the Mystic says to reenvision my life story
to purge the inessential elements
and exorcise old ghosts
this, just days before the Healer
reminds me that old stories
are just old stories
are just old stories
old stories that say
“we don’t have room for you”
right now, anymore, again
“for reasons of space and other limitations
that have nothing to do with your merits”
nothing to do with you
right now, anymore, again
“but thank you for your interest”
so when a friend says she is
taking the YES steps
all I can see is the
surgically precise removal
of my bloodied ego,
its clots and cartilage
forming bitter words on a page
that I’ll turn into kindling soon,
remind myself that forgiveness
and an open heart
(healing and self-love)
sometimes mean
putting down those old stories
and walking away
leaving them to fend for themselves
deep in the dark woods of the past
their smoldering incense
wrapping around
my wicked incantations
while I dance in the freedom
of letting go…YES!
Poem ©2025 Jen Payne. NaPoWriMo, National Poetry Writing Month. If you like this poem, you can read similar in my books and zines, available from Three Chairs Publishing on my ETSY SHOP. They come autographed, with gratitude and a small gift.
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