Redemption

Yeah, my boy sure liked his whiskey,

But his poor old momma cried.

Every night, when he’d be tipsy,

Begging God to set him right.

“Ain’t no use to pray to Him,”

His momma used to say,

“For his savior isn’t Heaven,

But his country’s land and name.”

“Redemption ain’t for everyone,”

She’d whisper soft and low,

“Each time your tears fall heavy, son,

Best forget what scars you know.”

Weeks turned into years, then decades —

No more glass had touched his lips.

“Build a calm, good life,” he reasoned,

“Take it slow, and tighten grips.”

Yeah, it sure as hell ain’t worth it,

All the trouble, all the strife.

“Susannah, come and dance with me,”

He’d call as I waved goodbye.

My own place has now been chosen,

By my boy’s old porch and breeze,

Watching golden sunsets fading,

Wishing time would learn to freeze.

Yeah, my boy once loved his whiskey,

But the years have gentled by.

He was taught, “No more than fifty —

Fifty grams of sweet good rye.”

Now he sleeps, his breath forgiving,

Whispers call my name in dreams.

It takes one to bear the sorrow,

But it takes two to plant the green.

I am a teenage girl based in Romania, trying to follow the light of hope as I grow up. Writing is one of my dearest hobbies, being inspired by tons of books and movies.