We walk up to the building
but don't know what to say.
It seems warm and familiar...
the sign just reads ''AA''.
Dad came here to get sober.
He's trying to get clean.
I know I'm only 7
but I know what they mean.
He's been here for awhile now.
I've missed him very much.
He couldn't even call us.
''Not Allowed'' to keep in touch.
''Thirty days is nothing! ''
she says into her drink.
''He needs some time away from you! ''
''Some time so he can think.''
When he comes home it's her turn.
He says ''I know she can.''
I'm scared to meet this stranger...
my dad is... not this man.
Now he wants our room clean.
He wants to cook a meal.
I'm not sure what to think of this.
I'm not sure what to feel.
In thirty days she then comes home
to a brand new clean up crew.
We're nervous how she'll treat us...
we don't know what she'll do.
Given a months sobriety
they're at eachothers throats.
There's no more happy dinners.
No more inspiring notes.
They fall off that old wagon
like they've both done before.
Get ready for survival
cause we are bound for war.
The cycle never ended.
They never kept it clean.
They mimicked ''Easy Does It''.
Yet ''easy'' was never seen.
A very sad tale Mary, but there is nothing anyone can do, it has to be up to the individual I'm afraid, and it depends on how strong they are. You've weathered it all very well. Keep courage with you. Love Ernestine XXX
Alcoholism does create relapses and tension in the family. The best bet is for the relatives of alcoholics to continue to take extra good care of themselves and to know they deserve a good life regardless of whether the alcoholic continues to drink or not. What an honest sharing of your poem in how alcoholism affects the child. Good work. Sincerely, Connie Webb
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
it hurts so much since it hurt you...those feeling can only be evoked truely by experiencing it...my heart goes out to you, Mary...but i am happy that your poems now are happy and down to earth...it has not killed you on the inside...you are indeed a very strong person...love...nalini