The harder I tried
the further I sank.
The more I beat myself up
the more I beat myself down.

Deeper,
smothered by the weight,
Why can’t you stop?
Fingers dug in,
I took another sip
then drowned in despair.

Beginning with smokin’ the cool
then drinking for the buzz
onto snortin’ the snow
and now
sweets are the treats.

The rescue?
Admit defeat.
Willpower was extinct.
I screamed to my captor,
“You win, Almighty Bottle!”

I popped up like a buoy,
head surfaced, I could breathe.
They were all there to help.
Their spirits gently lifted me out.
Deep inhale, I drew in freedom.

With each meeting,
sharing of truth, admitting of faults, and asking for forgiveness.
I floated up and out.
The sand dripped off my back.

Thank you to those who surrounded me
with love and acceptance,
lifted me up with strength and shared
experiences.
You did for me what I could not do for myself.
Now it is my turn to uplift another
from the quicksand.