what one drink knows

Just one drink knows

it’s good

to let those shoulders loosen.

Look, one drink

isn’t hurting anybody.

And a few drinks know

everything

is worth worrying about,

at least somewhat,

at three o’clock in the morning.

A few drinks more

know that nobody

should have to feel this bad;

and nobody appreciates all you do. 

And, That woman’s a bitch.

I mean, what the hell?

I’ll tell you a book

you oughta write.

I’ll tell you

what they oughta do

in the Middle East.

But here’s the truth,

cold and clear as an ice cube.

Many drinks—many, many drinks

over many years—

They don’t know jack.

They don’t know shit.

Never have. Never will.

Kate Young Wilder