Gary Bateman Poet Ode

Notes About The Poem

I put this poem together, "An Ode to Fine Drinking," as an "Ode" set within in a loose-leaf free verse format.  This ode represents for me "something on the lighter side" of poetic exposition.  I am not really glorifying "alcohol" as much as making a spoof about it.  My two repeated sayings in the German language refer essentially to the pleasant sound associated with pouring quality whiskey and/or red wine into the appropriate glass for whichever alcohol is going to be poured.  The important thing is that I wanted a poem to portray this process from a somewhat comical standpoint.  (Gary Bateman - August 24, 2014)

An Ode To Fine Drinking

With alcohol coursing through my veins,
I sense and feel the best of my pains.

With double resolve to amend my aims,
I can’t believe I really want to.

Oh Alcohol!  Oh Alcohol!  Oh Alcohol!
you are the balm and bane
to my existence;
and yet, if I must choose,
I choose the balm to my existence.

As I tear through the shadows of my life,
I know that thou art with me, 
every time I pour a glass of fine red wine,
or a stout shot glass Irish whiskey,
I marvel at the sound and tenor of this fine alcohol
as it moves in waves and slaps the inside of the glass of choice.
The sound it makes is indeed notable and quite pleasant.

     As they say in the German:
 “das macht ein gutes Geräusch.”
                  -or-
“das macht eine klangvolle Wonne.”

With alcohol coursing through my veins,
melancholy is never one of my pains.
This emotion is not allowed
nor will I ever be cowed,
and depressed—as some suggest:
to slump, to sulk, and to sit in the corner
crying over what might have been.

When drinking and thinking and being, and—
with alcohol coursing through my veins,
I do indeed savor the sound of fine alcohol being poured
to quite rightly ensure that I will never be bored.

      As they say in the German:
 “das macht ein gutes Geräusch.”
                  -or-
“das macht eine klangvolle Wonne.”


Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Schoeningen, Germany
(August 24, 2014)

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Laura Breidenthal August 7, 2015 at 12:45 AM Exceptional writing, as I am used to seeing from you, Gary! This was a most enjoyable read, and I intend to read more of your work tonight. I like this one because it is fun and lighthearted! The first two lines say a lot about the psychology of the alcohol-swooned character. Always, Laura Gary Bateman August 7, 2015 at 1:18 PM Hello Laura!! Sorry I haven't been over your way lately. I need to get by to check out your latest writes. Glad you liked this Ode. It appears in my first book too, although I made a couple of minor changes in the book published version. This one is not autobiographical, although when one lives over here in Germany in particular, imbibing some very good alcohol from time-to-time is fully in order. I do like the first two verses too!! This is certainly a light-hearted, fun write -- and it was fun to do. Cheers and Best, Gary

Liam Mcdaid October 25, 2014 at 5:58 AM superb piece of writing gary excellent pen pal Gary Bateman October 25, 2014 at 6:13 AM Yes it is My Mate Liam. As they say: "Wash it down with some Irish!!!" Cheers, Gary

Poet Destroyer A September 3, 2014 at 10:58 AM Gary, everytime you reply to my comment, I come back to see what's been left on my comments. have a nice day. LINDA

Poet Destroyer A September 2, 2014 at 11:47 AM :) Gary Bateman September 2, 2014 at 12:48 PM !!!

Poet Destroyer A September 2, 2014 at 9:39 AM Hello Gary, hope you are enjoying the soup.. thank you for the reply Gary Bateman September 2, 2014 at 11:20 AM Hi Linda, Yup!! I am very glad to be with everyone in the PoetrySoup group. I certainly plan to read more of your poetry too. There are a number of poets who have quite a collection of poems amassed to their credit (including you). I am in awe of the work accomplished. Two new poems will post today from me. My big epic narrative poem on the Black Witch to be posted later in sections. Cheers, Gary

Andrea Dietrich August 30, 2014 at 10:40 AM oh boy, I am so glad I read your comments to other poets below here so I would not say something inappropriate such as "hope you can stop this drinking" hahaha. This is incredible writing. Sadly, my son is one of these people. He is a highly functioning one who has a presigious job during the day. But he says he has to self medicate because in his profession, it will destroy him iif they find out he takes meds for depression and anxiety like his dad does.(so he can't even take the better course, which would be the pills). What a strange society we live in! Gary Bateman August 30, 2014 at 11:05 AM Andrea, Thanks for responding. This work is not autobiographical as I had mentioned to Linda in the note below. One thing is to drink and enjoy oneself and the other is to move in the very excessive direction. I write sometimes for effect to create an underlying message. High pressure circumstances situation can cause people to move in the wrong direction. It is a strange society we live in. All the best. . . Gary

Poet Destroyer A August 29, 2014 at 10:04 AM Looking forward, in reading " Zapfhahn." Gary, Thank You For replying to my comment :) LINDA Gary Bateman August 29, 2014 at 4:28 PM Linda . . . I just posted "Der Zapfhahn" about twenty minutes ago and already received a comment. Thanks as always. Cheers, Gary

Poet Destroyer A August 28, 2014 at 2:52 PM I like the ODE, Gary. I don't drink. Unless, there's a blue moon around. I don't ever wish to be in a situation, where it swims through my veins. Cheers, on this awesome poem...LINDA Gary Bateman August 28, 2014 at 6:05 PM Linda, Thanks for your comment and review. This was written, of course, tongue-in-cheek and it's not necessarily autobiographical on my part. I tend to write for effect. I do enjoy good red wine and Irish Whiskey though since 50% of my ancestry is "IRISH." I've got another one of these gems to be posted soon called:" Zapfhahn." Talk to you soon...Gary.

Casarah Nance August 24, 2014 at 8:29 PM This is a wonderful write Gary. I only drink on occasion but my husband brews his own wine. I see the glamor, the allure of the hobby. Your poem was such a pleasure to read, there is much art to the drinking, I wish I knew what the German quotes were that you had in your poem. I am rating this a seven because you did such a cool read :) Gary Bateman August 25, 2014 at 9:19 AM Hello Cas, The translations are: “das macht ein gutes Geräusch.” (That makes a really good or delightful sound); and “das macht eine klangvolle Wonne.” (That makes a pleasant, blissful sound or tone.) I hope this helps. I speak German and sometimes forget that a lot of other people don't. Glad you enjoyed this work. I enjoy fine wine and whiskey, but don't overdo it. Cheers, Gary

Barbara Gorelick August 24, 2014 at 5:56 PM Enjoyed ...I enjoy the "art" of drinking wine almost as much as the wine. Glad to read your work Gary. BG Gary Bateman August 24, 2014 at 6:11 PM Hello Barbara . . . Glad you enjoyed the exposition here. I personally enjoy a very good red wine and Irish Whiskey. Living here in Germany has made me appreciate the way in which Germans, at times, comment on the sound or tone of wine or whiskey being poured into a glass. Much fun and much enjoyment. Cheers, Gary (P.S. I will check out your poems too!!)