The Man With The Brown Paper Bag
This poem was inspired by an article I once wrote about alcoholism, and peoples perception of an alcoholic.
The Man With The Brown Paper Bag
If you ask for a visual description
you might just be taken aback
At how many still see alcohol addiction
as the man with the brown paper bag.
You see him sitting in the park
his coat tied closed with rope.
What do you think has left its mark?
to make him give up hope.
You only see the end result
of the long road he has travelled
Who found it got more difficult
as he saw his life unravelled
If only he had found the strength
before addiction took control
And not kept the world at arm’s length
for fear of vitriol.
We all encounter trauma
and find different ways to cope
Then worry about the stigma
as we go down that slippery slope
If anyone when reading this
are seeing that red flag
Get help to step back from that abyss
don’t be the man with the brown paper bag
Comments
Charlie Halliday (author) from Scotland on June 11, 2020:
Thank you Ann
Ann Carr from SW England on June 11, 2020:
It reminds me of a parable, the style of this. Well-crafted and strong message.
Ann
Charlie Halliday (author) from Scotland on May 26, 2020:
Thank you Lora.
Lora Hollings on May 25, 2020:
Wonderful poem, Charlie. I really like its message. None of us are immune from going down this road. Some use alcohol, others opiates, and others sleeping pills to escape pain. I like your alert at the end as well. Wake up before addiction takes over!
Charlie Halliday (author) from Scotland on May 24, 2020:
Thank you Lorna. Yes one of the main obstacles that stops someone seeking help (not just for addiction) is the fear of being judged. but I don't need to tell you that as you probably encounter it from many clients.
Charlie Halliday (author) from Scotland on May 24, 2020:
Yes John it is very easy to judge. One of the main reason stopping people seeking help is the fear of the stigma attached by peoples perception. Thanks for reading.
John Hansen from Queensland Australia on May 23, 2020:
What a wonderful poem full of real truths. It is so easy to judge without knowing the story behind a person’s current situation. “Don’t judge unless you are willing to walk a mile in their shoes“, comes to mind.
Lorna Lamon on May 23, 2020:
It can be so easy to judge without trying to understand. This poem is full of honesty and is a reminder of the pain of addiction.