The poem describes the speaker's alcoholism through metaphors of being a sea man who is sinking after drinking three bottles of alcohol. The speaker feels powerful when drinking but knows it has cost them their friends, family, job and sense of self-control. They have tried to quit drinking but find the days alone to be long and stressful, leading to a fear of being without alcohol and a need for another beer.

1. Sonnet to Alcoholism
Don't call them spirits. To me, they're demons.
Cool, cold craving for the burn of a drink.
Drink in my hand, I'm drunk as three sea men.
3 bottles, this sea men's going to sink.
Past reason or rhyme, no such thing as crime.
Only pleasure, I act upon impulse.
I'm Zeus, all glory and power are mine.
I'm unstoppable, nope. Wrong answer, FALSE.
Friends, family long gone, I'm all on my own.
No wife, kids, no job. Where'd it all go wrong?
I hate this, I can't stand being alone.
Tried so hard to quit, the days get so long.
In the end it's me, my most greatest fear.
This stress tears me apart, I need a beer.