Saturday, June 13, 2015

One Drop of Whiskey

The shadows
do well
at holding
him in

He looks
from left
to right
not knowing
where to
begin

So he walks
feeling
frustrated

He doesn't 
understand
his heart
and his voice
are related

He drinks
whiskey
from a
paper cup

Trying to find
anything
that will fill
him up

But he's already
overflowing

It happened
without him
knowing

His eyes
were shut
too tight

To fight 
the demons
that come out
at night

He looks ahead
and then
back again

Too afraid
to face
the past
he's been
drowning
in

He washes
the sand down
with one 
last sip

One drop
of whiskey
resting on
his lip

He rolls
the paper
into a ball

As he closes
his eyes
two tear drops
fall

-June 2015
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30 comments:

  1. brudbergJune 14, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    Too common that men try to drench their sorrow in booze.. maybe it's the only way they can manage to cry.. Very intense portrait.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 6:01 PM

      I think you might be right, Bjorn. I think the booze can make some feel less guarded at times. Thank you for the visit :)

      Delete
  2. MaryJune 14, 2015 at 12:33 PM

    Sometimes the yearning is strong; and most often one drop of whiskey is not enough to fill a person up or to give them what they are looking for.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 6:02 PM

      True, Mary. Sometimes I wish we could give them what they're looking for. We all have our own lessons to learn though. Good to see you today!

      Delete
  3. Sherry Blue SkyJune 14, 2015 at 12:55 PM

    You have captured the underlying reason for addiction, and its cost to a human life, to perfection, Torie.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 6:04 PM

      Thank you so very much, Sherry. I'm glad you understand my words. I knew you would ;)

      Delete
  4. SusanJune 14, 2015 at 2:42 PM

    Ah! Oh! I feel sad for this man walking and taking in the truth from that page.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 6:05 PM

      The truth can be tough to take sometimes! Thank you so much for coming by and commenting, Susan :)

      Delete
  5. totomaiJune 14, 2015 at 3:26 PM

    He could be at the his most down phase in life. Trying to find comfort with a glass of whiskey. At least he was able to cry, that's a big step of getting fine.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 6:06 PM

      Crying is healing. That's my belief anyway ;) I wish the ups and downs of life didn't make some feel alone. It's nice to see you, totomai. Thank you.

      Delete
  6. Donna@LivingFromHappinessJune 14, 2015 at 4:12 PM

    Wow...this reminds me of a wonderful ballad of life, loss and pain...beautifully penned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 6:07 PM

      Oh, thank you so so much, Donna!! The trials of life are so diverse!

      Delete
  7. Sumana RoyJune 14, 2015 at 8:29 PM

    escaping from life through drinking is extremely sad...nice lines Torie...

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 8:54 PM

      It surely is. Thanks for the visit, Sumana. Nice to see you :)

      Delete
  8. Rosemary Nissen-WadeJune 14, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    A cautionary tale beautifully written. You made the very short lines work well.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 14, 2015 at 8:55 PM

      Thank you so much, Rosemary! I appreciate your nice words :)

      Delete
  9. Brother OllieJune 15, 2015 at 2:49 AM

    strong piece - I really like this stanza: He drinks

    whiskey
    from a
    paper cup

    A simple, yet powerful image.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TorieJune 15, 2015 at 7:20 AM

      Thank you, Brother Ollie! I appreciate your visit!

      Delete
  10. Sanaa RizviJune 15, 2015 at 4:14 AM

    A wonderful rhythmic flow in this beautiful piece :)
    Well penned.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 15, 2015 at 7:21 AM

      Thank you so very much, Sanaa. It's good to see you :)

      Delete
  11. Jae RoseJune 15, 2015 at 6:02 AM

    What a poignant poem...some holes are just to big too fill...i suppose it's about choosing the right 'filler'...beautifully crafted

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 15, 2015 at 7:23 AM

      I think you might be right about choosing the right 'filler'. I hope we can all find something good and positive to fill ourselves up. Thanks for coming by, Jae Rose :)

      Delete
  12. kelvin s.m.June 15, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    It is easier to find escape through drinking, but the reality is nothing has ever been solved. When he wakes up the problem would still be there. I think you have illustrated the usual tendencies of every man facing a trial or carrying some burdens. Thank you, Torie, for the poem! Haven't been writing this late due to work demands... i guess, absences are my usual companion today... Still, glad I could write & read today at your place. Smiles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TorieJune 15, 2015 at 8:22 AM

      Oh, thank you so much for your kind words, kelvin!! I do appreciate you taking the time to visit and for commenting :) I'm glad you had time to stop by :)

      Delete
  13. Gen Giggles June 15, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    Sad when self-understanding does occur.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 16, 2015 at 6:36 AM

      Good to see you, GL. Thank you for the visit!

      Delete
  14. TruedessaJune 15, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    This is sad, in brokenness one tries to find comfort, the tears at the end symbolize the pain and the need to break free...I think you have captured this man's story.

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    Replies
    1. TorieJune 16, 2015 at 6:34 AM

      Thank you, Truedessa. I do appreciate your thoughtful comment and your visit :)

      Delete
  15. humbirdJune 16, 2015 at 7:34 AM

    Moving emotional poem... ~ on the funny side - how the water well balanced in here....'He washes
    the sand down
    with one
    last sip' ~ feels like important transitional stage to fathom the overflowing... and then
    the last 'two tear drops
    fall'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TorieJune 16, 2015 at 9:57 AM

      Thank you, humbird for coming by this morning. Nice to see you :)

      Delete

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