The Bottle=1
By Brandon
If you’re a friend, I’ll be with you till the end
If you’re a foe, I’ll dismiss you so
My hangover tallies the score
The bottle = 1
Good intentions = 0
In the morning we say “never again”
By afternoon we say “just a little sip”
Friend or foe, I need to know
You must be my friend, right?
You always know when I need a cuddle
You comfort me, and I hold you dear
You wouldn’t take advantage of our lovely
relationship, would you?
You’re small and unassuming
You’re patient and polite
You just sit on the shelf or hide in a drawer
You never treat yourself first
I always place your label towards me
You’re beautiful to me
I respect you, and you respect me
Here’s to looking at you
But my hangover tallies the score
The bottle = 1
Willpower = 0
In the morning we say “never again”
Later that same day we say “just a little sip”
Friend or foe, I need to know
You must be my foe, right?
You make me think I’m in control
Until I realize “Oh, it just ain’t so”
You wouldn’t take advantage of me in a moment
of weakness, would you?
Sometimes I think you just wait
You know I’m like a flower in need of rain
I chuckle when a fish is tricked by a shiny lure
Do you smile when I’m fooled by a fancy bottle?
You may be the most formidable foe yet
Your strength is measured in numbers
Behind you stands another, and another
You’re an army of unassuming minions
My hangover tallies the score
The bottle = 1
Experience = 0
In the morning we say “never again”
By evening we say “just a little sip”
If you’re a friend, I’ll be with you till the end
If you’re a foe, I’ll dismiss you so
Today is a brand-new day
I’m smarter than yesterday
Things will be different from now on
🗒️ Author’s note
This poem reflects on the power of alcohol and the conflicted relationship some people may experience when trying to control its use. Things that may have affected you personally are fodder for poetry. These experiences present opportunities worth exploring. If nothing else, they provide wonderful examples of how writing poetry is very much like free therapy!
About the Author
Brandon is a writer living in Calgary. Although his poetry book is not yet available, you can find out more by visiting his website at https://www.brandonroyal.com