Too good, I can only digest it slowly,chewing bit by bit on each line
Roseline

A FINE WORK THAT PAINTS THE PICTURE OF ADDICTION SO VIVIDLY...SAD...TOTALLY. STILL, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD TESTIMONIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED OUT AND GOTTEN THE STRENGTH FROM ABOVE TO LEAVE THE 'DRAMS' BEHIND, I KNOW THAT WHERE THERE IS LIFE(NO MATTER WHERE IT IS)...THERE IS HOPE. THANKS FOR THE SHARE, JON. I WILL KEEP THIS. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

~Jon Michael~
Lost the souls in this languishing drams of relief.
Exhaling!! Excellent visuals.

Lady Mary Ann

I, too, love the line, "exhaling her microphone smells like the top of a wet bar..." You are a keen observer, a compassionate soul, an empath of sorts, dear Jon Michael. You have managed to evoke from your readers a perfectly intertwined set/range of emotions. I feel all the colors, swirling side by side, in a ball of pure understanding. Yet, I sense that understanding does not necessarily equate to approval.

I've read it several times Jon and seem to get more shades of meaning each time. So sad that the only relief some can find is in drams or grams.

You certainly provide me with substance to reflect upon, Jon; you have recreated the "ambiance" and all that flows from it very effectively. Thank you. Love and best wishes,

Regis

What a hoot.....gotta love it.
Well done Jon.

Walt

Your choice of both reality words and metaphors renders an even greater sub-textual testimony to the duplicitous nature of images...especially those we tend to immortalize for irrational reasons. An inspiring piece of poetry.

Literary justice you have
written for such sadness

Lady Vivian

"...exhaling her microphone smells like the top of a wet bar..."
is one of those lines fellow poets envy, a standout expression
and perfect in the context, but it's not all that's here, no poem
stands on one line alone..in a milieu of drink we seek comfort
and pretence even when we know it is pretence and float on those
'clouds of wonder' wondering if we'll be lucky to find ourselves
and someone else who's true into the bargain;
your delivery, Jon, My Friend, takes no prisoners and yet there is compassion here and your usual great understanding of the flawed human condition
kudos!

john

A perfect description of the drug culture, regardless of the drug. From my own experience with graduate students high on pot, they claimed a lot of things that they couldn't seem to pull off very well. A lot of talking and a lot of gibberish, but very little useful productivity.

Ron

Hmmm...I'm imagining a bar scene full of people, and how ironic that a bar full of so many people can have so many that are ...alone.
So very artfully done!
Blessings,
Christine xx

Aye up. Taking a wee bit of me time, time out can sure revitalize ones soul. Enjoying a party, even if a pity party Spring day 06.

My God, what are you drinking, it does not become you, you've mixed an awful brew here Jon, it sound some healing herb is in order, how depressing, are you working for the drug company, I'm thinking Prozac, it's Sunday, I forgot, you heard the realities of some sage right, one dressed in depressing black, standing high on the pulpit, or is he high on the pulpit, I can't tell, but I know you are impressed with him speaking for the almighty, are you? Anyway that's how I see it, I might be wrong as usual, bless you though, and get better wiil ya, ha./ Hugs!