Tom
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,
go hug your daughter.
— Matthew Spira © 2019
