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.