Dealer's/Bartender's Remorse

It appears to be the case

that I have been the one

acquainting friends to vices

all in the name of fun.

For my attempt at penance

I feel obligated to provide

advice to avoid the worst

for these can ruin your life.

I deal many a free game;

It's something I like to do.

But when I taught the rules

you found a source of ruin anew.

Most dealers of chance

do not operate a charity.

The house always wins

absent statistical rarity.

The wisest thing to do

is simply to say nay.

You can't lose a game

that you refuse to play.

You can make a home game

without influence of cash.

Chance is still quite enjoyable

without financial backlash.

No matter the final results

you still will have to live.

So never risk any kind of sum

you cannot afford to give.

Enjoy the game unfolding;

never mind the outcome.

The point of playing is not to win

the point is to lose and have fun.

I call myself a mixologist;

poison is what I serve.

I'll make it taste delicious;

adding exotic flavors with verve.

A drink of mine won't kill you

(well, not in the immediate sense).

In time, damaging various systems

and lowering natural defense.

In the shorter term you'll slur

and stumble over thoughts.

A psychological impairment,

making it hard to connect dots.

Don't make any big decisions

until the following day.

Save yourself embarrassment;

let its influence go away.

A drink is not required for fun

(though enjoyment it can amplify).

Remind yourself on occasion

by keeping some outings dry.

Try not to drink that often;

it quickly becomes a habit.

Like gravity, it's pull grows

the closer you are to it.

Every time you take a drink

ask yourself why you did.

Do not use it to cope

for guilt it will never rid.

Drinks in sadness multiply

and friends it can divide.

In happiness it wrests control

and will take you for a ride.

If you ever have to wonder

if a drink is a good decision,

I can assure you it is not;

"No" is never a bad provision.

I am in no position to judge

whatever one decides to do.

If you ever need my assistance

I am honor bound to help you.

But it is far easier to never partake

than to begin and create an end.

In the moment I introduced you

I was not acting as your friend.

***

Dedicated to C.R. (whose offhand comment is what brought this to my attention) and all others who I have introduced to a vice.

Please be responsible and, for what it's worth, I'm sorry.