inner voices

two inner voices arguing 

one is a combination of all 

the angry words of others 

internalized and weaponized 

two is a seed

insistent on the ability 

the need 

to grow

one tells a story 

of someone who has failed 

two softly responds 

that breathing is success 

one refuses to see 

two won't look away 

when one is louder 

more forceful 

life is a slog through 

body weighted, being pulled 

down 

on occasion two takes over 

and lets the smells 

of autumn leaves 

of moss and dirt 

restore, remind 

that growing things 

need mud 

to thrive