“Drug Abuse” by Angu Walters
capsules of sanity
tablets of bravery
consciousness addled
by painkilling chemistry
left in the half-light
of utter dependence
a life inauthentic
one cadre of shadows
exchanged for another
will time tell the tale
whether treatments
prove better or worse
than afflictions
the trinity essence
of human identity
heart mind and soul
find connection
by delicate meshed
metaphysical membrane
connections indifferently
severed by dull
pharmaceutical knives
in the quelling of
pain and depression
collateral damage
the self can’t survive
in the effort
to overcome suffering
physic and psychic
rebalanced arranging
a new personality
lost of original tendencies
sapped of vitality
trapped in a fugue
of unrealized addiction
content to continue
the journey unwary
the path has been altered
away from one’s dreams
Poesy plus Polemics 
I recognise the chemical cosh
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it’ll knock you senseless
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Reblogged this on Glor's World and commented:
Poetry by Paul F. Lenzi
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hey there old friend – thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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Pingback: Overprescribed — Poesy plus Polemics – Abandon all Hope, ye who enter here
thank you for linking my poem with your readers
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If I ever needed reminding (which I don’t) of you consummate skills in conjuring classic poetry this is it. Although it reminds me of an old Lou Reed song, ‘Sword of Damocles’ this poem has far greater eloquence and imagery than does his lyric. In the song and talking of his close friend’s demise and various treatments he observes, ‘So to cure you they must kill you, the Sword of Damocles hangs above your head’…what you have penned here puts flesh upon the skeleton of Mr Reed’s words to the extent that I expect if he is up there somewhere he is a tad jealous!
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he’ll never need be jealous – that line you cite says it all
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So true Paul. There is a big push here in Florida by the DEA to pressure Drs and RX who prescribe pain meds, as a result a lot of terminally ill are suffering and some are ending it themselves, I feel they are playing into the hands of drug dealers that many people are turning to as an alternative. Drugs are a huge and nearly unmaniglble issue. thank you for the wonderfully expressed and beautifully written words.
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appreciate your affirmation – it’s a personal issue for me
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I take my morning cocktail and my evening cocktail refusing to consider where I’m going with them or where I’d be without them. 9 years now since ‘near death’ I consider every day a gift to be used creatively and with gratitude . . . I feel your pain . . .
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my cocktails are 4 per day – but I, too, see each day a gift
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I too am going through recovery from this affliction, am learning to reduce my prescriptions while seeking alternative medicine treatments and learning Quantum energy. I used to be on about ten different kinds of medications. Am now down to three, and reducing them as well.
Very well written and heartfelt, my friend! I too feel your pain and am constantly seeking ways to restore the natural balance I once walked in naturally as a child living on my family’s farm. I was so wild and free and strong then! I am still strong, but a wounded warrior for sure.
We are all healers. Your site is exquisite!
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your most thoughtful comments are deeply appreciated
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We are all recovering in some way or another, thanks so very much for sharing such beauty.
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“Go ask Alice! ” Did you ever read “Sometimes a Great Notion” by Ken Kesey? It has as part of it a wonderful description of the way the world looks from the eyes of an abuser. Yes. and I also drink wine when I do an oil painting, or dance with abandon. I think the ancients also used something. Even Christ turned water to wine. The problem is in the over-use, and the dependence. Or am I misguided.
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I can only recall having read Cuckoo’s Nest – this is about arguably necessary over-aggressive pain management
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Oh man. I feel this.
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then I must have succeeded
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Without a doubt.
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Very immersive; I like how lack of punctuation leads reader into a restless mind.
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you just helped me understand why I write this way – my mind is ever restless
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Likewise! Nevertheless, used for good 🙂
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Your poem is wonderful, Paul, although saddens me to think of the reasons behind the need. I was speaking, just last night, with my son, about pharmaceutical companies and their stronghold on the health/wellbeing of nations and about the possible benefits of medicinal marijuana. I don’t know a great deal about either other than what I’ve gleaned from sources here and there. I’m just suspicious enough of any profit motivated company to question whether what is touted is as accurate as we are led to believe. Wishing you well, Paul, and an alleviating of pain.x
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it’s a love-hate relationship that makes quintessential dilemma
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I feel the pain behind your words. I’m sorry . I noticed your Daily Digest posted late today and wondered if you are OK. Eloquent poetry but at what a cost. ❤
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all my days are difficult – such is life
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