My life was as detritus
Up was the only option
My days wallowing in the mire
Of a life that offered
Constant pain and misery
Had reached its lowest point.
I looked at my body
Wasted, scarred,
A mass of neglected bones.
In my mind echoed the call
From a loved one
One who didn’t pass in the night
As many did, critical and castigating
But rather lingered for a while
Held my hand
Offered succour.
She showed me a step forward
‘Its not so hard,’ she had said
‘One foot after another
One day at a time.’
But left to my own devices
I fell into bad habits
Took ravenously what I could
No thought of giving back.
So cast out, homeless,
Prospects zero
I drag my useless self up
Face the rising sun
Fight the urge to lie down,
I step into the light.
Forwards into who knows where
But better than back there.
Written for: http://andytownend.com/2015/08/17/poetry-101-rehab-forward/
Morpethroad 
Definitely better than back there–this was a hard one to read, as in painfully familiar.
Thanks Val not so pleasant to write either.
I don’t imagine.
That is the best way to approach life — one step forward even if hurt and alone.
I cried through this one.
This is a tough read, Michael. So many can relate to feeling alone. To keep moving forward, even one step at a time, means you’ll find that light at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, I suggest: Get a dog 😀 Or a cat, lizard…I really believe in the power of animals as healers. They help even the most destitute find a reason to keep moving forward.
A challenging response, I like this line “Face the rising sun” being alone can be brutal, you convey the feeling well and good to see the hope shining through as the poem develops…
Good words.
Thanks Uday appreciate you stopping by.