Those small things that you deny yourself,
The movie, or book,
Night out with friends,
Or bunch of flowers
That you think you don’t deserve.
–
Leading on to more denial,
The kind words you would bestow on a stranger
But wouldn’t consider saying to yourself,
Preferring instead the harshness
Of an inner critic
–
The chances not taken
By the likes of you,
Missed opportunities,
Paths left unwalked,
A life half lived.
–
You can’t deny
You need to lighten up.
Be kind to yourself and
Open up
To the joy in this world.
