We were grateful that Reason had brought us so far. But somehow, we couldn’t quite step ashore. Perhaps we had been leaning too heavily on reason that last mile and we did not like to lose our support. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 54

Walking to the mailbox
icy sidewalk baby steps
tentative hesitant faltering
shaky but steady progress
step by step. Standing on curb
leaning over, metal box
iced shut, hold to bricks
pry it open, grab the mail
return, uphill, up a step
then there’s only one
but melting ice from eaves
left glassy ice, thick
moist enough excise traction.
Another step. Courage drained.
Standing there, stranded.
But not stranded.
He’s standing there
hand outstretched.
I’m not alone.
I just have to stop
refusing to accept
the offered help.