Joey

joey michaels was just eighteen,
and he’d had a rough life.
usually an upstanding kid,
divorce had caused him much strife.

his mom and dad had split,
forcing Joey to choose.
either way, he figured,
i’m the one who’s going to lose.

the pain was too much,
and he needed it to go away.
so marijuana and cocaine
became his words of the day.

out of his mind
on a phenomenal high,
joey stumbled into the room
determined to die.

he rummaged through the box,
looking for a pill—
hoping when he took it,
he wouldn’t get ill.

he took the meds
and lay down on the floor,
his dilated eyes
fixed on the door.

his pulse slowed and
his heart skipped a beat.
the silence was disturbed
by approaching feet.

his mother saw him,
only moments too late.
joey saw the bright light
and rushed to meet his fate.

his funeral was somber,
held in the pouring rain.
his parents continually wept,
consumed by their pain.

just eighteen—so very young.
if only his parents could have tried
to put aside their differences
before their son had died.

joey michaels’ battle is lost,
and now he is gone.
he is out of the war
where he’d been used as a pawn.

his parents still grieve,
but Joey’s pain is at an end.
so heed this warning
and take care my friend.

if your life is spiraling out of control,
and you feel like you can’t take anymore.
don’t turn to drugs—you’ll only
close your future’s door.