Addiction

by April Gardner, LCSW, CADC

Let my past define me.

I cannot

Overcome.

I will

Cry out!

You say things about me --

Hurt me sometimes.

Your words

Stick to me.

Labels will never

Stop blaming me.

what is “normal” to you.

I will never be

Whole, healthy, full of love.

I am

An addict.

Be silent.

We cannot

Rise up.

Politicians sit on idle hands.

As epidemic sweeps through

A nation of hurting people.

They don’t believe in it –

Hope.

On the other hand, there is

A death sentence on every prescription pad.

Doctors lie --

My friends have died.

A crusted spoon

A cloudy needle

I don’t need heroin,

Grandma’s pills beckon from the cabinet.

The temptation.

I don’t have

A way to fight.

What’s that word? --

Recovery    

Dare the hand of the Moirai

While insurance companies decide if I live or die.

I stand in a broken line

Waiting to take a number,

Twelve Steps to freedom.

(Now read from bottom to top.)

April Gardner graduated with her B.A. and MSW degrees from Loyola University Chicago and currently serves in the United States Peace Corps.