Deliverance Poem by John Hayes

I am drawing pictures in my mind
Painted images of thoughts unkind
I hear the voices of instruction
Steering me towards destruction
Self medication worked for a time
Through tortured vodka gin and lime
Inner pathways mixed with drugs
Fleeting friends to greet with hugs
To stop in my tracks to end my days
Lingering glances at the shiny blades
No sunshine kissed upon the room
A vision of impending doom
Darkness thickened around my soul
As total emptiness took control
But hey I’m talking about the past
From alcohol I’ve escaped at last
No more for me the endless pain
To be recovered, healthy, sane
That’s the way I want to be
I took the steps and now I’m free