He Must Be Reached

It's gotten him now,
it's taken control.
It's dictating his actions,
it's got a hold.
It manipulates him always
when most inopportune.
It mocks his existence;
it plays him the fool.
There are days when
improvement is seen
but it quickly disappears
in favor of the stream
of bad decisions
and poorly chosen words
that bury him into
his hole even further.
It seems the genuine effort
to get out is there,
but the means by which to
accomplish it isn't anywhere.
Some mock him
and spit on a grave
that is quickly being dug
due to the way he behaves,
but others worry
what the fate will be
of a life discarded
far too quickly.
The anger and resentment
others unfairly show
replaces mercy and concern
that from within them should flow.
With it all being
considered here and now,
the strong possibility
still is so pow-
erful that any day that comes
could very well be his last
so he must be reached
before his life is part of the past.