Once a little girl, so careless and free,

Curious of life and all she could be.

Introduced to this world with no map or instruction,

Took a wrong turn down the path to destruction.

No way out, down a dead end street.

Living a life now of dishonesty and deceit.

Steal. steal. steal.

Isolate.

Run. run. run.

Self-medicate.

"There's a better way", people would tell me,

"You don't have to be so lonely."

Wanting to believe, but not comprehending how.

God, if only I could've seen then, how my life is now.

Institutions. Arrests. Overdoses. Can't. Quit.

Nothing left, not even my spirit.

Finally admit I need a change of direction.

I surrender to rid me of this sick obsession.

I couldn't have done it on my own, but luckily had assistance.

Striving to bring new meaning to my existence.

Seconds turn to minutes, and minutes to days.

I still remember how it felt coming out of that drug induced haze.

Like being reborn into this beautiful world over again.

Learning to live, break free from all chains.

Abstain. Grow. Love.

Listen. Believe. Rise above.

I can't even begin to convey my gratitude to be able to feel.

I've met people who love me, and the love is REAL.

Learning compassion and to love others back.

No longer stuck in a world of black.

Respecting myself, taking steps to improve.

Over 2 years now since the drugs were removed.

My journey to be better will never end.

We're in this glorious life forever, my friend.