We are all drug addicts
My old friends and me
The doctor is our dealer
He provides our scrip for free
We very rarely see him
We hardly know his name
He doesn’t know us either
But, supplies us all the same
We have to meet in secret
In his little room
It often feels like he is just
A harbinger of doom
After a little while
With our addictions known
He always will supply us
Often on the telephone
Drugs to make us high
Drugs to bring us down
Drugs to ease the pain
As we wander round the town
Drugs for our anxiety
Drugs to make us smile
Drugs to help us on the way
When facing that last mile
Drugs that come in bottles
Drugs in cellophane
Drugs in paper bags
Delivered, with our name
Some we take with water
Some in liquid form
Some that we shoot up
Until it’s just the norm
Some are very costly
Some are very cheap
Some are not available
Then we just sit and weep
Some are experimental
Some that we can trust
Some are there upon the shelf
Coated, all with dust
The Polis cannot touch us
As we use our drugs freely
The biggest market force on earth
We are the ELDERLY.
PJ.
©2023
“Drug Addicts” is a cleverly crafted poem that plays with readers’ expectations, building a narrative about addiction before revealing its surprising twist. The poem speaks to the reality of elderly people’s reliance on prescription medications, portraying them as “the biggest market force on earth.” Through rhythmic verses and carefully chosen imagery, it describes the ritual of doctor visits, prescriptions, and various forms of medication – “Drugs to make us high / Drugs to bring us down.” The humour is gentle yet pointed, highlighting a serious social commentary about how medication becomes an integral part of aging.
“Daftness and Other Afflictions” is Peter J. Watson’s heartfelt collection of poems that captures life’s moments with wit, wisdom, and a distinctly Yorkshire perspective. Writing from Scarborough, Watson crafts verses that speak to everyday experiences, often finding humor in life’s challenges. The collection emerged from what he describes as “a very dark place,” with his poetry serving as therapy, leading to both poignant and whimsical observations about life. If you enjoy poetry that makes you both laugh and think, while offering an authentic voice that speaks to the ordinary person, this book deserves a spot on your shelf.
