Cross Training — What If? Revolutionary Blogging Free Verse Poem

What If? Cross Training–

You know the way
we have coaches to help us
when we work out
or diet
or do physical activities?

“Just five more reps!”
“Come on, you got this!”
“Looking good!”
“Only a few miles more!”
“The view is worth it!”
“You feel better about yourself
when you feel better!”
“You don’t need that cookie!”

And when we post
And boast
about our weight loss,
on Facebook,
or we show
a photo
of us,
everybody tells us
how FABULOUS! we are.
“Congratulations!”
“Lookin’ good!”
“Wow! What a stunner!”

Is that all I am to you?
My body?
A piece of firm
(or not)
meat?

What about the rest of me?
The who I am?
What if we supported each other like that
with everything?

Intellectual: “You’re reading Walden??
Whoa! DEEP STUFF!
“Come on, just one more chapter!
You got this!”
“Finish him up,
Then move to Whitman!”
Trailing clouds of glory! That’s YOU”
“You know you want it! Go get it!”

Creative: “That song you wrote?
I listened.
It’s awesome!”
“A poem a day?!
You’re amazing!
I want a sonnet for me!”
“Your words flow!
“Just try one more!
You can do this!”

Interpersonal: “I know you don’t
agree with them.
Kill “em with kindness!”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.
Let’s work together on this.
You’re so good at this!”
“You can change the world!”
“Baby steps!”

Professional: “You finished three spreadsheets?
AND the business plan!?!
How do you do it?!”
“I know you’re Smart enough!”
“You can do it!”
“Just one more hour on this project. YEAH!!”
“You’ll have it locked down!”

Spiritual: “You visited three families this month?
And helped them?!
You’re a role model!”
“Let’s get after that reading and meditation.
You’re doing a half hour?
Push it. Push it. PUSH IT!!
Go for an hour.
You got it! you got it!
One more verse!
One more prayer!
Feel the love! Feel it! feel it!”

Natural: You watched Jupiter and Venus collide? You ROCK!
“I’ve never seen the moon until you showed me
the way it can be.
You’ve opened up the heavens to me.
You’ve uncovered fields of flowers for me.
I never SAW until you showed me your vision!
Keep doing that.”

“Come on! You know you got this.
Push it! Push it harder!
See yourself showing others! ENVISION!
Open up the world!”

And on and on and on we could.
If we would.

If we’re not going to be satisfied with ourselves,
and each other, physically,
why should we settle for being
“just good enough”
in ANY other area?

Push me. Come on!
I can take it.

Just don’t just tell me
I’m overweight.

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What IS My Job? Revolutionary Blogging Free Verse

People ask “What do you do?”
As I ponder,
I think of life stories.

I read a young girl’s poem
and move her family to tears.
I take a husband’s writing
and change his wife’s life.
I reformat a grandma’s funny ditty
and create a “What is a Grandparent” model.
I list “things to do at the Lake”
and make an old man weep.
I dance, top down, music up
and bring smiles to weary travelers.
I comment on a friend’s lament
and remind her of a brush with greatness.
I edit a colleague’s cultural rebuttal
and give her courage to share her voice.
I argue, gently, with my daughter
and uplift and inspire others who suffer.
I take people on walks and floats and rides
and make them see what they’ve been blind to.
I express my feelings and observations
and invite others to relish the Spirit.
I see how people write and draw and express
and let them say “WOW! I did THAT!?!?!”

I, I, I and I see
with eyes
others haven’t yet opened
and give them strength
and insight
and courage
and power
to change the world.

Be An Example: Revolutionary ImproVerse Haiku

I’m afraid her death/
will encourage others to/
follow her dark path.

We Don’t Criticize Falling: Revolutionary ImproVerse Haiku

When we guide our kids/
as they learn to walk, we don’t/
criticize their falls.

Altruistic Hand Extension: Revolutionary IMprov Poem

My helping hand has always been extended
(unlike others, who frequently intended
to reach out to you for their own gain).
My purposes have always been the same:

To support and uplift you
where I could;
To encourage you onward
to your greatest good.