Weeding My Thoughts to Plant New Seeds

It is wonderful (yet I'll admit a little scary) for me to be able to share something that I have considered so intimate for so long with my readers -- my poetry writing. I have posted 2 other poems on my blog; My "Happy Birthday Poem to Aaron Potts" of "Today is That Day" and the Dual Purpose Meme I Wrote "Jenny from A-Z -- 26 Things you Did Not Know About Me". The next poem is a little more serious and the idea came to me from a dream that I actually remembered (a rarity). I love gardening and working on my self-talk so this poem is a good reminder for me to keep on weeding! I hope you enjoy it and I welcome comments.

Weeding My Thoughts to Plant New Seeds

By Jennifer Mannion 07/08

I am weeding through

my thoughts

negative self talk

ugly words

that spread

as many weeds have

in the unattended

plot of dirt.

The big ones

come away easily

though tiring nonetheless.

It is these little ones

peeking out

now you see them

now you don’t

depending on the sun

rain,

the way the wind is blowing

that day.

I take hold

and pull

fully aware

and present.

They do come out

with effort.

I feel relief

at their release.

Time to plant

good thoughts

the flowers

to replace

the barren dirt

turned up soil

the result of

weeds removed.

Just seeds at first

but I see the picture

on the seed package.

I know they will ultimately

be exquisite.

I can visualize

in my mind’s eye

the awakening

to come

from deep inside.

The Universe provides

all the daily nutrients.

I express gratitude

for the constants.

The sun, water

air needed for survival

so fresh

given abundantly.

I am patient

mostly

as I wait for

new growth.

Anticipating

yet still pulling weeds.

Daily upkeep is necessary

to prevent

the weeds from threatening

impending beauty and

further development.

Finally I can see

they are coming

slowly it seems

at first.

Then suddenly

sprouting faster

than I could have imagined.

The absolute beauty of

the flowers

burst into life

colors, smells

everything feels new

when you look at

existence this way.

I feel the flowers

and myself

vibrating

with aliveness.

I enjoy

the magnificence

while understanding

there is still

work to be done.

Dead-heading

so new growth

can continue.

I give thanks

when I reflect on

the transformation.

The pure energy

and thrill I get

every time

I envision

the old weedy plot

and how far

it has come.

Since I am cognizant

of the weeds

they come less often.

There is less upkeep.

Growth will continue

as long as I am present, thankful.

How could I not be?

Change is

incredibly inspiring.