Tom (free)

Matthew Spira
Nov 1 · 1 min read
Photo by Romain Lours on Unsplash

I know a guy
let’s call him a friend
yeah, he’s a friend
heroin’s going to kill him.

His body, shutting down
he knows it, we know it, his daughter…
Of course he’s been in treatment
over and over
reciting the mantras chapter and verse
his mind understands
but his body craves
oh, does it crave…
What do you say to him?
What can you say?
Tom, you stupid motherfucker.
Tell me something I don’t know.


If tomorrow
brings unsurprising news
I can’t pray
to a God I don’t believe in
but I can love my friend
is that enough?

Tom, let’s keep it simple
the fight today
is to have a today.
Fuck that tomorrow.
Fuck the siren song.
Fuck giving up.
Let’s celebrate today
everyday just like this
just keep fighting
not today, not today
it’s your enough.
Don’t thank me.
Now go hug your daughter.

— Matthew Spira © 2019

Matthew Spira

Ever-growing collection of poetry. Now with audio (in-progress)! English Language Learner versions coming soon!

Matthew Spira

Written by

Just a middle-aged dude doing middle-aged things. Thrown myself at the ground many times, still trying to miss. I write poetry.

Matthew Spira

Ever-growing collection of poetry. Now with audio (in-progress)! English Language Learner versions coming soon!

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