Marilyn B. at AA Convention in Overland Park, KS
My
name
is
Marilyn
SB
Really,
and
I
am
an
alcoholic
and
I'm
a
member
of
Alcoholics
Anonymous
and
Narcotics
Anonymous
and
Emotions
Anonymous
and
Overeaters
Anonymous.
They
just
laughed
at
me,
sure
enough.
But
I'm
a
member
of
any
organization
that
has
as
a
basis
the
program
of
Alcoholics
Anonymous
that
saves
my
life
and
my
sanity
and
hopefully
will
help
me
to
share
with
you
what
little
bit
I
have
to
share.
It's
raining
a
little
bit.
In
fact,
I
think
probably
when
I
submitted
it
to
As
the
World
Turns
they
it
was
returned
as
unbelievable.
I'm
telling
you
the
truth,
this
is
the
greatest
round
Robin
that
I
have
ever
seen.
And
if
you
agree
with
me,
it
took
some
fine
people
and
I
know
personally
that
are
very
fine
and
some
great
organizations
never
seen
anything
like
a
coax
that's
doing
what
they're
supposed
to
do
and
go
when
they're
supposed
to
go.
And
and
my
good
old
Indian
time
I'm
flailing
behind,
but
I
have
never
seen
anything
to
equal
it,
especially
for
a
first
one.
And
I
do
congratulate
you.
I
am
so
privileged
to
be
here.
I
belong
here,
but
behind
this
podium
is
it
is
different
and
I'm
not
really
any
different
from
any
of
you.
Never
have
been,
and
probably
never
will
be
quite
where
you
are,
because
I
found
that
it's
really
true.
Reputation
strengthened
and
confirmed
and
I
thought
that
was
the
most
dumb
shit
thing
I
had
ever
heard
of
in
my
life.
I
it
lured
me
to
tears,
strengthens
and
confirmed.
Keep
coming
back
every
night,
every
night.
Read
the
book,
cover
the
meeting.
I
didn't
even
know
it'll
want
to
hear
it
anymore.
But
I
have
a
real
swinging
dry
date
and
it's
taken
many
years
for
a
lot
of
those
things
to
have
any
real
meaning
to
me.
Today.
I
can
honestly
thank
it's
God
that
understands
me,
that
repetition
does
strengthen
and
confirm
just
about
the
time
I
think
I've
had
it
all.
I
know
it
all,
I've
learned
it
all.
There's
nothing
left
to
experience.
Better
lookout.
There'll
be
something
new
in
my
life
to
experience
and
to
work
through.
And
it
goes
on
and
on
and
on.
And
I
haven't
grown
the
knees.
I
still
have
the
lowest
model
in
this
room.
That's
why
I'm
standing
on
this
mark.
And
I
wasn't
going
to
tell
that.
I
was
not
going
to
tell
you
the
infamy
of
me
in
my
box,
but
they
made
such
A
to
do
about
getting
it
up
here
tonight.
You
know,
I
just
very
quietly
said
do
you
have
something
for
me
to
stand
on?
And
I
usually
ask
that
and
somebody
scuffles
around
and
gets
a
Coke
case
or
some
of
those.
I
really
can't
see
over
the
podium
and
that
may
be
better
not.
I'll
try
that
sometime.
I
like
eye
contact
and
I
like
to
look
at
your
eyeballs
and
I
usually
have
to
stand
on
something.
Someone
made
a
terrible
mistake
one
time,
in
my
opinion,
and
invited
me
over
to
the
hole
in
the
ground
over
in
Amarillo,
TX
where
they
have
that
spiritual
retreat
every
year
and
I'm
not
really
known
to
be
a
spiritual
speaker.
In
fact,
I
just
begged
that
I
not
talk
on
Sunday
morning
because
folks
kind
of
expect
that.
And,
you
know,
I
got
my
own
thing
going
for
me.
But
somehow
I
don't
know
how
to
share
that
quite
as
well
as
this
launchiness
I've
been
through.
A
lot
more
folks
relate
to
me.
I'll
tell
you,
ask
me
over
to
Amarillo
and
you
know,
it
really
is
a
wonderful
place
to
go
and
and
someplace
I
would
really
like
to
go
today
and
be
a
part
of.
But
then
I
wasn't
too
old
in
the
program.
I
couldn't
figure
out
what
in
the
hell
they
want
with
me
over
there.
It
was
going
to
be
so
spiritual.
So
I
sized
myself
up
good,
you
know,
for
about
a
week.
Think
spiritual
Maryland,
think
spiritual.
I
read
everything
spiritual.
Big
look
had
to
say
and
on
and
on
and
on
and
on.
And
of
course
I
had
to
have
this
box
thing
on
and
they
found
one
for
me.
And
when
I
was
introduced,
I
walked
up
to
the
podium
and
there
was
no
box
there.
And
I
looked
around
and
I
was
really
frustrated
because
it
was
a
tall
podium
and
someone
saw
my
frustration
and
made
a
mad
dash
over
to
the
side
to
get
my
coke
carton
and
brought
it
over
to
me
and
wouldn't
know
I
was
coming
up.
Watch
this
first
thing
came
out
of
my
mouth
was
like,
well,
I've
been
here
15
minutes
and
somebody's
been
stole
my
box
blonde.
But
that
time
I
figured
I
might
as
well
just
be
myself.
And
that's
the
greatest
privilege
that
I
have
today.
I
don't
have
to
play
roles
and
I
don't
have
to
be
a
comedian,
even
though
I
enjoy
that
sometimes.
I
don't
have
to
in
order
to
survive.
I
was
delighted
to
go
over
and
meet
Elmer
and
I'm
glad
that
this
civil
rights
person
was
here
to
be
a
part
of
this
particular
talk
because
all
of
you
that
have
ever
heard
me
know
that
I
usually
mention
that
I'm
the
only
blue
eyed
child
born
into
a
tribe
of
brown
eyed
Chickasaw
Indians
and
there
was
a
lot
of
doubt
about
me
right
from
the
start.
It
ain't
no
wonder
I
was
different,
but
that's
the
way
it
was.
And
through
the
years,
I
have
come
to
appreciate
my
father
having
a
head
right
on
the
Indian
roll
in
Oklahoma
and
my
grandparents
and
their
parents.
And
I
told
my
my
grandfather,
he's
the
one
that
was
had
got
married
and
he
married
the
Indian
squaw.
And
they
weren't
too
well
thought
of
in
those
days,
the
white
men
that
came
into
Indian
territory
and
picked
up
squaw
and
married
her
because
it
gave
them
all
the
same
rights
that
the
squaw
had,
whatever
the
hell
they
were.
You
know
what,
5
paces
behind
the
horse
and
that's.
But
my
grandfather
really
loved
my
grandmother
and
they
loved
each
other
and
their
love
was
sincere
and
they
lived
very
happy
lives.
They
were
married
when
they
were
21
through
an
Indian
ceremony
as
well
as
civil,
and
they
were
each
allotted
360
acres
of
land.
And
at
the
age
of
22,
they
sold
every
acre,
mineral
rights
and
all,
because
they
had
become
Christians
in
that
Nazarene
church.
And
they
goes
every
time
of
it
to
the
church.
