Not absinthe

or a world without global warming,

the barbiturate Nembutal

illegally imported, mail-order, in perfume boxes

from Mexico, Peru, Bangkok, Beijing,

Tijuana (destination of choice for death tourists)

available from local pet shops

Holy Grail of suicide

the peaceful pill.

Legal in Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Oregon.

Promoted by end-of-life organizations Exit International, Dignitas.

Green-dyed, distinctive colour, to prevent accidental use,

created to euthanize animals.

The drug-of-choice for veterinarians

at four times the rate of general population.

One took her four dogs and two cats

before herself.

Joe Dolce is a singer, songwriter, composer and poet. Writer and performer of the most successful Australian song in history. His poetry appeared in Best Australian Poems 2015 & 2014. He was shortlisted for both the Newcastle Poetry Prize and Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s Poetry Prize in 2014. Winner of the 25th Launceston Poetry Cup. Published in Meanjin, Monthly, Southerly, Cordite, Canberra Times, Quadrant, Australian Poetry Journal, Overland, Contrappasso, and Antipodes (US). Recipient of the Advance Australia Award. Presently on staff at the Australian Institute of Music teaching Composition, Ensemble, and Personal Tutoring in setting lyrics and poetry to music. is a singer, songwriter, composer and poet. Writer and performer of the most successful Australian song in history. His poetry appeared in Best Australian Poems 2015 & 2014. He was shortlisted for both the Newcastle Poetry Prize and Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s Poetry Prize in 2014. Winner of the 25th Launceston Poetry Cup. Published in Meanjin, Monthly, Southerly, Cordite, Canberra Times, Quadrant, Australian Poetry Journal, Overland, Contrappasso, and Antipodes (US). Recipient of the Advance Australia Award. Presently on staff at the Australian Institute of Music teaching Composition, Ensemble, and Personal Tutoring in setting lyrics and poetry to music.