Told through stories and poems, Damaged Merchandise: Poems and Stories
of an Alcoholic Addict, is my story. A story of destruction and damage, which
12 years later, I'm still trying to correct. At times, the poems leave the reader
wondering "what if?" and that's OK, because the final chapter, in my life has
yet to be written.
From homelessness, to ODing, failed suicides, running and hiding (both from
myself and the law), its all here. From drug dealing, to stealing, to hitch-hiking
the USA, the reader enters a world, where few go and fewer survive!
of an Alcoholic Addict, is my story. A story of destruction and damage, which
12 years later, I'm still trying to correct. At times, the poems leave the reader
wondering "what if?" and that's OK, because the final chapter, in my life has
yet to be written.
From homelessness, to ODing, failed suicides, running and hiding (both from
myself and the law), its all here. From drug dealing, to stealing, to hitch-hiking
the USA, the reader enters a world, where few go and fewer survive!
| Damaged Merchandise book trailer |
Preview...
Have you ever been to a larger size city and walked through their busy main streets? You'll look into the windows and see
merchandise, you've never seen before. You'll stop into a little cafe and try some "home cooking." You'll watch the people
walk by on the sidewalks, the cars behind them, racing in both directions. Then reality sets in, ever so slowly, a dirty man,
with torn clothes, has his hand out, begging for money. Some look away, others feel pity, while still others are angry. I know,
because I seen all these feelings when I was homeless. I heard stories from the Bible, and was told to "get a job!" I was
harassed, kicked and spit upon. It didn't bother me, just please, give me your loose change. I grew up in a proud home (with
what the outside saw) that had strong values. But they didn't see inside the closed doors, it was quite dysfunctional. It was
from this craziness, that I survived. I survived homelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction, divorces, numerous court cases
and jail. That craziness made me who I am. That craziness gave me a life, it gave me an excuse. For most of my adult life,
my childhood ruled me. Marriages failed because of my parents. It was their fault I lost jobs. On and on, it went. As long as it
was their fault, I did not have to accept responsibility for my actions. That was until my drinking could not be avoided. In
court rooms, they didn't want to hear about "poor Dave." They would not let me push my responsibility on someone else.
Looking at many years in the penal system, the fear of God set in, and I realized this was my last chance. Some would say, I
quit to avoid jail. They are correct. But that fear has kept me sober for over nine years. I still remember my last drunk, my
first day in court, and my first counseling session. I was defeated, scared, and totally hopeless. If I didn't go to court, there is
little doubt in my mind, that I would be dead. Either someone would have killed me, I would have killed myself, or alcoholism
would have done me in. While alcoholism, helped me survive many trials, it should be stated that, all these trials I created!
Sobriety, brought new challenges. Most people call this - life! Pay bills, accept responsibility and try to rebuild burnt bridges.
Sobriety gave me strength and courage to move forward. I am so thankful, that my wife, Betty did not have to go through
breast cancer alone. If I was drinking, I wouldn't have been there for her, physically - maybe, spiritually - no way.
Have you ever been to a larger size city and walked through their busy main streets? You'll look into the windows and see
merchandise, you've never seen before. You'll stop into a little cafe and try some "home cooking." You'll watch the people
walk by on the sidewalks, the cars behind them, racing in both directions. Then reality sets in, ever so slowly, a dirty man,
with torn clothes, has his hand out, begging for money. Some look away, others feel pity, while still others are angry. I know,
because I seen all these feelings when I was homeless. I heard stories from the Bible, and was told to "get a job!" I was
harassed, kicked and spit upon. It didn't bother me, just please, give me your loose change. I grew up in a proud home (with
what the outside saw) that had strong values. But they didn't see inside the closed doors, it was quite dysfunctional. It was
from this craziness, that I survived. I survived homelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction, divorces, numerous court cases
and jail. That craziness made me who I am. That craziness gave me a life, it gave me an excuse. For most of my adult life,
my childhood ruled me. Marriages failed because of my parents. It was their fault I lost jobs. On and on, it went. As long as it
was their fault, I did not have to accept responsibility for my actions. That was until my drinking could not be avoided. In
court rooms, they didn't want to hear about "poor Dave." They would not let me push my responsibility on someone else.
Looking at many years in the penal system, the fear of God set in, and I realized this was my last chance. Some would say, I
quit to avoid jail. They are correct. But that fear has kept me sober for over nine years. I still remember my last drunk, my
first day in court, and my first counseling session. I was defeated, scared, and totally hopeless. If I didn't go to court, there is
little doubt in my mind, that I would be dead. Either someone would have killed me, I would have killed myself, or alcoholism
would have done me in. While alcoholism, helped me survive many trials, it should be stated that, all these trials I created!
