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Poison Pool
Step Father peeking through the drapes
Of this motel room
Where this morning
I had been so excited to visit
Cook the powder
And tighten the rope
Grit your teeth, addict
And slam your dope
But the dark man in the turban
Says the pool is poison
Maybe that’s where they wash their needles
These men on choppers and barely dressed women
Cook the powder
And tighten the rope
Grit your teeth, addict
And slam your dope
I chance a peek through bedroom door
Why are mothers’ eyes bleeding
And she is warding off invisible demons
That she sees on the floor
Cook the powder
And tighten the rope
Grit your teeth, addict
And slam your dope
He says she is ill and that’s why
We had to get away, all lies
But I am eleven years old now
And I have become very wise
Cook the powder
And tighten the rope
Grit your teeth, addict
And slam your dope
For I’ve peeked before and I know
Why you prick your stomach
Instead of your arm
Because ‘The Man’ don’t look there
Cook the powder
And tighten the rope
Grit your teeth, addict
And slam your dope
Now I know why you buy us balloons
And the searching officers
Tear up our toys
As they go through our room
Cook the powder
And tighten the rope
Grit your teeth, addict
And slam your dope
Slam your dope
And seal your doom
Swing from a rope
In a six dollar room
You’ve lost all hope
You’ve lost all hope
Now you’ll grit your teeth
In a six foot tomb
Comments
- Author
Suzette, I'm glad you stopped by and thanks for leaving your feedback.
Wow - a really gritty and realistic poem. So sad that children see this. I taught in an inner city school and some children do come from homes like this. It is pathetic and sad. Thanks so much for showing us another side of life - how the other half lives.
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Thank you for the visit, Lurana.
Harshly powerful. Really well-written! ~Lurana
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Thank you Ruby.
I feel for the child who had to live in fear due to the poison cooked so near. This is a haunting read..Beautifully penned...
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I appreciate the visit Isaac.
Nice poem Wayne,
It was hard to read but, I managed. I truly hate pain and suffering. Especially at the loss of a child. Great read though never the less. I'm glad I stopped by. voted up.
I. White
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Thank you, Deb.
Yes, indeed, reality for some and quickly growing up for others. Great work, Wayne.
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I appreciate your comments Shanmarie.
Wow, your imagery through words here is stunning! It almost makes me sick to think of a child going through that, but you make it seem so real.
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Sir Jim, Thank you my friend!
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Leslie, Thank you darlin' for stopping by. and by the way...how did you know my first name? : )
Gritty and real and scary, but written so well!
Jesus Wayne...so raw, so real, so WRONG!
I can't stand when kids suffer - i know only too well!
voting/sharing
(missing you)
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Thanks for the visit, Sha. And unfortunately.......
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Thank you Rasma!
Holy Mackeral, Wayne. You paint a very vivid picture with your words. I hope this isn't something you actually experienced!
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I appreciate the visit and the compliment Valleypoet.
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Thanks for stopping by Jose. yes, there is a story behind this one. Life is good now, but it was not always so. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!
Addiction is tragic indeed and waste of life. Well expressed.
Wow....powerful realism Wayne...a sad and tragic picture has been painted here...great work:-))
It must be hard for children that grow up in this type of environment. Is there a story behind this piece or is a fiction?
Wayne, usually clichés become so, because there is an overwhelming truth to them. ;-)
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Thank you Tom.
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Thank you Theresa!
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Cat, You're absolutely right; there is always hope. I know it's a cliche', but life really is what you make of it!
Sad situation to find oneself in, when you mix with the wrong people. Nice work Wayne. All the best.
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Thank you Linda. I'm glad you were able to turn the experience into something positive.
Very intense, and very well done.
Well, Wayne, this thing called uncondtional love, can sometimes work in magical ways and serve as a remedy to even the ugliest of truths. There's always hope :-)
Wow, such raw and powerful words my friend. Yes, I too have seen the ugliness in the parents that are supposed to be good role-models. It was a hellish upbringing with spurts of good times. I used it to help others dealing with painful lives. It is what inspired me to earn a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. Funny how pain can be turned into opportunity and healing. God Bless you for sharing your story.
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Thank you for the visit Vellur, and for your kind thoughts.
Great poem, sad realities of life so vividly reflected in your poem. Children should have fun and enjoy, not suffer. Sometimes life is unfair.
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Thank you Vincent. Yes, unfortunately, some children really do find out who the true boogey man is. Vampires and werewolves cannot scare you nearly as much as a man with a whiskey bottle in one hand and a knife in the other who glares at you as his eyes slowly glass over.
As a child, I also have done my share of hiding, and as an adult, I found myself psychologically doing the same thing. But I don't hide anymore; the bitterness still hurts from time to time, but I have decided that I am stronger than the son-of-a-bitches that created it, and so I use it...I try to turn the negative into positive. I, like I notice is the case with you, am not ashamed to express myself from any angle. I may have had a bad childhood...but that doe's not mean that I am a bad man!
I guess I've rambled enough ( I could go on forever)! But it has been a pleasure corresponding with you.
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Frank, my friend. Good to see you here and to see your compliments. Hope you have a great Memorial Day.
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Thank you Deergha for the kind words and the share.
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Thank you Sir Martin.
I've seen the stench to Wayne from my little boys eyes and saw the puke and white foam from raging mouths of alcoholic bliss, while all the while we kids clung to each other in fear peeking from hidden curtains, under beds or crying from under our covers hoping the boogey man would go away, in shame we lived, watching adults around us stoop so low and rot in their putrid gutters of pain. Some of us survived, although mentally scarred. Shared my friend, your gift abounds.
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Thank you Cat. I am now seeing this from some other extended family members. The children still idolize their father, but sadly, I know that a slow, ugly, progression of truth is headed their way.
wow very draining, gripping and raw.. I love it wayne barrett
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Thank you for the visit Dear Nellieanna.
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Thank you Faith. Unfortunately it is a sad reality for many.
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Thank you Becky.
Ahhhh.....so beautifully done ! Tragic yet it moved so well. Votes up and shared across the board.
What a vision. This is quite a reflection. thank you
Wayne,
Oh wow! This makes me think of how children look up to their parent's and are oblivious to the ugly truths and love a blind unconditional kind of love... once the truth is revealed, resentment sets in. This is very sad and powerful; excellent as always!
Cat
This is so tragic and extremely well-expressed. Suddenly my head hurts for these trapped people.
Very sad reality painted here for children to see such and live such an existence watching addict parents. Gave me the chills.
God bless, Faith Reaper
Wow, I did not expect this from you. Wonderfully well said.
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