Addiction Poem by Norah Tunney

My sister phones at midnight
she has had a few drinks,
she asks what a genetic pre-disposition to alcohol means?

I switch on the light and slowly pull my eyes open,
I humour myself-
why me god?

'Well'
she said
'I have been drinking almost everyday for 30 years
and still I wake up thinking maybe today is my last day drinking.'

only one who has been there knows
hell is a dark and lonely road
down and down we drop
and still we can't stop.

I was a lot younger
but I was nearly broken beyond repair,
I remember yelling into the night
a rock-bottom prayer...............
from the depths of despair.

I listen now
while her words fade into sobs,
she doesn't need to be told
more than anyone else-
SHE KNOWS.