With today being the anniversary of my fathers death, I thought I’d share an acrostic poem I wrote… It gives an insight of what happened to him, how I felt and how I still feel to this day. Thank you to anyone who reads it and thank you for being there over the years.

“Losing Our Loved Ones To The Old Devil Drink”

Longing for the day that I don’t have to write…

Or openly talk about the loss of my light.

Soul searching in the dark, a passage not right…

I’m bereft of my vision, now that you’ve vanished from sight.

Not much comfort in knowing you’re looking down proud…

Grieving in silence, avoiding shouting too loud.

…

Of course I’ll never forget, that there’s no doubt…

Useless I feel though, without you about.

Remembering what you taught me, can I take heed…?

…

Little hope of that happening, my heart perpetually bleeds.

On a path we once walked, now without you to lead…

Vices were sought, to take my mind off death and its deeds.

Endlessly living in the past though, I had to move on…

Doubtful you’d want me to darken the dawn.

…

Over time, the hurt and the pain starts to heal…

Never fully, but I have to control the sorrow I feel.

Each day that passes, I accept more that your passing was real…

Soon we’ll meet again, my father, I pray and I kneel.

…

The times we spent together, forever etched on my heart…

Only memories and photos remain, but they make me feel less apart.

…

Taking away the saint in you, it turned you to a sinner…

Heavy doses that did fill you, only made you thinner.

Empty bottles by your bedside, with uneaten dinners…

…

Only sounds of the cold shakes and solemn sad shivers.

Love of the drink drove you, away from your kins…

Destitute, you were alone, I felt like I had sinned.

…

Dragging you through storms, poison rains amidst the wind…

Endless nights spent bathed in the dark green absinthe.

Values once held, all replaced by the bottle…

Indulging so much, you never took your foot off the throttle.

Last orders were approaching, you didn’t take any note…

…

Drowning yourself while refusing, all the antidotes.

Realising your demise, you could no longer cope…

In despair with yourself, you had no one there for hope.

No longer with us, your demons took you away…

Keep on living in my heart, until we meet again one day.