The Little R that Can & Will

She ambles in stoned faced
A watery trail leaking from one eye
Quick nose check just to be sure
"Just get through today, I'll be fine,"

Mind on the final countdown
To what will either be the promised land
Or another 40 days of wilderness.
Redemption is the task at hand.

Repetitive affirmations to ground,
To stay present in the world before me.
Like the engine that could,
I'm chugga-lugging onward stubbornly.

The ghost of tweaker future visited.
She sat in my bean bag chair and cried.
Mourning the parts of herself
That she sees in me still alive.

My daughter's pictures on the wall
Pleadingly remind me what's at stake.
The road ahead looks so long,
And there's a stand that I must take.

Split persons in my head bicker
With each other and the truths we know.
Shadows resign— their job is done.
The messengers reach their time to go.

Recharge

       Remember

Redeem

            Rebirth

Recover

              Rebuild

Rejoice