The summer boarders shared theirs
on decks overlooking the bay
He swallowed his in solitude
behind closed doors

They started with cocktails
sometime near three
He started at wake up
to quiet his stomach

They had many bottles
on a counter by the blender
He had a pint
in the top drawer by the gun

They bought theirs weekly
by the case
He bought his daily
by the pint

They drank from fancy glasses
held open and free
He drank from a bag
slugged on the sly

They climbed to the top
He slid to the bottom

They laughed 
He wept

They live
He died

Same thing
Only different

One of his favorite expressions