today I went and bought a 6 pack
we had a blizzard rolling in so I
drove off and decided,
"my first legal buy", and some noodles.

and I looked at just about every 6 pack
the packaging, the price, the abv.
you were such a beer snob
and yet I loved you for it.

maybe I would've found any excuse to love you.
maybe that's what love really is.

I don't remember much of that month,
anymore.
but on your wall I can see
all of the things I bought and drank
when I felt loved and so much better off.

and for whatever reason,
the black sheep lager, I remember.
I wasn't with you, but I was proud of you
for it,
for picking it out.

maybe I would've found any excuse to like it.
maybe that's what love really is.

but anyways,
I kept thinking, which is never good,
that the beer was awesome
that black sheep was the height of summer
that black sheep brought me close to you.

each and every time I saw it on your wall
I thought
this isn't over
it happened
it's real.

well it was,
and it wasn't.

maybe that's what love really is.

but the beer
the black sheep
it doesn't taste at all
like I remembered it did.

like all your favorite beers, it is bitter.
like all unrequited, half-forgotten loves,
it is bitter.

I open a can
hoping the can
will make a man of me,
8.2% abv
which is strong and
almost a knockout
stout drink,
two of them and
I’ll be twice the men
of the man I am.

Later
dehydrated,
I see the error
but deny the ways,

later
I open a can
to commiserate
or celebrate
with
‘Edna
the inebriate’

World, emptied of
Love, Peace, Son, Sun;
I'm one of countless -
(Greek: MYRIAD)
Feet planted nearly infinitely
Deep in soil that was is
Has been Will be
Will have been
Polluted not by chemicals
But by the Enemy of Love:
INDIFFERENCE.

And, indifferently, so my time
Passed with God my own self,
God equals $$$
And I wasn't blessed with

God's Providence but, instead,
Thought "Lucky" and Lucky's
Twin, "Chance" or maybe
No sides of a non-existence
Idol masquerading as currency,
But is only a worthless, shiny
Coin
(Dream come true! I won the Lot-
[Lot, in this lot, turned and looked
At the return of ***** and
Gomorrah, and he is
ME.

One moment I'd flying high
With/Without Ozzy,
Sipping one of hundreds of
Very expensive and high
ABV beers in a rumpus room
That is only crap manufactured
To pretend NOT to be CRAP-

And some of my "more boring" and
"Churchy" and "Jesus Freaks" friends spouting
Nonsense about, without quotes the
Actual. End. Times.
Soon. Like, for real? Just around the...
And drunk as I am sipping something
Called "Snake Venom" and it could
Pass for the real thing, and, tongue
On fire and dazed, I see four of twenty
****** up by Light, becoming
Light and all the unmeasured
Joy of All Time is their
Expression, and, and...
Jesus is there, and the time
Wasted worshipping the
World has cost me my
World.

A Voice, calling to some, not
Every one - five words:
DO NOT TAKE THE MARK