August 18, 2019
A postscript to the series on alcohol use. This is one of my favourite poems and Barton Sutter kindly gave me permission to use it in this blog.
Sober Song
Farewell to the starlight in whiskey,
So long to the sunshine in beer.
The booze made me cocky and frisky,
But worried the man in the mirror.
Goodnight to the moonlight in brandy,
Adieu to the warmth of the wine.
I think I can finally stand me
Without a glass or a stein.
Bye-bye to the balm in the vodka,
Ta-ta to the menthol in gin.
I’m trying to do what I ought to,
Rejecting that snake medicine.
I won’t miss the blackouts and vomit,
The accidents and the regret.
If I can stay off the rotgut,
There might be a chance for me yet.
So, so long to god in a bottle,
To the lies of rum and vermouth.
Let me slake my thirst with water,
And the sweet, transparent truth.
From: Farewell to the Starlight in Whiskey
By Barton Sutter, published by BOA editions ©2004 by Barton Sutter. Reprinted by permission of the author.
