Tuesday, December 20, 2011

One Too Many


One solitary moment is all it takes
one too many drinks at one more bar
just this one time behind the wheel
because home is one mile away.

Today I saw a bumper sticker, said
"A drunk driver killed
my daughter and I'm MADD!"
Well I would be, wouldn't you?

Last week one drove around a school bus
hit two sisters and their grandfather
life will be forever changed
from that one mistake.

And a bond hearing yesterday
to lower bail for that "poor man"
a dozen people spoke on his good character;
after all, he only messed up once.

So here's to all the ones
whose lives have been lost
either in the ground or behind bars
to one too many drinks.

@laurie kolp


Prompt inspiration: Poetry Jam (Solitary)

18 comments:

Mary said...

My goodness, Laurie, this poem has impact. Only a solitary moment is all it takes. Drunk driving kills. I hope this poem's message is taken to heart. Thank you for jamming.

Peggy said...

Unfortunately this is all too true. Just one solitary moment is all it takes to change life forever. Very sobering poem! Write on.

Brian Miller said...

ugh...busted one last night...he was all over the road and ditch...called 911 and they met him as we came into town...crazy...i have lost too many friends...

Victoria said...

This poem is so powerful and completely unexpected for me - true and painful, a cautionary poem. And then I read Brian's comment about having lost too many friends and the bust on the road last night, and I am close to tears. I'm signing up to follow this blog for sure. Who knows what other surprises I'll find.

The Unknowngnome said...

A very sober reminder Laurie.

Laurie Kolp said...

... and now there's texting and driving, but that's another poem.

I know what you mean, Brian.

Thanks for following, Victoria.

Helen said...

My reaction to your poem was exactly the same as Eva's .... Amen, amen, amen!!!

Judy Roney said...

Powerful messsage! So sad that so much devastation has come about because of one too many.

Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson Barry said...

amazing one.
lighten up,

Happy Holidays.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

too cool to not reading and commenting on it,
smiles!

Carrie Van Horn said...

So much truth in this Laurie!! A powerful and thought provoking poem indeed. My ex husband's brother was killed in a car accident hit by a drunk driver. He was on his way to our house with his family. It killed him and his 4 year old daughter. Our lives were so utterly impacted by that day. He was a recovering alcoholic that had been trying to help my husband at the time quit drinking, and get help. That day my husband was the one that identified his brother.......when he came home....he got all of his bear and "pot", and threw it out and then went into the living room and fell to his knees crying and praying....he did not drink again for 19 years. I witnessed a miracle in the midst of a tragedy! It is a story that I have shared every time that I can....it makes me cry everytime....every single time. Thank you for your beautiful poem Laurie.

Laurie Kolp said...

Oh my gosh, Carrie. This brought tears to my eyes. How tragic that he was recovering and was killed by a drunk driver. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that, but am happy your husband was able to get sober. Blessings to you and yours!

Mary B. Mansfield said...

This also brought tears to my eyes, so much heartache and loss created by an entirely preventable cause. An amazing piece.

Anonymous said...

A timely poem. Sometimes I think one is one too many - it definitely is for some people.

Anonymous said...

great to see you here, as usual good read

Enchanted Oak said...

A poem with soul. A drumk driver in a big rig killed my cousin's little boys ... I joined MADD, not realizing how very often I too was a drunk driver until ten years later, when I got sober. It's easy to be outraged by others' flaws and fail to acknowledge one's own.

Lolamouse said...

This poem really has impact and hopefully will make people think before getting behind the wheel this season after having "just a couple" of drinks. So many people don't realize how many lives are ruined by just a moment's thoughtlessness. Great job.

Margaret said...

For ONCE call a taxi. For the price of a beer or two. Heart ponding, this poem.