John-Ward Leighton

BURN OUT

Photos ©Copyright by John-Ward Leighton
It is said
that being a drunk
shrinks your brain
inside your head.
If that is true
I saved myself I fear
just before my brain was due
to disappear.
All the time
I thought it was fun
and partied as hard and fast
as I could run.
The amazing thing
is except for the emotional damage I did
I didn’t kill anyone.
The many times I went up to the edge and over
landing in the shit
but coming up smelling of roses and clover.
Dumb luck, dumb luck
but praise fate
I managed to quit
before it was too late.
I wasn’t all bad
or so I am told
it was just too late smart
and too soon old.
I was that drunken lout
and got off the booze train
at station sober and clean
before my brain could
have that final
burn out.