It will help you relax

"Here, have a drink.  It will help you relax."

Knowing better,
  I take the drink.
Let it seep through,
  and help me relax.

There lies the problem.

Relax.

Let the barriers start to drop.

Barriers that have been built up for a reason.

The back, you have forced out of mind.

"Come on, just one more!"

Now, you can't shut out that knee.
Yes, THAT knee is now awake.

"Now, you're feeling it!  Next round!"

Now, the hands....
  oh man, the hands.

"Hey, you look a bit shaky.
  This will set you up!"

Wobbling a bit,
  but now ...
No.
   No.
Please, not now...

Glass of water.
Standing in the cold.

Trying to replace the barriers.

Thinking of the good times.
Drawing on your presence.

I know.

You told me.

Never relax.

Reviews

[KAOlmsted]

This really hit home for me...it's such a simple thing, but some people just don't get it. I envy those people; those people who can have a drink and NOT let it turn into an all-night bender that results, invariably, in a severe hangover. What the hell is relaxing about that?? I love the line, "Barriers that have been built up for a reason." So true. Alcohol is my biggest demon, and I fight it every day; sometimes I win, sometimes I don't, but poems like this, that make me step back and evaluate my own life, help me keep the gloves on. Thanks so much for posting this.

-kimmer

[Jon Roggie]

Thank you Kimmer.