Mother's Ruin

(written after looking at William Hogarth's art work, Gin Lane 1750 and reading Wiki)

From words digested it appears

that London could have sunk in gin.

Rock bottom price, its poor would drink

their days away. No fear within

of consequences for the drunk.

The clunk of prison keys or worse,

untaxed, it was a boozer's curse.

It may have been a cure for gout

or settled indigestion pain,

if moderation had her way.

Instead the idea of restraint

was put to bed without complaint.

Inebriates consumed their hell

as birth rates spiralled down the well.

Reforms to curb consumption's peak

drove distillation underground,

where names like "knock me down" were found

or "cuckold's comfort" (secret gin).

Blackmarket prices soared and then

try pawn your wife if you're left short.

Exchange her for a measured quart.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Mother's Ruin'
Christine Anne Shaw,
Alcohol is still a destroyer and I suppose then as now nothing has changed. Back when London was young. water was unsanitary and water borne disease rampant. I know that processing and brewing ales was a positive thing too because those that could afford it were less apt to drink as much water. I suppose that the poor drank what was available. I have digressed though. Your poem was a wonderful look at a time frame now passed and how good that is.
Blessings
Kathy

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Kathy, I thank you for giving this old poem an airing. London as it used to be.

Chris

[Maxwell Ryder]

Ha! Maybe she drove him to drink. Another great finish, Christine.

I like your writing in this regard: you finish with a surprise or a flair of language.

This makes it trebly appealing.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, she must have nagged the bloke silly. Actually based on fact. This did apparently happen. Hard to believe.

[...]

It's feel like ancient song of swan. There is nice flow and creative symbolism. I find rather refreshing and quiet inspiration for my writing. Even I don't fully understand meaning of this beautiful poem. Again week done.

[Chris Shaw]

It is all about the consumption of gin in the UK in the 1750's. It was cheap and because the water was polluted, many people, especially the poor drank gin. Too much of it by far. It had awful consequences. Thank you martin, for taking the time to review.

[...]

I see now. They must be really quiet hard live in that time. I know in my country some people make home alcohol. And sometimes they end up blind .

[Chris Shaw]

Very hard living conditions back then Dreadful poverty. The gin must have numbed them to take away the total feeling of misery.

[...]

Yes that why people drink too much. I am originally from eastern Europe and there is heavy drinking something like national sports without winners.

[Chris Shaw]

I agree, moderation is the key. Some don't understand the word moderation.

[Delmar Cooper]

I scanned this poem and didn't resort this time to Google. I have seen this, as I remember etching, and I thought I remembered it. Your writing is faithful to my memory. Therefore if your poem is flawed so am I and my memory. Fellow conspirators.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Delmar for your review. I think we are both right, smiling at you. Flaws are for others, wink, wink.

[Wild Rose]

Drink gin to mask the pain of lumbago, arthritic limbs
Deaden the numbness of dreary working life

"Knock me down" now called 'moonshine'
Whiskey distilled in a shed
Just don't tell the customs man

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Wild Rose. Yes, nowadays the government would be wanting their share to fill the coffers.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Ha ha ha – I know the poignancy of the subject matter but could not help being amused at;

Black-market prices soared and then
try pawn your wife if you're left short.

Did you know Gin was first developed in the Netherlands in the early 1600s as a medicine. You could buy it from a pharmacy and, supposedly, it helped with gout, gallstones and a variety of stomach issues. From the 1800s, gin was referred to a 'Mother's Milk' but it was eventually called 'Mother's Ruin', relating to the prohibition era of the 1700s.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Phill. The history is fascinating. I researched it out, and yes would you believe it, there was an instance where a wife was pawned in exchange for a measure of gin! I wasn't aware of its origins in the Netherlands, but do know it was used for medicinal purposes. Thanks muchly for your review.

[Paul Bell]

It is amazing the turnaround in Gin.
Mothers ruin, to the posh drink it is now.
The history of alcohol is a great one.
Killed millions, and will kill millions more.

[Chris Shaw]

Absolutely right Paul. It's back in fashion in a big way. Gin parties no less. As you say posh now. Thank you for commenting. Appreciated.

[barleygirl]

It's interesting to read about this from the point of view of a different culture . . . we had our "Prohibition" here in the USA . . . and you've imparted a ton of unique detail, so this comes across more as a story that teaches. I've never been one to drink much, so I'm always surprised to be reminded of what a curse it can be. You explain the way it can be with high originality (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

With thanks Margie, for a lovely review.

[.]

I had a look at those portraits to get a feeling for these words.....and they do the theme justice, perhaps more than the artwork itself.

As one without any taste for the liquor, i cannot relate to its addictive hold on man but its fair to say that even since 1750, the demon drink still holds sway today. Life must have been quite horrendous back then if one needed to pawn one's wife for a drink.

I enjoy writes that relate to some aspect of history and inform us with fresh words on the page, and your poem succeeds in that aspect. Nicely conceived and written.

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate the time you took to look up the artwork Doodley. It's difficult to comprehend just how bad things got then. The water was so polluted, they drank gin instead. Many thanks for your great review.