NOELLE

Sweet flower that trusted so few

My gratitude

For letting me enter your world

Brilliant flame

Extinguished so soon

Razor sharp intellect

Cherished moments of clarity

Abundant wit

Your gentle nature flowed when you were sober

Behind your haunted smile

Beautiful memories of our long talks on my balcony

Our children, God, addiction

Forever etched in my mind

Merciless disease

So very sick

Horrible

Destructive

Fatal

Screaming banshee of drunken rage

Possessed your delicate soul

Erupting from the dark abyss

Alcoholic demon

Tortured you until the bitter end

We had such hope

Still I grieve

Since you lost your grip

Midnight calls from the county jail

Never asking for money

Just stationary, pencils, and stamps

Our tears flowed in unison

Seedy motels and crack pipes

Your hellish nightmare

Kept me clean

Dry heaves and DT’s

So afraid you would die in my arms

As you ignored the Doctors advice

Helpless

Frustrated

I watched this illness slowly destroy you

Tragic wasted promise

Loved by so many

Yet alone

Spaghetti sauce with carrots

Your favorite

When stomach ulcers allowed you to eat

Magic times when you let your guard down

May you rest in peace my friend

The brutal pain is behind you now

I miss you terribly

© Bill Grimes Jr. 2005