The Needle

She calls you, a siren of serenity,
her voice filled with
the sultry promise of oblivion.

You know you can't resist
her dirty little secret all
bagged up to go.

Poppies are so beautiful,
don't you think?
They have power
well beyond your own.

Forsake it all and join me
in the land of nod where
worries go to die.

I promise I'll deliver-
if angels can dance on the head of a pin
you can surely take the plunge with me.

There is no escape, I'm simply omnipotent,
you crave me beyond all else-
even your own little life.

No one cries here baby
they just forget it all...
until you need me again,

and I'll always be waiting,
even when you neglect me
I won't be mad, I'm patience personified-

Because eventually you won't
even remember your name,
but you'll always remember mine
.

Reviews

[therisa]

Although, I have avoided the poppy's urge, too many people within the LGBT community, have not. Reading this very powerful poem, I feel like you, have first hand experience, with a love one or a close friend that have become trapped. I know, first-hand, the damage that addictions wreck upon a person's life and the family members, who forced to face this Hellish nightmare. I hope that the person, whom you wrote this poem about, is seeking and wanting treatment, for this slow descent to death.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much therisa. The drug knows no gender or socioeconomic boundaries. He went to detox yesterday but only because he got arrested on Monday. It's a nightmare that keeps on giving. Thank you for sharing your experience and for giving your empathy.

[therisa]

Your welcome, and hope the best, for your friend/love one.

[TL Boehm]

oh, this is beyond my ability to articulate. the power "poppies" have on a soul. The destruction. The willing descent to oblivion.
This poem speaks such truth.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks TL you always share your wonderful thoughts with class.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

This was REALLY deep...love the metaphor. I can completely feel each and every word of this one. I have had friends who have been addicted, and this just really brought to the surface feelings that I can't quite express. Well done...

[icelandicblue]

Thanks a lot Sarah.

[KAOlmsted]

Holy cats, dude...this is truly amazing writing, blue...you captured this so precisely. Well done.

[icelandicblue]

Yes, unfortunately it hits close to home.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks kimmer.

[KAOlmsted]

Me too...my nephew is a heroin addict :-( I think he's in a methadone program now, though...at least he was last time I talked to my sister...who knows, though. My pleasure, blue.

[Frieda P]

You know I felt this one to the core of my being, and in every cell of my body, can't even articulate the feeling that comes over me from reading this...just know, I felt you in this moment. x

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Frieda- with tears for both of us.

[Frieda P]

Very strange, I just finished writing something similar out of frustration when I came across this one, just wish there were a magic potion....

[icelandicblue]

I just found yours and felt it to my core.

[Kristin Lee]

That was some powerful stuff! Wow. Though not overly dramatic it had quite a dramatic affect. Very well written.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Kristen, you are always so kind.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Wow, that was beyond powerful... i could feel the pull of the words in this piece. Excellent... I lost my older brother to his addiction, this was eerily realistic.

[icelandicblue]

I have a family member and I have seen this up close and personal. I am sorry about your brother. It affects everyone who loves and addict negatively. You keep looking for the person you knew but only the needle knows him now.

[icelandicblue]

the addict I meant

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I understood... it was tragic, the last i spoke to him was on his death bed, literally. It was a very conflict filled spiral of emotions for me to deal with, now i'm just happy his suffering is no more.

[icelandicblue]

i'm sorry it is my biggest fear and I live with it everyday. It's hell on earth for everyone involved.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That it is.

[Jack...]

Anne, so very well done my friend. You poem produced fear in me, genuine fear. I can say I have never been mesmerized by this of which you speak, but have had many friends who have and it is very sad to watch this affection blossom in a wilting, putrid bloom. I personally will stick with being addicted to love

[icelandicblue]

Sooner or later you're addicted to love!

[Jack...]

You're gonna have to face it....

[icelandicblue]

I loved that song and the video.

[Pete Langley]

I have to admit my only personal experience of the effect of drugs ( apart from nicotine) was diamorphine on demand when I had my knee replaced....but the love I bestowed on that little button while I had it, and the sense of loss I felt when they took it away makes me start to understand the grip on the will these drugs have. A very insightful piece, Blue. P.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Pete- it's a huge problem in our country-huge. I appreciate your comment and sharing.

[Zahra]

This is a really strong poem blue, very impressive. Well penned.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much for reading.