That day is burned into my brain.
I get off work, open the door to our apartment, and you slur "hello."
Your face struggles to make a smile. You never quite get there, and your eyes do not make it to mine.
I drop everything. I rush to you, immediately on the floor next to where you sit, holding your face in my hands to keep your focus.
You can't tell me what you drank or how much. There is no cup. There are no empty cans or bottles.
I ask and ask and ask and
finally, you remember the Crown Royal that was almost full in the freezer when I left.
It hasn't been returned to its place, so I keep asking questions, keep trying to decide whether or not you could be safe, keep collecting the information I might need if I have to call for help
until I find the empty bottle somehow under the beanbag chair where you sit.
You sobered up, but you never really got sober.
You never told me how it got so bad.
You never told me a lot of things.
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Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Comments (28)
This makes my heart race in panic. I just want to help...
Oh wow I felt this in my heart. Loving someone with a drinking problem is the hardest thing in the world. So much said in such a short piece, well deserved Top Story!
So emotional
I’m sorry you experienced this, and I applaud you for sharing ❤️🩹 It’s a well written and emotive poem
Great poem Kay! Also, congrats on your Top Story❤️
Congrats on Top Story!!
Amazing and amzingly sad
Congrats on top story. Good representation of alcoholism.
Congrats on Top Story!🥳🥳🥳
Wow. Incredible.
This is beautiful work
Intriguing title! What does 'Crown' represent for you? Is it about literal crowns, or something more metaphorical?
Awe-inspiring work! Keep up the remarkable effort—congrats!
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Very powerful sad images!
This is heartbreaking and so well written.
"You sobered up, but you never really got sober." Sometimes it feels like it never ends... 💖 Love your poem! Congrats on top story!! 💖
I personally know the anguish of living my own version of this, and that last line is just a truthful dagger. The urgency and desperation in this poetic memory shows every movement in this terrible dance, written so beautifully. There's no way this isn't a real moment of your life, and for that I'm so sorry and I hope writing about it brings healing.
This poem is well-written, raw, and haunting. Congrats on your well-deserved Top Story!
Man, the sorrow in that last line hurts. I've dealt with people like this in that state and it leaves its mark. Congrats on the Top Story. Beautifully and honestly written.
congratulations on TS. This truly deserves it. I've seen my brother go down that path. It's so sad.
damn great piece. sobering in all the possible definitions of the word.
I feel the intense anxiety and struggle of emotions. Very impactful piece on addiction
This is so good, I really felt your fear, and then your sadness.
The panic your narrator feels is palpable. Excellent choice to use first person. Makes the piece feel personal, immediate, and difficult. Congratulations on TS!