Tell It What to Say

Late at night when sleep won’t come

and my mind insists on chattering, 

I’ve begun to tell it what to say

so why not make it flattering?

On the big black screen behind my eyes

a parade of words goes by,

like Confidence for my ideas

and Courage so my heart will try,

Gratitude for all I’ve received,

Acceptance for what may leave,

Forgiveness for those who lash out in pain,

and Empathy for those who grieve.

All the feelings I may need 

as night turns into day,

I feed my mind so if it must talk

I’ll tell it what to say.

Ken Owen

Van Niddy Press,  November 2019