Alchemist

One night, believing myself big enough,
I crept out of bed to neck my Father’s mouthwash.

The mixture ripped my throat, Leapt from mouth and nose
As bottle dropped, upended across the lino. I gasped

Then moved in silence; terrified
I stuffed toothpaste, talcum powder,
Calpol, pills and bleach into the bottle.
Shook it till it settled
Almost exactly as before.

Later, as I lay awake in my bed,
I knew that when my Father drank it
He'd drop down dead,
And knowing the smack I would get
For owning up, Still I made no sound;
Just welled in the dark
At how diluted I was
When held up against him.