Short Addiction Recovery Poems

How slippery the slope is
That you just climbed up.


6/13/2018
Kale Brereton...

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I once had a Lazy Susan
Adding confusion to choosin'
I gave her a spin
But never could win
And that's why I turned to boozin'...

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Another day gone by a chance now in the past,
More time has been forever lost sand falling through my glass.
I want to free my mind and soul I've dug this hole so deep,
I numb this choice of living as I pass days way till sleep.
This choice to let the time tick by is poison in my brain,
To live alone and not seek help my life's become insane....

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Cracked Doors


It offered solace
an escape from life’s torment,
false comfort – oblivion’s
denial of the truth,
the lie of living’s afterlife.

Trembling hands reached out
in search of hope’s lost promise,
a door ajar,  a welcome,
open invitation
to shed death’s robe, to live again.


John G. Lawless
contest – Door to a Wayra
7/16/2014...

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No one is powerless against their addiction.
All that's truly required is to seriously practice self discipline,
and work on those issues of yours unresolved within,
that prompts you to hide behind drugs or abusive drinking.
I celebrated thirty years of sobriety by having a drink.
That was five years ago, and I can count on one hand the drinks I've had since....

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Rock and Roll

Feed me things
That keep me awake
I feel alive
What a perfect date
False friends
Within my circle
False visions
I can't escape
Line after line
Star amongst the sky
Strung out, supernova
Reaching for that first glorious high
Tears welling up
Filling my guitar moon
No more strings to pick
No music to brew
I was born to rock, but now I think it's time to roll...

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Filled with substance,

Never know who I’ll be next -
A person in disguise

Like the back of an earring,
Lost in the fibers

Unsure of what thought comes next -

But I feel more aware,

Yet still so alone -
Misunderstood,

Substance,
You’ve held me so tight.
Made me feel safe

But without you, it’s so much clearer
I cannot replace,
I must escape
And learn to live without you
...

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I want to be
the best version of me.
I want to believe
in myself
and my recovery.
I'm tired of living
a life of insanity,
that's not the person
I want to be.
I'm not that person anymore,
now I live in accord.
Harmoniously happy,
thanking God
for my sobriety.
I was once surviving,
now I'm thriving.
This is my time,
I'm really trying.
Forgive me for my past,
the changes I've made
are going to last....

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The gift of recovery is a gift like no other
it is not easily given
One must work harder than is thought possible
it is a gift that is often taken back
multiple times before
it is given permanently
it takes strength of mind, body, and spirit
it is a gift that is sadly not often sought
nor won
it is elusive and precious
it is lifechanging
and the lack of it can be deadly
However, it is very worth it
and incredibly rewarding!!!


...

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