Poems About Being Drunk

In the world of poetry, there is no shortage of poems that delve into the experience of being drunk. Whether it's the euphoria, the despair, the confusion, or the clarity that comes with intoxication, poets have long been fascinated with capturing the essence of this altered state of mind. From the celebratory to the cautionary, poems about being drunk run the gamut of emotions and experiences. In this article, we will explore some of the most poignant and powerful poems on this theme.

The Euphoria of Intoxication

One of the most common themes in poems about being drunk is the sense of euphoria and freedom that comes with letting go of inhibitions. Poets often describe the feeling of being drunk as a temporary escape from the constraints of reality, a moment of pure bliss and abandon. One such poem that captures this sentiment is Charles Baudelaire's "Get Drunk".

Get Drunk by Charles Baudelaire

Always be drunk.
That's it!
The great indispensable,
To not feel
The horrible burden of time
That breaks your shoulders and bends you to the ground,
You must be relentless without respite
Drunk on liquor or on virtue, whatever you want,
But get drunk.
And if sometimes on the steps of a palace, on the green grass of a trench, in the somber chiaroscuro of your old room,
Your madness should cause a scandal,
(....)

In this poem, Baudelaire celebrates the act of getting drunk as a way to transcend the mundane and find a moment of respite from the weight of existence. The language is rich and evocative, inviting the reader to join in the revelry and embrace the freedom that comes with intoxication.

The Despair of Excess

While some poems about being drunk focus on the joy and liberation that comes with intoxication, others delve into the darker side of excess. Poets often explore the consequences of drunkenness – the loss of control, the sense of alienation, the self-destructive tendencies that can come to the surface when under the influence. In Sylvia Plath's "Ariel", the speaker grapples with the destructive allure of drunkenness.

Ariel by Sylvia Plath

Stasis in darkness.
Then the substanceless blue
Pour of tor and distances.
God's lioness,
How one we grow,
Pivot of heels and knees! - The furrow

The speaker's drunken escapades are tinged with a sense of despair and futility, as she grapples with the destructive tendencies that come to the surface when she is under the influence. The poem is a haunting exploration of the darker side of being drunk, as the speaker confronts the consequences of her actions and the toll that drunkenness takes on her psyche.

The Comedy of Inebriation

While many poems about being drunk explore the darker and more introspective aspects of intoxication, others take a lighter and more comedic approach. Poets often use humor and wit to capture the absurdity and hilarity that can accompany drunkenness, turning what could be a somber subject into a source of laughter and joy. In Billy Collins' "Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House", the poet uses humor to explore the absurdity of drunkenness.

Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House by Billy Collins

The neighbor's dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rhythmic bark
That he barks every time they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.
The neighbor's dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
And put on a Beethoven symphony full blast(...)

In this poem, Collins uses humor and wit to poke fun at the ridiculousness of drunkenness and the strange and unpredictable situations that can arise when one is under the influence. The poem is a lighthearted exploration of the absurdity and chaos that can accompany being drunk, offering a refreshing and humorous take on this well-trodden theme.

The Clarity of Sobriety

While many poems about being drunk focus on the experience of intoxication itself, others explore the aftermath – the moment of clarity that can come when the fog of drunkenness lifts and the drinker is left to confront the consequences of their actions. Poets often use this moment of sobriety to reflect on their own behavior and the ways in which drunkenness can cloud judgment and lead to regret. In Anne Sexton's "The Truth the Dead Know", the poet reflects on the sobering reality of drunkenness.

The Truth the Dead Know by Anne Sexton

For my Mother, born March 1902, died March 1959
and my Father, born February 1900, died June 1959

Gone, I say and walk from church,
refusing the stiff procession to the grave,
letting the Dead ride alone in the hearse.
It is June. I am tired of being brave.

We drive to the Cape. I cultivate myself
where the sun gutters from the sky,
where the sea swings in like an iron gate
and we touch...

In this poem, Sexton explores the bittersweet nature of being drunk, examining the ways in which intoxication can lead to moments of clarity and self-reflection. The poem is a poignant exploration of the ways in which drunkenness can both mask and reveal truths about oneself, inviting the reader to consider the complexities of this all-too-human experience.

Poems about being drunk offer a rich and varied exploration of the human experience, capturing the euphoria, despair, comedy, and clarity that can come with intoxication. From the celebratory to the cautionary, poets have long been fascinated with drunkenness as a subject, using it as a lens through which to explore themes of freedom, self-destruction, humor, and introspection. Whether it's the joy of letting go, the darkness of excess, the absurdity of inebriation, or the clarity of sobriety, poems about being drunk offer a window into the complex and multifaceted nature of this all-too-human experience.