Why
They
Do
It
Cheryl Savageau

Uncle Jack drinks because he's Indian.
Aunt Rita drinks because she married a German.
Uncle Raymond drinks because spats have gone out of style.
Uncle Bébé drinks because Jeannie encourages him.
Aunt Jeannie drinks because Bébé does.
Russell drinks because he's in college.
Uncle Jack drinks because he's a perfectionist.
Dave drinks because he's out of work.
Aunt Rita drinks because she's a musician.
Bert drinks because he's married to Rita.
Renny drinks because he likes a good time.
Gil drinks because he always has.
Raymond drinks because Marie's too smart.
Jack drinks because Florence won't.
Lucille and Bob don't drink because everyone else does.
Raymond drinks because of all the women he'll never have.
Dick just drinks to empty the keg.

--- From Poetry Like Bread,
Edited by Martín Espada
©2000, Curbstone Press