Poetry Potluck

Recovery

When first discovered, I knew not what meaning it would ultimately have for me.

Is this a cult?

Are they going to brainwash me?

What if I don't fit in?

Wat if they don't like me?

What will they make me do?

All I needed was a desire to stop drinking...

turns out, that's all I really had.

They welcomed me with open arms,

honesty and understanding.

They didn't judge me, how could they?

I learned how not to drink,

one day at a time.

I learned how to live life on

life's terms,

one day at a time.

Slowly, surely I rediscovered myself.

It turns out, my brain did need washing.

They loved my until I could love myself.

And now, I owe.

No, they don't charge for their services.

But I owe...

I must give away what was freely given me

lest I risk losing the miracle of this

life of freedom and release

from the bondage of self.

Thank God for AA,

for without it I'd be lost.

Poetry Potluck is a really wonderful gathering of writers who write on a weekly theme. You can find all of us at Jingle Poetry This week's theme is "languages, signs and symbols.' The image I've chosen represents all three of the components of our theme. This is one of the symbols for Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization I've been an active member of for nearly 15 years. Joining AA has to be the best thing I've ever done for myself, far and away. I still attend meetings today, that I might never forget where I came from. I still come around so that I can be here for the still struggling alcoholic/addict who comes through those doors that were open to me when I arrived back on Jan 28, 1996.