A Bottle of Brocode

This introspective poem uses a Bottle of Brocode as a profound metaphor, revealing themes of disposability, vulnerability, societal labels, and the cyclical nature of use and abandonment.

I’m made of glass, 

Transparent, yet my contents are hard to see.

A single blow can shatter me�" 

Handle me with care. 

I hold harmful liquids, 

They’ll intoxicate you quickly�" ­

Easy, cheap, and fun,

Not for the refined or sophisticated. 

My body is labelled,

Not respected by the community.

Yet, I remain a mystery, don’t I? 

I don’t taste like beer do I?

 

You can throw me away, 

Smash me on the ground when you're angry, 

Toss me off a cliff when you're sad, 

Forget about me if you don’t care

But for once, for mere five minutes,

Sit and think about the bottle.

 

Opening my cap is effortless�" 

No need for an opener, 

No need to use your teeth, 

Or tap me on the table. 

It’s as if I want to be opened.

 

Drink my contents, 

Take in the poisons I hold, 

They’ll make you feel good, I promise, 

You’ll have a good time, I swear. 

But when you’ve drained me, 

Will you reach for another?

Will you start collecting bottles like a child collected souvenirs?

 

Now, I’m empty. 

Lighter, yes, but emptier. 

Used, discarded, abandoned.

 

Until someone picks me up, 

Polishes me, fills me with the same liquid, 

Seals me again, and sells me to the masses. 

I’m made to feel valuable once more, 

And the cycle continues.

 

Unless... 

Take me home, 

Drain me completely, 

Don’t treat me as just a trophy you open on special occasions. 

Drain me out. 

Fill me with things you truly care about. 

I’ll protect what’s inside, 

If you’ll protect me in return.

 

Take out my label, 

Leave the cap off, 

Take me home. 

I don’t belong in the market anymore.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

you've portrayed the bottle and its contents, humanizing it and bringing it to life, this is a very imaginative piece...the bottle could easily be a human being wanting love, needing substance from someone else...craving love, drinking everything you offer and it is sexy, passionate, creative and I love every word of it! Thank you for sharing!
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

These are dramatic words, finely laid yet I think you're selling yourself short. You are a beautiful woman, one with life, future and choice. Use all three and be happy for Self, Ada.

[barf]

There is so much depth in your words. I can feel the salvation that you are asking for in quiet solitude through "Will you start collecting bottles like a child collected souvenirs?". Lovely poem. Truly glad to have read it.