I loved reading this. I’ve been to a few poetry reads lately and you’re right about the typical characters you see there, be they performing on stage with shakey hands or sighing in the crowd with a liqour drink in hand and a cynical sneer. I liked the realization that she was becoming very drunk, and the ending gave a positive twist and made me feel like there was some hope for her.

Smoky writing for a smoky scene. Nice job developing this character. I’m not saying I’d want to be her friend or anything, but a definite character.
LoA