I was never that close to my mother,

as she wasn’t as fun as my Dad.

He and I would play catch with each other,

and it was the most fun I ever had.

​

When I grew older I wanted to be like him.

Sure he drank too much at times,

but he always seemed to be having fun

reciting poems even when he botched the rhymes.

​

He used to play poker a lot,

and he invited me to one of his games.

I was in college and suspected a plot

when they gave me drink after drink it seems.

​

After a while my head was spinning,

and I couldn’t keep track of the games.

I made my way to the bathroom, got sick,

lost money, and felt a bit ashamed.

​

Pay attention to how much you drink, he said

or again you’ll be leaning over a sink – or dead.