Of Friendship and Remedies

So AA just wasn't feasible...

You are my friend

One of the best out there

Always holding my hand

Regardless of consequence

Fill my head with emotion

Show me it's okay to feel

Lost

Or blissfully inspired

Push me to take a chance

A leap across chasms

Pregnant with asps and ivy

Why you care about me is beyond

My finite comprehension

But abuse is better than nothing

In return I tip you upside down

Drain you of everything

I discard you in favor

Of another

Hoping they'll be the one

I wasn't the good friend

Never really intended on it

My hand shouldn't have been

Your resting place

Over the chasm we go

Together

Just as you would want it

Except your weight displeases me

I let you go

Watch you fall into the abyss

A smile on my face

You smash against the rocks

Raining shattered remains

On serpents and plants

I land on the other side

And find your doppelganger there

We share one look

And once again

My hand is full 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Honest and direct words. I told people. Few real friends. Just us using and abusing people trying to get to our desired goal. I enjoyed the flow of thoughts leading to the very good ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[James O'Rourke]

Thanks for checking out my writing.

I am definitely guilty of using and being used as far as friendship is concerned. Sometimes it was intentional and others they were not. Friendship can be difficult for those of us who hide behind shallow things and sometimes even hide behind ourselves, creating alter egos as a defense mechanism. Life can be a little loopy.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome.

[~]

Ohhh a wonderful and poignant write breaking down to the littlest iota what it means to deal with the demons of alcoholism.

[James O'Rourke]

Appreciate the kind words. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

[....................]

A brilliantly written piece about the hold of alcoholism and the unwritten hurt inside a man.

[James O'Rourke]

Thanks for checking it out FT. Hope to get some more stuff out soon!

[Mai L Nissen]

Wow, I really felt that! Don't know if it is because I lived with an alcoholic... The relationship between the man and drinking is strong. The symbolism of the bottle 'Always holding my hand', when empty the doppelganger fills his hand... suggeting a constant, a comfort that is always available.

I see a lot of hurt in there, with no resolve to pick oneself up. Maybe I am projecting. I don't wish for people to experience this, but I think it is an important poem, an important voice.

[James O'Rourke]

Thanks for reading my poem! This is one of my newest attempts. Kind of went through a bit of love and hate relationship with drinking the past year. I definitely tried to make the drinking sound humanistic, like a friend that you can't put down. It'll probably be something I try to play with the imagery a bit. Getting back into writing on a regular basis has been a bit of a struggle, but comments like yours will definitely give me the energy and drive to keep at it. Thanks again!