Poem - Please Drink Responsibly

Please Drink Responsibly

O. Kris Widmer

Idea: 12/14/2018   Published: 12/14/2018

Based on Experiences in 2018

A Lament for N. H, dead at 32 years of age, primarily from alcohol drinking.

What does that mean?

Different things to different people, to be sure.

To bed five, it means a bottle of Tequila a day.

To another, it means weekends were made for Michelob.

To you, it may mean one glass of wine with dinner.

To another, it meant 2 bottles of wine when given the opportunity.

To others, it means “lips that touch liquor will never touch mine.”

The 80 proof of your irresponsibility

is seen in the bed before me.

            dried blood red lips

            liver failure yellow skin

            listless, lifeless arms

Your kidney’s quit.  “Enough!”

Your liver stopped living.  “Bye.”

Your spleen split. “I’m out of here.”

Those are direct quotes.

You never left the hospital to follow through

on your death-bed resolve to go to A.A.

Another tragic proof of your irresponsibility

Is the 8-year old boy, your son,

That by now, should be in the custody of his dad.

Sad.

I sure hope, for his sake, this is a parental upgrade.

He shall live the rest of his life without you,

telling the story of how his mother died.

I pray he never tries to drown his sorrows,

For truly,

They know how to swim.