"No more", they said, "No more"

@ 1930, and true. My Nan's father. She could barely bring herself to utter his name.

Last breath he took upon a bench,

the stench of liquor on his lips.

A selfish drunk who could not see

the harm inflicted painfully

on those he left dirt poor.

So cold the corpse at dawn in death.

Much colder still the ice-skimmed pond,

and frozen stiff the hearts of those

that cursed the way of life he chose.

"No more", they said. "No more".

Reviews

[Cassie]

I think liquor is a disease and it makes its victim selfish all the way till their liver can't take it anymore, they die a selfish death, some even leave debts save for the pain of their deaths and the pain their loved ones had to endure with each glass of liquor they took, numerous rehab visits, irresponsibility and a lot more that am sure you know of, I wish they just knew better!!

[Chris Shaw]

It is an illness Cassie. They can't help themselves. This was about my great grandfather James. His daughter was my Nan. She wouldn't even mention his name, so painful were the memories. Thank you for reading this oldie.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

Chris, this is simply brilliant. While it can be painful to write of family issues, it can also be cathartic for those involved. Too many families bury their experiences instead of sharing them … the hurt lingers and affects the relationship.
That being said, your second verse is very powerful and wonderfully penned. The first two lines reading like ones written by one of the romantics.
A good write.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ted for your encouraging review. It doesn't come easy writing about my own. Maybe it just needs to be done once in a while. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Ted Kniffen]

You're right, Chris, it is never easy. The fear is in offending someone you care about by revealing what you feel through your own eyes. They may have different emotional baggage associated with the same event.

May the New Year bring peace & joy to you and yours.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Ted. Good wishes gratefully received. All the very best to you and yours for 2019read moreMany thank yous Ted. Good wishes gratefully received. All the very best to you and yours for 2019

Chris

[duck]

addiction takes many forms and alcoholism is very near top if not the top. very painful to read which means gold as you hit the notes. very effective.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duck. Pleased it hit the bull's eye. It is a painful subject all round.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

i am glad you gave the note about the time period ..and story of your Great Grand Father if i am reading that correctly ... the "ice-skimmed pond" is brilliant says i! i had to stop and consider it ..how cold...dangerous and dark under that thin veil ...still fluid ... incredible ma'am! then contrasting it with hard frozen hearts smacks me nerve ending numb ... what a time our forefathers (and mothers) went through ... many suicides ... slow deaths from drink ... poverty and stressed health ... poignant poem Chris ... i would like to see a couple more verses even ... but it is fantastic as is what ever you do ;) Happy New Year

[Chris Shaw]

Happy New Year to you too Mr E. I hope it brings you much happiness. This poem is very dark because it covers very dark times for many of the reasons you explained. I did keep it short. I actually felt some disloyalty even writing it in the first place, but did it more for my Nan. I probably know more about my Great Grandfather, than his daughter did. He drank to forget. Many did and many still do.

With much appreciation for your visit.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

oh ...i am so glad you wrote this and posted .. its important and very worthwhile in my opinion .. bringing things to the Light is never disloyal no matter how much it may "feel" that way ...

[Chris Shaw]

You are most kind. I do not despise him in the same way my Nan did. I guess I am a bit more forgiving, but that is easier for me because I didn't experience what went on first hand. Have a good day my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I lost many to alcohol. My father rotten his stomach with rum. In 1976, many of the soldiers from the Vietnam war. Drank to forget. Many reason to seek the slow death. Powerful words on a hard subject. I drank heavy till I met my wife. I learn life was more than me. Thank you Chris for sharing the powerful and worthwhile poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, you have hit the nail on the head Coyote. Many drink to forget the horrors they have witnessed. Thank you for your wise words.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.. In the USA. Most of the homeless. Veterans.

[Chris Shaw]

We have same here Coyote. It is a scandal that veterans are left homeless. They give their all and in return the government give nothing.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. We mess our youth-up and leave them to heal themselves. WW2 was the worst. J.D Salinger was told after three years fighting in Germany. Go home, forget the war. The coldness of Governments that send the boys to war. Leaving beat-down men.

[Amada]

Even I've lost my loved one just because his drinking habits.
This is great poem I have read today.
Thanks for sharing 😊 😊 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Rahul. I am sorry for your loss. Alcoholism, is a dreadful disease that effects many. It hurts a great deal of relatives a d friends too.

Chris

[Amada]

Yes you right.

[andrew mitchell]

Nice write so dark and vivid like a Stephen King novel. Such imagery of hardship and cruelty shines through the images.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Andrew for your response. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Chris

[barleygirl]

Drinking can be a family buster & you've conveyed the buried hostilities so palpably. One of my older brothers was a mean drunk & since I was the baby, he scared me. You use chilling imagery - literally! - and it's perfect for this family freeze-out (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Oh yes Margie, family freeze out indeed. Thank you for your review. I think most families have a relative who would fit this category. Sad, but that's the way of the world.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

This is a visual, stark and graphic, that one can never forget dear Chris. Frozen corpse and frozen hearts. You perfectly convey the suffering of an alcoholic and his family. Too common both then and now. He repetition of “No more” is heart-wrenching as it emphasizes the ravages of alcohol abuse on even a loving family. I’ve experienced it my family too. Yes, “A selfish drunk” is a force of destruction. Great write my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Very many thanks for your thoughtful and understanding review Annette. Always good to see you.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

A very meaningful poem. It seems like the person is reflecting back on the past as an alcholic and wants to stop.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit JungLee. Your comments appreciated.

Chris