Sunday poetry

For Robin, and for us all

To all who have sat.
On the inside of.
the cage of addiction.
Searching for the keys.
That could unlock the madness.

And to all who have sat.
On the outside.
Trying to force the heavy keys.
But find none of which opens the lock.

For the desperation.
And the frustration.
And the fear.
and the longing.
And the trying.
And the lying.
And the bargaining.
And the believing.
And the pleading.
And the bleeding.
And the dying.
My God, the dying.

For the books.
And the classes.
And the meetings.
And the prayers.
And the promises.
And the agreements.

And the setbacks.
And the relapses.
And the disappointments.
And the
Years
Spent

And the beauty.
And the joy.
And the life.
And the song.
That
those
Even
In
Their
Cages
do still bring.

To every single one.
On the inside of the cage.
AND
To every single one.
On the outside.
You are loved.
And you are loved.
And
you
Are
Loved

~ Marlene Sumrall Means


With thanks to Cathy Markel for her recommendation.