Poetry Intoxication: Exploring the World of Poems about Getting Drunk

The Intoxicating Spell of Poems

Poetry has an unparalleled ability to capture the essence of human experiences, both profound and mundane. From love to loss, beauty to despair, poets have delved into myriad emotions and themes throughout history. Among these themes, one that has particularly fascinated poets is the act of getting drunk. Intoxication, whether literal or metaphorical, has long been a subject of poetic exploration. In this article, we embark on a journey into the world of poems about getting drunk, discovering the beauty, introspection, and occasional revelry hidden within their verses.

The Drunken Muse

Edgar Allan Poe, a master of macabre and melancholy, explored the theme of intoxication in his poem "The Bells." Although not explicitly about drinking, the poem takes readers on a surreal journey through various stages of life, imbuing them with a sense of intoxication. The repetitive and hypnotic rhythm of the poem mimics the effects of alcohol, as the reader becomes lost in the echoing sounds of the bells, carried away by their intoxicating melody.

Excerpt from "The Bells" by Edgar Allan Poe:

Hear the sledges with the bells—
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!
While the stars that oversprinkle
All the heavens, seem to twinkle
With a crystalline delight;
Keeping time, time, time,
In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells
From the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells—
From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

A Toast to Revelry

While some poems about getting drunk delve into the darker aspects of intoxication, others celebrate the joy and camaraderie that can accompany a night of revelry. One such poet is Charles Baudelaire, whose collection "Les Fleurs du Mal" explores themes of beauty, decadence, and pleasure. In his poem "Get Drunk," Baudelaire urges readers to embrace the enchantment of inebriation and allow themselves to be consumed by the liberating power of alcohol.

Excerpt from "Get Drunk" by Charles Baudelaire:

One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters;
that’s our one imperative need. So as not to feel Time’s
horrible burden that breaks your shoulders and bends you
to the earth, you must get drunk without ceasing.
But with what? With wine, poetry, or virtue, as you choose.
But get drunk.

A Sobering Reality

Not all poems about getting drunk depict a blissful escape from reality. Some explore the darker consequences and pitfalls of excessive indulgence. In "The Drunk in the Furnace," Paul Celan paints a somber and haunting image of a man consumed by his own vices. This poem delves into the destructive nature of intoxication and the toll it can take on an individual's soul.

Excerpt from "The Drunk in the Furnace" by Paul Celan:

The drunk in the furnace
Says yes, yes, raises
His glass, looks out
The window, hears
His own aching
And singing, says
Yes, yes, while
The night-
Birds call and
The axe falls.

Poems about getting drunk encompass a spectrum of emotions, experiences, and perspectives. From the enchanting allure of inebriation to the somber consequences of excess, these poems offer readers a glimpse into the intricate relationship between intoxication and the human condition. Whether exploring the joyous revelry or the darker depths, they remind us of the power that alcohol holds over us and the various ways it can shape our existence. So, raise a glass to the poets who have found inspiration in the intoxicating muses that lie within the realms of both spirits and verses.