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Wednesday, February 03, 2016

One Week Shy of 26 Years

I am the sexy line of
Long Island Ice Teas
and the salacious,
intoxicated solicitations
that never happened.

I am the morning
Bloody Mary
with raw egg and Tabasco
as a cure for the hangover
that never came.

I am the frosty can of
ice cold beer
waiting in the 90 degree
afternoon heat
that I never opened.

I am the nondescript
bargain whiskey
on self-pitying lonely
and moonless nights
that never left the bottle.

I am
one week shy of
26 years of sobriety,
but on days
like today,
I want her so badly
that I can only
define who I am
but what
I don’t drink.

30 comments:

  1. Congratulations on 26 years, Mosk. I have heard that one never loses that desire...but wow, what a strong person you are for resisting. That says something about your identity! Your poem made me think that sometimes we are defined by what we don't do rather than be what we do! I also want to thank you for your very relevant comment on my 'poem.' You GOT it!! Smiles.

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I loved your sociological take on the poem.

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  2. This is beautifully written, honestly spilled, and intoxicatingly brutal. You're loved.

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    1. Thanks, De. This is a poem I earned.

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  3. Mosk, buddy, congratulations on 26 years of one day at a time. Today being one more. Way to go!

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    1. Thanks, Sherry. Every day is a little victory, as Bob Seger would say.

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  4. Oh, wow. Mosk this is brilliant.

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  5. This is absolutely amazing! I love the details here which you have incorporated so seamlessly into your poem. Excellent write :D


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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    1. Lots of gratitude for your comment and your support.

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  6. Anonymous4:05 PM

    What an enthralling list poem and congratulations on your sobriety. Wonder if it would work for chocolate. I'll have to try it and see... Thanks for your honesty,

    Elizabeth

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    1. Thanks and chocolate is a vice I can live with! Much appreciation.

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  7. Congratulations - on the determination and on the poem that flows like silk, while saying so much. Love it.

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    1. Thanks so much. I'm grateful for everyday and for your support.

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  8. you've stated amply clearly who you are in great words..congrats!

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  9. The yearning is real, no use denying it; but i must say Congrats, takes a whole heap of will power to resist. Keep up the good work

    much love...

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  10. Yes - all my congratulations..it's like losing a friend sometimes isn't it..how powerful those memories and sensations can stay with us..an act of will power to resist their call..maybe words help that? Certainly beautifully written here

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  11. Anonymous6:08 AM

    Congratulations indeed. :-)
    I can understand the difficulty you must have gone through and I praise you for your determination and will power.
    -HA

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  12. Big congrats on that.. And when you feel you can define it only by an absence it's something to be proud of,

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  13. A very heartfelt well done to you. A true achievement.

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  14. Great to see you here in Open Link, Mosk. I have nothing to add to my previous comment....except respect. Smiles.

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  15. OMG, this is incredible. Especially the first stanza.

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  16. Congrats Mosk and you have the right to brag about this ~ I admire your honesty and courage to stand up for this addiction as well admit that sometimes you want it so badly ~

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  17. Congrats, B. You are strong, honest person. I bet that is only a part of your overall identity.

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  18. So frank and commendable. Kudos, Mosk.

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  19. 26 years is a long time to abstain from something you still crave.I wonder if this sort of strength is inherent or can be learned. Congratulations anyway !

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  20. Keep up the great work. Both on the personal level and here in the poetry side of life. I guess they're not really separate, though, are they...
    Steve K.

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  21. So many positive addictions..
    including poetry
    to feel
    the void
    of yester
    now
    empty..
    dance for
    me too..
    and
    Love
    of course..
    Prescription
    Ativan for
    5 years
    difficult
    too...
    free is best.:)

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  22. There is so much strength in your weakness so explicitly stated in this fine poem!

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