TALKING TO MYSELF

By John Herlihy

When I talk to myself, I need not dig too deep;

I am a devoted listener, my own words to keep.

When talking with others, I hold myself at bay,

Cautious, careful, reticent about what I may say.

My words may be taken away from me on the run,

Sly listeners with frivolous ideas, everything a pun.

Who isn’t hesitant about what they say to others,

Spoken either to perfect strangers or close brothers.

The last thing we ever want is to be misunderstood;

Small wonder my words sound as if wearing a hood.

Even when we profess to others to be perfectly frank;

Our honesty might fall flat, no one but myself to thank.

Ah, but when I am alone within the solitude of myself.

Comfortably at ease in my own silence like a fairy elf.

Who is there to listen to but the surety of my own voice?

Who can I fully trust for advice to make the right choice?

I always keep steady my own good feelings to restore;

My own persuasion streams thru me as never before.

Often, I am as stiff and firm with myself as an old hinge;

I can be light and airy, full of happiness as if on a binge.

I comfort myself through sorrows with endearing words;

I chastise myself when I say things that are for the birds.

If cowardly, I speak words of strength to make me brave

When at fault, I mumble quietly prayers intended to save.

As I say, there are certain things I never speak to anyone else;

I hold my own counsel and keep my finger on my own pulse.

Surely, everyone does the same and listens to their own voice;

Old silences are broken with a human voice designed to rejoice.

My inner voice serves as first conscience, second heart, third eye;

This voice the clear mirror of an inner world that will never lie.