Vodka Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

My head aches, and a lousy feeling
Of having succumbed remains;
Last night, as a diabetic, I had refused
All drinks in the evening at President Hotel
In Cuffe Parade, with new Secretary Shipping;
Later, in Mayfair rooms at Worli, celebrating
Wedding anniversary of Ashok and Ranjana
Who were my Assistant Collectors in Kolhapur,
I was happy mingling with colleagues, young and old,
Till Ashok came, shook hands to express delight,
Pushed me to the bar, and while I said ‘No’,
Then no only to whisky, finally agreed to vodka
And said no to ‘sprite’ as too sweet to mix,
I agreed to vodka with orange juice.

As usual I drank my first glass fast, kept chatting
With empty glass in hand till
A nice waiter-boy came solicitously
To refill and I didn’t say anything,
So, there I was a confirmed serious diabetic
With second glass, and this morning’s headache.

Lucky, by the time I composed these lines
In my mind, while walking on the BKC pavement
In front of the three Reserve Bank of India buildings,
The headache disappeared, but leaving
I am sure, a high sugar level in my blood.

‘Lord, what fools these mortals be! ’,
I can hear Puck's birdsong
Along with sparrows and pigeons
Under the light blue morning sky.