Best Whiskey Poems
It’s a smooth and tasty way to get high.
Try my distillation of mash made from corn and rye.
I make it from my family’s secret recipe.
The only one who knows about it is me.
The stuff comes out of my trusty hidden still.
I have it standing in the woods on top of the hill.
My woman did something that made me mad as hell.
She took the last batch I made, and dumped it into the well.
Soon, gathered around the well was a big crowd.
My neighbors were laughing and singing out loud.
There were old folks and little children staggering along the lane.
It did not seem like any of them was feeling pain.
Nobody else in the vicinity readily understood
why the water in the well was tasting so good.
Whiskey Lips So Sublime
Whiskey Lips step now over the line of true fire-water,
As a warm-burning brings forward one glowing sign.
The golden mead of sweet mountain dew appears now,
As each golden drop sighs it moment of escape and as
The alcohol signals and sparks the wildest of spirits in
One’s own true self!
This moment of sublime ecstasy excites and sparks your
Deepest inner-spirit and you begin to slur and sing loudly,
As your mind begins to reel from the drunken delight of
Your very own intoxicating breaths—noble, yet stupid,
As you become drunken forever under each psychic sip
You taketh from the deepest pool in the very depths of
Your eternal soul!
Your very eyes now glaze over a breathless message
You have found in the cheapest of whiskey bottles.
Saying a divine prayer to Almighty God Himself,
You open the bottle cork now and take notice that a
Little genie pops out of nowhere and begins to take all
Three of your mythic wishes granted together into one!
With that, this little genie shall begin dancing and singing
An ancient Irish whiskey song in your presence into the
Wee hours of the morning until you both pass out and fall
Into a drunken stupor with your whiskey lips so sublime!
Gary Bateman and Liam McDaid, A Collaborated Poem
Copyright © All Rights Reserved – July 23, 2018
(Free Verse)
babe
I stumbled home—
drenched in Guinness, soaked in guilt
the apartment crumbles, a shattered ruin
but you—your copper mane ablaze—
my wild Morrigan
a feral Celtic Faerie Queene
waging war against the wreckage.
You told me love was a lie
stitched by leprechauns
but your touch proves
there’s truth in everything
we break and rebuild.
Chased the wail of a banshee tonight
hoping to drown the shame
gulped it down like bottom-shelf whiskey.
Instead I christened the clover—
four leaves or forty—who cares? —
baptizing failures
trembling hands at work.
In this emerald world of lies
forget unicorns rainbows and clovers—
false luck's for fools and drunks.
Luck’s a liar
a Puca’s trick
crumbling when touched.
But you—
wear that emerald dress
like a battle cry.
A storm inside a woman
whiskey-fire eyes dare me
to fall harder
and I do. Every time.
You are my reel—
venomous alive
an unseelie’s song
the one thing that won’t let me escape.
I’ve fed the snakes with my mistakes
but still
I kneel before you—
a fool
drunk on you
more potent than any fairy brew.
We aren’t saints
but we’re still here—
holding on to this wreckage
with blood-stained hands.
Pour another pint, love—
let’s dance on glass fragments
our broken dreams—
our frenzied jig
painting the town green—
two misfits spinning
through this carnival of Fiana fools.
In the chaos
in the ruin
we find each other.
No leprechaun guards our gold
but you—my queen of chaos—
are treasure enough
to keep me alive.
So here's to you, my wild Morrigan—
in your eyes I find my home
the only shelter I’ve ever known.
in your smile, I find sanctuary and storm alike—
for you, are my feral Celtic Faerie Queen.
Hey Whiskey Daddy
It’s your booze you liked best
You were a pretend preacher
Who would never confess
Twenty Five dollars
You got that fake degree
You felt full of false pride
as you baptized little me
Your ten year old bartender
Mixing your Whisky well
I kept your dirty secrets
Because I was to afraid to tell
Ya Whiskey Daddy
That thirst you couldn’t quench
I still remember your breath
I can’t forget that stench
The nectar of the Devil
Did it help you to forget?
Losers gamble their futures
and rarely win the bet
Hours of pretend preaching
Without opening the good book
Your demons were plenty
But you had the right look
Holier than though
Cheap whiskey in a flask
They all hung on your words
You so loved your mask
Nothing lasts forever
There’s a piper to pay
Whiskey Daddy you’re gone
and the world’s better this way.
