Thinking Out Loud - June 22 2021

 

Thinking Out Loud

June 22 2021

Sometimes, you think out loud.

Something crude, uncut

off-the-cuff.

But mostly, fume grumpily

bite your tongue

mutter under your breath.

But incessantly, this dialogue in your head.

A small talkative homunculus

piping up

with smug opinions

and unwanted advice;

a running commentary

on your own pathetic life,

the outrageous behaviour

of all of the others.

Who curses and cusses

and never shuts up.

Has no hesitation

about political correctness,

and quickly forgets

contradicting himself.

Is this

the unedited you?

Your true voice

and inner curmudgeon?

Or some unhinged visitor

who won't dummy up

you've forbearingly indulged?

Unlike your real self,

who is a gentleman and scholar

and graciously tolerant

no matter how provoked,

engaged in detached and objective

dialogue and reflection

elegantly expressed.

All politically correct, of course,

free 

of unworthy intent

and generous beyond reproach.

If only silence were the default.

No inner voice,

and no devil or angel

perched on each shoulder

fighting their civil wars.

The thoughts in your head

wisely kept to yourself.