As a child, I had that fleeting belief
that life would be a battle,
a raging war,
and I’d come home a hero.
Dragons and monsters in the rearview,
blood and guts on my boots,
a house with a light on for me,
a family waiting at the door.
I believed in that kind of ending.
I wanted that kind of ending.
Instead, I broke things I said I’d protect.
I treated love like flowers from a garden—
cut and placed in a vase on the table,
admired sometimes,
but never really seen.
I took them for granted
until they weren’t there anymore.
I drank like it could fill the space in me
that kept echoing back.
And I can’t blame them for leaving.
For the longest time
I figured that was the story.
The final scene, dark theater, credits rolling.
Lying under bridges,
empty vodka bottles for a pillow.
Vomit and degradation
felt like my plight, like the only ending left.
But I got humble.
Something picked me up from the gutter
and rearranged my values,
my thought process.
And it hasn’t been the same since.
Now it’s quieter.
Nine irons instead of war drums.
Fairways greener than my youth.
Walleye on the grill.
Cats on the couch
like they’ve always belonged there.
No dragons left.
The monsters are all dead.
Just mornings that stay.
Just breath,
and the long work of making it right
one day at a time.
-
Author:
Thomas W Case (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: May 7th, 2026 07:41
- Comment from author about the poem: Just posted a new long-form poetry reading on my YouTube channel featuring selections from Aluminum Cowboys, one piece from Sleep Always Calls, and a sneak peek from my upcoming book Searching for Nod, coming this November. A simple at-home reading—just the work and the page. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvZAR6uno3A Books available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-W.-Case/author/B0CL2RKDGX?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=xsU45&content Thanks for reading and listening.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 21
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, Katie B., Paul Bell, Tristan Robert Lange, arqios, Teddy.15
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Comments9
I enjoy your writing, well written
Thank you.
You're so welcome, Thomas. I must say that I have always been impressed by your writing, which I find to be remarkably brilliant.
I'm glad you're sorting it out a day at a time. So many give up drinking, but never sort the thinking. PS - cats are better than dragons, for sure!
lol. Thanks.
Wow!! This is the real guy truth told with clarity and excellent detail. Very moving. A story of hope and redemption that would many if shared. One day at a time. Well done and a fave!!!
Thank you. Much appreciated.
This evolution form youth to present takes turns through life and ends up on the doorstep. A lovely write Thomas
Thank you, my friend.
You are most welcome my friend
If only you could bottle hindsight, bring it back and rearrange it, life would be bad memory free.
Alas, you can only suck it up, be humble and hope forgiveness is bestowed.
Mind you, dragon and monster hunting does take it out of a lad.
Not sure if that defence holds though.
Thank you.
Excellent work. What stayed with me most was “I treated love like flowers from a garden.” Such a devastating image because it’s gentle, reflective, and self-aware all at once. Then that final turn into ordinary peace makes it hit even harder. Beautifully done, Thomas. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Much appreciated.
Quite a Journey here. Glad you are getting there.
Thanks
A mirror of a fully lived soul 🕊️🙏
Thank you.
This is stunning poetry you got me on the first two stanzas how true through a childs eyes. Kudos dear Thomas. 🌹
Thanks, sweet Teddy.
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