A lone figure seated in a dark bar
Perfectly coiffed and groomed
Blood red tipped talons wrapped around
the stem of the all too familiar wine glass
Diamonds glinting tastefully at ears, throat and fingers
reflected in the frosty silver of the wine cooler
One would assume she is expecting company
The bottle full of promise and the second glass on the table
The assumption would be incorrect
Regret and shame have long stripped the patina of youth from this face
One too many cigarettes created the furrows at the corners of her perfectly painted lips
One would have to get very close to be able to see these flaws
No one is ever allowed to get that close
The carefully constructed illusion remains intact
The bottle is drained, the second glass remains empty
She remains motionless, frozen in time
Trapped in her own private hell
While draped in the trappings of success
Bar tender………….
Addiction , a game anyone can play
I think we often have stereotypes firmly planted in our heads on what certain people look like. You know a Doctor looks like this, a police officer looks like this, a lawyer looks a certain way. We do it without even thinking. Well I started thinking, what does an addict look like? In particular an alcoholic? We seem to assume that pain and suffering only belong to the marginalised, or is it that their experience is more public? The lack of financial security makes it more public? Dont know, what I wanted to express is that pain and suffering, is pain and suffering, no matter what state your bank balance is in. Maybe it isnt? Food for thought
Dwayne Boyd, about 1 month ago
This a great evocative piece. Thanks for sharing it.
Enivea, about 1 month ago
This is so true….thanks for writing about it so well. As to your question, well, I feel there is a difference in the level of suffering according to the bank balance. The pain is compounded by poverty, which is not to denigrate the level of pain felt by an affluent person. I’ll think further on this….
Shelleymay, about 1 month ago
thank you both for taking the time to read and comment
Dayonda, 27 days ago
Congratulations for having your good work Featured on the BACK in BLACK Group Home Page! 22 July 2008
Very good—. please see http://www.redbubble.com/people/dayonda/art/1320742-1-the-black-haired-woman I know a great deal about successful alcoholics… my parents, the rest of my family. I don’t touch anything that could bite me.
Dayonda, 27 days ago
oh- 6 lines up from the bottom: “intact” is the work you mean. (Sorry: Former English teacher.) -=Dayonda
Shelleymay, 27 days ago
Thanks for the congratulations and for pointing out my typo….it is all fixed now! I appreciate the feed back…..:)