O’ I Will Rise

The following was written between September 17th and 30th, 2018. I was 3 weeks sober from alcohol when I began writing these haikus and was struggling to maintain.


Not three weeks sober

Suppose I am doing fine

But it's a long road


These countless mistakes

Poisoned roses have wilted

Let these petals fall


Nearly a month clean

I came to on the wood floor

Wearing last weeks clothes


It all led me here

Chaos compounded by fear

This rose may still bloom


Mouthwash tastes like booze

I nearly drank mine last night

Must find the North Star


An alcoholic

Who thought he had lost the thirst

That ache hasn't left


Kick these doors open

Let the wind torment this place

Cast away what was


Sky ripe with darkness

With nothing left to be said

One night overcome


August 2025


Many moons ago

The bottle helped me give up

But I restarted


At times I struggle

But I haven’t crossed that line

Seven years sober


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Defining the Métis Nation with Jean Teillet