We
have
a
College
in
Oklahoma
City,
the
Bethany
Nazarene
College
that
was
built
on
my
God,
and
they've
been
money
I
have.
The
heart
is
fit
every
time
I
drive
by
there
today.
But,
you
know,
they
were
perfectly
happy
with
what
they've
done.
They
loved
it,
and
they
loved
the
rest
of
their
lives,
just
like
so,
you
know,
above
poverty.
They
dedicated
their
lives
to
working
with
other
Indians
and
to
help
them
find
a
better
way
of
life
and
they
were
just
happy
as
hog
and
sunshine
with
it.
Never
imposed
themselves
on
me
or
my
beliefs.
Love
you
very
much,
just
the
way
I
was,
and
I'll
never
forget
that.
I'll
never
forget
that.
My
grandfather
asked
me
when
I
was
very
young
if
I
thought
I'd
be
willing.
I
said
sure,
because
I
had
a
lot
of
talent
and
skills
and
abilities,
just
like
the
Big
Book
said.
I
could
sing
and
dance
and
do
all
kinds
of
funny
things
and
entertain,
and
I
went
with
them
many
times
to
those
meetings.
I'm
very
familiar
with
those
that
Nell
mentioned
this
morning
and
I
went
along,
but
I
soon
became
very
bored
with
that.
I'll
never
forget
he
was
asking
me
though,
could
I
make
a
lifetime
work
of
that?
Please
be
interested
enough
to
try
to
carry
on
some
of
our
traditions
and
traditions
I
knew
nothing
about.
Character
I
knew
nothing
about.
Well,
I've
been
exposed
to
it,
you
know,
as
a
Girl
Scout
for
nine
years.
And
I
knew
how
to
be
prepared,
always
was
born
and
raised,
you
know,
in
the
front
few
of
that
church.
I
was
exposed
to
every
character
building
program
that
wasn't
exposed
to.
But
I
knew
nothing
about
character
and
principles.
But
I
do
remember
that.
He
asked.
We
are
very
proud
Indians
and
we
have
a
lock
pass
on.
Would
you
be
a
part
of
that?
Would
you
see
that
our
traditions
don't
die?
Would
you
say
that
our
spiritual
beliefs
don't
die?
And
I
said
sure,
anytime.
I
didn't
recall
that
until
the
last
five
years.
I
really
hadn't
thought
about
it
much.
I
just
remembered
that
Nazarene
church
and
that
college.
So
I'm
glad
Alma
here
and
I'm
glad
this
civil
rights
personal
is
over
here,
see,
because
you
have
a
perfectly
beautiful
racial
balance
right
here
up
here
to
front
me
and
Elmer
and
all
y'all.
I
always
kind
of
wondered
about
all
these
speakers
coming
from
Oklahoma.
And
then
I
saw
after
I
got
here
that
old
Charlie
was
going
to
talk
and
Charlie
wasn't
from
Oklahoma.
So
I
figured
they
knew
what
they
were
doing.
I
didn't
have
to
go
help
them
run
that
show
by
telling
them
Charlie
wasn't
Okie
and
you
can't
hardly
live
in
Oklahoma
and
not
be
some
Indian.
It's
clearly
impossible
to
their
navies
anyway
and
not
be
some
Indian
and
oh
brother
me
out
that
good
old
country
boys
who
here
as
I
want.
If
not,
I
want
to
be
sure
and
tell
him
that
I've
been
screwed
by
girl
country
boys
more
than
any
other
kind.
You
know,
there's
real
good
old
country
boys
and
then
there
are
those
who
use
that.
It's
a
good
old
country
bullet
hunt.
You
get
paid
today
letter
nail
salon
not
here
tonight.
I
love
Buttermilk
for
it
for
being
just
what
he
is.
But
he
was
from
Pawnee,
OK
I'm
saying
we
got
more
Indians
in
the
state
of
Oklahoma
than
the
rest
of
the
United
States
put
together.
And
there's
a
vacuum
down
there.
But
there's
only
5
civilized
tribes
according
to
history
and
I
noticed
y'all
know
that
that
now.
And
Cleaver
from
Warrika.
We
got
funny
names.
I
imagine
y'all
do
up
here,
but
I'm
from
Shawnee
and
y'all
got
a
Shawnee
up
here,
but
from
the
state
of
Oklahoma,
which
means
Redman
and
everybody
seems
to
kind
of
have
it
all
together.
You
know,
even
Charlie
talked
about
his
Cherokee
bride
and
I
thought,
well,
that
makes
it
unanimous.
You
know,
we're
all
from
one
of
those
spring
sounding
places,
but
I
don't
have
it
all
together.
If
they
are
from
Oklahoma
and
Shawnee
is
a
tribe.
I
live
in
Pottawattamie
County
and
that's
tried
and
I'm
Kickstarter
and
nobody
ever
heard
of
us.
You
know,
we
at
all
time
or
child
what
one
time
we
were
all
chocolates
back
there
in
Mississippi.
And
you
might
know
that
when
they
started
trying
to
haul
us
off
down
here
in
Indian
Territory,
there
was
a
little
group
of
about
1000
that
didn't
want
to
go.
By
God
they
didn't
want
to
go,
and
they
were
known
to
be
famous
lawyers,
and
they
broke
off
from
the
Choctaw
nation
and
called
themselves
the
Chickasaw.
And
the
words
of
the
thou
means
rebel.
I'm
justifying
everything
y'all
about
to
hear.
I
am
one
of
those.
I
have
all
the
rights
in
the
world
to
be
a
rebel.
I
wanted
my
children
to
carry
on
the
traditions
because
those
things
once
lost
are
gone
forever.
And
I
had
become
very
interested
in
our
culture
and
way
back
there,
when
I
first
started
to
try
to
work
the
11th
step
of
this
program,
I
started
seeking,
really
seeking
all
of
the
religion
to
try
to
find
the
principles
that
would
dive
with
those
of
ours
here
in
AA.
And
sure
enough,
there
was
some
little
something
wrong
with
every
one
of
them.
I
couldn't
take
the
whole
thing
100%,
so
I
stuck
with
the
principles
of
a
A
and
I
found
that
the
basic
spiritual
principle
of
my
own
Indian
tribe
are
identical.
And
then
I
am
enjoying
exposing
my
children
to
and
my
grandchildren.
Some
of
them
are
hooking
on
to
it
and
some
of
them
are.
I
had
one
special
one
that
did.
I
never
hated
being
alcoholic.
You
y'all
I
never
did
say
man
I
want
to
be
an
alcoholic
and
I
grow
up.
I
didn't
know
I
lost
one
for
a
long
time
and
Miss
Charlie
says
we
always
the
last
to
know.
And
then
he
said
no,
we
know
we're
just
the
last
to
admit.
And
sisters,
I
believe
now
mentioned
in
her
talk
today
that
I
so
thoroughly
enjoyed
saves
my
sanity
one
time
and
I
will
be
forever
grateful
to
the
Al
Anon.
I
am
so
grateful
for
every
person
that
was
willing
and
is
willing
today
to
be
an
allocating
sponsor.
Maybe
later
you'll
know
how
grateful
I
am
for
allergies,
but
I
believe
she
mentioned
today
that
I.
