Meeting

Grab a chair,
let’s have a talk,
confront my ego
one on one.

It grabs a smoke
asks for a drink,
then stared at me
eyes did not blink.

I looked right back
straight in the eye,
then smiled so bright
disarmed all fights.

“What do you want?”
Ego’s first words,
so strong and bold
self held control.

I said with ease,
“Let’s call a truce,
let’s work as one,
share balanced views.
I know you’re scared
way deep inside,
both fear and grief
make self-doubt hide.
You protect me,
supply my pride,
yet I’m your key
and purest guide.”

Ego replies,
so slick and sly,
” You’re my ally,
do not judge me,
within my eyes
lives all you see.
You’re in my chest,
speaking my truth,
giving me rest,
easing my blues.
You’re in my smile
and in my charm,
you give me warmth
keep me from harm.”

A blurry mirror
then showed me,
the ego side
I failed to see.

To accept it
set us both free,
to love ourselves
through all degrees.

United to find harmony
and figure out how to agree.
We slowly built comradery
resolving conflicts peacefully.

Knowing our capabilities,
we partnered up infinitely.
Loving ourselves entirely,
helps us spread more love outwardly.

– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy

July 6, 2021 60

Inside Out

Thick stormy clouds control my mind.
The world I see feels so unkind.
Vile ugly acts spread great sorrows,
cracked concrete paths build tomorrow.

Tornadoes swirl my ringing ears,
sweeping my mind, releasing tears,
my heart and pulse quickly increase,
try to obtain some inner- peace.

Rain showers pour upon my head,
I wonder if kindness is dead.
Salted wounds hurt and make me scream,
wishing unjust was just a dream.

Bright rainbow views amaze my eyes,
I feel new hope inside arise.
Faithful wishes are now defined,
hope social change someday aligns.

Sun rays and lights dry off my tears,
warms up my heart, providing cheer.
Blue skies become brighter and clear,
people can grow, progress each year.

My inner thoughts project outside,
I grasp the universe inside.
Pure love can turn wrongs into rights
if everyone tries to unite.

– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy

July 4, 2021 41

Cycle

Hurt people hurt others,
I have often been told.
Invisible bruises
can turn warm into cold.

Inflicting discomforts
gives a false sensed control.
Feeling so empowered
feeding their darkened holes.

They never imagined
life would end up like this,
by hurting another
they fall down an abyss.

One fine day they will see
all the heartaches they caused,
It will grasp from within
forcing them to then pause.

Once the negative stops,
they can find hidden roots.
Exposing their dark past
will leave their ego mute.

As trauma resolves,
newfound peace they will find.
Empathy for others
can make this world feel kind.

– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy

July 3, 2021 35

Cool

Patience is a gift,
made for respect, not abuse.
Test with great caution.

– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy

June 11, 2021 32

Introspective

Flying my kite,
as I search for lost hope.
Hope flies too high,
tug its transparent rope.

Rope made of thorns,
that cuts straight at my hands.
Hands feel so scorned,
as my knowledge expands.

Expands power,
I kept hidden inside.
Inside the tower,
where my energies hide.

Hide the ego,
I refuse to accept.
Accept, light flows,
while dismissing the rest.

The rest fills needs,
in this balancing act.
Acts without greed,
ensures love will attract.

Attract new paths,
opening many roads.
Roads to success,
destinations unfold.

– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy

June 7, 2021 39

Extinguish

Dramatic sounds,
ring through my voice,
shaking around,
removing choice,
makes my head pound,
vibrating noise,
fall to the ground,
losing my poise.

Dramatic views,
blind both my eyes.
Perceptions choose
a hidden lie.
Creating news,
so stories fly,
without a clue
yet still implied.

Dramatic taste,
I thought I craved,
The greatest waste
was all I gave.
Gasoline bastes,
set to enslave.
Living in haste,
digging my grave.

Dramatic touch,
caressing deep.
No longer clutch,
not mine to keep.
Giving too much,
making hills steep.
Calming the rush,
so I can sleep.

Dramatic scents,
that swim inside.
Chaos ferments,
a troubled mind.
Will not consent,
to being kind,
instead prevents,
simply declined.

Dramatic life
abandoned past.
Presented strife,
that did not last.
Turmoil was knifed,
calming it fast.
Peace is now rife,
enjoyed contrast.

– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy

April 15, 2021 6