Blog, Pain/Sadness

The Glass Is Empty

by  • 

The Glass Is Empty

Through the bottom
of a glass
the world is 
kinder, manageable
For as long
as the buzz lasts
Slipping into
an alcohol-soaked
oblivion
 
Numbing the agony
temporarily
until a different 
pain wakens
the dysfunctional
corpse
Hammering the head
into familiar
regret
 
Looking out my
front door
I see no new horizon
No muse
to inspire
or cheering squad
to lift my weary soul
and reconfirm
my existence
 
Just a familiar fog
that will obscure
the goodness
I can no longer find
without liquid courage
and confuse
those of us
who see no point
in anything anymore
 
 
Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing ©

This poem was written in response to
today's prompts and is not indicative
of me or my life 🙂
 
Lillian is hosting D'Verse Poets
Open Link Night

Prompts:

Glass - FOWC
Muse - Word of the Day
Looking out my front door - RDP

  45 comments for “The Glass Is Empty”

  1. judeitakali
    February 22, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    oh my, i just wrote something today with a glass of liquor,loved reading this

    • Christine Bolton
      February 23, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Thanks so much Jude 🥰

      • judeitakali
        February 24, 2020 at 12:29 am

        definitely

  2. rivrvlogr
    February 21, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    The bottom of the glass does bring comfort, but at a cost. Your final stanza underscores why that has no meaning, for some.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 22, 2020 at 12:06 am

      Thanks Ken. You are right. I think we’ve all tried it as a remedy at some point in our lives. It just doesn’t work 😐

  3. Darnell Cureton
    February 21, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    The title and photo says it all. Its easy to go over the line, and not come back.
    Very good description of the lives of many Christine.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 22, 2020 at 12:08 am

      Thanks Darnell. Sadly that is true. I’ve known someone that was like that.

  4. sarahsouthwest
    February 21, 2020 at 3:37 am

    I’m so glad you put that coda at the end! I’ve been reading a lot of pain and sadness recently, so I’m glad that you were only inhabiting it (so believably) for this poem. The fact that you had me worried testifies to how well you did it.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 21, 2020 at 8:32 am

      Thank you Sarah. You are so kind and thoughtful. Yes, in the past I have written some poetry that has concerned the reader so I like to write a disclaimer when I think it might be unclear. Thank you for reading 🥰

  5. Frank Hubeny
    February 20, 2020 at 10:16 pm

    I like the description of the fog obscuring goodness in the last stanza.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 21, 2020 at 12:20 am

      Thanks Frank. I’m Capps you liked it.

      • Christine Bolton
        February 21, 2020 at 12:22 am

        I meant to say Happy you liked it 😕

  6. rothpoetry
    February 20, 2020 at 10:06 pm

    Hopelessness is a sad state to be in… Hope in the bottom of the glass… always looking for a…

    cheering squad
    to lift my weary soul
    and reconfirm
    my existence

    You have woven this one very well.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 21, 2020 at 12:19 am

      Yes I agree. Thank you Dwight. Your words mean a lot.

      • rothpoetry
        February 21, 2020 at 9:22 am

        Thank you! You are welcome.

  7. Bodhirose
    February 20, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    Your poem nailed what must go through so many people’s heads who are lost in too much drinking. Having grown up with an alcoholic father, this really hit home. It was hard growing up in that household but as I became an adult I felt more compassion for him and realized that he was just trying to numb the pain that he had known his whole life. So sad but i do understand why people turn to drink and drugs—not a good choice but I understand why.
    Gayle ~

    • Christine Bolton
      February 21, 2020 at 12:17 am

      Thank you so much for commenting. I’m sorry it was so close to home for you. I do understand it too. It becomes a disease that no medicine can cure. It is a very sad situation that many find themselves in. 😢💔

  8. Gina
    February 20, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    very good alchemy of words Christine, this will be someone’s wake up call, love so many of the phrases you coined, familiar regret and liquid courage was pretty awesome

