The culture of drink endures because it offers so many rewards: confidence for the shy, clarity for the uncertain, solace to the wounded and lonely, and above all, the elusive promises of friendship and love. – Pete Hamill
i sit here drinking strawberry wine
a quart, one-seventy-nine
and think such a crime
a man has died
lacking a few drops of time.
The dried up hole
sign of skull and crossbones
warns the rattle’s carcass
not to lap at life’s last thirst.
Why does a man dying
parched throat, swollen tongue
crusty drink of the poisoluted brew
why drink
knowing his death is now.
Or, if not now,
still now.
Why.
Must be so thirsty
to answer the question.
2/29/1972