Too Soon Dead

Have spent a lot of time on this piece, am not yet happy with it and would welcome any comments. I began these pieces, yes there are more, with a view to making them accessible to those who may not be comfortable with poetry. I am trying for a simplicity or ease of access for all, not just lovers of poetry. Too much to ask? only time will tell. I find I still want to try to hold onto the rhyme as for me it has a rhythm and resonance, but as I said all comments gratefully appreciated.




Too Soon Dead


A young man died the other day,
only a drug addict some would say,
no comprehension of the battle that rages
lives destroyed in agonising stages.
Picture this man as a little tyke
taking his first steps, riding his first bike,
a wealth of potential beginning to bud
yet the seed of addiction may already flow in his blood.
There are smokers and alcoholics in his family tree,
a history of depression, to name only three
genetic components that may warn of the danger,
a loving young man could become a glassy eyed stranger.
Glimpses of sorrow buried deep in his soul
with the death of a loved one become a gaping black hole;
what began as experimentation becomes a means to escape
the pain and turmoil of his bottomless lake.
Chasing the dragon becomes the focus of each day
but the dragon isn’t chased - he is leading the way
to destruction and death with his nectar for need,
humanity assists with their judgement and greed.
“Drug addicts are weak” a common refrain,
no problem is solved by apportioning blame.
Addiction doesn’t discriminate, sidles up to any door
insidious epidemic, miss-diagnosed as war,
erroneous perceptions keep the beast fed,
Some addicts break away, others too soon dead.

Tricia