Warning signs

He raises the glass of whiskey to his chapped lips
Even the smell of  it sends warning sings through his system
He ignores them all and downs the glass

Everything in the room is muted
It looks as if it's a complete blur
Fifteen years has passed since he's so much as touched a bottle
A bottle that's been controlling too much of his life

His own son
Too often left outside
Battered and beaten
Kicked out to the curb trying to restrain his own father
From downing another bottle

His suicide note was left in the alcohol cabinet
Because he knew that his father wouldn't see it unless it was there
Now the father grasps the note as if it were a life line
Dragging him back to reality