"swigged" poems
All I wanted was a cigarette.
We weren't allowed to smoke.
He knew where to go.
We swept sidewalks together.
Raked sand together.
Talked about life together.
His window was across from mine.
I think he saw me changing once.
Maybe more than once.
He was getting dishonorably discharged.
I didn't think he was a good man.
I didn't think he was a bad one, either.
It had been two weeks since I landed in Monterey.
I only wanted a cigarette.
He knew where to go.
I bought the Southern Comfort and bottom shelf gin.
He carried them with him to his room.
I didn't think anything of it.
We raked sand together.
We ate lunch together.
We watched movies together.
We sat on a makeshift bench by the ditch by the installation fence.
We drank and smoked and laughed.
I taught him Farsi and he taught me Russian.
Russian for "hello" and "goodbye."
Russian for "This is allowed."
Russian for "This is not allowed."
I think he saw me changing once.
He tried to kiss me on the cheek.
I told him no, my boyfriend wouldn't like that very much.
We smoked some more.
We drank some more.
We laughed some more.
It was 2130.
I had to be in my room by 2200.
He said not to worry, I'd be back in time.
I insisted and tried to leave.
I fell to the ground.
He didn't help me up.
I only wanted a cigarette.
He kissed me on the mouth.
I did not kiss him back.
I was immobile.
Paralyzed.
Drugged?
He kissed me again.
And again.
And again.
I did not kiss him back.
I had a boyfriend.
All I wanted was to smoke and drink and laugh.
He grabbed me by the ankles.
Pulled me over the ditch behind the army barracks by the installation fence.
I could hear soldiers coming back to their rooms.
I was paralyzed.
I always thought I would fight.
Fend him off with car keys stuffed between my fingers.
I looked up at the tree branches above me, my watch said 2147.
That was the last time I prayed to God.
There were leaves in my hair and dirt on my arms.
There was something less than a man between my legs.
It looked at me with hate in its eyes.
We swept sidewalks together.
God kicked back and swigged a PBR
while I was ***** behind the army barracks,
over the ditch by the installation fence.
He helped me up.
I couldn't stand on my own.
How sweet.
I vomited by a tree.
I was disgusted with myself and him and God.
I wanted to drown in Southern Comfort and bottom shelf gin.
He walked me to my barracks building.
How sweet.
I made it to my room by 2200.
All the girls watched me stumble down the hallway.
I was so violently alone.
Taps wailed outside the window.
I left my hat by the bench by the ditch by the installation fence.
He brought it to me the next morning.
How sweet.
Apr 22, 2013
Apr 22, 2013 at 8:38 PM UTC
I saw you at the party
And I said "what's her name?"
But nobody knew
I wondered why you came
You're a mystery
Shrouded in things unknown
When you saw me
You looked down, drink in hand
Took a sip, and I took a stand
I asked you to hit the floor with me
You whispered about your boyfriend
But baby, I could barely see
I couldn't tell if this was the end
So I took a step back
Eyes locked all over you
Did you really have a boy or was it something I lacked?
Either way, I'll never find out what's true
Because just as I turned
You swigged your Jack
Thought I got burned
But I guess I'm back
You don't dont know the meaning of subtlety
You came up around the side
And flanked me where I couldn't see
You led me away to that darkened room
Questioning if what was happening could really be
Did I drink too much?
Have I partied too long?
But questioning my sanity is never as fun as *******
But baby, you're strong
Or maybe you're drunk as hell too
You don't know it but I can go long
Down field and back to vibe with you
The look on your face
Says "*tomorrow is new,
So lets do this thing.
Because, right now, only this moments true.*"
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2012 at 10:34 AM UTC
It began to snow at midnight, and
we made our way home after a night down the pub.
We ambled past a torrent of drunks
but slowly continued on into the kaleidoscopic blur.
We hope the New Year will bring joy,
instead of wishing the calendar disintegrates in front of us.
We have suffered more so than most
and our misery is intensified by the *** the gin.
We know our lives are jagged, confused
and with little money, I certainly can’t treat you well.
We finally arrived home and flumped onto
the sofa, our eyes avoiding that blasted calendar on the wall.
We went into the kitchen soon after,
where it was warm, we swigged a glass of wine or three.
We saw the flakes continue to fall,
the clicking of the clock penetrating our minds.
We discussed the future, where we will be
in years to come. Eternity, won’t you lend us a hand?
For it is this eternity that is so uncertain,
unclear, buried deep under the crisp, white snow.
Mar 7, 2012
Mar 7, 2012 at 10:25 AM UTC
Faded stains of spilled bourbon
dot the weathered nightstand’s surface
like stars speckle a clear midnight sky
Each commemorates a prop of courage
swigged to help forge another day
Bras, slips, heels and flats
pepper the soiled carpet
reflections of the many
nightly transgressions now
impediments which fleck her soul
Her frontal lobe
harbors distortions
from her past
forgiven by those who know her
forgotten by others
Rain pelts her window
rat-tat, rat-tats against the panes
compulsively splatters the door
flings open her mind
to let today’s downpour
splash away
any trace of her anguish
Jan 17, 2017
Jan 17, 2017 at 10:23 AM UTC
The ruination of a twenty minute piece,
only two stanzas in verse but a Michelangelo
of verse, but in full discontent it crashed
and my art became white washed into oblivion...
