Drop a rock into a still pond,
and the ripples echo.
A large enough rock,
and a pond sized tsunami,
waves echoing beyond the edges.
Every step I take creates ripples.
Sometimes, a tsunami.
After all, I'm not screaming in outer space.
And the trillions of steps before mine
that gave me the ground I walk on,
need to be acknowledged by the care I take with every step.
I am the empire state
Building opens.
I am Nazi Germany
Invades Poland.
I am the 21st amendment
Ending prohibition.
I am Life magazine's first
Addition.
I am the Star-spangled banner
National anthem.
I am Lindbergh's son kidnapped,
No ransom.
I am the great dust bowl
Event.
I am Franklin Roosevelt as
The President.
I am the Golden Gate Bridge
Is complete.
I am John Dillinger gunned
Down in the street.
I am the San Francisco
Ballet opens.
I am Amelia Earhart flies
Across the ocean.
I am Alcatraz opens it's
Doors.
I am Hitler becomes Fuhrer
And starts the wars.
I am Alcoholics Anonymous
There is a better way.
I am the FBI born,
Hoover seized the day.
Turbo1904
I
Don't quit. You will win
Alcoholics Anonymous includes God
The lesson: You have a spirit key
That can take you to victory
Never give in: be it good or dark, addiction
Jesus for me, demoted love as emotion
II
Love is action, a verb
Not Conquest, Souvenir, Trophy to brag
On Facebook, social media, & kick to the kerb
The one you took pictures with: proof
You have what it takes to make IT luv U
So emotional highs & lows are addictions
Though sometimes abuse, not a crime
But I needed Jesus to help me discern
To make good judgment, hard with loved ones
After years of trying, bible education, power
Came in drops & drips: So, beloved don't quit
The good fight: fight for what's Good. Jesus did
He was late to school as usual
therefore punished
because he daily fed the street dog
who was famished
Member of Alcoholics Anonymous
neighbours sneered at his confessions
although his hip flask was empty
his mission offering hope and inspiration
Frequent cash withdrawals
viewed with suspicion by his wife
whilst he performed small miracles
assisting the needy to rebuild their life
Division of family property
he settled by a wager
manoeuvring adroitly
that his own share be smaller
The void holds all secrets
in a non-judgmental stance
divine love arms open in embrace
in vibrant joyful innocence
25-January-2021
A predawn hike with flashlights to the top of
Diamond Head, a little less than a mile
In and out of lava formation to
An elevation of about 600 feet...
My anticipation fades to concentration
On keeping pace and breathing.
Nearing the top, adrenalin meets excitement.
Dark of night clears to soft daylight. I
Hear the words, "Rarely have we seen..."
Echo. From the colorless world of
Addiction to this vast brilliant and vivid
Display of sunrise is humbling. A
Soft breeze seems to push pillow clouds
Under an azure cover, carrying re-
Newed hope from our sunrise meeting for
Recovery into this breathtaking world...
Into this day... to possibly help someone
Suffering. For today and this experience, I am
Eternally grateful.
July 21, 2018
*"Rarely have we seen..." from Alcoholics Anonymous Literature, 'How It Works'.
August 2, 2018 - Dusk or Dawn Contest by Emile Pinet
N/A
I think it’s funny when in the thrift store I see
An Alcoholics Anonymous handbook donated to charity
With the former owner’s full name on the front, page sides, and spine
And even a return address label on the front page inside,
So much for anonymity!
I smile and think, “How cute!”
But I guess if you were in a room where everyone has the same book as you do
You have to label yours clearly to avoid it getting confused
With those of others who have highlighted different passages than you.
So as I take donations at the thrift store door I think, “Here’s another one!”
And if this one has an address label, too, I may just for kicks and giggles send the former owner a postcard saying, “Thank you for the donation . . .
How are you? Still on the wagon?”
So I peer inside
Let’s see . . .
Hey wait – that name - and phone number- is mine!!
After thinking on it, it’s possible that I donated it a couple years ago
And someone bought it, even with my name on it, then they, too, let it go.
For better or worse those memories we throw out always resurface
Hopefully in time to help us realize we are all far from perfect.
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