e wants to stop time passing so he does not have to experience
             these things again. The first line then offers far more than just a
             description of what the man is doing. It also offers an explanation of why
             he is an alcoholic. The first line then continues and leads to the next
             three: "...there's nothing else No help from now from the fifth of
             bourbon Chucked helter-skelter into the river, Even its cork sucked
             under." These lines are suggesting how even the alcohol cannot save the
             man. "Chucked helter-skelter into the river" refers to the man "chucking"
             alcohol into himself. He then becomes the turbulent river that pulls
             everything under. This refers to how the man cannot even find any relief
             in the alcohol, while also suggesting his turbulent emotional state. The
             next verse then moves on to a description of the man's environment and
             lifestyle: "Stubbed before breakfast cigarettes Burn bull's-eyes on the
             bedside table; A plastic tumbler of alka seltzer Champagnes in the
             bathroom." These small details provide a view of the alcoholic's life.
             The reader can see that he smokes before breakfast, is used to feeling ill
             in the morning, and drinks all day. The mention of "champagnes in the
             bathroom" is an especially effective image because t
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