Another Question

(Better - or at least merrier - than the original!)

To drink, or not to drink: that is the question.
Whether 'tis best to have a healthy liver
And clear kidneys like those of a newborn
Or to take pleasure in a vintage bottle
Of wine that boasts the colour of red velvet? 
To drink, to sleep… 
And recommence tomorrow, prolong the dream,
A thousand precious moments of pure joy,
With no remorse over an ulcered stomach
That sends you a reminder. To drink, to sleep
And dream sweet dreams of those divine creations
Like cognac, wine, or, by that matter, women -
All that is teasing our ruffled senses to give us 
Headache in the end and yet, without it,
Its ephemeral charm our life would lose.
And beauty that is nicest crumpl’d with passion.
A loving heart that suffers not is boring. 
It withers like an overwatered flower, 
Inhales a lethal overdose of comfort and sinks 
Without a ripple on the surface
Of life. So fear, thou, not the headache
Or the ulcer. In any case, there is a price to pay
For everything. Yet does it mean that wisely
We should refrain from living? What a waste
This would have been indeed from any standpoint!
The pangs of despised love, the whips of time
Are best endured with a glass of cognac,
Without prejudice to calvados hors d’age
And other armagnacs, champagnes and aqua vitas - 
Be praised their inventors!
The ills we face and those we will encounter
Along the winding road among the vineyards 
Will season our hearts (and our livers).
And thou who drinketh not, in thy orisons 
Be all our sins remember'd!
*)

2008