It seems like it was only eleven short months ago that I wrapped up my last verse of the year. Now here we are again. Softly, gently, we find ourselves wrapped in the sweet warmth of the dream, knowing all the time… the nightmare of writer’s block lurks somewhere up ahead. But that is a problem for another day. Without further delay my season opener.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

I’ve come so far, so very far,

From where I’d thought to stop.

And I’ll go on, much farther on,

Ere in my grave I flop.

For what I’d thought my limits were,

Were only what I’d thought.

Each roadblock I placed in my way,

A foe which I have fought.

The greatest enemy I’ve found,

Lived only in my mind.

The hardest ones to beat are those,

Which within us we find.

The voices in my head so loud,

The truth I cannot hear.

They gibber, shriek or whisper low,

‘Til there is nought but fear.

Yet there were those whose love reached through,

To find me lost within.

Their love so strong, gave strength to me,

My healing to begin.

Now it’s my turn, I’m reaching out,

To share this truth with you.

That voice inside which runs you down,

I swear it is not true.

It’s every bad thing you’ve been told,

All tucked away inside.

They sit and gather darkness there,

In your mind where they hide.

They gibber, shriek and whisper there,

And spread like some dark stain.

When they keep you from what you love,

They revel in your pain.

But you are not just what they say,

You’re so much more I swear.

And you can be much more than that,

Be anything you dare.

I know because I’ve heard them too,

They’re there inside of me.

Now I have come so far my friend,

I’m choosing who I’ll be.

So heed them not, heed me instead,

Let this truth set you free.

Just know that who you truly are,

Is all you need to be.

Cheers, Winston