drink the absolution

how do you
tell someone
that they look
like they're
dying?

the years
of alcohol abuse
has taken its toll,
and if you don't quit,
your liquid diet
is going to take that last
bit of spark you have left.

i'm not one
to judge.
i have my addictions,
my vices.
i'm no angel.
but i try to keep
a happy medium
between
life and death,
not trying to go
too far in either direction.

so maybe you're hungry
for something.
there's a piece missing,
and you're trying to find
it,
but drinking it down isn't
going to bring you any closer
to finding an answer.

i guess i could say
all sorts of shit
that you've already heard.
i could tell you
about the beautiful people
in your life who love you.
i could mention your children
and your lover.
i could talk about
responsibility.
but i'm sure you've already
heard anything
i could come up with.

so i'll just say
that maybe you're
looking too far inward.
what you're hungry for
isn't on the inside.
what you really want
is all around you,
but maybe you're afraid
of reaching out.
maybe the booze
blinds you in the same way
life has blindsided you,
and it's kinda hazy where
you're at.

and if you stop now,
it's going to make you sick.
you're going to feel worse
than you have ever felt before.

but like everything else,
it's only temporary.

then again,
maybe you're one of those
people
who need to be at the very
bottom
before you realize that there
is a way up,
a way out.

whatever the case,
it's your soul.
do with it what you will.

just make certain
you're ready to take that
final step,
whatever direction
you decide to go.