What came first
The bottle or the glass
The bottle
Seventy percent proof
Thirty percent doubt
That always made her laugh
The proof of doubt
The glass half full
Her life half empty
There was a time
Once upon a time, there was a time
But that was then, and this is now
God, how poetic was she
That deserved a drink
Or maybe three
The neon sign across the road
Jesus saves
It shone a light
Well, it did at night
Which was alright
Cos electricity was really tight
The bottle seemed to disappear
Not a trickle, not a tear
Jesus saves across the road
Shining bright
In the night
Seventy percent proof
He existed just to say
Thirty percent doubt
She would have laughed
Maybe a tear
But like the bottle
Sadly
She was no longer here.
-
Author:
Paul Bell (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 8th, 2026 06:59
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 19
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange, Syd
Offline)
Comments9
We drink what we have then look for more my friend. What else are we going to do and Jesus but it does save (at times). Good one Paul the metaphor is a great one with the bottle, the intoxication of a girl and the glass half empty (only half full when she is there and hopes are high). As I write this and think of it more the multiple metaphors within make me like it more and more like drinking when each glass makes life better. I'm becoming intoxicated one read isn't enough I give it a fave.
Yeah, I think drink is still the biggest killer in the world, from the housewife to the salesman to the ten year old kid.
When the glass is full it represents a warped success, and maybe that's why we keep the glass topped up till the moment we can't.
That is true it is odd that the most dangerous drug is the legal one. I know that making it illegal does not work it was tried. Thanks so much for the read Paul
good write
Thanks, Nephilim.
most welcome
Quite heartbreaking, tender and sorrowful poem. Quietly devastating. 👍🏻🕊️
Yeah, drink sure is a curse.
I never get drunk cos I always drink the empty half of the bottle! lol. Makes sense to me. heehee.
There is a logic there and I'm going to drink to it.
Incredible piece, Paul! The percentages become faith, uncertainty, intoxication, and self-deception all at once. As a pastor with my own history involving alcohol, that glowing promise across the street cut especially deep...present, visible, and still unable to interrupt the tragedy. Phenomenal write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Faith I suppose comes in many forms, and I like to think in this case there was a peace, maybe a reckoning at the end.
Hi Paul,
I really enjoyed this. The wordplay around proof and doubt is brilliant, and I love the dark humour too. I come from a family of alcoholics so it's also relatable.
Very clever writing and I love the ending.
- Syd 🍄
Yeah, I came from a drinking family and I never realised my own problems till I owned up to them.
well said
Thanks, Turningpoint
Observation, guarded affection and a story well told. There was nothing Jesus or you could have done.
Great read Paul.
Yeah, no divine intervention here.
Drinks surely will kill - sad tale well written
Especially after work on a friday.
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