ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Hunger Game

He’s caught between days and now facing the night,
still fearing the darkness, afraid of the light,
enjoying the silence, brief moments in time
when all of earth’s riches seem almost sublime.

But time does not linger, the hunger game burns,
and, trapped by his nightmare, the demon returns
to plunder his body, a pitiless thief,
for only the needle can bring some relief.

He makes his decision, knows where he must go,
and stares at the turgid white water below.
He murmurs the question “What is and is not?”
then shatters the silence with one single shot.

© David 24/10/15

Eeeeouw! Wasn't expecting that David Hunger games indeed with this very well written poem - all the sadder because we know it happens far too often.

David, so poignant and like Maureen says it happens too often and still fresh in my mind after reading Maureen's TAT magazine this arvo.
Nice poem painting such a vivid picture.

thanks for sharing

Dot

Succinct, poignant and powerful David - great poem!

Goodonya David. A small Shakespearean reference there in the second last line

Very powerful, David! I agree with the comments already posted - a succinct summing up of a situation that is sadly far too oft-repeated.

I have a dear friend who is dealing with a similar situation with her troubled adult son who cannot escape his addictions and wishes only to die - so it touches an extra-raw nerve with me.

Regards
Shelley

Sorry Maureen, that sequence of prompts took me to a very dark place. But thank you, everyone, for your responses...too many families are exposed to this sort of tragedy. And yes, Neville, you're right on the money with that observation!

David

Don't be sorry David - it is a poem that is very relevant to current events sadly. We are hearing about so many people who see this as the only out and not all of them are young folk either. We are living in troubled and hard times.