Drunk

the vodka bottle

stays hidden

next to the dish detergent

•

during commercials

I shuffle into the kitchen

and take a drink

•

opening and closing

the cabinet

as softly as I can

•

if you catch me

I excuse it

•

another failed poem

my mother’s dementia

an attempt to quiet

my self-disgust

•

otherwise, it’s a celebration

my birthday

your birthday

the neighbor’s birthday

•

4pm

11am

•

there’s always a good reason

to be an alcoholic

•

you have no bad habits

•

the worst thing I could accuse you of

is flossing too much

or laughing too hard

at your own jokes

•

you’re not laughing

when I slur my words

the time I hit you with my keys

sobs from the bathroom

•

yet you still love me

when you inevitably hear

the soft tap

of the cabinet door.