I swigged three vodkas at the nothingness that
stared back, there are some that are creations
never to be repeated, an amnesia of vison
but all I got was a 502 reload **** that...
Apr 10, 2017
Apr 10, 2017 at 6:51 PM UTC
she poured brown sugar on top. talked but refused to speak. that. was her last inhale. cigars ordained the fountain and the blue irises diluted. i expected to see drops. the ends shriveled up.
but we swigged godiva
she said:
sunday we’ll go to the beach
i laugh at first
the open air was all legs and armpits
i casually held my palms to my nose
wine to drown the stench
she chatted in infinites
there was only a small bustle. thirteen o’ clock. the canvases were pulled back. always some glass in our hands. the horses didn’t care, in fact, let us stroke their noses. i still wonder what they patrolled. we kept drinking. passed out in a public park.
i said
it’ll be concrete jungles
friendship forgotten
she woke with leaves
at her temples in her tear ducts.
i typed it
l e a v e s
seen by all
Dec 14, 2015
Dec 14, 2015 at 7:12 PM UTC
Dormant, standing on the bow peering out with telescope in hand
Quite seas
Off in the distance,
Land
Bright sunlight piercing through closed fingers
Shielding the reflection of the ocean and sky
To no avail
Telescope still in hand
Distance drawing nearer
"Land ** yells the lookout as dry ugly faces peer out from below deck
Grumbling voices wake from their slumber as the crew saunters their way into the day light and fresh air
They grab rope, and hooks, swords, and supplies
Captain steering towards the shore
They hop on three dinghies
Eight strong
Yo ** ** and a bottle of ***
Eyepatches, sly grins, and peg legs a plenty
No one greets them on the small island
They are there to pillage the resources and devour the meats as they reach soil
Sharp teeth and empty stomachs
Tattoos of women with large ******* and anchors, hearts, and daggers
***
Much *** will be swigged and landing in bellies come nightfall
Songs sung by fires warm light
At mornings break they shall hunt and scour the land for animals and resources
They haven't a map but smell treasure
They know it's there
They whiff at the air to determine their course
They argue their cut, their share of their findings until one man lay dead from sharp blades final judgement
More for the taking of the rest of the crew
Morning comes
Through the branches, over rocks they climb towards the peek
The summit
A cave, a cave is in sight
They throw rocks in order to draw out and living creature that may have made a home inside
No sound permeates
It is safe to enter
Fire sticks are lit and cave is entered with caution
Whispers and hushes
They stumble
Head meets rock
Blood
This is no easy life
They reach a cavernous waterhole
The first man is egged on to explore its contents
Explore its depth
The water is knee deep
Until, until he sinks out of sight and the water swallows him whole
Startled, the men scamper back to dry land
"Where has our fellow mate gone", they ask
Splashing, he reemerges
He reaches the surface and cries out
"Gold!!"
Feb 18, 2017
Feb 18, 2017 at 1:34 AM UTC
Fay and I went to Bedlam Park,
not to swim in the pool,
but to sit on the grass
with a bag of crisps each,
and sandwiches,
and a bottle of lemonade.
Where has your old man gone
for his retreat?
I said.
He's not my old man,
he's my dad,
Fay said,
she took a sandwich
from the bag,
and looked at me.
Some monastery
for a weekend.
Why has he gone?
I said.
She nibbled a sandwich.
Something to do
with spiritual refreshment,
she said.
He needs it?
I said.
He think he does,
she said.
I took a swig
of the lemonade.
We sat in silence
for a few minutes
while we ate and drank.
Have you ever
been to holy communion?
she asked.
Not that I know,
I said,
what is it?
Us Catholics believe
that during the Mass
the bread becomes
the body of Christ,
and the wine
become His blood,
she said.
Really?
I said,
real blood and flesh?
Yes of course,
she said,
it is called transubstantiation.
Sounds painful,
I said,
the nuns at school said
it is Christ's sacrifice
for us.
I ate another sandwich;
she sipped lemonade.
Mum and I may leave soon,
Fay said.
Leave where?
I said.
Leaving my dad and brothers,
but you mustn't tell anyone,
Benny,
she said.
Leaving why?
I said.
Mum can't take anymore
of Dad's ways,
and words,
and his treatment of me,
Fay said,
looking at me searchingly,
don't tell anyone,
please Benny.
I won't, I said.
I swigged lemonade,
and she took a sandwich,
and ate,
odd time,
this our afternoon date.
