You hang with questionable companions:
    loneliness,
    suspicion,
    fear,
    anger,
    hurt…
Why cultivate such company?
With these kinds of friends,
who needs enemies?

Say, then,
"I've lost interest in you.
I have a life to live,
and you're taking up
too much time and energy.
Buh-bye, now."

Without your focus
(on which they feed like half-starved dogs)
they leave.
Watch them exit your back door,
kicking up dust as they shamble off.

Now hang out with your Self.
Sit with the quiet, dignified beauty
of you–
simple and spacious and free.

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.