Easy, Clarence.
This is the stuff of new nightmares and old
temptations. This is the path to the bottle,
the spring of youth for
the cost of a liver;
the late night drive.
The sense of humor
that dwells in the valley
of gin and tonic forever.
That is not a red light;
it could be a camera,
it could be a tally of good intentions.
Next time I'll slow for yellow
unless it’s after 2 am
because that's stupid,
driving at all and stopping for lights.
Slow down and drink like
this might be a bottle worth saving,
ice cubes to calm the blood,
cool the pain of today,
the promise denied
yesterday.
Travis Stephens is a tugboat captain who lives with his family in California. His book of poetry, “skeeter bit & still drunk” was published by Finishing Line Press.