They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said "No, no, no.."

[Charlie G]

REHAB
By Charlie G

Stopped by a cop, my speed 97;
He said, “Boy, you in a hurry to get into Heaven?”

I replied, “Actually I am in a bit of a rush;
But I doubt that I'll ever see God's burning brush.”

Look, I know there's a God, why else do I fear?
And wipe away tears, as I drink from my beer?

But I've been locked in a room called addiction; in the hotel of life’
After evicting God & my family; now I’m rooming with strife.

Always crying and shouting, with chaos and self-pity;
Coming from inside of my head; it’s my own little city.

I've peered out the window, seen people passing below;
Striding with purpose; and having somewhere to go.


People who've been knocked down, then get up and begin a new day,
After pausing, then kneeling, then beginning to pray.

I want what they have! I need what they've got!
I'm not asking for a kingdom in Heaven, I'll settle for a cot.

God, I want some peace and some purpose! I silently cried;
When suddenly, inside of me, a door opened wide.

My head bowed as I stood, waiting to be chastened;
But to my surprise, what I received, was a realization.

I needed to ask for help, if I was to ever be free;
I couldn't do it alone; just depending on me.

Still I tried many times; I was Igor in his lab;
And the conclusions to my tests, always came up - ‘rehab.’

I finally gave up and surrendered, checked myself into detox;
Kicking the wall for three days, trying to get out of this box.

I finally finished with detox, weak now as a kitten;
I thought, 'I'd once been a Lion, before being bitten by addiction.

Now meeting counselors and clients, all the faces are new;
Then turning around & meeting myself, It's funny, but it’s true.

And though I didn't like who I was, I offered to forgive;
It was necessary - what I needed - if I wanted to live.

Because I didn’t use to feel good; but to try not to feel;
Now it was time to peel the layers, if I wanted to heal.

And those voices in my head? My own little city?
They had a name in rehab – they were called 'the committee!'

Everybody had them! They thrived on self-pity;
Now I’m learning it was time - to evacuate that city!

In group I heard one guy share, and I heard him tell my life;
Down to losing the job, losing the house, even the car & wife.

I’m learning to relax. To come to a consensus;
By finding God, cleaning house, & mending my own fences.

"A hopeless dope addict," That had been my name;
And I used to wear it proudly; carried by my shame.

But now like a horse running free; let out of its paddock;
I'm laughing and smiling - a dopeless hope addict!

Peace
Charlie G

[TheEskimo]

That is wonderful, thank you for sharing.