Why Steffie Drank

(in two voices)

By Eileen Wiard

Her friends thought it grief her long 

gulps of Ballantine Ale foam 

framing her mouth her sighs 

Love of Life before two o’clock

in the afternoon

of course Steffie drinks

John was a good man barely 

45

Steffie and her friends worked hard six

days a week in Warrenton Woolen Mill rolled 

up the rug and danced laughed drank louder and 

louder until laughter turned 

ugly wife against husband. Red 

lipstick-stained cigarette butts.

she must miss him

They didn’t know Steffie 

let John die didn’t run 

for help wanted him 

dead.

Free for her lover, Stanley

she must miss him

didn’t make an honest 

woman of Steffie, he left 

town of course she 

gulped ale bitter, cheated

at solitaire.