Whiskey Man

Our dreams teach us we just seldom comprehend.

 

I listened with conviction

Of hazy ramblings

That were clearer

Than anything I’ve witness

In broad daylight.

Telling tales

through lips

Withered from the weather

And time.

Slurring about

The woman he lost

Too soon to cancer

And the estranged kids

Cause he never learned

To be a father,

Too busy

Making ends meat

In an anorexic economy;

Tears fell from

A regretful stare

Silently into an empty glass.

He vented about

The farm he lost

From the Government’s greed

Turning his livelihood

Into a business;

A fist striking the counter

Like a gavel

Calling for order.

He reminisced

With reckless abandon

Of a time when the world

Was simple but thriving

Choking on the word “progress”

then excused himself…

As I watched him stumble

To the back of the lounge

I could swear he became one

With the smoke filled room;

Never returning.

As I left the bar

I never laid eyes on before,

Just happened upon,

Suddenly I was intoxicated

With clarity

From the words of that whiskey man

So I drove off

Without a glance

In my rearview mirror.

 

Reviews

[Angel Bird]

A very profound and touching write. Powerful in its clear message.
One grand piece filled with a very wisdom. Your palpable description made the whole scene appear before my inner eye. Impressive images.

--- Suddenly I was intoxicated with clarity ---

[Tina Kline]

Excellent story/poem. I couldn't help being drawn into it on an emotional level. Others do have things to teach us if we care enough to pay attention and look a little deeper.

[Liza]

intoxicated with clarity - i like that....

[Erotic Goddess]

"intoxicated with clarity" what a powerful line Dale. Immensely powerful. This ended perfectly and I enjoyed reading it. Your mastery of wordsmithery has become wonderful!

xxoxx

[Lauren Beth]

Very moving piece...love the story and the insight. I love the last two lines especially 'Without a glance/ In my rearview mirror." No looking back...Beautiful and very thought provoking to say the least. Deep write...and great as usual Dale :)

[Shellie]

Love this!!! it can take anyone - even a stranger to envelope u with insight.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good story in the poem. We can learn lessons from anyone. If we listen. People will share wisdom and history. I like the ending.
"I could swear he became one
With the smoke filled room;"
A outstanding poem. Thank you.
Coyote

[.]

what a great story this holds..a stranger with a sad story that wakes up your heavy soul...the flow is just right as it weaves through his ramblings...another solid write..with a poignant message

[LonelySoul]

"Tears fell from A regretful stare"
as I sat beside you listening to the WhiskeyMan tell his tale of woe...
I know so many who have lived that life or walked that path...nice work here my friend,it touches on alot of todays problems that most would rather ignore...LonelySoul

[Marie Harrison]

Very powerful poem. My heart goes out to him and his family. So sad that this is often the case too!