Poetry

Uncle

They don't know what pain I drown.
They don't, dammit, and I'd like
To see them live my life
And never touch a single drop.
Each drink a brother to the
Needle I hold each day;
Each drop a sister coming to soothe
My mind.
They wouldn't last without it.

I always said I wouldn't touch it either.
I didn't want to be like him, I said.
It was wrong, I said... but what did I
Really know? Not pain, not pain.
I'll forget. Just one more drink
And maybe it will all pass
Away. Just one more pack
And maybe it'll hurt no more.
Just one more night and they'll
All come back.
Just one more.