Shared Beauty

(AKA: 12 in 17) 

A Haiku Cycle of the 12 Steps of Recovery 

I

Chilling truth wakens
as hopeless addiction slays
 manageable lives

II
Seeing with new eyes,

believing in the Divine
restores our pained minds

III
We, like bending trees,
surrender our will to Him
who lovingly guides

IV
Sun shines through bare limbs.
Without apprehension we
count costs of the past

V
Uncovering wrongs,
the fear melts from our hearts as
we confess past deeds

VI
Wings of hope grow strong;
preparing to molt useless
and errant coping

VII

Like ripe wheat bowing 

in cleansing rain, our humble
supplications roll

VIII

As rose petals fall
exposing the thorns of harm,
Contrition will come

IX

Humble atonements
break the frozen grip of angst
as the old life fades

X

Sun sets on each day.

Our hearts and spirits are refreshed
before we sleep

XI

Branches straining,
reach for the sky to soak in
the Creator’s gift

XII

Like spring we’re renewed,

embracing all that we gained

then passing it on