The Tale of the Bottle

by Claudia Wysocky

Neglect.

A word so cold,

that it pierces my soul,

 —and takes hold.

Tears bleed down my cheeks

    —Oh how I wish it were not so!

Now I am alone,

    —No one here seems to care.

The world has turned its back on me,

but still I yearn for light,

    —for hope.

Enemies surround me,

    perils with every step,

          But I know I will make it through,

  —With a shot of gin, and a slice of hope.

I see the world through a veil of wine,

    as I stagger forward, searching for the light,

                         determined to make it through.

And I will.

—Maybe.

Keep moving forward,

    like the flames within me:

                                  burning bright.

Well,

—Until the bottle is finished.

***

Claudia Wysocky, a Polish writer and poet based in New York, is known for her diverse literary creations, including fiction and poetry. Her poems, such as "Stargazing Love" and "Heaven and Hell," reflect her ability to capture the beauty of life through rich descriptions. Besides poetry, she authored "All Up in Smoke," published by Anxiety Press. With over five years of writing experience, Claudia's work has been featured in local newspapers, magazines, and even literary journals like WordCityLit and Lothlorien Poetry Journal. Her writing is powered by her belief in art's potential to inspire positive change. Claudia also shares her personal journey and love for writing on her own blog, and she expresses her literary talent as an immigrant raised in post-communism Poland.