now I know

now I know,
why junkies stick needles
in their arms
and lie dying
in back street alleys;

now I know,
why death comes
before the body
actually dies;

now I know
what Christ felt.

now I know,
where people go
when there is
nothing left;

now I know,
just how black
the darkness of the night
can be;

now I know,
just how deep
the bottom
really is;

now I know,
and the needle,
and the powder,
and the shots of whiskey,
and death,
only make it;

legitimate;

now I know,
and have lived
to tell about it.
.
.