Love in a Bottle

people wonder, ask all the time

as if what we did, belonged to them

where is he?  what happened?

because of course, i am at fault

i don't tell them that you found

something new, and satisfying

i don't give them gory details

and anger drenched gossip

i don't tell them how it takes

one, just one, sip from that bottle

for you to become my Mr. Hyde.

instead i smile vapidly, at least i

think that i do, and i tell them

nothing.  perhaps if i drown myself

in a bottle of bourbon too

i can just tell them we went

swimming together; yet only

one returned.

Reviews

[New Dawn]

Fantastic writing - how difficult to ignore the questioning of others , to ignore the urge to shout - it wasn't me! You capture the bewilderment and disbelief at losing someone to an addiction. The ending is particularly poignant.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you so much!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Wow. Your writing is powerful, yet subtle, and ever so well penned! In this, I identify with this piece, and know how people can change with just one sip, whether it be alcohol or any other addiction. To me, it seems that you have accepted that people will somehow think that you did something to the relationship, and you bear the blame, so to speak, in order to not air his "dirty laundry". It is none of their business "people wonder, ask all the time
as if what we did, belonged to them"
This is private to you, so you keep the details to yourself.
So much of addiction is carried out in the shadows, and hidden. Often others, who
never witness it cannot believe that someone acts so differently when under the influence of their addiction of choice.
I am rambling...suffice to say - I loved reading this and thinking about it. A favorite.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you very much - sorry it took so long to acknowledge your kind review - I took a break from here. I really appreciate it!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

You are so welcome. :)

[...]

. sheer dynamite !!! ... i am so friekin' thrilled i didn't miss this post ... you said it ... and you said it really well ... oh, how i wish i could smash that bottle ... right now, i've told myself that it exists to humble me ... because maybe i was arrogant or something ... but i know, rationally speaking, that he's in trouble ... he cannot see clearly ... he lives in fear ... my story is bloody similar to the story in this piece and bloody sad ...

[SpitfireGrrrl]

It's taking me some time. Intellectually, I know it wasn't a matter of choosing to drink instead of choosing me... but emotionally? Who gives a damn - that's how I feel ;)

[...]

. in my case, that bottle is actually a cult ... it's more damaging and more addictive than alcohol ... and now there's someone in his life there ... a fellow cult member ... but he's still reading what i write for him ... i can't be bothered by a cult or "the one" there ... he still is my soul mate for me ... but i'm just not going to take the cult seriously ... for that to happen, my sense of humour would have to commit suicide and it hasn't :P ... not yet :P ... at one time, i was dating someone who wasn't my soul mate ... he was on a strange trip too ... i never looked back ... my take is that one can't live in someone else's fears ... it's not possible ... i'm basically a happy cookie and i intend to stay that way ... yes, i feel sad at times but the feeling doesn't persist ... i focus on staying 9 :P ... i can wait for my soul mate to turn 9 (without losing my spirit) but i wouldn't wait for a non soul mate (is what i'm saying) :P ...

[Liza]

this was a very heartfelt and intensly sassy poetic monologue; your style is very surprising - it goes from me feeling like you're having a conversation with someone to a poetic performance subtley yet brilliantly painting on my mind's stage - thank you for sharing of yourself with us.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Oh, thank you!

[Distant horizons]

The terrible effect one leaves on another to deal with in their abscence is always felt as a fault of the bearer, yet seldom is. Beautifully captured the emotion and despair in this piece.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thanks!

[Raef C. Boylan]

Heyyy, stylistic poetry. Cool. I like how it runs into itself, like reflective inner dialogue. The final few lines have a strong impact: instead of questioning their actions and seeming so vulnerable, our narrator suddenly throws this retort. Haunting. Great build-up to a satisfying ending.
Thanks for your review.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you!