One Drink Too Many

Another drink, this time she swears everything is okay
Another drink and she tries to tell herself
She knows who she is.

But we all know the drink is just an excuse
To dull the pain
Awakening nights, she laughs to the rhythm of her dying heart
We know the days and nights she was dying

Wishing things would change
Would one more drink be her last regret?
She tried to save herself in that one last sip
She dropped the bottle and stared straight ahead

Nothing could take the place of how happy she
Used to be
Killing the life she had one bit at a time
With one drink too many

(c)Celisa Hoskin

published in Skipping Stones 2007

Mindworm Press, Chesapeake, VA