The Final Battle

The bottle was full
Just like their spirits
They shared as the talk grew louder
Spoke of times when drinking was sociable
That was a time ago
Now the drink was a necessity
The medicine of life
The bottle was beginning to empty now
Just like the existence they led
You could see it in their faces
As the battle for the last drink intensified
Every battle has a winner
This time he was the stronger
Gulping down the last drop as if his life depended on it
There would be many more battles like this
Ultimately, the main battle lay ahead
The final one
The freezing weather moved in slowly
Though he was totally unaware
Lying in a drunken stupor
Surrounded by empty bottles
Screaming as the battle raged inside him
Fighting for the final time
As his life slowly ebbed away
The snow covered him like a blanket
Peacefully taking him to a new place
The battle over
His thirty five year old existence finally at an end.

Reviews

[...]

Quiet impressive. Even feel that frozen snow on me. Alcohol can lead us to te very dark places. On te streets you can see this appen all te time. Very sad. But at your poem is more tan this. Also lot of beauty at each word.

[Paul Bell]

Sadly this happens to much now.

[Diamond]

This is a painful story. I witnessed one of these in a close of group of family. Sad for me to read but more sad for the one who had to fight two battles at a time.

[Paul Bell]

Always sad to see it happen when you can do nothing to change it.

[EcstaticEuphoria]

So sad and heart wrenching. Brings to the conscientiousness the kinda struggle, the pain and the anguish. Definitely leaves me contemplating, thanks for sharing

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Rosalee. Some find it tough out there.

[Marina]

Beautiful but sad, I need the old Paul back.

[Paul Bell]

You need a bit of sadness to stay focused.

[Marina]

That's true. But let's not go there. lol

[aLittlePain]

Great read, but so sad when that's all that's left. Reminded me of someone. Great piece my man! R xo

[Paul Bell]

Yeah i suppose it's a universal poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a sad study of that person who has nothing left to live for and drinks himself to death---for warmth for escape...and finally that last swig to eternity.
j.

[Paul Bell]

Sad reality for the ones who just want to forget.

[duff]

This is a great read. Your imagery opens up a landscape for the reader. The weather, the bottles and the blanket. All key pieces to the picture you so well painted. Great job

[Paul Bell]

Thanks Duff, painful poem.

[duff]

Anytime my man. It sounds like it.

[emmajoy]

Tis how it can be.. yet not as beautifully laid as your words. They're heart breaking.. slow, steady words laid to read, leading to that far to young age.. as if there is a cut-off point for suicide. Because that's what it is, a flaw that pulls off the butterfly wings that life is.

Superb poem, '.. There would be many more battles like this ~ Ultimately, the main battle lay ahead ~ The final one'

[Paul Bell]

Sadly this is ex soldiers dumped back into civilian life. As if they can just pop back into normal service.

[emmajoy]

Have helped in soup kitchens, seen, heard a little. But little is by no means enough to help, more to realise how fortunate my buddies and I are. Lif3e is a dirty word for so many.

[Paul Bell]

You can only do your bit. It all helps.