An Overdose of Ugly

(there may be others)

Tracy appeared
surprisingly out of the blue
dressed in long forgotten
dismay

risen from her grave
grey and weary
where the margins of our
cemetery are now filled
to capacity with the old as
well as broken youth

where her friends
had left canned alcohol
to keep her company on her
new journey

mercifully
her little son was kept safe as
warning lights flashed on full
hazard ahead

cared for by
doting grandparents before her
devastated father discovered his
daughter

in a room
in a filthy shared house
every ounce of her young life
wasted

left for days
an ugly death amid paraphernalia
which gave the game away

her clothes in disarray
as though she had been
tampered with

she was the first of nine
an overdose of ugly
no wonder we search for
random flowers

Reviews

[DIVYA]

Overdose of Ugly....Drugs and alcohol are really so ugly, dear Chris.
I never thought of them as Ugly before but when I come to think of it, they well and truly are so ugly.
Perhaps, Tracy's fate was sealed when she first reached out to them.
I feel sorry for her parents but relieved the kid is safe with them.
Thank you for sharing this beautifully narrated story, dear Chris.
It has so many warning lights flashing away for all.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly DIVYA, those who choose this lifestyle don’t just hurt themselves. They hurt their nearest and dearest and when children are involved it is nothing short of tragic. Many thanks for reviewing this write about the perils of substance abuse.


Chris

[DIVYA]

I fully agree, and you're welcome dear Chris.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there are so many others...
random flowers do live among the weeds, but those find the most vulnerable and choke them to death.
the garden always has both sides, good and evil, roses and thorns.
this is so good, Chris,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Your thoughts here are so spot on J. I can write much more about this subject because there are many others. I have stayed silent till now, but I think the muse is ready.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Child abuse, homelessness,domestic violence, drugs, addiction and red tape from the bureaucratics all paint a sad story in society.

[Chris Shaw]

It is a very sad story Andrew. So much upset and there is so much if it and similar too. Happy new year’s day and all the best for the rest.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

a well publicized court case just ended here with this life ending darkness at its center
the long overdue guilty verdict was was very poorly sentenced
Vancouver's east end is home to so many of these issues with no end in sight,
just one more aspect of mankind's ability to ruin innocent lives

[Chris Shaw]

Wide spread and appalling. Is bringing in younger and younger. The pushers never seem to get caught. Their networks are extensive. Thanks Dave.

Chris

[willweb]

Chris, whoa...lately there has been a darkness hovering around your poems. This one was the darkest yet, at least from what I have read. Your poetic tale is not something unfortunately that is out of the normal anymore. Sadly this is a scene that plays out in every city across the globe. Our youth falling prey to the ugly drugs that do nothing more than destroy. This is truly sad.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you will. It’s winter and 2022 wasn’t a good one for me. Yes, the sadness and darkness are coming out, but then the sunshine is just around the corner:) I appreciate your continued support.

Chris