the smells. . . the aromas of stale liquor never leave
when a drink . . . a bottle
is hidden beneath the seat of your car-
in the breadbox-
the glass in your hand
you disguise as water.
the pain of living
with an addict
never fades
because the contagion is in the blood
and addiction always leads to corruption
demise of an innocent soul
the difficulty of approachment
never lessens
even as years of 12 steps pass by
even after mothers,
grandmothers,
aunts,
sisters
have gone
because the contagion is in the blood
and addiction always leads to corruption
demise of an innocent soul
the tears never dry
scars never heal
bottles don't empty
and the heart never recovers
because the contagion is in the blood
and addiction always leads to corruption
demise of an innocent soul
addiction
is death
in the eyes of an outsider.

7.20.00