Alcoholism
is
a
family
disease
and
you
better
breathe
9
What
you
know
endings
ain't
right.
My
grandmother
went
to
her
grave
believing
that
it
was
our
Indian
blood
that
caused
us
this
crazy
far
back
and
that
we
could,
you
know,
we
couldn't
handle
it.
Well,
nobody
in
my
family
could
handle
it,
I'll
put
it
that
way.
My
entire
family
with
the
exception
of
my
mother
or
alcoholic
and
didn't
know
how
to
do
anything
in
moderation
and
I
still
don't.
But
none
of
us
knew
I
had
two
brothers
that
died
of
alcoholism
or
as
the
direct
results
of
alcohol.
And
there
are
three
of
us
gals
who
are
now
members
of
alcoholic
phenomena.
My
father
was
an
alcoholic
and
I
can
remember.
Should
I
do
that?
Because
I
don't
want
to
found
those.
I
can
remember
when
beer
joints
and
bootleggers
and
some
restaurants
and
those
places
had
big
signs
over
the
door
that
said
no
Indians
allowed.
You
remember
that
hour,
I
say.
We
got
them
all
fixed
up
now
what
is
What
the
hell
y'all
gonna
do
this?
Well,
I
did
find
out.
You
know,
I
have
a
wonderful
husband
I
wanna
tell
you
all
about,
but
not
a
lot.
He's
a
brilliant
geologist
and
I
decided
of
at
one
time,
if
I
married
him,
I
get
my
everything
back.
Drop
my
drop
barrel.
My
barrel
can't
pull
my
tank.
It
was
since
announced
about
him
that
appealed
to
me
too.
Hit.
In
addition
to
that,
he's
also
a
commissioner
for
the
Oklahoma
State
Wildlife
Commission.
Man,
they
keep
heating.
If
he
can
handle
those
wild
animals
out
there,
he
can
sure
help
me.
And
he
lovingly
does.
I
know
that
he
loves
me
very
much,
but
I've
never
quite
believed
that
he
was
ever
at
any
time
in
love
with
me.
I
think
probably
he
is
and
still
was
in
Philly
is
in
all
that
time.
He
doesn't
know
what
I'm
saying.
So
we
don't
have
a
lot
of
problems
with
our
relationship.
And
I
hear
a
lot
about
that
in
a
A
and
it
says
as
plain
as
day.
The
thing
we
fail
to
recognize
about
ourselves
is
our
basic
inability
to
form
a
healthy
relationship
with
another
human
being.
And
I
said,
who
the
hell
has
to
have
relationships?
Yep.
So
I
used
to
don't
have
any,
but
in
this
program
there
is
a
solution
as
to
how
to
go
about
doing
that.
I
never
had
a
healthy
relationship
with
anyone
simply
because
I
was
always
#1
I
don't
know.
I
don't
know
amount
that
is
age
of
alcoholism
being
hereditary.
The
scientists
and
research
people
now
seem
to
kind
of
believe
that
there's
something
wrong
with
our
genes,
and
I
wire
designer
one,
take
their
name
off
and
put
mine
on
some
things.
I
just
can't
give
up.
Ice.
There
you
go.
I
just
thought
this
morning,
God,
I
wish
I
could
be
humble.
Oh
my.
I've
always
wanted
to
be
one
of
those
people
like
Neil
who
is
so
precious
and
and
quietly
go
around
doing
good.
I
don't
quietly
go
around
doing
anything,
but
I
don't
got
none
of
that.
It
seems
like
it's
not
in
me
somehow.
I'm
not
trying
to
think
of,
you
know,
that
was
nice
of
me.
Somebody
said.
It
wasn't
either.
I
drank
because
I
wanted
to,
and
it's
just
that
simple.
It
didn't
make
any
difference
what
kind
of
tag
I
put
on
it,
what
kind
of
justification
of
rationalization.
I
drank
because
I
wanted
to.
I
could
not
bear
life
on
a
day-to-day
basis.
I
could
not
bear
the
reality
of
disappointments.
I
could
not
bear
the
situation
and
the
trap
I
felt
I
I
had
myself
in
because
I
didn't
go
to
Hollywood
like
I
supposed
to.
And
then
if
I
had
a
drink,
I
think,
what
the
hell,
I'd
have
to
go
to
OU
for
four
years
to
get
a
degree
in
drama.
Four
years.
Then
I'd
have
to
grab
Highwood
and
found
drug
stores
through
them,
stuff
my
bra
and
wait
for
somebody
to
come
and
discover
me.
And
that's
going
to
take
a
lot
of
time
and
they're
really
wanting
to
test
in
doing
all
that
when
you
can
just
curl
up
in
a
great,
big
comfortable
chair
and
have
a
hooker
or
two
and.
Why
are
you
waiting
on
to
go
and
never
have
to
get
out
of
the
car?
Nobody
here
at
this
conference
in
the
committee
or
anyone
I
know
personally,
said
Marilyn.
We
want
to
clean
up
the
story.
I
went
down
Louisiana
and
they
did.
They
did.
Oh
Aronofsky,
y'all
know
Aronofsky?
They
had
the
old
dad,
so
they
had
both
of
us
on
the
same
program
and
he's
raunches
me
or
raunchy.
And
we
had
a
family
call
us
in
the
room
before
the
convention.
And
and
there
was,
oh,
there
was
also
a
wonderful
medical
doctor
from
Colorado
who
had
about
18
years
sobriety
and
Aronofsky
now
far
about
8
years
old.
You
know,
there's
nothing
like
eight-year
wonders,
and
this
guy
came
in,
he
said.
We
don't
have
any
committees
down
here.
I
am
also
body
down
here
than
anybody
else
so
I
chose
y'all
to
come
and
I
want
you
to
please
if
you
will
try
to
clean
up
your
story
and
if
you
will
don't
use
any
four
letter
words.
William
Louisiana
are
trying
to
upgrade
the
reputation
of
Alcoholics
not
and
after
all,
he
said
we
have
ladies
down
here.
Well,
the
doctor
was
OK,
you
know,
they're
not
senior
dad
and
whisked
it
around
and
fretted
about
that
and
the
doctor
and
all
of
his
wisdom
said
don't
let
that
affect
you.
Do
your
fame,
be
yourself.
And
sure
enough,
we
did
allow
it
to
affect
us.
No
all
day
talks
fast
anyway.
He
talks
fast.
He
couldn't
understand
the
word,
he
said,
Burning.
And
it's
been
set
out.
He
really
did.
And
I
allowed
it
to
affect
me.
I
didn't
feel
like
I
was
being
me,
but
the
good
doctor
saved
it
all.
We
didn't
tell
what
had
happened,
but
he
did.
On
Sunday
morning
he
got
up
and
introduced
himself
and
he
told
just
exactly
what
had
happened
to
us
and
you
can
imagine
the
shock
and
the
hush
over
the
conference,
he
said.
That
man
asked
us
not
to
use
any
four
letter
words
and
he
said,
I
pray
to
God
that
he
didn't
include
the
word
love
because
that's
what
I
intend
to
talk
with
you
about
this
morning.
And
he
saved
us
all.
Well,
in
my
young
life,
there
was
some
four
letter
words
that
I
hated
a
lot
worse
than
those
that
Mickey
Mouse
all
over
when
your
kid
calls
him,
walks
in,
you
know,
calls
you,
one
of
them
mothers
cleaning
it
up.
