An Overdose of Ugly

(there may be others)

Tracy appeared
surprisingly out of the blue
dressed in long forgotten
dismay

risen from her grave
grey and weary
where the margins of our
cemetery are now filled
to capacity with the old as
well as broken youth

where her friends
had left canned alcohol
to keep her company on her
new journey

mercifully
her little son was kept safe as
warning lights flashed on full
hazard ahead

cared for by
doting grandparents before her
devastated father discovered his
daughter

in a room
in a filthy shared house
every ounce of her young life
wasted

left for days
an ugly death amid paraphernalia
which gave the game away

her clothes in disarray
as though she had been
tampered with

she was the first of nine
an overdose of ugly
no wonder we search for
random flowers

Reviews

[AYVID N]

Overdose of Ugly....Drugs and alcohol are really so ugly, dear Chris.
I never thought of them as Ugly before but when I come to think of it, they well and truly are so ugly.
Perhaps, Tracy's fate was sealed when she first reached out to them.
I feel sorry for her parents but relieved the kid is safe with them.
Thank you for sharing this beautifully narrated story, dear Chris.
It has so many warning lights flashing away for all.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly DIVYA, those who choose this lifestyle don’t just hurt themselves. They hurt their nearest and dearest and when children are involved it is nothing short of tragic. Many thanks for reviewing this write about the perils of substance abuse.


Chris

[AYVID N]

I fully agree, and you're welcome dear Chris.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Chris,

This excellently written Poetry is heartbreaking and heart wrenching in its telling of a story that, more than quite obviously, is no tall tale of the reality of this world in which we live, where those we love can be lost whilst living, and lost forever in their dying ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Marvin, thank you so much for the visit and your thoughtful review. I appreciate your time. read moreDear Marvin, thank you so much for the visit and your thoughtful review. I appreciate your time.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Drugs kill so many dear Chris. I lost three brothers to drugs and alcohol. The story, you wrote in the poetry. Common in our new world. Hard life, wild life and drugs lead us to the bad death. Thank you for sharing the powerful and worthwhile words.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry to hear about your brothers Coyote. We have known several young people that have gone this way. Such a curse and a loss. Thank you for sharing.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Alcohol and drugs. Killed so many and you are right dear Chris. A curse. You are welcome.

[Miss Sharon]

(she was the first of nine an overdose of ugly no wonder we search for random flowers) Such a sad commentary of this sin-filled world in which we live. Your words move me to tears. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

So sad that our youth can travel in this direction. All too common these days. Thank you dear Sharon. A belated happy new year to you. Hope you are keeping well and life is treating you kindly.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

heart breaking ... heart wrenching, Chris ... your poem pulls me in and holds me in it's tragedy and grief .. heedless of the message even young peers send in their deaths ... the illegal drug trade is horrendous and worthy of mighty armies led against it ... well done .. so emotive and vivid .. strong social commentary that cuts deep ... well done .. excellent poetry in my book!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. It is an ugly subject but one that has to be written about. I hope it will act as a warning. Sending all good wishes to you from this side of the pond. Have a good Saturday.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

The television show Intervention shown in the US is much like this story only with happier ending usually. Addiction is first a mental disorder that can become physical dependency. Sad for all involved.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly there aren’t many happy endings in this particular circle of young people. I have more to write about. Thank you Winston.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

our broken youth...so aptly put my dear. The tragedy of our current times is the rush to oblivion so many of our young seem hell-bent on achieving. What to do? I haven't an answer, but your poem should be mandatory reading for as many people as can be reached

ken

[Chris Shaw]

That’s quite a review Ken. There’s quite a few more in the pipeline when I get round to it. Happy new year.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

This is the type of tragedy seen so often when addiction is a factor. She had a loving family, a child of her own and friends, but the dope enforced its dominance over her. The first pleasant experience leads to greater frequency until entrapment is complete. The path is downhill thereafter. Yes, it is a tragedy, and worse, someone is making money off it.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly I know of many that have gone this way or similar. Most of them well educated and with decent family support. It is both shocking and tragic. Tracy was a friend of my daughter. Thank you for stopping by.

Chris

[Gee]

How sad that so many of the young find "happiness, comfort, peace" in drugs with selfish disregard for everything include their own lives and those of all that love them.
Morning Christine, hope you are all well.
An early happy new year to you all

[Chris Shaw]

Happy new year Gee. Sadly they don’t particularly see themselves as vulnerable. It won’t happen to them. I have known others that have gone this way. It is tragic and devastating and yes I think selfish too. Tracy was known to us.

Chris

[Neville]

if I was not the hard man, then these words would surely make me weep .. without wishing to sound like the proverbial stuck record, I dont mind admitting that sometimes, I am ashamed of my own species ..

[Chris Shaw]

You certainly see and hear of a different side to life with the tragic case of Tracy. Known to our family , along with a group of others who went in a similar fashion. Most from educated backgrounds. I may write of the others. They deserve to be remembered because most of them were nice people. Some were rotten to the core and one or two evil. Thank you Neville. Happy New Year’s Day to you and I hope the rest of the year is filled with happiness and good things for you and your dear ones.

Chris

[Neville]

Thank you Chris & the very same to you and yours

Neville