Nightcap

The house lies quiet, silent, save for one solitary footfall

Echoing in the silence the weary tread stalks these halls

Each step announcing its arrival in the rooms now dimmed

Moonlight casting shadows of the man that once was him

Polished floors groan and creak as each foot caresses it

And in the dark of the room he pours another fine Glenlivet

Glasses sparkle in the flicker of the moonlight’s wonder

Gentle caresses as they touch sound increasingly like thunder

Amber nectar swirls in the glass as he pours without a care

The drink of god’s it was, and he raises his salute in the air

Throwing open his throat he drowns his sorrows deep within it

And in the dark of the room he pours another fine Glenlivet

Shining like a beacon the beauty flickers in the shadows

Polished reflections dancing brightly as the fire glows

His gentle touch caresses her, strokes her polished frame

Grasps her firmly in his hand, hums a lullabies refrain

As he reaches for the bottle and the joy contained within it

In the darkness of the room he pours another fine Glenlivet

Welcome warmth of glowing fireplace spits embers to the floor

That smoulder softly in the twilight, fade and burn no more

Leather-bound he sits encased in arms of sure protection

Gazing at the vacuum that surrounds him ponders sweet reflection

Watching dreams within the flames frolic now as they see fit

In the darkness of the room he pours another fine Glenlivet

Glancing at the hearth carved frame of wood leads his eyes

To the images and memories of his family and their lives

Grand children as they played happily in fine winter snow

Birthday celebrations with their grinning faces all aglow

Loving wife and caring son lives full of passion and pure grit

As the darkness fills the room he pours another fine Glenlivet

Country walks and fireside talks, bold bright adventures in the sun

Cottages and castles, each and every moment savoured one by one

Smiling deep within, every loving memory sheds another tear

Every image that he conjures from the flames that burn, so clear

Reaching for the welcome bottle and the life contained within it

As the darkness fills the room he pours his final fine Glenlivet

Flames falling ever lower turn the room to dark of night

Slowly wandering his memories meander to that sight

House and life are empty devoid of reason and of soul

Drunken carnage on the road smashing all that once was whole

Ironic glass within his hand he curses stupid drunken fools

Grasping tight upon his polished beauty, his trigger finger pulls

© Fergus Martin

2013