04-05-2019, 07:53 AM
Every Night is Last Night
I was never the type to wake up
thirsty for my next drink.
Empty bottles were always the only ones
to reassure me
that today was when I'd no longer need
peppermint gum to hide my breath
from co-workers, who laugh
at my shaky hands as part
of everyone's early morning clumsiness.
But by lunch, water reminds me
my damned tongue
enjoys the taste of whisky,
my vomit stained throat best cleansed
by a blackout drunk,
ending face-down on a mattress,
the sign of a real professional as Charles used to say,
and tomorrow there will be more water-
another chance to fix my broken brain.
I was never the type to wake up
thirsty for my next drink.
Empty bottles were always the only ones
to reassure me
that today was when I'd no longer need
peppermint gum to hide my breath
from co-workers, who laugh
at my shaky hands as part
of everyone's early morning clumsiness.
But by lunch, water reminds me
my damned tongue
enjoys the taste of whisky,
my vomit stained throat best cleansed
by a blackout drunk,
ending face-down on a mattress,
the sign of a real professional as Charles used to say,
and tomorrow there will be more water-
another chance to fix my broken brain.
Time is the best editor.