There
were
some
words
full
of
words
that
absolutely
made
me
want
to
puke.
I
couldn't
stand
them.
I
just
couldn't
stand
to
hear
them
and
they
were
like
Cook
and
wash
and
dust
made
me
sick
and
I
didn't
know
why
I
didn't
know
what
I
didn't
know
why
I
couldn't
be
a
wife
like
otherwise
and
be
happy
about
it.
Well,
I
already
did
because
I
should
have
been
Hollywood,
you
know,
I
couldn't
talk
to
that.
But
I
didn't
want,
you
know,
I
I
couldn't
be
a
mother
like
other
mothers.
However,
mirror
Polish
and
my
kids
shoes,
you
know,
make
them
white
and
shining
and
white
socks.
No,
you
know,
I'd
rather
grab
a
jug
of
wine
and
go
park
and
stay
all
day.
And
last
kids.
I've
been
good
mothers
as
far
as
I
was
concerned.
I
couldn't
stand
that
role
that
had
been
assigned
me.
That's
why
I
came
into
this
program
with
a
mistaken
idea
that
I
always
wanted
to
be
a
lady
and
I
want
to
be
a
lady.
Really
and
truly
wanted
to
be
was
a
woman
and
I
found
some
ways
as
to
how.
Now
I
could
put
on
pretty
good
shows.
Sit
on
any
barstool
and
a
lady
would
walk
in
and
she
would
even
have
an
escort
and
she
had
on
nylons
and
high
heeled
shoes
and
maybe
a
little
fur
thing
and
look
clean
and
neat
and
have
pretty
hair
that
shine.
And
I
was
down
my
end
of
the
bar
on
my
stool
and
my
territory
and
my
jeans
and
barefooted
and
hadn't
bothered.
Comb
my
hair
in
a
few
days
and
I
smell
good
living
the
folks
still
serves
me.
But
I
look
at
her
and
I
think
to
myself,
see
it,
you
know
ha
ha
ha
laugh
of
slaves.
Look
at
that
broad.
I've
had
all
that,
I've
had
all
that
Country
Club,
bridge
club,
PGA,
they'll
ever
get
thrown
out
of
PTA.
I
just
then
let's
start
having
PTSA.
I
didn't
even
have
a
chance
because
all
the
kids
understood
me.
See,
those
parents
and
teachers
didn't.
I've
had
all
that.
How
dull.
How
drab,
how
boring,
how
pointless,
how
silly.
And
look
at
her,
man,
she
thinks
she's
hot
shit
and
I
just
tear
to
pieces.
Yeah,
I've
had
my
lungs,
I've
had
high
heels,
I've
had
hairdos,
I've
had
fur
coat.
But
I
turn
around
to
whoever
had
the
nerve
to
sit
by
me.
So
I'll
tell
you
one
damn
thing,
Herman.
I'll
bet
you
the
next
drink
I'm
a
better
lady
than
she
is.
Yeah,
well
named
out
about
that.
Greatest
shock
I've
had
in
this
program
was
to
find
out,
but
I
just
kind
of
mediocre.
Is
this
so
many
tricks?
My
greatest
consolations
were
the
funniest
thing.
I'm
glad
that
Charlie
talked
about
bottoms
tonight
and
that
AA
is
for
everyone
if
they
choose
and
you
don't
have
to
be
faced
down
puking
in
the
gutter
like
me.
If
I
had
another
dime,
I
did.
I'd
drunk
not
about
my
mind.
IAEA
score,
everyone.
And
today
I
know
what
a
bottom
is
because
Charlie's
been
a
friend
of
mine
for
a
long
time
and
his
Cherokee
bride.
If
those
people
let
because
of
finances
and
because
of
material
things
that
can
come
into
this
program
and
stop
drinking
alcohol
have
my
greatest
admiration
bums
like
me.
You
know,
I
really
didn't
have
any
choice
and
I'm
John
still
had
one.
But
a
bottom,
to
me
is
something
that
happens
to
you
on
the
inside,
not
exterior
circumstances,
Something
that
happens
down
here
in
your
gut
where
you
live
and
go
through
every
kind
of
treatment
in
the
world.
You
see,
I
am
so
damned
old
that
a
treatment
center
was
unheard
of
when
this
thing
happened
to
me.
State
member
institutions
weren't
taking
Alcoholics.
They
weren't
allowed.
I
found
that
you,
an
alcoholic,
got
thrown
out,
so
he
had
to
con
somebody
into
committing
you
as
a
something
or
other,
a
potential
suicide.
And
I
was,
you
know,
I
know
to
kill
myself
trying
to
kill
myself.
There,
there
are
a
lot
of
things
that
I
missed.
I
miss
treatment
centers
and
I
missed
some
of
the
new
policies
that
I
hear
today
that
new
people
accept
as
a
part
of
this
program.
Unless
I'm
there.
I
still
believe
a
lot.
I
hope
someday
to
be
an
elder
statesman,
like
those
who
put
this
thing
together
here
quietly
and
with
humility,
and
did
it
right
and
it
came
out
great.
But
right
now,
I
guess
I'm
just
a
bleeding
beacon
and
I
don't
expect
everybody
to
work
this
program
the
way
I
do.
I
wouldn't
even
dream
of
having
you
work
it
the
way
it
works
for
me
because
you
are
as
individual
or
personality
as
your
fingerprint
and
this
program
allows
for
that.
We
can
sort
of
do
it
your
way
and
it
works
for
everybody,
but
if
they
tell
me,
I
could
till
you
make
it
hell
out
of
face
to
myself,
right
on
out
the
door.
However,
the
greatest
calm
and
manipulator
you
know,
nobody
could
be
me
anyway.
It
was
the
only
way
I
knew
how
to
live.
And
I
hear
people
say,
well,
I
ain't
hurt
anybody
but
myself,
fine,
yes,
I'm
going
to
spend
the
rest
of
their
lives
making
amends
to
themselves.
But
I
heard
everybody
and
I
really
didn't.
I
say
that
without
without
egoism.
You
know,
if
you
breathe
air
and
sat
next
to
me,
you
were
harmed.
Otherwise
you
wouldn't
have
been
sitting
next
to
me
and
I
couldn't
use
you.
I
didn't
have
anything
to
do
with
you.
I
continually
saw
the
people
I
could
use
and
con
and
manipulate.
It
was
a
way
of
life
that
was
essential
for
me.
I
know
about
that
master
that
Charlie
mentioned.
I'm
very
familiar
with
masters.
I've
had
many
masters.
When
I
died,
all
I
could
die.
When
I'd
hurt
all
I
could
hurt.
When
I'd
cried,
all
I
could
cry.
Then
I
hit
the
bottom
and
it
was
something
that
happened
in
here
because
I
went
off
straight.
I
had
nothing.
There
was
nothing
left
of
me.
Nothing.
I'd
abandoned
my
children.
I
let
my
husband.
I
left
everyone
that
loved
me
and
cared
for
me
and
gave
a
damn.
I
left
them
all
to
go
pursue
the
master
that
I'd
found,
and
when
that
master
wasn't
around,
I
had
another
one.
