Heroin Does That To You...

This is about my son's addiction to heroin.

Heroin does that to you...
Phone rings,
It's 1 a.m.
Private number.
I know what that means.
"Hello" I say.
His voice is shakey,
He chokes out the words.
"Mom, I just got arrested,
I'm going to jail."
I took a deep breath,
Giving me time to think
Of the right words to say.
"Ok, I love you.
Don't forget to tell them
That your gonna be sick."
Heroin does that to you...
"Mom, I should of listened to you.
I'm sorry.
Next time I will."
How many next times,
Thinking to myself.
I can't count how many times he's been arrested,
And sent to juvie or jail.
We both knew this time it would be prison.
Heroin does that to you...
"That's what you said last time.
But you just keep running back to it.
I know your sorry.
No matter what,
I will always love you.
I am holding you right now baby boy."
He cries even harder.
"Mom I'm scared of getting sick.
I really want a cigarette."
21 years old but he sounds like a 3 year old,
With a high pitched whine.
Heroin does that to you...
Last time I saw him he looked 35
And probably only weighed 110.
Arms scarred with needle marks
Infected sores throughout his body.
Smelled of sweat and dumpsters
Where he had been digging for food.
I barely recognized him.
Where had my son gone?
He couldn't look me in the eye.
Heroin does that to you...

L. Mack

6/17/18

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

No getting away from the impact of this one. Told in brief, conversational style, it is the story of a mother trying to deal with the arrest of her addict son. It is a harrowing litany interspersed with the titular refrain, "Heroin does that to you" in just the right places. The description of the son in the last part of the poem is most affecting. Well done.

PS: In the line 8 from the end, do a spell check on the second word.

[Lori Mack]

Thank you. Unfortunately this is a true story. Scarred not scared I see it thank you. God bless.

[Coyote Poetry]

Powerful and true words shared.
"Where had my son gone?
He couldn't look me in the eye.
Heroin does that to you..."
Heroin, the devil's medicine. Will destroy you or kill you. Outstanding poetry shared.
Coyote

[Lori Mack]

Thank you. It has been a painful journey. God bless.

[Coyote Poetry]

You done well and you are welcome Lori.