A crumb cannot sustain
no more than a man abstain
in his own right thinking
he can escape the linking
of opinion – it’s like drinking
in how it struck,
without the luck;
–
At least the bottle throws a bone,
table-scraps of joy, alone;
some people, they cry
don’t dream of heaven, but they lie:
ain’t a man that ever did die
didn’t sniff it up like cocaine–
once, the thought, even in disdain.
* My latest contribution to the wonderful One Shot Poetry Wednesdays! Once you’ve had a look, check out some of the other One Shot Poets as well–they’re a skilled bunch of poets, with a strong and supportive community. Enjoy!
The Waking Den 
you captured this hopelessness really good – the broken dreams and hopes you try to discuss or drink away and deny until they catch up with you one day..
sniffing it up like cocaine – loved this
great rhyme scheme chris…sniff, sniff…we been down in the bottle, but no more, no more…nice one shot.
Frustration seeps through this, and a great flow, too.
Chris… You know I love your poetry… But this one just makes me sad. It’s well written, but maybe because I personally know you, it just makes me wanna give you a hug.
This poem is riddled with a melancholic whirpool! We may not know the place, but we feel the wild will of the waters! Sadly beautiful!
I agree with Gemma this piece has a meloncholy feel to it. A strain, as if stretched. Well done!
Read it several times, then noticed the dedication to Dr King, and it made it gel for me. Loss and melancholy and lack of luck and all those other human things.
The ending lends itself to different interpretations. Makes me ponder the commonality of hopeful dreams juxtaposed with heart-rending despair, consuming the melancholy of being lead by and trapped in certain thought patterns. Excellent depth, and very well written, CG, as if both elements of condemnation and pity are evoked.
I like this.
This is the kind of poem that would make a good performance on stage
At least the bottle throws a bone,
table-scraps of joy, alone;
Very rhythmic and meaningful. I liked so many pieces of this (as the one I listed above) and as
a whole it resonates with sadness and yet, as we
have learned from history, sadness is sometimes justified…sadly.
When hopelessness creeps up the marrow, everything and nothing seems right! The tautness of your words says it all too well, Chris..
Very powerful poetry, my friend!! Pains the mind to even imagine such a thing happening to someone… but it does, to some people, at certain times.. (sigh)
Wow, so so but great poetic stirring words my friend. I loved it oxo
Should have read “so sad”…grrrr. 🙂 🙂
a very evocative poem. quite striking in the rhythm and the sense by the end of a life lived in pain and despair. amazing!
Love this Chris, the rhyme scheme is so refreshing and jangly. It reminds me of a Smiths song, in how its upbeat rhythm belies its darker message. Great poem.
At least the bottle throws a bone – now there’s a line I wish I’d written. Interesting rhyme scheme, is it a particular form? Very emotive, well written piece.
Hi Chris
Its a great one shot, and i liked the vividness of it all. thanks for sharing..
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
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Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
A very powerful piece. I particularly like these lines: At least the bottle throws a bone, table-scraps of joy, alone.
Whether real or imagined, the feeling of being alone is the same.