Poetic Voices Winner, 1st Place
Hard Liquor Love

Vodka-soaked kisses are always better
because they offer no solution. 
They are only delicious whimpers
laced into the soundtrack of a night.

What are we doing? she whispers
more to the night than to me, her mouth
emitting the bitter sweet scent of
cherry-flavored alcohol as she turns to face me.
If I knew, I'd tell you.
We stand nose to nose on the steps
of the now-abandoned science hall,
all imposing and threatening
with its caved-in roof and graffiti markings
We are cloaked in whatever darkness
is spared from fluorescent lighting.
Shit, she suddenly spits harshly, I've got to go.
Yes, of course. He'll be waiting.
I nod, and step aside,
having long ago realized that he is the one
who has the privilege of seeing her in the light.

Vodka-soaked kisses are always better
because they offer no solution.
They are only momentary lapses into chaos,
easily written off
in the sobering day.

Christine Castro