swallowing

the moment

In my hand it rested

comfortable

smooth as the content

sipped, savored

the promise lingers 

Light reflects

colour bent in the curve

placed carefully on polished mahogany

Caress of fingers

lips on the rim

will be wiped away

ABOUT THE POEM

"I have a long relationship with alcohol. I've seen what drink can do to people and to relationships. I control my love affair with alcohol..."

W: www.gwcolkitto.co.uk

FB: @George Colkitto Writer

ADDICTION

By Dr. Rehmat Aziz Khan Chitrali

I hate the grip that addiction has,

The hold it takes on one's mind and soul.

It starts as a choice, but soon becomes a task,

And before you know it, you've lost control.

I hate the way it tears apart, 

Families and loved ones, it leaves them scarred.

It's a disease, with a cruel heart,

That destroys lives, leaving them marred.

I hate the way it clouds the mind, 

And steals away the will to be kind.

It's a thief, that takes what's most divine,

And leaves nothing but the urge to grind.

I hate the way it's glamorized, 

In movies and TV shows, it's idolized.

But the reality is nothing but lies,

It's a road to ruin, that should be criticized.

I hate the habit of addiction, 

But I also hate the way it's stigmatized.

We should work together for a solution,

And support those who are fighting the fight.

ABOUT REHMAT: Rehmat is a linguist, poet, author, translator, and researcher and well known for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Pakistani languages and cultures. He has written several books, including poetry collections, and translated works from other languages into khowar, a language primarily spoken in Chitral and surrounding areas in Pakistan.

DRUNK

By Bobby Z

I stare at the glass,

it's contents so innocent and meek,

I know that one drink, will get me started,

and more I shall seek.

I've stumbled and fell,

but continued to drink from the bottle from hell,

to continue was easy,

I was under its spell.

Hangovers, blackouts,

plus the pain suffered by others,

made no difference as long,

I spent time with my drinking brothers.

Always seeking out,

a continuous reason to drown my sorrows,

hoping and praying i could continue drinking,

and maybe get sober tomorrow.

ABOUT BOBBY: Bobby is an 82 year old Vet, cancer & Covid survivor, recovering alcoholic (45 years). Original Jersey City 50's Bad Boy, high-school drop-out and published author.

TOO SOON

By Mona Mehas

Through winter haze and falling snow

You stepped into the whole tableau

Sleepy group of villagers

You adapted to wearing furs

Too soon, I could not watch you go.

Leaving my heritage behind

My disease grew to frame my mind

You sent me home - elusive cures

     I still loved you.

Alcohol holds the strongest grip

The need for restraint, without slip

Inner demons led me to drink

Walking dark street, my bottles clinked.

Truck! Memories flashed in a blip

     I still loved you.



JUST A STRANGER

By Linda M. Crate

what people don't understand

about addiction is it doesn't

only impact them,

everyone that loves them suffers

because of it;

and i try not to judge people

or hold grudges

but my aunt is someone i cannot forgive—

i see how she still uses my mother

and my gran even when she's

behind bars,

and it makes me angry that she 

just uses people;

my mother says she's always been that way—

i can't excuse that, 

and i find it disgusting that takers never

tire of taking but the givers are sometimes

drained for all of their compassion;

it may be cruel but i will spare none of my

compassion for her because she hasn't earned

a place at my table or in my life—

just a stranger 

even if we share the same blood.

STRAWBERRY KISSES

By Mia Amore Del Bando

My nose bleed dripping

Strawberry kisses on tissue paper

This time the white lines are trying me

They’re not erasing your existence

Like they promised

Brain relapsing

Dive into the pool later

I can sink to the bottom

Can you join me?

The water’s just right

Lungs fill up like water balloons

You missed me by a minute

I love you

But this isn’t worth it

We can’t let go

Every mile mirrors every issue

Every ounce netted in my nose

Crusting the outside

Dry Arizona canyons

Strawberry kisses

Dotted on white paper

I want to love you like I used to

Floating on the surface of this deep

I leave your message hanging in the air

Sink to the bottom

Waiting for you to meet me

Invitation late

You drowned me

ABOUT THE POEM: "These poems reflect the result of addiction and its impact on loved ones. Addiction is a false infatuation. Substance abuse and alcoholism disguises itself as love for yourself and an artificial view on life. ... This is my depiction and experience trying to escape that lifestyle, and the people I’ve affected along that journey."