A Writing Journey

What if I gave myself permission to 

Say the mean things I never do.

Spout out the words that enter my mind,

Shout at the one who is being unkind.

To say to the jerk, “Why be an asshole?

Instead be gentle and soothe your soul.”

To call out the bully who is putting me down,

And tell her she looks so bad in that gown.

To let the dark sarcasm ooze out of my pores,

Until it bites hungrily at open sores.

What if I did not hold back that voice in my head?

What if I let out the ugliness instead?

Would it make me feel lighter, content, more at peace?

Unclutter my inner chatter or make it cease?

Maybe I would finally become who I am, 

The image of me revealed as a sham.

But that is not the person I want to be,

She is not the one who is authentically me.

What if I just gave myself permission to

Say beautiful things that I never do.

To say to a friend that she brings light to my life

And helps me see goodness within the strife.

To compliment the stranger for holding the door,

Who struggles with a rage and inner uproar.

I know the kind words are the ones that will win,

The mean ones only make my mind spin.

When I am tempted to say things that are dark,

I remember that words leave a black mark.

I must plant kindness and sow joy in my near midst,

And put down my anger and my fighting fist. 

It is better to love with free abandon, 

Than to hate with hostility, entirely random.

I give myself permission to choose my own way,

Each moment revealing why I must stay

Unapologetically myself, genuine in heart and soul,

Strong, steady, and fully whole.