Sobering

there is little more sobering
than a friend whose grandfather lives
a few blocks from my grandmother
eight mile
detroit
whose grandfather is in the hospital
covid-19
and I think
I’ll drink to his health
and his chances

my sister
one and a half years sober
still is

there is little more sobering
than the thought of my father
tomorrow
driving alone to the hospital
sitting alone for chemotherapy
driving home to isolation
poison dripping through
his veins
his stomach ruined
by the cure

I quit drinking
to try writing for real
one year
and reality
even well written
demands a drink

my sister
one and a half years sober
still is

and I think
I’ll drink to her
too