The How

You can be

one mean bastard --

I didn’t teach you that.

Either you got it

before we met

or it’s fixed in your veins.

Since there’s no way

to prove it,

it’s up to you.

Before you choose,

allow fear

no safe haven.

Sit down and breathe,

long enough to drown the din

with heart-breaking silence.

Or sweat it out:

Splitting wood at subzero

or sitting with addicts in detox.

~ ~ ~

The How is always

more important

than the What.

~ ~ ~

No decision

stays longer than

its own moment.

It is time to choose.

It was time yesterday.

It will be time tomorrow.

That is the unfortunate

nature of this animal,

of your animal.

Deep of your veins

or something you can slough off,

you will have to decide.

Each morning anew.

(cc) Karen G. Johnston