They
don't
know
that
you
don't
have
to
think
you
can
chew
a
drink.
I
discovered
that
when
I
couldn't
get
alcohol,
I
could
usually
manage
to
find
some
some
drugs
that
would
substitute.
And
would
take
the
place
of
and
I
used
them
all.
I've
had
upers
and
Downers
and
rounders
and
rounders
and
all
the
things
that
the
government
says
is
our
biggest
problem.
And
yet
alcohol
still
remains
the
number
one
drug
problem
in
our
country,
the
most
drug
oriented
country
in
the
history
of
our
nation.
And
alcohol
still
#1
drugs
in
use
today.
I
was
in
psychiatric
wards
like
everybody
else.
I
went
to
strength.
Now
what
about
to
tell
them
what
I
dreamed
last
night
was
personal?
One
their
fault.
They
couldn't
help
me.
It
was
mine,
incapable
of
being
honest
with
myself,
much
less
anybody
else.
Medical
doctors
could
just
give
me
some
pills
and
say
they
just
didn't.
Add
in
that
when
insurance
runs
out,
then
you
hit
statement
institutions
and
you
know
you
get
any
way
you
can.
I
love
psychiatric
wards.
I
just
love
them
pulling
out
insurance.
I
was
on
top
of
the
world.
They
really
kept
me
comfortable.
I
got
too
high,
they
bring
me
down,
you
know,
I
get
depressed
and
they
hook
me
up
and
had
a
nice
fella
talk
to
about
20
minutes,
you
know
every
day
at
to
not
tell
anything
to
but
just
chat
with
and
met
the
nicest
thing
My
mother
always
said
you
don't
need
nice
people
now
and
go
to
church
and
I
got
news
for
her.
You
know,
I
mean,
nice
people
go
to
psych
ward.
They
really
are
nice
folks.
You
know
the
best
bridge
players
I
ever
met
right
there.
A
friend
of
mine
that
I've
had
in
the
program
for
many
years
was
in
psychiatric
board
and
he
agreed
with
me
and
we
played
bricks
together
once
in
a
while
now
over
at
the
club.
And
he
told
me
that
he
cut
his
throat
and
was
sent
to
the
psych
ward,
you
know,
and
was
in
terrible
pain
most
of
the
time
and
all
bandaged
up,
you
know,
but
he
was
wanting
to
do
something
to
get
his
mind
off
these
problems
and
this
pain
and,
and
got
up
before
some
and
sat
down
at
the
table.
And
one
little
girl
didn't
ask
how
many
cards
do
you
deal?
But
she
did
even
worse
than
that.
She
said.
I
sure
hope
you
all
don't
play
cutthroat.
I
can't
stand
pain.
I
never
could
stand
pain
of
any
kind
and
if
there
is
any
way
to
avoid
pain
and
avoid
I'm
dying.
See
that's
easy.
Litter
couldn't
stand
the
pain
and
I
had
to
get
away
from
it.
So
when
the
pain
was
more
than
I
could
bake
and
my
masters
no
longer
served
me,
I
wound
up
in
a
state
middle
institution,
in
fact
the
only
one
in
the
country
that
would
accept
me.
Clancy
from
high
in
the
Sky.
Alma
Mater,
the
Big
Springs,
Texas
State
Mental
institution.
And
I
think
I'm
here
today
probably
to
tell
you
that
it
doesn't
make
a
bit
of
difference
where
the
hell
you
are,
whether
you're
in
a
$5000
a
day
treatment
center
in
a
hospital,
or
if
you're
in
a
treatment
center
paid
for
by
the
government
and
all
of
us
taxpayers,
it
makes
no
difference.
Or
if
you're
in
the
basement
of
a
statemental
institution.
If
you're
ready,
you're
ready.
And
if
you
ain't,
it's
just
that
simple
because
I've
been
in
mental
institutions
before
and
I
had
fun
till
they
threw
me
out.
I
was
in
no
physical
condition
to
be
thrown
out
and
I'm
not
any
big
heavyweight
right
now,
never
have
been,
but
at
that
time
I
weighed
60
lbs.
The
medical
master
said
I
have
the
insides
of
an
80
year
old
woman
and
it
was
not
likely
that
I
would
survive
physically
and
if
I
should
by
some
chance
I
would
never
function
again
in
society
mentally.
They
were
convinced
my
brain
was
gone
and
any
God
that
I'd
ever
heard
about
in
my
life
ever
had
certainly
better
be
dead
as
far
as
I
was
concerned,
because
I
had
scars
on
my
knees.
And
somebody
finally
wrote
that
song
for
me.
I
had
scars
on
my
knees.
I'm
saying
God
help
me
out
of
this
one.
Not
for
keeps,
but
this
one
somehow
another
I
managed
to
survive.
And
these
steps
that
are
on
this
wall
up
here
to
me
are
not
steps
like
stairs.
They
all
go
in
a
circle.
Now
to
be
in
a
circle,
maybe
that's
what
that
circle
store
on
the
emblem,
hell
I
don't
know.
But
for
me,
they're
in
a
circle
because
step
one
starts
with
step
12.
I
was
in
a
withdrawal
award
for
five
days
and
nights
and
I
didn't
know
reality
from
from
the
fantasies
and
the
hallucinations
and
there
were
two
people
in
that
room
with
me,
strangers
round
the
clock
for
five
days
and
five
nights.
Now
that
was
the
requirement
of
the
hospital.
I
learned
later
and
later
when
I
was
about
ready
to
leave,
I
said
once
I
hallucinating,
I
know
I
did
a
lot.
But
were
there
two
people
sitting
in
straight
back
chairs
over
in
the
corner
every
time
I
open
my
eyes?
And
they'd
be
different
people.
They
weren't.
They
weren't
like
a
buttermilk
horse.
They,
they
were
different
people
with
different
faces
and
different
clothes
that
they
were
sitting
there
and
they
said
yes,
there
were
people
in
the
room
with
you.
They
volunteered
to
sit
with
you
an
8
hour
shifts
round
the
clock
for
five
days
and
nights
and
I
said
who
in
the
hell
would
do
such
a
thing?
I,
you
know,
in
all
my
tribals,
I
had
never
known
anybody
that
would
do
that
on
a
voluntary
basis.
And
I
was
told
that
they
were
members
of
Alcoholics
Anonymous
and
had
driven
from
a
little
town
about
40
miles
away.
They
had
never
seen
me
before,
nor
had
I
ever
seen
them.
And
the
loudest
message
that
I've
ever
heard
in
this
program
came
to
me
in
stark
silence.
They're
being
there
screaming
at
me
now
and
we
don't
believe
you're
not
going
to
live.
We
all
believe
you
won't
function
in
society
again.
We
don't
believe
God
is
dead.
And
for
the
first
time
in
all
those
stupid,
sickening,
revolting,
drunken
years,
I
saw
a
ray
of
hope.
I
saw
a
seed
planted.
They
never
asked
me
to
believe
anything
they
believed,
never
mentioned
it.
Their
being
there
was
love
and
I've
never
seen
that
before.
Thought
I'd
clean
it
out,
but
I've
never
seen
that
before.
And
they
said
you
don't
have
to
believe
the
way
we
do,
Marilyn,
Can
you
believe
that
we
believe
this?
