The ABCs they didn't teach you.

A is for Alcoholism, the cause of all distress,

B is for Bank account – empty,

C is for Childhood trauma, that never quite goes away,

D is for ‘Don’t touch my bevvy’.

E is for Ego that can’t see a problem,

F is for Fridge full of beer,

G is for Gaslighting, because it’s all your fault,

H is for Helping pay bills in arrears.

I is for Inventing a different life at school,

J is for Jealousy of friends,

K is for Keep your wits about you,

L is for Loneliness that never ends.

M is for ‘Mum, can we leave, please?’

N is for Nights without sleep,

O is for Offences and assaulting police,

P is for Passed out on the lounge suite.

Q is for Quietly crying,

R is for Rehabs only help for a time,

S is for Shame, cheeks burning with shame,

T is for Tipping out half bottles of wine.

U is for Unrequited love,

V is for Visible bruising, hidden because you’re smart,

W is for Waiting on adulthood,

X is for X-rays, even, could see this broken heart.

Y is for Years of therapy, trying to gain some expertise,

Z is for Zero alcohol in my drink, that’d be great, please.