Whiskey for no Reason

Drank bootleg whiskey in my youth
Letcher County, Kentucky had its prohibition 
Challenge and adventure to find the devil
Learning to disregard its bite our mission 

In the beginning terrible the taste
Gradually coming to enjoy the effects 
Still drinking too much way too fast
Ending up one helluva wreck

Same as the case with much in life 
Wish I’d known then what I know now
Sipping smooth bourbon brought more fun
Than ending up sideways wandering how

Left that dry county to join the Army 
Funny how you find yourself alone 
Buddies just like you all around
Christmas is sad when you’re not home

Sooner or later you’ll find your boys
Coming from many different walks of life
Drank my bourbon and they their choice
Sharing war stories or our past strife 

Bootleg Wild Turkey bought in Dahuk 
Drank with my brothers Christmas of 04
Needing to ease the hurting inside
Saluting our warriors lost days before

Too many nights sipping bourbon on ice
Shared with brothers from that very day 
Would lose others to whiskey and whatever 
To mourn without whiskey a better way

Over time I developed my drink of choice
Imbibing most evenings regardless of season
Could I have saved some of my brothers 
If I only drank whiskey for no reason

JBentley-26July2023