May 31, 2016
May 31, 2016 at 2:55 PM UTC
We rode on the deserted roads,
through the expanse of humble abodes
We rode by the huts and the sheds,
by disconcerting poverty and dreads
Dogs barked
Televisions barked
We rode onto darkness,
to silence
The huts thinned out
Now it was only the growling motor
and the hooting owls
and the chirping crickets
The beer had warmed
But it was a cold night
She sipped, I swigged
The headlamp needed some fixing
The beams kissed treetops as I rode
into blind bumps and corners
On the left was a pretty sight
and it was a lonely night
So I turned left
and rode as far into the beach as I could
but here it was mostly sand
and the riding got out a little out of hand
the tires didn’t bite
but it was alright
I could see the waves
We were only a few meters away
This was a perfect getaway
Behind the bushes and the vines
Abetted by the palms and pines
I killed the motor
and put it on the stand
but it sunk in the sand
I tried to lift but it was heavy
She dragged me to the waves
I dragged her to the bushes
Her eyes twinkled
and the edges crinkled
as she smiled
and it soon got wild
I unbuttoned her shirt
and we kissed till it hurt
I struggled with the clasps
between the kisses and gasps
She was very kind
She didn’t mind
helping a man blinded
by the darkness of the night
and of his depraved soul
She helped me with the clasp
and stripped bare
without concern or care
She yanked my pants
and we did a tribal dance
drunk out of our wits
in the moonless ritz
there was rhythm in the air
and we both sensed it
The gentle slush of the wave
nudged us to save
and treasure the last drops of love
that we could have now
As we made slow love in the breeze
the world dribbled to ease
and we mated in the dark night
with the moon still out of sight
Oct 19, 2018
Oct 19, 2018 at 1:36 AM UTC
Helen sat next to me
on the grass
outside Banks House
I was attempting to open
a bottle of lemonade
can I have a drop?
she asked
sure
once I get the thing open
I said
she looked around her
then over at the coal wharf
where coal men
were filling up
their trucks and wagons
with sacks of coal
I unscrewed
the lid of the bottle
and handed her
the bottle
she took it
with both hands
and took a swig
then another
pearls of sweat
sat on her forehead
her brown wet hair stuck
to her face at the sides
it was a hot summer
here
she said
handing me the bottle
I wiped the top
and took a swig
that's better
she said
I was really thirsty
my tongue felt
like the bottom
of my baby sister's pram
I handed her the bottle again
she wiped the top
and swigged some more
I watched her
as she drank
then looked away
and looked at the flat's
behind us
no curtains moved
no curtain twitchers
looked at us
she gave me back the bottle
and I ******* the lid
back on
and placed it
beside me on the grass
I’m getting
a new school dress tomorrow
she said
Mum said I’ve outgrown
my old one
I gazed at her
she was wearing
a tomato stained white blouse
and grey pleated skirt
white ankle socks
and black scuffed shoes
I may get new blouses
if they can afford them
otherwise I’ll have to wear
those second hand ones
my mum got
from a jumble sale
not that I mind of course
but new ones
are always better
I took a white paper bag
from the grass
and said
want a bun?
is it fresh?
this morning's
OK thank you
and she took a bun
from the bag
and ate into it
I took one
and ate it
piece by piece
picking out the currants
I need shoes too
she said
but don't expect
to get them yet awhile
will have to
make them do
a horse drawn
coal wagon
moved out
of the coal wharf
Helen still talked
I watched the horse
trotting along the road
he didn't seem strained
pulling the heavy load.
Sep 14, 2014
Sep 14, 2014 at 4:29 AM UTC
I was walking home past the Rose Hill Cemetery right
around the corner from my tepee here at 111 North Street,
when I heard a sweet voice call me, breathy and my *** immediately took notice, when she said my name like she knew me intimately.
She said, "I am Mother Mary, and I have come to relay to you your
destiny." I froze-recalling all those psychedelics I used back in the 70's.
She continued, " Your need is great, and Jesus awaits, and all of heaven will
welcome you as the newest angel."
I swigged again from my Olde English 800, and thought, well,
and turned around quick, and saw three broke ******* I laughed.
They, smiled sweet, and begged one cigarette. I gave each two,
and all of my religion!
Dec 14, 2014
Dec 14, 2014 at 10:07 PM UTC
We had sat
on the grass
by Banks House
warm morning
Fay's dress was
a faded blue
her fair hair
almost blonde
was let loose
Daddy said
we must pray
for the souls
in the place
Purgatory
Fay told me
where's that place?
I asked her
Daddy said
a place or
state of great
soul suffering
inhabited
by the souls
of sinners who
atone for
their own sins
before they go
to heaven
Fay explained
I unscrewed
a bottle of
lemonade
and passed it
over for
Fay to drink
she took sips
then gave it
back to me
I swigged some
then put it
beside me
on the grass
what a place
to avoid
if you can
I tell her
Daddy said
our prayers help
them get out
I take out
from my jean's
pocket a
paper bag
of wine gums
I offer
her the bag
she took one
and then she
sedately
put it in
between lips
to her mouth
I watched her
my 12 year
old girlfriend
doing that
it had a
beauty to
the action
her fingers
in motion
opening
of her lips
her blue eyes
I mouthed 2
red wine gums
and ****** them
all the time
watching her
not thinking
of the place
Purgatory
or the souls
but her there
her beauty
as we sat
on the grass
warmed up by
morning sun
both of us
seeming one.
Nov 11, 2015
Nov 11, 2015 at 3:42 AM UTC