McGee’s Tall Tale
I first saw McGee with his back facing me
sitting in the Pub with a pint
When Finn, asked him "Tell us a Tale"
So, he stood up and said "I just might"
His face looked grim, as I studied him
and his eyes were fixed and glistened
"Boys, This will blow your moorings away,
with a tale, if you just, sit and listen"
"On a stormy night, all the hatches were tight,
and our cargo was lashed with strong ropes
With my years spent at sea, never thought it'd be me
Who was finding it hard just to cope"
Mcgee's voice became weak, as he started to seek
something to drink from his mug
"Quick, buy him a beer, No, take mine, it's right here"
As Finn pulled out a stout jug
Then McGee took as sip, held the jug by his hip
And proceeded to render his tale
“There was a monster you see, as big as could be,
One that could eat a large whale”
Now, the men were all tense, and the monster immense
Growing bigger, with each pull of the plug
And the waves got much taller while the poor ship grew smaller
Each time McGee sipped from the jug
“ This monster you see”, said half drunken McGee
“Was a Kraken, attacking the ship,
took one look at me, pulled me down in the sea
With a lethal and almighty grip”
From out of the blue, Finn yelled “ What did you do ” ?
As McGee let loose with a laugh
With the free drinks all through, McGee said, “You Fool,
I DIED THAT NIGHT, ARE YOU DAFFED”
One tall and gaunt with hooded eyes
The other bearded, bent, time-worn and wise
They relished unfurling their intellectual sails
To seek secrets of wisdom on ancient gales
Two wizened old philosophers in a huddled conspiracy
They picked through the bones of archaic mythology
Pondered the tomes of scholars of yore
Then fleshed out the virtues of masters of lore
They sniffed out the dragons of hateful hypocrisy
Harangued and railed against heinous heresy
Decried the dogmatist's intolerant curse
Then like poets esteemed they trundled through verse
Their furrowed cheeks glowed as the whiskey flowed
Voices gravelled and slurred as their logic blurred
They fumbled and mumbled, weary and weaving
As the dying embers of day, dropped into evening
With their feverish fervour fully feted
They stumbled into the night, agreeably sated!
empty headed,
just me
and Jesus
drinking jack,
both trying
to forget our name,
both victims of the insane.
Sitting watching,
soil turning to mud.
rotting seeds
and black roots,
we pray.
the rain it never stops.
In silence we drink,
as eternal sorrowful clouds
cries its tears,
upon the wandering souls below.
Don't come here,
looking for shelter from your sins,
or forgiveness for your failures,
our blood runs cold,
just whiskey and water
flowing in our veins,
and when the treacherous sun,
rises upon the dusty morning.
the black crows on the wire laugh.
as man crawls on his belly again today,
and Jesus kicks a beer can down the road.
Whiskey
Whiskey made a fool of me
exacting misery’s price
and for its luster and allure
left me always wanting more.
Whiskey took my sins away,
but briefly, they returned each day,
edges sharper from exile,
flames new fueled by old denial.
Whiskey, promises of peace,
drunken apple out of reach,
calming seas by pouring oil
setting stage for scathing boil.
Whiskey, sad magician’s maze,
comforter, or madman’s craze,
searching in the shifting sand
for images of shapeless man.
Whiskey, warrior disarmed,
closes reason with her charm
dashes hopes on ragged shore
leaving vanquished craving more.
Whiskey made a fool of me
but surely I consented.
Whiskey made a fool of me
but sure I was demented.
Two o'clock she hits me hard
I salute to another captain
look around and swallow hard
Not as hard as you leaving
hitting me straight between the eyes
stars spinning right after midnight
can't remember exactly why
Whispers filled the empty cauldron
along with a pint of homemade wine
life already was a struggle living
now what am I going to do with all this time
Whiskey glasses and bathroom mirrors
keep on holding back the cries
another pent up night in Georgia
running scared and telling lies
Come on back before the summer
when my troubles will be unclothed
sprinkle love upon these shoulders
before this man has decomposed
WHISKEY
1) Who would take away this unrest
What would make me think my best?
