I prefer the tart cranberry of truth
juiced till it barely resembles
the original, then diluted with vodka.
Or maybe it’s the alcohol of truth,
cranberry juice splashed in to make saccharine
with color and cliché. Easy to muddle.
I used to pass out at blood drives;
the nurse would give me an Ocean Spray
and let me believe I’d done a mitzvah anyway.
Now I sip cocktails and convince myself the man
cupping his hands around my breasts loves me back.
A cosmopolitan is the most stylish way
to lie to yourself. Believing is the key.
© 2021 Jewish Young Professional
***
Written for Go Dog Go Cafe, Twiglet #229, and dVerse and retroactively for dVerse (cheers!)
Jewish Young Professional 
You write really amazing poetry. I’m not sure I fully understand this one but I love it anyway. It’s so strong! The images are raw and powerful. I really admire your style!
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I am truly touched and honored! This is high praise coming from you, as you write amazing poetry yourself! I am always in awe of your way with imagery and language when I read your poetry. Thank you!
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I smiled and chuckled when I read the title, considering that I know that you do not like fruit, followed by the opening line and its ‘tart cranberry of truth’. A cosmopolitan seems to be the way to go. Funnily enough, I have a cup of cranberry and raspberry tea beside me, my favourite tea. But no vodka. I love the lines:
‘Or maybe it’s the alcohol of truth,
cranberry juice splashed to make saccharine
with color and cliché.’
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I don’t like fruit, but I’m at the point now where I’ll drink cranberry juice without vodka if necessary (say, if I’m at a blood drive). Thank you!
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Loved this. Fantastic imagery!
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Thank you!
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This is some kind of genius. I am very into your style.
Fantastic:
“the tart cranberry of truth”
I love this abrupt transition:
“I used to pass out at blood drives”
Excellent closing as well.
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Thank you for the feedback! I wasn’t sure if that transition was working – happy to hear you liked it!
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shkoyach.
OOC, do you do these things simultaneously? 😉
❤
David
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Depends on the man 😉
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Ouch.
😦
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Yeah, lying to yourself is generally not a good adulting strategy.
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Not so much, no.
Sending you safe hugs, if that helps…
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Hugs from you are always appreciated!
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ok, then sending you lots of Safe Air Hugs!!
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Hugs right back!!!
(Everything is ok. The poem draws inspiration from long past memories. But I always appreciate the hugs!!)
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ok, good to know.
Sending more hugs!!
🙂
Shabbat Shalom
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this is quite good, from the poems i’ve read so far you have a skill for storytelling, sharp and crisp and compact, very well done, this was fun to read.
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Thank you so much! I love poetry as a medium for storytelling – with the right words, you can say a lot in a cool concise way.
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This is just stunning.
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Thank you!
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Stunning words. An enjoyable read.
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Thank you!
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Your title gives your poem a powerful ooomph
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I love this title too. Thank you!
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Powerful last splash-the cupped breasts, brilliant with the cup of the drink. Wonderful.
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Thank you so much!
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I have a feeling that now when bars are opening up there will be a large pull for cranberry lies… you really managed to paint pictures… isn’t this a bit like Sex and the City,
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There is a definite Sex and the City vibe here. Yeah, I think we’re all looking forward to some overpriced fruity falsehoods post-pandemic! Thanks!
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I love this, especially the last four lines
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Thank you!
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Oooh, a tantalisingly tart tangy poem with an edge of sour I like. I love the hidden emotion we glimpse in these lines: Now I sip cocktails and convince myself the man / cupping his hands around my breasts loves me back. A great write JYP ❤
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Thank you Sunra!
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This one deserves accolade after accolade …. stellar writing! Muddle in any environment is one of my favorite words.
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Muddle is an awesome and underutilized word. Thanks!
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the imagery knocks me sideways; this is no ordinary poem 🙂 it’s alive, energetic, explorative !
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Thanks!!
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This is so great.
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Thanks!
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This is so beautiful with out of this world imagery, especially:
“…then diluted with vodka.
Or maybe it’s the alcohol of truth,
cranberry juice splashed in to make saccharine
with color and cliché. Easy to muddle.
I used to pass out at blood drives;
the nurse would give me an Ocean Spray
and let me believe I’d done a mitzvah anyway.”
Just a whole assortment of imagery, and I love it. Amazing writing!
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Thank you!!
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This is incredibly gorgeous! 😀 I especially like; “Or maybe it’s the alcohol of truth,cranberry juice splashed in to make saccharine with color and cliché.”💝💝
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Thank you!!
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Excellently written with a most stylish ending! I used to almost pass out at blood drives, to the point where they told me not to come back as I might scare other people…
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I had about a 50% chance of successful blood donation and 50% chance of passing out or getting rejected.
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you got me right at the beginning, you got me good all the way to the end
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Thank you!
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Love the imagery and freshness in this poem. So true.
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Thanks! Your avatar feels rather appropriate for this poem 😉 (although yes, it’s about other alcoholic beverage, not wine). Still, cheers!
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Amen. Tightly and devoutly put.
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Thanks! So glad you enjoyed
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A great poem of mixed emotions. The alcohol may lie, but reality always wakes you in the morning!
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“The alcohol may lie, but reality always wakes you in the morning!” – so true. This needs to go on a coffee mug or something.
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Ha ha… Maybe on a wine glass!
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Good idea! 🍷
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The wordplay in the opening lines is just fantastic! For sure, you just didn’t muddle through this one, you aced it with wit and style! Cheers!
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Thank you! I really enjoyed writing this one actually. Cheers! 🥂
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Great! You are welcome. 🥂
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This is absolutely stellar writing 😀 the title alone is such a hook! ❤❤
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Thank you! I liked that title too!
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