My Demons

"Fighter"

That's what's tattooed

On my middle right hand finger.

I got it days before I went into a treatment facilty

For opiate dependence.

I got it as my

"Fuck you and farewell" to drugs.

I got it to remind myself that I am strong

That I had it down,

I was capable of making it out of this ok.

Better than ok really

Thriving.

And I almost did too

I left there 10 months later

With a lot of wisdom

And motivation to succeed

I thought I would.

I just didn't realize

There were still a few demons

Lurking in the shadows of my mind.

I though I had excorcized them all

Through all the therapy

I so open heartedly embraced,

It wasn't enough

And it didn't take long

Before the demons came out to play.

For a while I hated seeing that tattoo

I felt ashamed

Like a failure.

But not anymore

I look at it and am proud

Becuase I may have struggled again

But I never gave up fighting.

And today I can proudly say

I finally did win that battle

And put those monsters to rest.

They control me no more

I am free.

I am a fighter.