Sos: Surviviors Of Suicide Ii - Alcohol Poem by Ray Andrews

When I walked into those caring rooms
I wanted it, and I was welcome
No matter, whatever, however
We will take you in

They opened their arms and said to me
And all drinkers: We know how you feel
We know what you feel
And hope to help you heal

For all that take part, the
Demons of drink have sunk their
Claws in them and stayed;
Tough to accept, by drink they felt betrayed

I knew that first day that this was right
The bottom had been a dark night;
Forgiveness was here, near; -a home-
There was a loving feeling of not being alone

A miracle of the program, for the
Many who deeply try:
The craving for drink goes away soon;
Now other problems loom

Selfishness, selfcenteredness, grandiosity too
I learned those traits held many
Sticking to us like glue

Worry, fear and anger
Are burrowing worms to cure
I had tried to clear the slate of them
By drinking to a foggy blur

Forced to face my own character
I had to squarely face it's faults
I had to move toward honesty
Not drinking to a default

The main player in all of this
Is a higher power to choose
I said 'I give up and I am helpless'
And strangely, I didn't lose

I gave up what I thought was power
And true loving power I gained
My new life is full of promise and joy
What I handed over was pain

No drink for me in many years
Newcomers a constant flow
I get a tingling sensation from God
When I watch the new ones grow

This isn't a dreamy miracle
Easily handed away-to make it work
We keep in touch with God
And work at it every day