I
said,
are
you
kidding
me?
Been
here.
You've
been
the
ones
that
volunteered.
Of
course
I
believe
you
believe,
and
they
took
all
my
hand
and
they've
not
turned
loose
of
it
yet.
The
only
thing
they
ever
asked
of
me
was
to
be
willing
to
stick
out
your
other
hands
if
somebody
else
wants
what
we've
got.
And
I've
gone
through
all
kinds
of
stages
in
this
program
that
everybody
seems
to
go
through
and
their
learning
experiences
and
sometimes,
most
times
painful.
I
hate
for
pain
to
be
the
touchstone
of
spiritual
growth.
I
hate
that.
That's
it,
that's
the
way
it
is.
Me
you
could
never
say
in
pain
today.
I
can
honestly
tell
you
that
I
am
grateful
for
adversity.
Not
thrilled
to
death
and
not
high
as
a
kite,
but
I'm
always
grateful
for
adversity
because
that's
the
only
way
I
learn.
I
still
have
to
be
backed
into
a
corner
and
this
God
that
I
understand
and
seems
to
understand
me
knows
that.
And
about
the
time
I
think
what
the
hell
else
is
there
left
for
me
to
do?
I've
experienced
everything
there
is
to
experience.
Wham
old
and
I'm
going
to
have
an
opportunity
to
learn
some
more.
I
am
here
to
report
to
you
that
we
don't
ever
learn
it
up.
I've
learned
more
in
the
last
five
years
than
I
did
the
previous
11
simply
by
remaining
open
minded.
Light
from
the
start,
honest
with
myself
like
right
from
the
start
and
willing
like
right
from
the
start.
I
have
a
son
that
went
to
Vietnam
and
I
was
sober.
Everything
in
the
world
has
happened
to
me
since
I've
been
sober.
Now
remember
what
happened
bad
when
I
was
drunk
it
didn't
really
matter.
I
I
heard
some
research
folks
say
the
other
day
that
the
two
most
painful
pains
that
we
can
experience
as
human
beings,
number
one
is
child
birth
#2
was
kidney
stump.
And
I
thought,
bullshit,
they
don't
know
about
us
and
that
we
heard
harder
and
we
live
harder
and
we
cry
harder
and
we
love
harder
and
we
do
everything
harder
because
we're
extremists.
Moderation
is
the
key.
Moderation
is
the
key.
And
I
don't
have
that
pendulum
swinging
right
yet.
You
know,
I
still
have
to
go
all
the
way
the
other
way
before
I
can
ever
get
back
to
some
degree
of
moderation.
And
then
I
thought
about
what
they
said
and
the
reason
the
pain
of
childbirth
is
not
remembered
by
women.
And
you
ask
any
mother
and
she'll
tell
you,
yeah,
this
guy
has
that.
Don't
remember
the
pain.
And
that's
because
the
pain
is
bringing
about
something
productive.
What
can
you
do
with
a
damn
kidney
stone?
Non
productive,
but
childbirth.
Yes,
so
productive
and
so
wonderful
and
so
glorious
and
so
magnificent
and
miraculous
that
we
are
willing
to
turn
around
and
do
it
again
and
again
and
again.
The
God
that
I
understand
made
sex
a
pleasure,
tried
to
tell
me
that
was
to
propagate
the
earth,
but
that
never
occurred
to
me.
But
I
do
remember
the
childbirth
and
the
pain.
I
don't
remember.
I
remember
what
came
out
of
that
and
I
remember
that
my
children
were
not
what
they
were
supposed
to
be.
If
I
was
to
carry
on
the
traditions,
here
came
this
cotton
headed
thing
with
blur
eyes
in
mind.
I
told
you
Geronimo
had
blue
eyes
in
us.
He
did,
man.
He
got
a
lot
in
common.
I
had
two
toe
heads
and
they
look
like
me,
didn't
act
like
me,
walk
like
me
or
talk
like
me.
Why
did
Matt
10
years
and
forgot
everything
Clinton
birth
and
gold
and
I'll
ask
and
I
had
my
child.
I
had
my
log
chicks
so
Indian
any
idea
for
black
has
shiny
straight
hair
and
it
was
OK
because
they
had
my
blue
eyes.
But
this
was
the
one
I
would
teach.
This
was
the
one
that
would
carry
on
the
traditions
from
my
grandfather
and
he
picked
it
up
and
he
loved
it.
We
came
into
this
program
together,
you
see.
I
took
him
with
me
every
place
that
I
went.
I
only
abandoned
the
Co
heads
and
the
wide
eyes.
I
took
my
little
Indian
with
me,
and
maybe
there's
what
Marshall
I
set
him
on,
or
what
Glory,
grimy,
dirty,
filthy
company
I
put
him
in.
He
went
with
me
all
the
way.
He
was
three
years
old,
going
on
30,
and
got
older
by
the
day
and
wiser,
and
he
was
nine
years
old
and
we
came
in
this
program
together
and
he
was
so
frustrated
and
so
confused
about
a
lot
of
things
that
the
Alice
In
sponsors
made
an
exception
because
of
his
great
wisdom
from
having
been
around
the
world
with
me.
And
they
allowed
him
into
Aliphene
early,
and
it
fills
them
up.
Answered
every
question
that
he
ever
had,
and
we
went
to
meetings
together.
He
went
to
his
and
I
went
to
mine
and
we
talked
about
steps
and
he'd
say,
well
mom,
I'm
ready
to
give
my
will
over
to
God,
but
I
don't
know
about
my
life.
He
told
me
how
to
take
the
step.
We
helped
each
other.
He
found
a
God
of
his
understanding
and
he
had
that,
you
know,
he
didn't
have
to
go
through
the
mess
of
erasing
old
tapes
like
I
did
to
break
into
those
Nazarene
churches,
in
the
Pentecostal
churches
and
those
revivals
that
were
talked
about.
They
didn't
have
to
ask
me
come
down
there
and
get
saved.
Hell,
as
a
first
one
mayor
going
to
get
played
through
and
here
this
sister
will
be
saying
hang
on
Marilyn,
hang
on.
There's
no
we're
be
saying
let
go
Marilyn,
let
go.
Shit.
I
don't
know
what
to
do.
I
just
go
get
lost.
I
had
been
exposed.
At
least
this
child
had
not.
He
didn't
have
to
unlearn
a
damn
thing
about
spirituality.
His
mind
was
wide
open
and
he
soaked
it
up
like
a
sponge.
Just
like
I
did.
I
remember.
Sat
down.
People,
please
be
careful
what
you
say
to
me
because
I
and
my
mind
is
like
a
sponge
and
soaking
up
everything
you
say.
And
I
should
have
said
please
walk
what
you
talk
because
this
path
we're
supposed
to
follow
I
believe
is
the
one
in
the
big
book.
I
don't
suggest
any
of
you
go
following
mine
or
anyone
else
that
you
know.
If
you
stay
on
the
one
that's
in
the
big
book,
then
you
won't
fail.
Guarantee
you
that
you
won't
fail.
Hell,
if
I
followed
some
other
people's
paths
that
I
know,
and
if
I
had
done
everything
I
was
told
to
do,
hell,
I'd
have
been
screwed
to
death
without
a
doubt.
