Just Say No

In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, they had better aim at something high. - Thoreau

He used women like they were lethal drugs.

Overdosing on their highly-addictive kisses and hugs.

There was Bonnie, his booze.

Heidi, his heroin.

Constance, his cocaine.

Crystal and Mary his meth.

Wendy was his weed.

There was Ursula for uppers and Donna for downers.

Not to mention Sharon for the shakes.

He even had them for pain and headaches.

Priscilla, his prescribed percocet and Abigail, his aspirin.

Whatever he did and wherever he would go,

all he had to do was ...

... just say no ...

Author's Note

“Yet, for my part, I was never usually squeamish; I could sometimes eat a fried rat with a good relish, if it were necessary. I am glad to have drunk water so long, for the same reason that I prefer the natural sky to an opium-eater’s heaven. I would fain keep sober always; and there are infinite degrees of drunkenness. I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man; wine is not so noble a liquor; and think of dashing the hopes of a morning with a cup of warm coffee, or of an evening with a dish of tea! Ah, how low I fail when I am tempted by them! Even music may be intoxicating. Such apparently slight causes destroyed Greece and Rome, and will destroy England and America. Of all ebriosity, who does not prefer to be intoxicated by the air he breathes?” - Thoreau

Reviews

[DAH]

Pete, I love this line, it says it all: "Overdosing on their highly-addictive kisses and hugs".
Yes, some drugs can feel this way. This is a brilliant poem!

The concept of addiction is nicely played, and the gender naming of the drugs
is seriously unique.

Bravo, Poet!
DAH

[Pete]

well, we all have our vice. the intoxicating allure of that "high" we chase whatever it be. thanks for sharing your thoughts DAH, much appreciated ... :)

[DAH]

My pleasure!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is so clever, Pete...the wordplay...the alliteration with the names.
and he just could not say "no" could he?
I never drank much...and mostly stayed away from drugs...women were my first choice of vice...
and i think sometimes the effects were harder on my heart than any drugs or alcohol could have been on the rest of my body...
j.

[Pete]

as the old saying goes, "choose your poison." some cannot (thus the term addiction). interesting that you went for the ladies. there is no electrocardiogram to measure the effects of a woman on a man's heart eh? perhaps that is why most do their chasing whilst young. thank you for sharing jacob ... :)

[Fran Marie]

There are so many things one can be addicted to.and intoxicated by..like the way you give the women names to the drugs and vice versa.
glad my name isn't used the dreaded F word..he would be F'ked up for sure..lol..

nice work

[Pete]

Lol. thanks Fran. you made me chuckle with your quick wit ... :)