The Diabetic Poem by RIC BASTASA

she's actually 40
but she looks like 50

at the party
she is taking a case of
beer

drinks like a drum
and eats like there is no more food
for tomorrow

on a frothy mouth
she says she is hopeless
and would not hesitate
if she dies tomorrow
or even today

her husband is younger
by six years
and she swears he loves her even
if she is broke

she drinks more beer
and had more steak
more rice
more spaghetti

at 4 p.m. the waves of the sea
in this island
start to grow bigger
the wind starts to blow

and she rushes the boatman
to take her back
to the city

after all i guess
she is still afraid of the coming
typhoon

is she afraid of drowning?

i guess not
she says she is not afraid to die.