Hundred Year Day

THE HUNDRED YEAR DAY by JOHN M. ARRIBAS In three more minutes they’ll open the gate I’ll wait in my car going over my slate It’s been six long years and it’s not over yet I’m wagering my future I need to win this bet I’m clean today for now that’s all I can say I’ll not let anything lead me astray, I pray There’s a monkey clamped tightly on my back A junkies lifelong companion ever on the attack It’s hard, but I resist the urge to surrender To the wildfires scorching a psyche so tender An avalanche of past errors leap to the fore But I’ll brush them aside as many times before Today I’ll get high by not getting high That’s easy to say but so tricky to comply I don’t care what other people say, but I do That may be the reason my hopes never grew When I’m weakening I need to stop and think Recurring memories drove me to the brink Luckily I met a good woman who understood That pulling together we’d both do good I won’t disappoint her or myself, I’ll try The baggage is heavy it’s no pie in the sky Old negative urges I’ve learned to dismiss Are guiding my steps to avoid the abyss Each day that passes strengthens resolve To stay on course and continue involved In my own battle with the demons inside To regain my dignity to restore my pride I hold them at bay if for only one day I ignore them that’s the strategy I play Twenty four hours can be pleasure for some Or a melange of worry when under the gun Each twenty four hours challenge my fate I need to stay vigilant, they’ve opened the gate