CIRCUMSTANCES, OH

02 06 14

Circumstances, oh
how they bludgeon me like nails
to a bed of poisoned taffy
and the torture it entails

Holy water I would swear
is in her sweat, it pools and falls
drop by drop on my recessed
identity till reason calls

Absolution, oh
how I crave it in this state
of hypothetical hand washings
and the touches they sedate

Enlightenment will not strike twice
and can't be bottled, for she's shattered
all the bottles I was hiding
for a bender on what mattered

So I'm sobered and deprived
of all aplomb; it paints the drain
of days I count with scratches on the wall
between me and her comfort's reign

Author's Note

A rare instance in which I said 'whatever, just write.'

Reviews

[Robbie~xoxo~]

I gotta tell you... you are one amazing free-form writer!

This struck a nerve... I felt the impending spiral of alcoholism...
the disappointment of disappointing... the shame...the torture of cravings....
It can ruin you... It can ruin lives....It can ruin your integrity, and sense of self....

I am very familiar with this theme (not of my own turmoil, but from another)...
It's painful, nevertheless....

Well penned, my sweet!... you always keep my mind and heart reeling!~xoxo~

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Robbie :) I wasn't sure how this one was going to pan out cuz I didn't ponder over it...but there was certainly a lot on my mind just the same. I'm sorry that it rekindled old memories for you but I'm glad that you could relate. Thank you as always for the kind words my dear friend...it means the world :) xoxo

[Robbie~xoxo~]

It means the world to me too... you did not bring me pain... but acknowledgement, for those who still suffer... I love them with all my heart, and will never give up hope to beat these demons... ~xoxoxo~

[Gleb Zavlanov]

Brilliant poem! Alcoholism is definitely a very serious issue, and it takes very strong and determined souls to fight it! Wonderfully written!

[kublakhan27]

So glad you enjoyed it, thanks very much :)

[Listmaker]

You had me from the very first verse -- the imagery of a poisoned bed of taffy will stay with me for sometime. Great poem about the tragic disease of alcoholism with which I am very familiar - alcoholic father and two brothers.

[kublakhan27]

I'm genuinely sorry to hear that...I seem to have spoken to people of a similar plight with this one, and the positive feedback I've gotten for it truly means a lot. Many thanks for your kind words.

[MsJewel]

So I'm sobered and deprived
of all aplomb; it paints the drain
of days I count with scratches on the wall
between me and her comfort's reign

Having lived with an alcoholic for years...your poem hit home for me - the last verse reminding me of the pain and torture of attempting sobriety.
Brilliant writing my friend..absolutely brilliant.
:) Julie

[kublakhan27]

So sorry to hear that Julie, but I'm glad you could relate...and thanks so much for the kind words :)

[Rita L. Sev]

If this is just free-flowing thoughts... I am blown away! Especially intrigued by circumstances that "bed of poisoned taffy ..." So sweet, so enticing... so destructive...

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Rita :)

[Lehlohonolo Lichaba]

fine piece,

Enlightenment will not strike twice
and can't be bottled, for she's shattered
all the bottles I was hiding
for a bender on what mattered

great job once again

[kublakhan27]

Many thanks Low-Lee

[Luke L]

Great stuff man, I really like how it flows, it took me a strange ride too

[kublakhan27]

Glad you enjoyed it Luke, many thanks.

[Kylie]

Oh my, this is a beautiful poem! I loved it, the imagery is so, so vivid and real. I can really picture everything here. Well done, sweetie.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Kylie :)

[Jack...]

Steve, still walking the spiral staircase of your poetry. You take me to new heights eacn and every time I read your work. My head spins as I traverse the twisting and winding of my foot hold, hanging on to the railing never seeming to reach the top. You my friend are a true artist. Very nicely done.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Jack, your support truly means the world.

[Frieda P]

Pfft and pssh Benji, just a little something you said, and now 'whatever'....genius can't be harnessed, your whatever is pure brilliance. The imagery here is off the charts, not sure if you're talking about your mistress or those boozy spirits there, either way they have the same effect perhaps! Absolution and holy water, I almost genuflected when I got to the sober'd finish. You always paint a Dali with your words, mesmerizing as always, like being in an enlightened trance......you're too much my sweet friend! ;-) xo

100 hypothetical hand washing's in holy water.............

[kublakhan27]

Ah my love, I am smiling what will unquestionably be my biggest smile all day, probably my only one for all I know ;P I likely had those things in mind subconsciously, and a few more for good measure haha I almost genuflected you...wow, that is some overwhelming praise Mrs.R, I am truly humbled...thank you so much :) xo

[Frieda P]

As I said pfft, and that's coming from Mrs R, so you know she means business...'nothing special', your words verbatim, you are the consummate tortured artist my friend, you do it to yourself indeed! ;-P x

[kublakhan27]

Haha I do know she means business...there must be a part of me that enjoys the scoldings ;) xo

[Frieda P]

Hahahaaha, that's a whole other poem Benji ;-)