You'll start by drinking a little beer,
Just on weekends, when it's clear.
Then by and by you'll drink more,
Nightly trips to a nearby store.
Then liquor will become a part of you.
Vodka, Crown Royale, and Everclear, too.
You'll need more and more as time goes by,
To experience that wonderful "high".
This beer and liquor just will not do.
You'll try pot, just once you say,
It'll become a habit, many times a day.
You'll say, "Everyone does it, once in a while.
Then I will laugh and smile.
For I know what comes after booze and pot,
You'll be buying Black Mollies, a fifty lot.
Then a few downers, Valium and such,
One, two, three, you can never get enough.
Then when your hooked and can't do without,
You'll turn to me with your drug addict pout.
And ask for something to make your nerves rest.
Between "ups" and "downs", they've been through their test.
I'll offer you heroin, or maybe some cocaine,
That'll be soothing, all through your veins.
You'll finally decide drugs aren't for you,
you'll say, "Help me quit, and you should quit too."
I'll say, "Go ahead, I've tried before."
I can't wait to hear you beg for more.
The cramps in the stomach, the tears, the sweat.
"I'll give you three hours, is it a bet?"
Don't laugh, you'd better start to cry,
It really hurts, that ain't no lie.
Ask any addict that's tried to quit,
One things for sure, they won't give you no shit.
I shouldn't have got ya started - - - drinking the beer.
Look how much hell I've caused you my dear.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, what can I say?
I never meant to hurt anyone this way.
But there is something that makes me want to share this high,
With someone unsure, pure, and willing to try.
To show someone an experience, that I love and hate,
A thing that will haunt you till death - - - a hopeless fate.
This is the end, for I'm going now,
By pills, liquor, murder, . . . somehow.
I can't live with myself, my thoughts and needs,
So for every young and innocent child,
. . . the addict bleeds.

Leslie Sue Ashley

©1978