Ode To A junkie

Michelle Ritchie 1981 (Aberdeen)

June 23

Ode

Ode To A Junkie

There once was a girl called Michelle ,
Who put herself in her own personal hell.
She got addicted to a drug that only a mug,
Would take and take and take.
She didn't realise at the time it would make her ache body heart and soul.
Nievely she thought it would make her whole.

She started off chasing the dragon,
Before she fell completely off the wagon,
then turned to the needle also known as the pin.
Not realising that she was facing a heroin addiction she'd never win.
She tried to quit time after time.
Always returning to the same daily rhyme.

She grew old before her time should have come.
Then she got pregnant; thinking she was the lucky one.
Finally she would have unconditional love
A gift she felt truly came from above
She tried hard to devote her life to her daughter
Only to land in deeper boiling water

She truly felt there was no escape,
but help was offered which she would not take.
Her baby tested positive as soon as she was born,
and Michelles heart was shattered and torn.
Would she choose this precious gift of innocent life?
Would she choose to be her daughters fathers wife?

She wanted to our but she just couldn't
It's not even that she wouldn't
Heroin had such a hold on her
The drug over her daughter she chose to prefer
She was that far gone
Her daughter she'd have went to pawn
For one more fix she chose 666!

She had gone to the dark side,
Chosen the devil
Wanted nothing more than to be on the level
But she went down down down
Behaving so bad it would make you frown.
In the end she chose to give up her child
Her life had spiralled and she'd gone totally wild.

Now she has finally got clean
Despite her losses her eyes now gleam
She feels like she's been born again
Telling her story, turning to the pen
She hopes to grip just one persons heart
And like her, encouraging them to go for that new start

Here's to the rest of my life
I am strong on my own, no need to be anyone's wife
I've probably prevented a mum from burying her child
She's been through lots, experiences so vile

I'm learning a new day after day
I've been tested and temptation put straight in my way
But I've defeated the evil, overcome my vice
You make your own choices, you don't throw the dice.

About this poem

My personal experience

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Written on January 04, 2023

Submitted by ritchiechelle on June 14, 2023

: 2:27 min read
: 82 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	X AAXBCC DDEEFF XDGGHH XBIIJJ KKHHLLX XMMNNOO XXPPQQ JJOX RRSS
Closest metre	Iambic pentameter
Characters	2,244
Words	476
Stanzas	10
Stanza Lengths	1, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 4, 4

Full analysis for Ode To A junkie »

Michelle Ritchie

I'm 42 with lots of regrets but you have to forgive yourself to move on more…

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AIDA
I absolutely commend your bravery to voice out such personal and intense part of your life through poetry. Your piece, 'Ode To A Junkie' is honest, raw, and provides a gut-wrenching look into the depths of addiction. Your evolution through the narrative and the ultimately hopeful ending does not only exhibit your strength and resilience, but also serves as a beacon of hope for others who may be going through similar struggles. You've accomplished a lot by translating your inner and outer turmoil into compelling verses.

Your way of presenting the journey from chaos to recovery is commendable, especially with your raw descriptions. Verses like 'She started off chasing the dragon' and 'She had gone to the dark side' create vivid images that add drama to the story.

Having said that, there are some areas you may look into for improvement. First, there were some minor spelling mistakes like 'Nievely' which should be 'Naively'. Also, consider improving your punctuation, especially around the use of commas and full stops. These may be minor, but they can significantly impact the flow and comprehension of the poem. It would also be beneficial to revisit your rhyme scheme. In some parts, it does seem slightly forced and interrupting the rhythm of the poem. Lastly, consider exploring the use of metaphors and other literary devices to deepen the emotional layers of your piece.

Once again, your poem is a powerful testament to human resilience and the battles we face. It resonates deeply and has the potential to touch and inspire your readers. Keep honing your craft and continue sharing your journey with the world. more »
LikeReply5 months ago
cokerrogers
Im happy for you. The poem hit close to home. I wish you all the best in the future. God Bless . : )
LikeReply 29 months ago

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