That One Thing

Now here is an interesting little story that turned into a poem. In my previous posting "Characters" I speak of a man called "Big Mike". Let me tell you the name fits him to a tee, the guy is huge. Well he shared with me and my good friend Lenny some of the most important information that I will ever need to hear. This episode was the making of " That One Thing".

Here is the poem:

That One Thing

While sitting as I always do
an evening spent at best,
reading from the big book
up here at Sayville West.

One by one we took a turn
talking from the heart,
sharing times and where we’ve been
and how it all did start.

In came a man that we all knew,
Big Mike he’s kindly called.
He nodes and smiles when he talks
and shares how he was mauled.

Well it was like most other evenings
till he turned around,
whispering to Lenny,
I heard not but a sound.

What was said to Lenny
made him turn to me.
For what Mike said was “that one thing”
and it would set me free.

He said there only was one thing
that would keep me from a drink.
He asked me do I know that thing?
I had to stop and think.

“One thing” I thought
what could it be?
My mind did draw a blank.

There were so many
times in my life
that I just sat a drank.

I looked at him and shook my head
and said I did not know.
That one thing did elude me,
my curiosity did grow.

Big Mike smiled a smile
that made me glad
that he was not a foe.

So I listened closely
to what he said,
standing toe to toe.

He said “ Ron, there is one thing
to keep you from a drink”.
That one thing then he shared with me
that made me stop and think.

It was very simple,
that one thing for us all.
His answer to this riddle,
that one things “alcohol”.

Copyright © 2008 Ronald J. Edwards