To The Innocent

The bottle hadn’t ever even touched my lips

Yet still I lived the effects it cynically brought.

I’ve never tasted a drink stronger than coke

Yet still alcohol made my mind swirl with hurt.

I’ve never used a syringe try to numb my pain.

Yet the needle still stabbed my heart repeatedly

I’ve never flown higher then where kites reach

Yet still have woken up crashed from the flight.

I’ve never watched distorted figures “make love.”

Yet still my soul was blackened like the end credits.

I’d never cheated on someone I said I “loved you” to

Yet I still couldn’t say the words “I love you” back.

I’ve never been locked in a room 6 by 8 feet with bars.

Yet still I felt trapped by lies and lists of crimes I’d heard

I’ve never been handcuffed by the side of the highway

Yet still my skin was rubbed raw with continuing lies that hit.

I’ve never stolen drugs and jewelry from someone I love.

Yet still I’ve cried the tears the loss of trust took with it.

I’ve never sold sin to strangers in shapes of capsules

Yet still I felt the cold emptiness the customers searched for.

I’ve never had an addiction,

One like the people I’m supposed to love seemed to have.

I’ve never felt the guilt they go through routinely each day

Yet still I’ve felt the emptiness they must feel every 24 hours.

I’ve never felt the shame of what they do as I look in the mirror

Yet still I’ve felt a sense of hopelessness and lack of faith they have

Because the truth is, Addiction doesn’t affect just the Victim.

I’ve never watched as Addiction destroys my own soul.

Yet still I’ve watched it destroy yours…fraying my own.

I’ve never watched addiction take over my heart with every beat.

Yet still my heart has beat painfully screaming its name angrily.

Addiction has only left me wondering.

Wondering why addiction takes such satisfaction in lives it takes,

Dragging them through the hall to hell by their bleeding fingernails.

On their way passing framed pictures of failed attempts and lost battles.

The hallway ends in darkness and empty because they lost everything.

And all that’s heard is the echoes of addictions last laugh.

Addiction doesn’t stop there though, with passion in its eyes.

It’s not satisfied with one kill shot, and has his next target ready.

Its next aim is the family of the soul being dragged painfully.

Addiction tries to take the lives of the innocent.

And all that’s left is the graves of the cemetery

The tombstones etched with words “Hopeless” and “Defeat.”

The battle is over and everything is silent

And Addiction smiles from above,

Rubbing his hands and plotting his next victim

I just hope the next one is strong enough to defeat him.