When Mind
Displaces the Heart
Which Objects
to the Ego
that Argues with
the Soul
Eventually Calling
Upon the Spirit
to Lead
i
I try not to let my mind
do all the thinking for me.
He’s too full of himself;
everything goes to his head.
He likes to push me around
taking the lead at every turn.
He goes around judging
everybody and everything
in a kind of unforgiving light
usually reserved for uncomfortable
public spaces like an HR Block
or a dental clinic. In fact,
he’s the reason I turned to prayer.
I pray to be free of his controlling
nature as he likes nothing better
than to come to harsh conclusions
about me that however insightful,
always feel heartless. He has no
fear of offending me or anyone
else with his obnoxious know-it-all
mindset and alpha-male tendencies.
He is Michelangelo’s The Thinker
as Little Lord Hog-it-All.
ii
My heart is a twelve year old girl.
She loves easily and is pre-
naturally self-conscious.
She’s sensitive and kind
and never ever wants
others to feel uncomfortable.
She feels she is pretty
though not pretty enough.
She loves making things,
cooking, decorating, planting,
anything to do with art.
Dancing, singing, painting,
anything that allows her
to express her love for life.
She adores animals and
basically sees the world as
a gigantic unfolding flower.
She loves to imagine things and
when they’re scary she
screams, when they’re
happy she laughs, and when sad,
she cries out with everything in her.
She lives in a constant state of astonishment.
Oh, and hairy legs make her blush.
iii
My ego is on his last legs.
Has been since sustaining
several injuries in his teens.
Puberty destroyed his Eden
and turned it into a hell.
Before that he was a child star
(in his own mind) craving the spotlight.
Everything happens to him
or at least that’s how he sees
things. Like David Copperfield
he was convinced early on
that he was to be the hero
of his own life. Trouble was
he suffered a breakdown
after a falling out with his
insensitivity to the feelings
or lack of feelings of others.
Determined to be a success
he ran away from home sev-
ering any ties that bound him
to the perception of himself
that did not jive with the
image of his own self worth.
iv
My soul is in the medical profession.
He is very old school. Instead of Doctor,
he prefers Alchemist. He believes
in remedies, particularly holistic ones
and has been writing everything
that happens down in a book
so as to be clear on what and why
he is who he is. He wants more than
anything to connect with others
but knows that his aloneness is
necessary to his own evolution.
He loves rain and wandering
unfamiliar streets where he has
been known to weep at the sight
of houses simply lit up by the life within.
He longs for a mate but refuses
to let that be any requirement
for his happiness.
He exists in a constant state of
bewilderment because in
every moment he is aware that
this may be goodbye.
iiv
My spirit is the personification of Spring.
It has no sexual assignation though
it loves nothing more than joining in
when things get interesting.
Excitable, fun-loving, easily moved
to tears.
Nature is it’s favorite abode.
It loves the mountains and sunny climbs.
It loves to smile and is eager to enjoy
the smiles of others. It wants the best
for everyone. It loves gatherings
and two glasses of Shiraz wine
at the end of the day or before
things get interesting.
Its a gift giver, a cake baker,
and likes to dress up.
It sees theatre, movies, and church
in the same light.
It loves candles.
v
You may be wondering who exactly is
making the above observations.
When the going gets tough,
who is it that best takes the lead?
When problems or troubles arise
which parts of ourselves hold the most sway?
When Mind displaces the Heart
which objects to the Ego
that argues with the Soul
eventually calling upon Spirit
to lead…I take a breath,
close my eyes, and...
destroy myself that I might live.
3/01/22
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1 comment:
Peter, this is another beautiful and captivating poem! Everything is crystal clear. I love how you have brought to life and given very distinct personas to all of the intangible elements within ourselves that comprise who we are. Each was so stupendously defined and transparent! Also, the rich and colorful smorgasbord of stories, thoughts, and emotions that were bred from each distinct persona, created an evolution of exciting, adventurous, heartwarming, heartbreaking, bitter, bittersweet, creative, harsh, traumatic, dramatic, courageous and loving experiences, that are juxtaposed, riveting at times and most definitely, thought provoking. As a result, along the way, doubt and despair can surface and cast a suffocating and debilitating shadow on life itself. To divert this, the remedy lies in the heart, which is the passageway to the spirit, our ultimate guide. The spirit is forever nonjudgmental and impartially compassionate, and has the ability to lead each of us to life experiences beyond our wildest comprehensions. The process, albeit challenging at times, is not complicated. When at a crossroads in life, “breath”, listen to the heart, trust the heart, and surrender, totally, allowing the spirit to take the reigns and drive, which, is when the rich and infinite essence of life truly begins. Trust. Another beautiful, profound and insightful poem, Peter! Keep up the good work and please continue to share your gifts! BRAVO !👏✍️
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