Something for my soul; I am desperately longing
Battle for sanity; my mind is earnestly flogging
I wanna cook something good
But all I eat is depression’s food
Trying to sleep victorious
But always waking up so notorious
Chorus: My soul is broken but my flesh is still in line
Spirit so thirsty looking for a new wine
I wanna live a life that I know is mine
But all I take is whiskey so I can stay fine
2) I heard things about the Lord’s glory
At first I thought it was just a story
Saying to myself; these fellas are just being corny
Until I walked into his sanctuary, I tell you; it wasn’t funny
It was a brand new experience
To know the worth of his essence
This is not benediction nor burning of incense
It is something I call an unexplained presence
Your love is thin
it has no flesh
its a pretty face
with no consequence,
so I tell myself
go without the water
by summer the malt
will be in order
your love is thin.
Bodies in
a bag.
Wires in
ghostly white
light.
Souls wearing
hearts of
gold.
Knives edged
purposely against
your skull.
A gratitude feel
to end this life
tonight
but stay.
Hold the flower
in your breath
and fear lonely tears.
I believe in you
a shell in the
sand left with nothing
but the sun blinding you.
Scorn white snow in
December have desire.
Another wants you.
Alone I wait on a bed
of nails desperately
wanting to surrender
this night instead
your heavens kept you
locked under this world
of the dying.
I can't keep your thorns
safe.
Beyond this life seeking
your truth.
Knives carved in
the shape of your
heart.
Blood on the whiskey
black moon grave.
Southern eyes and whiskey lies
Stars that die in your eyes
Hold my hand break me apart
Fireflies dying in the dark
How can I remember
My hearts been lying asunder
How can I forget
All the deeds that you did
Voices call their true unrest
As memories fall
They mean less and less
How can I remember
When my heart's been dead
Spirits scream inside my mind
Embers burn Im marred yet fine
Daggers tear the ties of pride
I lay and listen to you lie
How can I remember
My hearts been lying asunder
How can I forget
All the deeds that you did
Voices call their true unrest
As memories fall
They mean less and less
How can I remember
When my hearts been dead
Written: September 16, 2023
______________________________________________________________
In arrant essence, without a fight,
Herald of vamps, in the dead of night
Ushers a raw wave that captivates,
The heights of the cosmos resonate.
Wax in our ears, the truth we long to hear,
Despite fear or quaint hopes, with zeal, we steer.
In bravery, the sun's light subdues the sight.
Rolling through the despair of a lonesome night.
Slightly too reckless, we dare to dream,
Framing a foist under the whiskey moon gleam.
Reminiscing about the warmth once shared,
Now mislaid in the miles left behind, scared.
Yet in the depths of our soul, a blaze remains.
A flicker of optimism that cannot be tamed.
Whiskey moon and a reckless wish
Guiding us through this journey, a celestial dish.
We dance with the cosmos, our spirits alight,
Embracing the unsung, chasing the light
With every endeavor, we withstand the odds,
Leaving behind the solace of familiar nods.
In the cosmic realm, we decry our place.
Unveiling the secrets with zeal and grace
Whiskey moon, shining dazzlingly above
Reminding us of castaway love.
But in the gloominess, we explore our way,
Through the shadows, we will not stray.
In the depths of our soul, we hold,
The memories of compassion were once bold.
Though miles may separate and time may pass,
The alliance we formed will always last.
Whiskey moon and ambivalent bliss
Swaying us through life's unpredictable abyss
In the garden
Of my memories
Remains... but one rose
Her voice
No longer lingers
It’s always, the first to go
What once grew
In the sunshine
From the light of.. our love
Is now just a memory
One I can’t give up
I’m pouring whiskey on a rose
In hopes to, ease the pain
A picture of perfection
Is all, that remains
Why does something so pretty
Have to wilt away and go
Now I’m stuck here pouring whiskey
Pouring whiskey on a rose
Why’s this hell
Pull me closer
To my Heaven, each night
Another empty
Whiskey bottle
Another step towards, the light
We promised
Our love
Till death, do us part
So why does it still linger
Here in my heart
I’m pouring whiskey on a rose again
In hopes to, ease the pain
A picture of perfection
Is all, that remains
Why does something so pretty
Have to wilt away and go
Now I’m stuck here pouring whiskey
Pouring whiskey on a rose
This pain that I know
Continues to grow
Such a beautiful flower
Called back home
So now I’m...
Pouring whiskey....
On a rose
Copyright © Michael P. Dudash 5/30/2019