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03-03-2008, 12:36 PM
The Newcomer and The Old-Timer
From the first time I drank a drink
I knew there was something different about the way I think
I felt what alcohol did to me
I liked how it made me feel you see
I wanted to escape reality
Hangovers, I had them in the beginning
Until I developed a tolerance which really changed my thinking
I had a need to have this drug called alcohol
Sometimes I blacked out and didn't know what I did
the night before at all Scary thoughts to have
Especially when you come to in a detox surrounded by their staff
My mind a blur
Why was I here? It seemed absurd
At least at the time
I don't know why
Sucked in by denial was I
In my head alone and I could not hide
Got hospitalized a few times
I'm lucky I didn't die
Or kill somebody else
Who knows how many times I drove drunk and didn't ask for help
I've been to the mental hospitals and prisons too
At this time, no consequence for me was great enough
to stop my addiction, this is true
I had to hit bottom
I had to look at myself and what I had become
Just how low could I succumb?
How low did I have to go to destroy my family
And inflict pain and wrongs on my loved ones you see
Now I come to realize
This is something I cannot hide
My life unmanageable, my spirit powerless
To this I must admit and readily confess
In order to take that First Step
Lucky for me
Someone did a 12th Step you see
And got me to a meeting
Where I discovered I'm not alone
And how to call my sponsor on the telephone
Hear me dear Newcomer
And hear me well
For I, too, have lived through this disease
And continue to pay my spiritual expenses, this I do tell
For my journey has not been an easy one
Like you, one of jails, institutions and strife
Came close to death a few times in my life
Before I had that spiritual awakening
Was the best thing that ever happened to me
Fear not of being unable to drink for the rest of your life
Our daily reprieve will take care of that worry and strife
Stay sober just for today
Be with me in the here and now, ok?
Here is my number, newcomer
When you get thinkin' about drinkin'
Give my number a ringin'
Here is 35 cents for the telephone call
I will be here to help you not slip or fall
In your sobriety
The most important thing to a recovering alcoholic you see
Is working the program and sobriety
For we know if we take that first drink
Death will come to us for we won't be able to stop to think
Eventually you'll learn to work the Steps
You've already took the first by coming here and admitting
your unmanageability and powerlessness
For that I applaud you
You've taken the First Step today by embracing a new attitude
One of gratitude
Listen my dear Newcomer, from an Old-Timer here
I've learned to overcome my fears
Through a loving Higher Power indeed
Who guides me
In this daily journey through the 12 Steps
I see that you are upset
By the ones you have wronged
And for an amends you long
That will be taken care of when you do Steps 8 & 9
There's a reason, Newcomer, why those steps
are so far down the line
So for right now do First Things First
Keep It Simple and do it One Day At a Time
And in time, your Higher Power will give you a sign
You'll make new friends too, ones that
embrace the world of recovery
You'll become more outgoing, and you won't need alcohol
to do it, you'll see
And you'll obtain support Hopefully, you'll find a
home group and take on coffee commitments
and other things of the sort
We're out there to help you out
This I know to be true, and do not doubt
We understand your plight, for we have been there
We'll try to help
Our words are heartfelt
Unlike others, we'll understand
We know what alcohol does to the person in recovery,
this knowledge we have first-hand
Now my dear Newcomer, I must bid you adieu
So remember what I have said to do
Hi. I'm Amy. I'm an alcoholic. I have 1 month in the program.
This is a recovery poem I wrote. It's a bit long...but its pretty good.
In love and service,
Amy
Received in email
From the first time I drank a drink
I knew there was something different about the way I think
I felt what alcohol did to me
I liked how it made me feel you see
I wanted to escape reality
Hangovers, I had them in the beginning
Until I developed a tolerance which really changed my thinking
I had a need to have this drug called alcohol
Sometimes I blacked out and didn't know what I did
the night before at all Scary thoughts to have
Especially when you come to in a detox surrounded by their staff
My mind a blur
Why was I here? It seemed absurd
At least at the time
I don't know why
Sucked in by denial was I
In my head alone and I could not hide
Got hospitalized a few times
I'm lucky I didn't die
Or kill somebody else
Who knows how many times I drove drunk and didn't ask for help
I've been to the mental hospitals and prisons too
At this time, no consequence for me was great enough
to stop my addiction, this is true
I had to hit bottom
I had to look at myself and what I had become
Just how low could I succumb?
How low did I have to go to destroy my family
And inflict pain and wrongs on my loved ones you see
Now I come to realize
This is something I cannot hide
My life unmanageable, my spirit powerless
To this I must admit and readily confess
In order to take that First Step
Lucky for me
Someone did a 12th Step you see
And got me to a meeting
Where I discovered I'm not alone
And how to call my sponsor on the telephone
Hear me dear Newcomer
And hear me well
For I, too, have lived through this disease
And continue to pay my spiritual expenses, this I do tell
For my journey has not been an easy one
Like you, one of jails, institutions and strife
Came close to death a few times in my life
Before I had that spiritual awakening
Was the best thing that ever happened to me
Fear not of being unable to drink for the rest of your life
Our daily reprieve will take care of that worry and strife
Stay sober just for today
Be with me in the here and now, ok?
Here is my number, newcomer
When you get thinkin' about drinkin'
Give my number a ringin'
Here is 35 cents for the telephone call
I will be here to help you not slip or fall
In your sobriety
The most important thing to a recovering alcoholic you see
Is working the program and sobriety
For we know if we take that first drink
Death will come to us for we won't be able to stop to think
Eventually you'll learn to work the Steps
You've already took the first by coming here and admitting
your unmanageability and powerlessness
For that I applaud you
You've taken the First Step today by embracing a new attitude
One of gratitude
Listen my dear Newcomer, from an Old-Timer here
I've learned to overcome my fears
Through a loving Higher Power indeed
Who guides me
In this daily journey through the 12 Steps
I see that you are upset
By the ones you have wronged
And for an amends you long
That will be taken care of when you do Steps 8 & 9
There's a reason, Newcomer, why those steps
are so far down the line
So for right now do First Things First
Keep It Simple and do it One Day At a Time
And in time, your Higher Power will give you a sign
You'll make new friends too, ones that
embrace the world of recovery
You'll become more outgoing, and you won't need alcohol
to do it, you'll see
And you'll obtain support Hopefully, you'll find a
home group and take on coffee commitments
and other things of the sort
We're out there to help you out
This I know to be true, and do not doubt
We understand your plight, for we have been there
We'll try to help
Our words are heartfelt
Unlike others, we'll understand
We know what alcohol does to the person in recovery,
this knowledge we have first-hand
Now my dear Newcomer, I must bid you adieu
So remember what I have said to do
Hi. I'm Amy. I'm an alcoholic. I have 1 month in the program.
This is a recovery poem I wrote. It's a bit long...but its pretty good.
In love and service,
Amy
Received in email