Sobriety, brought new challenges. Most people call this - life! Pay bills, accept responsibility and try to rebuild burnt bridges.
Sobriety gave me strength and courage to move forward. I am so thankful, that my wife, Betty did not have to go through
breast cancer alone. If I was drinking, I wouldn't have been there for her, physically - maybe, spiritually - no way.
What's been said about Damaged Merchandise
From PublishAmerica Executive Director, Miranda Prather, said that Harm's book "is a well written and crafted work of
contemporary poetry. Mr. Harm is a promising talent in his field." Read the whole article Overcoming Addiction, Living a
Dream.
Tom Osborne, US Congressman and former University of Nebraska football coach wrote, "Your book sounds quite
interesting. I commend you on your willingness and courage to share details of your situation with others. I also appreciate
your efforts to help people understand the ramifications of substance addiction. Like you, I am deeply concerned about the
alcohol problem facing the United States, particularly underage drinking among our young children. It is devastating that in
many cases it takes the loss of life for some to recognize the severity of the problems associated with alcohol abuse. As a
society, we can no longer have a complacent attitude towards underage drinking if we want to stop the increased risk of
harm that lasts well beyond our youth's adolescent years. As parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors, we owe it to
our youth and the communities in which we live to tackle these problems before they worsen."
From PublishAmerica Executive Director, Miranda Prather, said that Harm's book "is a well written and crafted work of
contemporary poetry. Mr. Harm is a promising talent in his field." Read the whole article Overcoming Addiction, Living a
Dream.
Tom Osborne, US Congressman and former University of Nebraska football coach wrote, "Your book sounds quite
interesting. I commend you on your willingness and courage to share details of your situation with others. I also appreciate
your efforts to help people understand the ramifications of substance addiction. Like you, I am deeply concerned about the
alcohol problem facing the United States, particularly underage drinking among our young children. It is devastating that in
many cases it takes the loss of life for some to recognize the severity of the problems associated with alcohol abuse. As a
society, we can no longer have a complacent attitude towards underage drinking if we want to stop the increased risk of
harm that lasts well beyond our youth's adolescent years. As parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors, we owe it to
our youth and the communities in which we live to tackle these problems before they worsen."
| My first published poem is included in Damaged Merchandise. |
| Personalized autographed books are now available... write your message in the instruction box when ordering $12.00 per book |
| Creating Dreams presents... Damaged Merchandise poems and stories of an alcoholic addict |
| At this time, Damaged Merchandise is no longer in print Re-release of this book is planned in the near future... until then The best way to order this book right now is through the Authographed link Order your copy today!!! |
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Damaged Merchandise is a book about hope and
dreams. Even those lost in an alcoholic or drug induce
haze, have dreams. They were just lost or "damaged"
due to the abuse. With sobriety, came the knowledge
that I needed to live in the real world. Still, with reality
it was OK to dream. And with reality, I achieved goals,
which I hoped would make my dreams come true!
Damaged Merchandise is the story of dreams coming
true, while living in the real world.
dreams. Even those lost in an alcoholic or drug induce
haze, have dreams. They were just lost or "damaged"
due to the abuse. With sobriety, came the knowledge
that I needed to live in the real world. Still, with reality
it was OK to dream. And with reality, I achieved goals,
which I hoped would make my dreams come true!
Damaged Merchandise is the story of dreams coming
true, while living in the real world.
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The beginning of Chapter 2 entitled Abuse...
It wasn't to long ago, in our history, that abuse was easy to define. Someone
who was physically beaten was indeed abused. But, it did not involve
children. Some kids needed to be beaten, to help "straighten them out."
Spouses were an OK target to physically punish, as the law did little to help
them, believing the couple was married and it was a private matter. As years
went by, our understanding of abuse changed. Children did not have to be a
target for their parents. Spouses were also protected.
From the story Rational Desolation...
Damn! I hate the day and I pray for the night. I hope it comes soon. I don't
want to fight. People don't bother me, my parents don't scare me, my
brothers and my friends don't know me.... more of this story on page 77
It wasn't to long ago, in our history, that abuse was easy to define. Someone
who was physically beaten was indeed abused. But, it did not involve
children. Some kids needed to be beaten, to help "straighten them out."
Spouses were an OK target to physically punish, as the law did little to help
them, believing the couple was married and it was a private matter. As years
went by, our understanding of abuse changed. Children did not have to be a
target for their parents. Spouses were also protected.
From the story Rational Desolation...
Damn! I hate the day and I pray for the night. I hope it comes soon. I don't
want to fight. People don't bother me, my parents don't scare me, my
brothers and my friends don't know me.... more of this story on page 77