Njeri Hunjeri Poet Prose Poetry

The Curse of Alcoholism

"Alcohol does not solve any problems but again, neither does milk" anonymous

Only my family finds this being the best line anyone ever came up with, we've laughed a lot about it
I have laughed about it
Only my family will joke of The drink and give it respect at the same time
Only my family, because I am the only family I know of that well

But let me flip the coin, and see the other side

I have an uncle who died of alcoholism and sadly his sons follow the same path 
Of my four brothers, only one doesn't drink
One has mental illness and tends to mix the drugs together (you know, alcohol plus his prescriptions)
Everyday he is always "quiting"
Or my other brother who has been in trouble with the law because of The drink 
Or my other brother who can drink from Sunday to Saturday, from day to night
                This one has become a regular pick up from ditches

Or my youngest sister. She has the best spirit. She loves fun. Her idea of fun usually entails The drink 
Sadly I've noticed the tremors in her hands
Or my other sister and i. Me and her are what I call closeted drinkers.
We do it openly only after analysing the surrounding and those with us
We have it more tamed, I guess it's because we are mothers

Or my dad. He doesn't drink. I have never seen him drink. My brothers always brag of how he used to drink alot and how sometimes he will take them with him to his drinking endeavours
My mother only talks of those days with horror
But he quit, became born again in time for i and my sisters births 
Am glad I never saw him that way, because maybe I'd be a different woman today

Maybe I should flip the coin again
And stop being such a Debbie downer
Maybe on this cold Friday night,
I need to get myself a pack of woodstock beer to sleep too

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Jennifer Donnay March 8, 2015 at 10:10 AM Njeri, I can totally relate to this poem, as I also grew up with a family who drank and did drugs.. My dad was one of them.. I don't drink, nor do I associate with people who do!" Thank you for writing and sharing this. I can feel your feelings about it. We can learn so much from each other.. Hugs!! Njeri Hunjeri March 9, 2015 at 3:22 AM It was hard for me to be put it out here because as you know, they are some people who can be so judgmental to the point of instead of helping, they push you further into that hole. But am glad I did, because I realize that my family is not the only one suffering from this. This kind of writing also opens up a platform for us to discuss thes issues and by doing so we can come with solutions. Thank you Jennifer for visiting this writing. Be blessed.

Andrea Dietrich March 2, 2015 at 6:10 PM this one was conflicted. You like alcohol and yet you can recognize the cons of drinking it. i was not raised around it, so the first time I tasted it, it was very nasty for me. I don't think I could ever get used to its taste, so at least that is one vice I will never pick up. Good one! Njeri Hunjeri March 3, 2015 at 5:46 PM I grew up with it. Watching my three brothers. I also come from a culture of heavy drinkers. I actually only drink like 4 times a month. Am not a heavy drinker like the rest of my siblings (except my one brother who doesn't drink). But that doesn't justify it. Lately I've been good at stopping that urge. Thank you Andrea, your comment means a lot to me

Jenny Siaba March 2, 2015 at 4:30 PM I can very much relate to this. Alcohol can destroy lives. The life of the drinker and everyone he touches. It's not always evil but certainly comes with risk. Expecially for those bit by the bug. Thanks for sharing this. Njeri Hunjeri March 2, 2015 at 5:32 PM Jenny, thank you for your words. God bless you