This past week, I conducted monthly DWI classes as directed by the 29^th and 40^th Judicial District Courts. There were 19 people in the class. I don’t mention much about alcoholism, because I stress that alcohol is not the problem, but symptoms of many character defects in their lives. I encourage everyone in attendance to participate as we discuss personal problems.

The classes are held three nights a week and everyone has to attend all three sessions.

The first night I give them a copy of the following poem written many years ago by a convict in a Joliet, Illinois prison:

THE BAR

The name of each saloon’s a Bar,
The fittest of its names by far.
A Bar to Heaven, a door to Hell;
Whoever named it named it well.
A Bar to manliness and wealth,
A door to want and broken health;
A Bar to honor, pride and fame,
A door to grief and sin and shame;
A Bar to hope, a Bar to Prayer,
A door to darkness and despair;
A Bar to honored useful life.
A door to brawling, senseless strife;
A Bar to all that’s true and brave.
A door to every drunkard’s grave;
A Bar to joys that home imparts,
A door to tears and aching hearts;
A Bar to Heaven, a door to Hell,
Whoever named it named it well.

As I was driving home after the last meeting, I noticed the amount of cars at area barrooms. I thought, “But by the grace of God, I would be one of those people, wasting time, spending money, and drinking, trying to find happiness.” My heart went out to the wives and children of those people who never know what time daddy’s coming home.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.