POETRY: BAD Bitters and Quacking but Not Ducks?

(Rough draft sketch of the cover for The New Wasteland: An Esther & Jonny Story from my forthcoming book of short stories More Bad Stories)

BAD Bitters

Another whiskey in another glass

Pondering... drunken confidence reassures

That all those that embrace thoughts

The one's we are scared to cast

That should be obscured

Are "owned by me, only" though mine not bought

I know that it is hubris and delusion

Someone else would sell theirs more likely than not

I am not wedded to any conclusion

Then I think of the long nights...

What I did to name this madness institution!

I cannot help but feel suspicion and fright

Because of the thoughts, the vane thought, wrought

But I know it is not true, at least not verily

Put down my drink and stay on my path

Create! Control my power!

No matter the "bad thoughts" others have

Guard my words more warily

And not be sour

*Quack *Quack *Quack

I hear three ducks. Those are not ducks?

*Quack *Quack *Quack

Six geese? They don't sound quite like geese

*Quack *Quack *Quack

Those are parrots? Nine parrots, no?

*Quack *Quack *Quack

Fish crow?! 12 fish crows?

*Quack *Quack *Quack

Doctors! 15 doctors!