Saturday, October 26, 2013

quick to deny the accolades – v5


watching his presentation
his words of reality, of addiction
how the drug holds him
a struggle every day
laughing at himself
the absurdity, tragedy
knowing the grip, the hold
they have on him today

taking courage to stand before them
friends and family ready
honestly sharing, open
the truth of his life
sharing his challenge
the struggles still remaining

giving voice to his demons
the struggle within him, present
“I am an addict”, not “I was an addict. . . ;“
words echoing in the full room
before so many who love him
who know what he had done

ready to lift him up
to heap him with praise
as if he was finished
the journey already won;
but he was quick to deny the accolades
the battle continuing still

his response stopping them in their tracks
a change of the atmosphere
the environment in the room
speaking truth, his pain, his struggle
not recovered; in the fight, yet,
the battle day by day

prayers needed ever, today
for his incarceration, prison,
the battle still before him
in a dark place, remaining
to love him as he is
a beautiful chipped vessel
offering his life to God, truly;
still struggling with the demons


Edited October 26, 2013
quick to deny the accolades – v5
Edited October 8, 2013
quick to deny the accolades – v3
(written at Jeremiah’s Corner, October 7, 2013)
&
Edited September 28, 2013
quick to deny the accolades – v2
&
July 2, 2013
quick to deny the accolades
question and answer time and
presentation by Chester (Chet) Birmingham
on addiction and recovery at
Jeremiah’s Corner,
led by Ellen Dickinson
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 1, 2013

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,260+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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