The Tranquility of Corky Campbell
by Philip Ryan Frazier

It started with a dare
“Smoke this, Corky”
It induced the euphoric blank stare

Next came a drink
Then two and three
It impaired his ability to think

Then it was a pill
It made him feel tranquil
Though the pain was there still

None of this was done in a day
It takes years of poisoning
And addiction to become that way

Then 30 more years of the same
Smoke, drink, pop, and swallow
Until the redhead came

She was worth the fight
To lay down his vices
He fought with all might

There were good days
And bad days too
But they would never part ways

The redhead’s peace was so infectious
That Corky Campbell discovered tranquility
On a little farm in North West Texas