The Good People

Each would-be entry into the program got a “haircut”

Men, women, boys & girls. No baldy no admission.

You can’t sacrifice two weeks of hair?

You’re too invested in a very bad movie.

Exc. Director, Vinny Marino was tough and credentialed:

Years in prison, a patient in drug programs,

“last rights” 8 times, and staff treatment counselor.

The man was destined to run a substance abuse house.

He wanted me to chair the board.

I had business credentials, and like him, I was Brooklyn.

Of the other 8 board members,

3 gave time, 5 showed for photo ops.

The 6 member staff were all “credentialed”,

and that included lots of relapses.

All had a Brooklyn attitude,

A splendid cover for a shaky footing.

It comes from the “fish story”.

If you are in a poker game

And you can’t decide who the “fish” is

You have just found the “fish”.

I was often a fish,

And my vanity pushed my learning curve

Back to pre homo sapien.

I’m not sure I ever understood “the game”

An encounter game consisted of accusations.,

Loud and pointed, with cursing mandatory.

After 10 minutes of yelling everybody hugged.

My indifference to being fingered upset folks.

I can’t say I didn’t learn something.

The message I got?

“It’s all bullshit!

Trust no one.”

Did the boys and girls learn?

Some did, most reverted

when they hit the street.

One kid became a physician.