"Metempsychosis"

A poem about heroin addiction, by Ray Calitri

When we first met I was scared

Everyone promised it was a rush
I was not prepared
For you were my new lush

You had me in your grips
You promised me the world
Whispered so soft with your lips

And at first you succeeded
You changed the mold
Quickly I was defeated

Mesmerized under your spell
Only desire for what you gave 
Everyone around me could tell I was in a self-created cell 

The price was blood, sweat and tears 
I was your new slave 
Loss of all peers

But all I needed was what you gave
Continued a dance with the devil 
I crossed every line
For I was on a new level
I had to retain you as mine

One day it had to end
I gave up and surrendered
For that was a godsend
My life and soul fully tendered

I kicked you out of my life
And vowed to never go back
You were no longer my wife
You were off my back

You still try to creep back in
Whispering temptation so appealing
Never that again
Never that feeling

You want everyone on dope
I now have a new addiction
A message of hope
You’re no longer my affliction

You were once my greatest love
You never left my side
Now I’m my greatest love
You can’t cease my pride

I bid you farewell 
May you never take another soul
I now have a story to tell
I no longer have to pay your toll

I’m gonna change the mold
All you are is dope
Yes I’m so bold
No adversary for my HOPE

You’re death in a vein
I’m one of god’s chosen spiritual gangsters
You can try to take their brain
All you are is just a prankster

I once was a hopeless dopefiend
My rebirth has new swag
Now I’m a Dopeless hopefiend
I now vow to never touch another bag

Heroin you were once my vice
You’re now my greatest testimony
No longer will you charge a price
All you are is one big phony.