Ice melts
Swished and swirledIce slowly melts, Clinking and clanking Around the drinking glass As the pure spirit cools to cold. Straight down in one Neat no chasers, On the rocks Without sliced slivers of lemon Or unnecessary umbrella little fussy extras. A bitter balm, Unadorned in all its potency, Plain and simple That hits where it hitsThe most. An anaesthetic tonic With a short release From reality That numbs the painThen distorts the truth. A rush to the headWith a ring of clink and clatter, As the poison Seeps into the bloodWorking its ancient alchemy.