THE GAMBLER
This poem was written as I studied to be a LifeLine telephone counsellor. LifeLine have used it for their Gambling Addiction Courses.
Based on a friend of mine, but I suspect most of us know this man or someone very similar. Unfortunately, he could never admit to having a problem & never sought nor accepted help.
He lives alone.
For who on earth could ever bear,
The heartache, grief & sheer despair,
That his addiction brings.He sleeps alone.
A woman loved, and she did care,
But never quite enough to share,
Her life with one so unaware,
Of her deep feelings.He cries alone.
Teardrops fall by unpaid bills,
Coffee and depression pills,
Cannot hear the bird that sings,
Or antique phone that never rings,
Long since disconnected.He walks alone.
But never to the bush or sea,
So quickly to the T.A.B.
Or ticket for the lottery,
Such easy money, can’t you see,
Just one big win will set him free,
Then people will respect him.He dreams alone.
If only his bad luck would change,
All the things he’d rearrange,
Nice big house and prestige car,
Wife that looks like movie star,
Then those who used to turn away,
Would stoop & bow and say G’day,
And try to be his friend.He dies alone.
Not one friend to call his own,
Pill bottles lie by antique phone,
Long since disconnected.