60% Proof Poem by RIC BASTASA

alcoholic drinks
are measured by their
percent proof,

For example,
a 'six proof' beer
would have 3% alcohol,
barely any,
while a strong liqueur
that advertised it was 80 proof
would have
40% alcohol.

It isn't, however, quite that simple...

there are other
complications, but that
is not my point
here,

what about poetry?

what kind of
proof is this
poetry that makes
you drunk?

or do you want
something to make
you sober?

you get high?
you want to?
ah, try putting
alcohol in your
words,
give it the
kind of proof
needed,

then say, ahh,
this is real poetry
this certain relief
from the harsh
realities of our lives,

this ahhh,
ahhhh, ahhhh
oh God!