His heart found brilliant, shining achingWhere his feet tread, sober, shakingReckless bottle, damned by beautyShattered 'neath their loving duty

*   *   *

Stepping in warily, the group was called PalmerIn Westwood, twelve steps to a life-leading calmerA populace tipped off for him by twin divasWho sat propped, ever brightly, on a dusty old dais

Bewitched in an instant, phone numbers were tradedAs the counselors counseled the parents, yet jadedConnections to sober ones; striving, sereneAnd welcomed to meetings, warm greetings the scene

One awesome girl, matching his own hippy bentTo the perfectly aching young interest he lentThey found romance, most warm and devoted and trueMost cherished and fun -- and without the drugs, too

They listened to Janis, saw 'Dead live at PauleyHe was taken with her, he rode buses to call, hefelt gloriously warm in the bask of her shiningEven parents were happy; she was sober, refining!

But as youth was untutored, he spoiled the prizeAs she trusted, he lusted, for her friend with blue eyesThough but kissing, and missing each other behind herIt sealed fate, his best love, as his heart failed to mind her

*   *   *

Things came smashing, crashing at onceThis jig was up, she did announceA lesson, to be sure, a goodYet in losing the two, alone now he stood

*   *   *

Lessons learned then, never brokenTouchstone heartache as a tokenThough love should blossom unabatedHe'd let it be with just one, sated