Pickled Brains 1

Most gravely vexed wast he that villains dire
Shouldst their inebriating pills purvey
-Such fears that shouldst befit some nobler squire-
Yet these foul lips didst drunkeness convey.

This heinous stench and drink-befuddled lips
Spake louder than the words they boldly formed
Perceiving thus Addiction's fearsome grip
I saw a helmless galleon in the storm.

In slavery this Menace hath Mankind
What countless noble bonds thus break asunder!
For what are drunkards if not cruel and blind?
What cause of death some careless boozer's blunder?

Now I for one canst no more tread this way:
'Tis joy to lose and misery to gain
This is indeed a reckless game men play
In letting alchohol affect their brain
Yet thou, dear friend - Wilt thou be drunk again?

Pickled Brains 2

The man was quite upset that 'mindless thugs'
Were out there selling people 'dangerous drugs',
And though his attitude was most sincere,
His speech was slurred from several pints of beer.

And yet the drug I smelled upon his breath
Has caused - so frequently - a needless death,
That no-one ever dares to check the toll
Of death directly caused by alcohol.

But even those who count the cost can't say
What suffering drink causes day by day.
They cannot say how many friendships die,
Nor count the tears a drunkard's children cry.

But who is just so blind they cannot see
This awful toll in human misery?
Can anyone perceive a long-term gain
In letting alcohol attack your brain?
-And yet I'm sure you'll have a drink again.