Spreading The Disease

The sobering effects of alcoholism

  

It was a nightly routine

For a young boy with dreams

Door slamming, playtime ending

All the sudden I wasn’t Superman

With booze on his breath

And a belt in his hand.

 

Before I’d sleep I’d pray

I would have the strength to survive

And be a man unlike him.

 

Spreading the disease

It is him, is it me

Spreading the disease

I need the cure, help me please.

 

It was a daily routine

Living my life in clouded denial

Downing whiskey for recreation

Till a night of flashing blue lights

With my son on life support

I sobered up by his side.

 

Forgoing sleep I just prayed

He would make it through the night

So he can grow up not like me.

 

Spreading the disease

That is me, please not him

Spreading the disease

I lost the cure, help me please.

 

It was a constant routine

Partying up in a college atmosphere

Drinking games till the sun came up

Then came the morning he never woke up

When the tearful call came I knew

I passed on my sickness

 

Forever sleeping I just prayed

God would not forsake him

For the mistakes I made.

 

Spreading the disease

I passed it on, what have I done

Spreading the disease

The only cure came at a price.

 

Author's Note

The sobering reality of alcoholism and how it can be passed on to the children

Reviews

[closed account]

A very powerful message here, I am sure many can relate even if they don't want to admit it! I love poetry that has a hidden meaning, that has truth and provides a relation to someone, I know many who have a problem in drinking my father had one and thank God to this day he is a very sober man for the past 10 years. I hope this can help someone and help then wake up before it's too late!! Amazing, and well done.

;-)

[Jennifer]

Very good poem. I think it needs more words in it, I got lost a couple of times while reading. Otherwise, I like it.

[Brianna Brie]

You are definitely a writer that wants to produce change in the reader! Somehow, you instinctively know just how to hit it hard in our hearts and minds. Great way to unfold a story with a morale. Kudos!

[Norma J. Jessee]

A powerful and sobering poem Dale. I have known a few people who have crashed into reality when a tragedy happens such as this. Some really change and yet there are others who find the challenge to hard.
This is beautifully done Dale. I have missed reading your work so much.

[Mark]

"With booze on his breath and a belt in his hand..." I can definitely identify, here, Dale. God bless you for having the courage to strive to change your life, even if it did take a tragedy to complete the cycle.

[grinning_powers]

Unfortunately the children end up paying for the sins of the parents. The fact that the POV shifts at some point really helps to realise that alcoholism *is* in fact a disease and should be confronted as one instead of waiting for tragic events to unfold in order to put things into perspective.

[Spoken]

I love the way this was crafted. The message really hits you hard. You've laid out the progression of the disease being passed on from father to son wonderfully and the repeating phrase with a little changing at each passing of the disease really ties it together. Very sad tale here. I haven't been on in a while and coming back to your work it just seems to get better and better.

[SM Davis]

Alcoholism is an ugly thing no matter who it is...however Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and older children that were born with FAS ... MY GOD... makes you just want to rattle the... you get the idea.

well done on this poem cowboy! Very well done.

[Essie]

this poem is very moving and grabbed my attention immediately. it really focuses on an important issue and reality of society. i love the progression throughout the poem showing the effects from one generation to the next. amazing write!

[emmajoy]

There are people who can write words, there are people who can juggle letters and make sense out of them. then, there's someone who can write a moving tale with a moral without preaching. That's you.

What a wonderful post.

[*** Hey Jude***]

This heartfelt piece is not only one of such importance, but narrated with beautiful precision.
As a mother, I cannot not only imagine, but empathize and after reading this piece. I will be praying even more fervor than usual tonight for not only my children, but all parents and adult children that go through 'life lessons" shall we say? I believe there is also the issue of free will as well. Keep up the great writes ~ Jude :-)