You
know
more
ways
than
one
to
kill
yourself
because
I
lost
that
death
wish.
You
know,
anyway
to
get
out
of
it?
Our
primary
the
wrong
man.
Many
times
it
would
have
not
have
been
the
way
for
me,
but
assessed
to
the
path
in
the
book.
Thank
my
God.
And
today
I'll
say,
if
it
ain't
the
big
book,
don't
say
it
to
me.
Don't
hear
it.
And
that's
why
I
get
upset
about
the
little
policies
in
the
new
group.
90
eighties,
90
days
bullshit.
If
you
want
to
stay
alive,
you'll
go
to
a
meeting
to
save
your
ass
that
day
if
you
want
it.
Somebody
had
to
tell
me
to
go
to
meetings.
God,
I
wanted
it
more
than
anything
in
the
world,
if
for
no
other
reason
it
kept
me
from
being
someplace
else.
And
fake
it
till
you
make
it.
Let
us
love
you
till
you
can
love
yourself.
I
get
you
in
the
fact
quicker
than
anything
on
you,
they
said.
Marilyn,
you
better
totally
abstain
from
sex
for
about
a
year
and
immediately
I
thought
my
Well,
why
they
don't
tell
married
people
last?
I
still
haven't
figured
that
out
'cause
sponsors
are
still
telling
their
little
chicken
no
sex.
And
I
believe
the
book
says
that
it's
dangerous
for
us
to
become
emotionally
involved
on
these
quote
campus
romances.
There's
6
pages
in
that
book
about
sex.
And
they
aren't
judgmental.
They
don't
stay
safe
and
safe.
It
doesn't
say
sound
fact,
but
sponsors
thank
you
all
too.
Except
if
you're
married.
Oh,
there's
no
things
I
know
are
well
meaning,
but
they're
not
in
this
book.
They're
not
in
the
book.
Stick
with
it.
You'll
be
a
winner
with
the
book.
You'll
be
a
winner.
And
you'll
hear
somebody
someday
that
will
be
just
your
person
to
listen
to.
You
know,
I
hated
sponsors
and
I've
loved
sponsors
and
and
I've
had
a
lot
of
them
took
a
loft.
But
then
the
book
says
our
sponsors
doesn't.
I
don't
mean
that
I
played
the
game.
If
I
didn't
like
what
this
one
said,
I
went
to
another
one.
Not
that
way.
All
of
you
sponsor
me
and
I'm
grateful
for
that.
I've
grown
up,
but
I
don't.
What
the
hell?
Time
is
time
Today.
I
dance
too.
I'll
have
pretty
soon.
I
read
something
on
the
airplane
that
just
tickled
me
to
death
and
I
put
it
on
the
mirror
in
my
dressing
room
and
as
a
couple
of
lines
of
a
song.
Nothing
could
be
finer
than
the
crisis
to
be
minor
in
the
morning,
and
I
thought
that
was
wonderful.
Some
people
would
have
you
believe
that
when
you
get
sober
and
get
these
12
steps
under
your
belt,
everything
is
going
to
just
be
marvelous
and
everything
turns
to
says
yes,
how
you
haven't
lived
until
you
get
fired
sober.
You
always
had
booze
to
blame
it
on
before.
Get
fired
sober.
That's
a
crusher.
You
know
when
you're
still
walking
around
saying,
well
if
I
hadn't
drunk
that
stuff,
I
wouldn't
do
that.
That's
bullshit.
Everything
I
ever
did
under
the
influence
of
alcohol,
I
did
because
I
would
love
to
have
done
it
sober
and
didn't
have
the
gut.
That's
the
truth,
like
other
masters
we
know
about.
That's
where
I
got
my
strength
and
my
courage
to
pick
a
fight
with
the
biggest,
broadest
blonde
in
the
MAR.
Knew
I
was
going
to
get
creamed,
but
I
drinks
were
going
to
be
on.
Insanity
has
nothing
to
do
with
that
stuff.
Nothing.
The
insanity
of
my
powerlessness
and
my
compulsion,
That's
what
I
had
to
have
help
with
and
so
far
have.
I'd
like
to
report
that
it's
only
been
about
three
years
since
I
honestly
and
truly
experienced
metal
defenseless.
Now
I
thought
I
had
a
lot
of
times
you
see
my
straight
bait
and
my
dry
date.
I
know
it's
true
because
my
sister
and
Alcoholics
Anonymous
then
told
me,
Marilyn,
this
won't
mean
anything
to
you
today
as
the
bonds
were
going
down
and
she
stood
there
with
tears
in
her
eyes.
But
today
is
the
first
day
you've
not
had
a
drink
or
any
drugs
and
it's
June
the
6th
1966
which
makes
my
dry
date
6/6/66.
Can't
be
sober
a
long
time
too.
Think
how
long
I'd
have
to
drink
to
have
nothing
like
that.
If
I
live
and
a
lot
of
people
do
think
about
men,
my
birthday,
you
know,
they
start
to
date
their
checks
or
whatever
and
they
see
6/6
and
I
get
a
phone
call.
It's
wonderful.
It's
really
wonderful
and
easy
for
me
to
remember.
It
would
have
to
be
mentally,
mentally
defenseless.
I
read
it
and
I
read
it
and
I
talked
about
it.
And
at
one
time
I
was
so
determined
that
I
was
gonna
walk
when
I
talked.
You
know
when
we
go
through
the
spiritual
years,
when
you
know,
I
was
so
spiritual,
as
a
fellow
said,
I
was
of
no
earthly
use,
none,
but
I
was
and
I
went
to
save
everybody
Billy
Graham
missed
and
I
was
eating
on
Orles
leg
too.
You
know
I
was
going
to
save
them
all
and
we
all
go
through
that,
but
I
was
so
spiritual
I
was
going
to
transcend
any
minute.
Determined
walk
When
I
talk
and
I
walked
around.
I
looked
like
I
was
constipated,
I
think,
and
I
should
have
known
better.
I
never
did.
Martyr.
Well,
never
did.
And
I
knew
by
now,
you
know,
having
worked
through
some
of
the
steps
worked
on
some
of
them,
that
that
my
defects
of
character
had
all
been
removed.
And
what
I
didn't
understand
that
the
characteristics
that
are
listed
in
the
12
and
12
for
us
to
use
as
a
guideline
and
they
call
them
7
cardinal
sins.
How
animals
name
was
still
don't
women
still
learn?
But
that
for
me
was
a
guide
and
I
used
it
for
our
guy.
Those
are
all
human
characteristics
to
me.
Can
you
imagine
a
human
being
walking
around
totally
free
of
lust
and
jealousy
and
envy
and
all
of
those
seven
things
listed?
Unless
I've
been
ahead
and,
you
know,
lightweight,
I
would
have
transcended
a
long
time
ago.
But
I
thought
that's
what
I
was
asking,
to
be
removed
from
me,
those
things
that
had
caused
me
such
pain.
You
know,
I
wasn't
just
jealous.
I'd
kill
your
ass.
Tell
whoever
it
was
up
there
you
died
or
something.
Nothing
in
moderation.
