D N R

Do Not Resuscitate.

I had a stroke last night.

Now I'm lying in a hospital bed,

immobilized and slightly sedated.

A machine is helping me breathe.

I can feel my friends in the room, 

but the voices are muffled.

Night has fallen and now I'm alone, 

nothing to do but reflect.

Where has my life gone?

I was raised, hardscrabble,

on the Northern plains.

An unwelcome 'love' baby,

I was just another mouth to feed,

Mom and Dad did not want me.

Times were tough back then, 

and I learned to duck and run.

I grew up hard and lean,

leaving home as soon as I could.

After Korea, 1950's America held promise.

I joined the Burlington/Northern Railroad,

and learned to fix Locomotives.

I had learned to drink by then, too.

Eventually I married a pretty gal.

She had five kids,

and soon we had one of our own.

Time went by, and then my Wife got the cancer.

Then it was me and the trains, 

six kids, and the Whiskey.

I had learned my Folks' temper,

and the kids left home as soon as they could.

Funny how history repeats itself.

Then it was me and the trains,

and the Whiskey, 

and after a time the railroad let me go.

Me and the Whiskey,

in a small room, on a small pension.

My life was an EZ chair, a TV, and the Whiskey,

getting smaller by the day.

One day I reached out by phone.

Two men came over and talked to me. 

They understood my pain.

Soon my world started getting bigger,

six months sobriety has been tough, 

but well worth it.

I am able to be a true friend,

finding lifelong friends.

They are here with me now,

as my life ends.

Our Father, who art in Heaven...

Author's Note

My friend Lloyd enhanced my life. I will carry his memory always.
Rest in Peace

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the story. We can learn from other good and bad things. I understand this poem. I have my father bad temper and I enjoyed the drink. I like the positive ending. Your friend Lloyd would appreciate you remembering him in story. Thank you for a excellent poem.
Coyote

[Winslow Des Totes]

Wow. This is a very powerful piece! Terrific write! Also, sorry about your friend; you have my condolences.

[Judy Ponceby]

An honest look at a hard lived life. And in the end it's friends that make the difference, always. Peace and blessings John. I have no doubt you were the best he could have wanted in a friend.

[Rene Velez]

heartfelt and honest, simply amazing...

[Jaweena...Eileen Quinta..]

Lloyd was a lucky man to have called you friend as I am sure you feel blessed to have known him. You are a kind, compassionate friend, this I know. Alcohol takes another life, imagine the life of the youngest child. Prayers for the innocent, those who learn too late, and the people that help. May he find peace finally.

[Joiedevivre]

what a great write! effortless, interested reading to the very last drop.

[emmajoy]

Takes courage to publicise pain, takes poetry to make a reader cry.

[Karolina S.]

This is very inspiring. Great job, I'm sure your friend would love this one :)

[Marie Harrison]

Oh...John I'm mad at you for making me cry.
What a heart-tugging poem you wrote.
Freedom at his very end!

[Brad]

powerful stuff, man, you've a gift for the ode for sure...condolences

[...]

. these words churn the insides ...
. the word excruciating finds a new synonym in your poignant piece ...