How to Carve a Poem

Chose a firm
but not hard
clump of words.
Trim off
any wilted words.
Rinse in water
but do not soak.
Check for weak spots.
Slice top
and remove pulp.
Carefully carve out
excess verbage.
Smooth and polish
as needed.
Illuminate from within.

A.H.

What I Wish the Voices in My Head Said

1) Yeah , you tried. That's great.
2) Relax, everything is already okay and always has been.
3) Hooray, you're feeling and healing.
4) There's no need to try too hard.
5) Dare to be mediocre.
6) Try easier.
7) Yippee, you're human.
8) You don't need to worry about that,
9) I know this will all work out.
10) It's always time for chocolate.
11) You're splendidly imperfect.
12) You're so much like other people.
13) Isn't it time for a giggle?

Thanks to sis Danita for inspiring this when we were discussing harsher voices in the head -the berating ones. Be gone! Make way for kinder and gentler.
Gosh darn it -we're good enough.

A.H.
Shush to the voice in my head saying this is a dumb post. Maybe it is - oh well! It's all good. I am alive and my basic needs are well met. Now I must go giggle.

What Gives Me Hope

1) Little Free Libraries
2) finding a forgotten candy in my purse
3) Water ouzels. These birds are now called  Dippers but I prefer water ouzel. They fearlessly dive into mountain streams.
4) new growth on a plant I'd given up on.
5) volunteer (and paid) firefighters.
6) long-married couples who enjoy and appreciate each other.

A.H.

Three Haiku - Looking Outside

The juncos perform
spinning and pirouetting
backyard bird ballet.

Staccato movement
a blurring in black and white
chickadee cha cha.

Light begins to thin
summer being left behind
turning toward fall.

AH. 9-6-15