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Ritual

A Poem About Addiction

By Lottie RyanPublished 7 years ago 1 min read
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Suit trousers, black, River Island

Pull on

Worry about fit

Zip and button

Sigh, relieved

Shirt, dark blue, H&M

Slide on

Button

Tie, light blue, M&S

Wrap around neck

Tie knot, Half-Windsor

Chelsea boots, black, brand unknown

Slide left foot into boot

Pull, wriggle, stamp

Slide right foot into boot

Pull, wriggle, stamp

Mirror, smeared

Check reflection

Hair, short, dyed blonde

Ruffle

Smile

Leave house, receive compliments

Silvery cocktail shaker, clean enough to gleam

Long, twisted spoon

Ice

Vodka, one shot of

Cointreau, one shot of

Cranberry, two shots of

Lime, one wedge, squeezed

Shake shake shake

Tall, wide glass

Pour

Orange peel

Long, slender black candle lighter

Set orange peel aflame

Enjoy

Golden Virginia tobacco

Green rizla paper

Slim filter

Insert, sprinkle, fold, rub, lick, press

Cheap green Bic lighter

Press, flick

Inhale

Exhale

Repeat until finished

Drop

Grind under boot

Return to warmth of pub

Melatonin, 5mg

Xanax, 2mg

Water, small swig

Ibuprofen, 200mg

Cetirizine, 10mg

Red wine, small swig

Dihydrocodeine, 120mg, to be dissolved under the tongue

Dihydrocodeine, 120mg, to be dissolved under the tongue

Dihydrocodeine, 60mg, to be dissolved under the tongue

Melatonin, 2.5mg

Pillow

Wake with dry mouth

Small, clear polythene bag

Cocaine, Peruvian, 87% pure

Long fingernail

Scoop, scoop

Samsung Galaxy S5, refurbished

Deposit powder onto screen

Natwest debit card, expired 2016

Chop, chop, chop

Scrape, scrape, scrape

Bank of England note, value £20

Roll, roll, roll

Cover left nostril

Position face

Inhale

Sniff

Run index finger of left hand across screen

Lick, suck, rub

Talk too much

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About the Creator

Lottie Ryan

26 year old British foodie, writing about comedy, cuisine and cats.

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