Comics and poetry.

The following are reprints from the July edition of NA Today. Make sure to subscribe or download the magazine so you don’t miss out on any of our awesome content.  Enjoy! 

Perspective

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have had a bad day at work, think of the person who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it is like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits who is working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down leaving you miles from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new grey hair in the mirror think of the cancer patient on chemotherapy who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what life is all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who did not live long enough to get that opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance smallness or insecurities remember – things could be worse. You could be them

#12

On the No 12 tram to St Kilda.

I used to catch this to come here to score.

Straight into the lions den.

No fear.

HP and gratitude with me all the way.

Plus the poor buggers still in active addiction on the tram do not make using even slightly appealing.

Reflections

Despite myself, I took a chance to dance with the “dice”

I picked up for pain and paid the price

always in debt with life and death

despite the cost in not dead yet

despite myself, I look ahead

more is the love

less is the dread.

Neshko

TIRED

I got this pain that is killing me inside

And to push it all away

I end up always getting fried

Started telling myself that I’m tired of this life,

Tired of the bullshit

Tired of being high

Thought that I could do it on my own

But I couldn’t, don’t know why

I’d just lock myself away

And be sucking on my pipe.

Started losing all my morals,

Started losing all my pride

Then they took my son away

Gave my heart the biggest fright.

So I put myself in rehab

In the first on that I could find.

Now it’s time to turn it around,

And it’s time to change my life.

Now I’m here for the long run,

What a bumpy ride!

Now I’m starting to get better.

Thought I was going to lose my mind.

In here everybody is sober

And everybody is kind.

Nearly thought my life was over,

How could I have been so blind?

Now I’m in a different place,

Starting to open up my eyes,

And I’m changing all my ways

So my son can see me rise.

I just take it day by day.

No more telling myself lies.

And the look on my mum’s face

Now I’m handing my fate over

To that man up in the sky.

By Laura, Townsville