internalized 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, the urge to grow

one tells a story

of someone who has failed

two softly responds

that breathing is success

one refuses to see

the other won't look away

when one is louder and forceful

life is a slog through

body weighted, pulled

down

on the occasion two takes over

and lets the smells

of autumn leaves and moss and dirt

restore and remind

that growing things need mud

to thrive