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this is my social life

Wednesday 20th August 2008 9:19 am (first posted Tuesday 19th August 2008 11:44 pm)

This is my social life

5 pints of beer
forty minutes later
and so far from here again
drinking it all away.
fuckin hate getting old.
Drown the fuckin lot
Fuckin load of stupid years.
You gave me this body,
you should have let me keep it.
it just wilts
my star system is slipping through fingers
the more I tighten my grip
the more slip slipping slip
mid life crisis
mid life git
womanise to feel young
they, the harlot's once flung
now the scarlet embarrassment hung
between
I have to drown many things
Before they do the same
Its not going well with the wife
either.
We argue like clockwork.
The rolled shirt sleeves.
We make work of a good row,
I’m off down the pub now, love you,
this tame cash cow, he'll be back later, skint
slipped out back silent
You the powder keg, me the flint
Fuckin old
Fuckin arguments
Fuckin wrinkles
Fuckin cement
Setting faces like stone
Look at the worry lines
Every last bastard shown in reflection
At the end of the bar
A stupid Cinzano Bianco mirror
From 1976 the lazy tight landlord
Painted around it
Wallpaper over shite refurb
Tis my local though
The escape water hole from myself
Losing it.
I just noticed the thread veins
I traced a line
I have become old, alcohol’s ruddy face
slouched over by this time
stinking git
disgrace.

◄ How long, elder

My Kitty Kat ►

Comments

<Deleted User> (5646)

Wed 20th Aug 2008 23:00

Hi Pete,
there's some brilliant observations in your poem.
I see and hear this kind of thing every single time i go to work. It really is a way of life for some people.
Surprisingly, maybe. It's usually the regular afternoon drinkers who are the ones most likely to fit the bill for this one.

Great write and frighteningly real.
Love Janet.xx

clarissa mckone

Wed 20th Aug 2008 15:30

HI Pete, No dont change it, I understand it now. Its one of those saying that does not cross the pond well. its good the way it is.

Ieuan Cilgwri

Wed 20th Aug 2008 11:58

Pete - I like this, a cliche (i.e. a much repeated truth) on probably something we've all seen (those of us who've frequented pubs) and good, good social commentary. How many people become that way because that's all they feel they have in their life.

The poem itself had a feeling (or rhythm, to use a currently topical word) or droning, sustaining - grinding on or monotony, which seems to fit the pathos played out.

As it was mentioned, the cash cow bit confused me a bit initially - I thought he was referring to his wife but I see what you mean now and also having re-read it, so perhaps you might want to think on that as a minor point.

Thanks.

Pete Crompton

Wed 20th Aug 2008 09:17

Hi Clarissa. There is no implication that the character in this poem hates his wife. He hates himself.

Perhaps the poem fails in delivering that message, im not sure.

what happens is as he leaves from the back door of the kitchen, he mutters the words to himself (but also just loud enough for her to hear)

"Love ya, the tame cash cow will be back later"

he is the cash cow and he's blowing all the family cash on booze. He is criticising himself because of the guilt. In any relationship there is always always always 2 people with thier own part to play, it seems on the whole that men are by nature the ones who will destroy thru infedility, thats not to say it does not happen to both because it does. Domestic violence towards men for example is one item of news that gets far less coverage than vice versa. Whilst I dont deal with violence in this poem another verse could have. I think that there are so many happy couples its wonderful. That is something I want to write about. The poem is not about me but a character created by the songwriter Derek Dick.
However in every bar you may find one.
I have been in similar situations, or at least been at the beginnings of.

The cinzano Mirror is real!

Do you think that the poem needs to be changed in order that the 'cow' line is not a misinterpretation, I don't like that word, its very harsh, that is why I used it, I mean I like it in the poem but not so much in real life. It has many connotations I think.

help

<Deleted User> (5984)

Wed 20th Aug 2008 06:25

very profound Pete

clarissa mckone

Wed 20th Aug 2008 05:12

HI Peter,
This is different, but I enjoyed it. Its observation of others that live in a hell they have created. We all get old so no point getting upset about it, cant stop it.Drinking, well I have 1-2 beers, not every day, but on more then half of the days of a week.When I was in england I saw many old men that drank to much, as if they were teens trying to out drink their buddys.They prob were not as old as they looked. I know that it seems many older couples are not happy, but I think there are many that are happy. I dont think every man hates his wife and thinks she is some cow. if they do then its a very sad world, as most men are just as fat and slobery, but we still feed them and care for them, old fat and bald,still the same person . aww well good old poem

<Deleted User> (4281)

Wed 20th Aug 2008 01:01

Hello, Pete

You must have one bear to many writing this!!
I feel young at least in my heart and you complaining about getting old...Err!...LOL:)

I am sorry to say this, but I feel that we all get that way so be it. You wrote your feelings excellent in this poem. It is quite different one then I read daily but such it is life young man.
You are looking young on your picture and with a nice smile too. You know I have an Idea, since you not going to be a kid anymore why not to laminate this poem and hang on the wall. Take off all your mirrors so you will not see any wrinkles anymore and that saves the frustration for you. You can take my advice or live it...It is a friendly and happy peace of mind. Do not get offended I am only joking!

Thank you for sharing your heart with us
You are not alone I feel like that too!

Thank you,
Zuzanna

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