The glorious Roman Empire
Was not built in a day
But took years, and decades
Centuries
To put forth its great display
The roads, the temples, the Colosseum
Took ages to construct
Just like the behavior, ideals, ideas
That make us who we are
The glorious Roman Empire
Was not built in a day
But they were laying bricks by the hour,
Or so the playwrights say
And so it is with our addictions, habits, all our woes
Our spiritual maladies are constructs all our own
And they did not come, suddenly
Like a thief comes in the night
But were formed, with great care and fortitude
Our weakness molded over time
So, as the snail must travel,
Trudge through mud and rain
So also we must trek
Through our despondency and pain
For in the end, as slow and hard
As the journey well might be
Recovery is not a sprint
But a travailing
But eventually, through perseverance
And pushing through the slow
The faithful snail will find his way
To a place it can call home
And so it is with us, the outcasts, sick and lame
Who crawl through uncaring crowds, on roads of guilt and shame
But if we can push through the muck, and make it to our own
In the fellowship of the spirit we will realize
That we’ve never been alone
So little snail, there where you are
Take comfort in the thought
That tonight there is another
Fighting fear and doubt
And, even though the darkness clouds
And you feel all on your own
This one thing you must know
I was also where you are
You don’t have to search alone
Just make your way, at your own pace
As we patiently await your coming home
And remember Life is not a sprint, but a marathon
And it’s not about how fast you run, but rather not to run alone
Andre Darius Labuschagne is a poet, musician, and pastor from Johannesburg, South Africa. He is currently involved with various church movements – and his theological and philosophical beliefs are reflected in his poems. A recovering drug addict, his poetry also explores themes of mental illness, substance abuse, finding God, and the process of growing towards completeness. He is currently the pastoral counsellor at Lethlabile Halfway House, and hopes to help many overcome their battles with mental health and substance abuse issues.