Self doubt and
self criticism
are tough to kick.

As bad as any
addiction, perhaps
worse than most.

A scenario
we created
out of habit.

An inheritance
we should have sent
back to sender.

Too much time
traveling down
the wrong roads.

Giving power away
at bargain
basement prices.

Not too late
to change paths
for the sake

of your body,
soul and
sanity.

Resist the
temptation to
expect less.

It’s your turn
to care
for you.

Realize most people
never understand
you anyway.

Those gifted in
stirring up second
thoughts and doubts.

Especially those
who live their lives
according to tradition

and looked down upon
those with different
expectations.

The pre-judjudgers
who Serling identified
in “Twilight Zone.”

The folks who never
question system, throw
stones at challengers.

Fear not, rise up
and cast your own
shadows on this earth.

If not
you then
who?

 

Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. Janet prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers. A lot. Her column appears weekly on Oddball Magazine.