Questioning the Critical Mind


Questioning the Critical Mind

Allowing creatives free-flowing spirit go

Photo by Luiz Guimaraes on Unsplash

Take up the mighty pen, dear one; I am here
to push aside, skeptical voices filling head
unbound falsifying documents leading masses,
angels and demons creating storybook fashion
centuries told, held tightly within the fables
mind games fey trickery as if setting out
in search of golden fleece believed to be rammed down
another’s throat, landing amidst stars becoming Aries,
doubting Thomas returning home ventromedial
prefrontal cortex or wherever the shit-storm exists,
quite possibly most taxing general in mind,
Captain incredulous failed attempts at taking charge.

Battlefield of the Mind skeptic versus true believers
ancient tongue spoken thus, still not grasping
illusory acts, forbidden truths, infinite possibilities
rhetorical questions answering antagonists’
last word caught in a vice, lock-jaw clicking
of the mandibular joint rolled so tight,
forcing a really big hit; breathing out
letting go of everything once thought;
Prometheus sent back to Caucus mount
for setting ablaze California’s wildfire nightmarish charm
closing the box to Pandora and jumping jack flash
spinning according to Horatius immortal.

Fear not speaks whispered wisp upon the drums
beating to different tunes, optimistic unquestionable
undeniable truism coursing through the circulatory’s system
free-flowing blood-like ancient guidance from that unspoken
spiritual being, omnipresent unforeseen yesterday’s scoop,
forgotten history no longer gospel of any sentient foretold,
spoken word, not by lips of flesh and centuries-old precept;
declaration of independence, self-realization of another withholding
no longer the case, tied to ribbons around the sacred tree
intertwining, before beginning’s time and the ending’s near,
quondam, being last chapter’s story-line, rewritten great
author giving birth to self-declaration of I Am Here.

~Ani Po


Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

For this piece, I had to sit with it for a long time, allowing both hemispheres to collaborate on how this would play out. After much discernment, pondering here, the wheels began to spin. Being true to the title of this hopefully snappy tune, unleashing creative genius to bend critical thinker’s mind-blowing exorcism and beheading truths.

I was asked to give a dialogue or explanatory verse, but true to the word and purpose of knowing oneself, I am leaving it in the hands of the reader’s interpretation and dissecting critical minds of one another. Releasing and firing of new brain encapsulated neurons.

Thank you as always Diana C. for Day 27 of 30-day Poetry Challenge and for allowing me to ramble.


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Heed the Message Behind the Feeling


Heed the Message Behind the Feeling

Remaining resolute, taking a warrior’s stance in life

Photo by Xuan Nguyen on Unsplash

Into the bowel of hell’s entryway, thickened tar lingering in airs not-so-cooling winds, cramping, buckling over at day’s opening song. Tension standing off in corner’s edge, badgered claws ready for piercing thews.

Differing from a clouded haze, once before, eyes glossing over from previous encounters with vampires and demons sucking every last drop of wine and energetic fluids heeding life’s answering mysterious skirmish bidding of front-line look to future’s hold. Deep breath, fuck it, we are commanding peace and collaboration, entering lion’s den with no aid from Daniel, the lion tamer.

Lacking protection from smacking whips or chairs taunting lioness’ mane, stepping into self-reconciliation afterward facing enemies secondary glimpse of what may come of day. All eyes on the self-proclaiming warrior, villains were seeking ways to trip, hand on the magic button, setting off atomic bombs-failing attempts at taking life.

Heroes journey inward gaze, inner peace outwardly scattering throughout the fields; planted seeds, on fertile and non-alike, waiting for the bounty of harvest and champion’s wishful thinking. Knowingly and full-on-recognition of blood-curdling screams silently slicing at the jugular and vital units.

Straight into battle, front-line access to the self-awakened reward, head spinning from a vibratory mismatch of altering frequencies and rip-roaring charges by the others, trooper dropping in. Challenge accepted vial and vagrant beings attacking random bystanders, the twinkle of the whole bloody universe emanating from the intensified gaze.

Transient management or life-altering occasional sharpening sacred sword of truth, matters not but whispering smiles of ten thousand riding equestrians with blades sheathed like none before. Galloping pace, hooves never touching the ground, dumbfounded and stunned are they, never before seen on T.V.

This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, coliseums applauding at gladiator’s triumphant risk taking down the beast without ever shielding and sword. Breathing yet again lifetimes of ancestral beatings, healing traumatic wavering potent at ease as if all of the zodiac housing in the tenth.

Not for the faint of heart, ignorant to jack and beam’s drowning, through own self-dismemberment, all tools were at hand. Never stood a chance, never have they seen it coming, never would they believe it was all their own doing. It is done. The Weaver spinning entangled webs, inescapable-they never had a chance.

~ Ani Po


Photo by Flash Dantz on Unsplash

It began with a single prompt, Day 28 of a 30-day challenge, then an apparent contradiction appeared as a one, followed by inspiring two. I intended on sitting with them and allowing one or two to jump forward, but then a web of sorts swallowed them whole. Weaving them all into one, finishing with an entangled web.

Thank you, Diana C. and J.D. Harms, for continued inspiration and keeping a space for me at the table. Here are the original prompts if you wish…


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash