Not Even When They Pray Poem by Linda Racaniello

I hate this life I live
No friends to care
or to hear me talk
Life is hard to bear

I often want out
Life doesn’t fight fair
Forever living in limbo
Neither here nor there

It’s hard to stay sober
For even just one day
People say just stop
I wish there were a way

I’m tired of just existing
With nothing to compare
No insight or inspiration
I’m not getting anywhere

It’s like fighting just to breathe
To open your lungs and get air
I often dream of freedom
From this life of despair

People I say I must believe
Say prayers everyday
We’ll I have gone that route
But somehow always stray

My life is so unsettled
It’s in dire need of repair
But how do I start
What do I do to prepare

Feels like I’m lost at sea
And I don’t know where
I think I’m sinking fast
All people do is stare

In need of a helping hand
A friend along my way
Someone to confide in
One who will forever stay

Even when I fail
I want them still to care
But cause I’m just an addict
Most people don’t dare

My parents aren’t proud
Most times they are scared
That I will end up dead
That I will not be spared

I fail them time and again
Because I can’t obey
The ideals of sobriety
Not even when they pray