A Bartender's Soliloquy

By TheLastDragon

Maybe once a proud man
But now a man no more
A dessicated specter
Wafts in through the door

I watch him take a creaking stool
The same one every night
He licks his cracked and broken lips
'Cause soon they'll feel all right

He's never been a talker
Not one to sip a beer
Nor one to pour his sorrows back
To anyone who hears

Ain't never heard him smalltalk
He cuts right to the chase
Gets a bottle to himself
And throws it at his face

There's no more thought of living
The last thing on his mind
He just wants his poison
It's all that's left behind

I know it looks like water
(It tastes so much like ice!)
To him this dirt-cheap vodka
Is the only thing that's right

He looks up at the bar clock
I think he's quenched his thirst
For now he's free from private hells
But a bottle can't drown hurt

And now he wants his keys back
Their limit can just be damned
There ain't no point in arguing
I drop them right into his hand

I watch him drift away again
In a haze of booze and stink
I'm not sure what I did was right
Though I just can't help but think...



The roads are dark and twisting
It's a long time yet 'till dawn
My heart says he'll crash and burn tonight
Then again, he was already gone

Unauthorized Copying Is Prohibited. Ask the author first.
Copyright 2005 TheLastDragon
Published on Tuesday, July 5, 2005.     Filed under: "Reflective" and "Poetry"
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Comments on "A Bartender's Soliloquy"

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  • A former member wrote: Thought provoking, cruel but kind sort of realism. loved every line

  • Alchemist On Thursday, July 5, 2012, Alchemist (679)By person wrote:

    The flow was spot on and the story was dark and touching. I have had those vodka filled nights but I prefer Absolut.

  • The_Lady_in_the_Fire On Tuesday, July 5, 2005, The_Lady_in_the_Fire (21)By person wrote:

    Gods, this was awesome! wonderful write. I agree... the last stanza tied it into an amazing piece.

  • A former member wrote: great write...so many of us live this way and others are concerned but we know what awaits us

  • Eladrim On Tuesday, July 5, 2005, Eladrim (47)By person wrote:

    This was awesome, last stanza was great. -Jesse

  • LovelyAssassinx On Tuesday, July 5, 2005, LovelyAssassinx (151)By person wrote:

    Wow. I really love this write. The ending really brought it together. Wonderful write. ~Sara

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