Elseware

Frost on the pumpkins
First snow sparkling the mountains
Things changing fast now

Elseware

Second year sober
Things are not easy or neat
I'm the same old me

That's what I don't like
It will never be better
Only different

I've sold my horse
In the mirror I see ugly
I also see straight

Practice acceptance
Never be that girl again
So much time wasted

Elseware

I'll miss the forest
Close, touchable on horseback
The nooks and crannies

Wild flowers in spring
Over hills, down the steep canyon
That gamey horse smell

She had my number
And she was gonna hurt me
Too much horse for me

Changed without my pills
I've gradually lost my nerve
All life, letting go

Gilmer

Change is difficult
Especially when it's our
Personality

Gilmer

Something ****** me off.
How can people be so blind?
It was a slam dunk!

If the people judge
When you say, "The kid's a brat"
Means they have no kids!

Maybe it's the moon.
Another thing ****** me off.
Casting the first stone!

I am pretty mild
I don't often argue much--
This has ****** me off!

Gilmer

Maybe I was wrong.
Who knows what's in people's minds?
Different point of view.

I have got things smooth.
Others have had a sad time.
Am I myopic?

I was in a mood.
Came off very vehement.
That's still what I think.

I can sometimes shrug
At another's tragedy--
I don't realize.

Despite what I think,
I should have kept my mouth shut.
Or not been so harsh.

Elseware

Gilmer, my sweet pal
It's apoplexy you'll have
I stroke your brow smooth

Gilmer

Thanks, Else!

Day is winding down
I have gotten mellower
Ready soon for bed!

zerothehero

today wasn't bad
the sun was shining and i'm
not quite all dead yet

Elseware

My hands are trembling
A warm wind blows from the south
Why am I so scared?

Who is this person
Life comes at me from all sides
Think I can take it

gleefan

alcoholism
imprisoned me set me free
into the big world

codependency
misery's mirror image
not mine anymore

LDT

Trying very hard
To form real, sober friendships
Why are they fleeting?

Why are we afraid?
What now have we got to lose?
We should all trust more.

Gilmer

Welcome, LDT!
It is good to have you here!
Hope you stay awhile!

gleefan

Pretend, defend, hide
stay safe, hide, close up, shut down,
can't show the real me

alcohol cut out
my soul came out of hiding
seeing the real me

authenticity
friendship in recovery
giving the real me

beauty, hope and peace
serenity, acceptance
reflecting on me

Elseware

Authenticity
She's a stranger to herself
She circles around

Do I like her some?
I gaze at her in the glass
She's kind to others

Her eyes are so sad
She tries as hard as she can
Not kind to herself

She can't tolerate
Discomfort, pain and sorrow
The scary unknown

She has no main mast
She needs a much thicker hide
Much to sensitive

Still she keeps going
Walking the walk. Not using
Pride is creeping in

zerothehero

when i was drugging
i couldn't be authentic
too damn much to hide

now that i'm sober
i sense a renewed courage
to be who i am

risky being real
an open book can be read
an can be critiqued

but they can think what
they want because despite the
pain i will triumph

Gilmer

Respect others and
You will get respect yourself.
Critique is less harsh.

Few daggers are out--
Folks are watching their own selves
no room to judge you.

When I share too much
i find others are relieved
They are not alone

zerothehero

sometimes i'm glad that
people don't pay attention
and really don't care

LDT

Was worried my friend
Had relapsed, but I was wrong.
Happy about that.

zerothehero

i still can't decide
if i regret my choices
or if it just is