day 12

Intoxication

Like sand tossed across glass

wind drives rain against the windshield.
Constable Sullivan needs a drink
sucks in, breath interrupts silence,
downs a beer, one gulp, half gone.
Tastes like more, much more.

Afternoon shift ends,

a shoelace breaks,
Life’s meaning lost for now.
Blood pulses, temples throb
He flicks on favourite country music station
Base pounds in time with heartbeat
Fills his head too full
Of nothing permanent.

Night fixes everything.

Reason saves his sanity
Or maybe robs him of it.
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Remain unchanged
Unless tonight becomes the night
Everything changes.
Another beer beckons from the box.

Barney Fife from Mayberry

Didn’t drink beer alone at night
In his car,
Wouldn’t contemplate the obscene act
Big Jack considers now.
“Barney did you ever feel so low?
What would Andy say if he could see you now?
And you were him?”