All
of
those
things,
all
of
those
characteristics
in
me,
had
great
big
gaping
holes
where
they've
been
misused,
and
today
I've
seen
me
jealous
and
could
actually
turn
it
around
and
make
something
productive
of
it.
What
I
ask
my
higher
power
to
remove
were
those
things
that
stood
in
the
way
of
my
usefulness
to
him
and
to
other
people.
I'm
saying,
you
know,
no,
I
don't
want
to
be
jealous
anymore,
don't
want
to
be
envious
anymore,
don't
want
to
be
lustful,
don't
want
to
be
any
of
those
things
anymore.
Take
it
all
away
and
I
would
be
sitting
at
his
right
hand
side.
I
had
to
learn
to
live
as
a
human
being
on
this
planet.
That's
what
this
program
has
done
for
me,
but
it
took
a
very
rude
awakening
because
I
was
wonderful
at
least
halfway
there
and
saving
everyone.
If
you
want
to
know
anything
spiritual
just
go
ask.
Meryl
and
I
was
in
a
low
group
meeting
one
night
and
we
all
stood
up
to
say
the
Lords
prayer
like
we
have
here.
Every
meeting
we
held
hands
and
I
said
our
father
that
is
the
best
looking
new
guy
that
just
walked
in
that
door
I
have
ever
seen
in
my
life.
And
I
know
he's
young,
but
he
God,
he's
good
looking
man.
I
wonder
if
he
needs
a
sponsor.
Maybe
he
might
die.
He
might
need
a
mother.
You
know
he
can't
ever.
I
bet
that
I
bet
he's
good
late
and
I
went
and
then
he
don't
donate
and
I
couldn't
even
finish
the
prayer.
Saint
Maryland
has
fallen.
I'd
always
been
called
a
fallen
woman,
and
then
I
knew
what
one
was.
Stop
Repetition
strengthens
and
confirms.
You're
allowed
to
do
everything
wrong
as
many
times
as
you
want
to.
As
long
as
you
continue
to
repeat,
it
will
confirm
and
finally
you
get
it
right.
Hopefully
I've
taken
too
much
time
and
I
don't
care.
I
don't
know
when
I
have
felt
such
overwhelming
love
as
I'm
feeling
right
this
minute
from
you
is
the
most
wonderful
thing
in
this
world.
I
wish
I
could
feel
it
all
of
the
time.
I
have
a
son
that
went
to
Vietnam
and
I
prayed
that
he
would
not
get
hurt
and
that
he
come
back
alive.
And
my
sponsor
said
you
dumb
shit,
that's
not
how
you
pray.
I
learned
how
to
pray
in
this
program,
she
said.
When
you
probably
like
that,
you're,
you
know,
some
other
mother's
kids
gonna
get
it.
You
want
him
to
get
it
instead
of
yours.
What
kind
of
plan
is
that?
I
said.
What
I
do.
I'm
worried
sick.
I
want
him
to
come
home.
We
had
been
reunited
as
a
family,
my
dad,
she
said.
You
do
what
the
11
step
says
and
you
get
pray
that
God
will
give
him
the
strength
and
the
courage
to
cope
with
whatever
comes
his
way.
And
you
can
also
ask
that
for
yourself.
And
that's
all.
And
that
worked
because
he
just
came
home
doped.
He
learned
how
to
hope
like
I
did.
I'm
really
happy
to
report
to
you
that
he
is
beautiful
young
man
today
and
he
has
six
years
sobriety
in
our
program.
I
got
a
dollar
out
there
still
doing
it,
and
I
love
her
more
than
the
day
she
was
born.
She'll
find
it
one
of
these
days.
And
our
team,
my
little
Indian
that
told
me
about
God
and
how
he
felt
about
him.
The
one
that
was
going
to
carry
on
really
is
He
is
carrying
on.
He
is
so
much
more
spiritual
with
his
thinking
today
than
I'd
ever
hoped
to
be.
He
is
closer
to
his
higher
power
than
I
ever
hope
to
be.
I
have
more
strength
and
more
courage
and
more
hope
for
everybody,
including
myself
today
because
of
him.
And
I
wanted
to
sort
of
explain
to
precious
Sally,
incidentally,
honey,
my
daughter's
name,
Sally
to
her,
since
she
couldn't
do
it
for
me,
why
I
came
to
this
conference
in
costume.
I
think
you've
noticed
that
every
day
I've
had
some
kind
of
Indian
attire
on
that
is
authentic.
My
Alotine
got
into
the
into
the
beads
and
he
got
into
all
of
the
crafts
and
I
didn't
have
time,
you
know,
I
didn't
have
time
to.
So
I
was
going
to
lay
it
all
on
him
and
it
didn't
turn
out
to
be
that
way.
So
today
I'm
doing
it
for
him.
And
every
time
you
see
me,
I'll
probably
have
some
little
indication
of
that
heritage
for
him
because
he
died
two
years
ago.
And
tonight
my
being
here
is
for
him.
He's
here,
too.
You
know
he's
probably
saying
Mom
when
you
go
shut
up.
Every
time
he
crosses
my
mind,
he
sang
to
me.
I'm
where
we
wanted
to
get
to.
I'm
with
you
and
this
makes
this
night
so
special.
I've
not
given
a
talk
anywhere.
I've
not
shared
anything
with
anyone
from
a
podium
for
two
years.
This
one
I
chose
to
exit
because
as
my
newfound
strength
and
my
newfound
courage
that
I
got
from
Nell
today,
I
got
from
everyone
here
today.
Sometimes
I
feel
sad
but
depressed,
sometimes
I
feel
a
longing
and
a
missing.
But
don't
you
all,
don't
we
all
have
bad
days?
Sometimes
we
luxury,
we
allow
ourselves.
I
do
once
in
a
while
to
have
a
bad
day.
I
learned
to
set
the
alarm
clock
though,
You
know,
I
allow
myself
to
suffer
about
30
minutes
and
then
devil,
I
suffer
when
the
alarm
goes
off.
That's
that
as
the
biggest
waste
of
my
time,
and
my
time
is
my
most
precious
asset.
I
don't
have
time
for
that.
Don't
want
to
hear
anybody
say
shit.
I
have
reason
to
be
here.
And
yes,
I
may.
You
know
you
feel
sad
sometimes.
I
understand.
I
understand
when
I
do.
You
have
bad
days.
There
are
times
when
I
feel
useless
and
helpless
and
worthless,
and
I
know
you
do
too.
Because
we
are
human
beings,
and
we're
going
to
be
that
until
the
day
we
basically
leave
this
planet.
Learning
how
to
live
as
a
human
being
is
an
exciting
experience,
and
I
highly
recommend
it.
If
you've
had
a
bad
day,
if
you're
new
in
this
program,
if
you're
wishing
the
hell
I'd
shut
up
so
you
could
go
dance
too
close
with
your
partner,
I
don't.
If
you
feel
down
and
a
little
bit
depressed
and
a
little
bit
sad,
Please
remember
one
thing
for
me.
You're
being
here
and
inviting
me
to
be
here.
Has
made
my
day.
You
may
feel
helpless
about
your
own
moods
and
your
own
feelings,
but
today,
without
even
knowing
it,
you've
given
me
everything
I
needed.
I
feel
whole
and
I
feel
good
and
God
knows
I
thank
you.