    • Christine Bolton
      February 21, 2020 at 12:12 am

      Oh you’re so kind Gina. Thank you. I really appreciate it. 🙂❤️

  9. Glenn Buttkus
    February 20, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    Dipping into darkness always alerts readers to the possibility of personal experience. I quit alcohol 45 years ago, but those around us who are depressed seem to search for crutches, and now opioids are cheaper than alcohol.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 23, 2020 at 4:17 pm

      Hi Glenn, I found your comment in the spam box 😕 Sadly you are correct and I too have had a drink one too many at those difficult times but fortunately I was never dependent on it. These days I barely take a glass of wine. Age lets you know what your body can and cannot take! I’m happy you gave it up and I have to agree with you about those who search for a crutch. It’s very sad indeed. Thanks for stopping by 🥰

  10. Sadje
    February 20, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    Great use of all the prompt words.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 21, 2020 at 12:10 am

      Thank you Sadje 🥰

      • Sadje
        February 21, 2020 at 12:31 am

        You’re welcome 😉

  11. hypercryptical
    February 20, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    This is so well written, so well observed Christine and I am glad it does not portray you.
    I have worked with alcoholics and know how desperate how lonely their life can be. It is tremendously sad.
    Anna :o]

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      Thank you so much Anna. Yes I do understand the terrible disease. It is very sad 😢

  12. Carol Anne
    February 20, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Awe! How sad! Glad that isn’t your life!

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 9:31 pm

      Thanks Carole Anne. Thank you for reading it 🥰

      • Carol Anne
        February 20, 2020 at 10:42 pm

        Welcome Christine no problem 😃💗😘

  13. bushboy
    February 20, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    A glimpse at someones life.
    I like the lines
    “until a different
    pain wakens
    the dysfunctional
    corpse”

    I did have a grin at your disclaimer Christine

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 5:24 pm

      Ha! I felt like I had to say it. I’ve written some dark poems and I have had some worried comments from readers thinking it was my state of mind at that time 😑 I’m happy you liked the poem! Thank you so much 🥰

  14. msjadeli
    February 20, 2020 at 4:43 pm

    I think Hank Williams wrote a song about the bottom of a shotglass. It’s a rough lifestyle that has destroyed many lives/families.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      Oh I don’t know that song but it would definitely be country wouldn’t it? Yes indeed it has Lisa 😢

  15. Linda Lee Lyberg
    February 20, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    What a sad and lonely existence. I’m happy it’s not you.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 4:38 pm

      Yes! Sadly for many though 😢

  16. lillian
    February 20, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    I’m glad you added that the post is in no way indicative of your life. But sadly, it is indicative of the individual who is dying, cell by cell and perhaps relationship by relationship of alcoholism. Excellent visceral description here.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks Lillian. Yes indeed it is 😢

  17. Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES
    February 20, 2020 at 4:20 pm

    I especially like the line about hammering the head into regret. The title is great.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks so much Colleen 🥰

  18. kim881
    February 20, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    Your disclaimer made me smile, Christine. Although I don’t usually drink – a rare glass of shandy or wine – I can understand why people do. You hit the nail on the head with ‘the world is kinder, manageable’, but it only lasts so long.

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 4:40 pm

      Yes it’s very sad isn’t it? I’m happy you line a tipple as do I, although as I get older they get fewer 😊

  19. calmkate
    February 20, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    very profound use of the prompts Christine …
    I know people who live this way and you describe it so very well!

    • Christine Bolton
      February 20, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks Kate. Although it doesn’t depict me, most of us have all been ‘overpoured’ in our lives and paid the price the next day!

      • calmkate
        February 20, 2020 at 4:13 pm

        yet the hardened drinkers just lift another glass …

      • Christine Bolton
        February 20, 2020 at 4:43 pm

        Yes they do and sometimes function very well 🙃

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