Internal Family Systems

wooden chairs ring a darkened room,   

the one light above touches all:     

a suited man, with graphs and charts    

sweating under folders piled high 

faces me with a bloodshot stare –

begs for attention I won’t give.

a shadowed figure looms wraithlike

his eyes a void our glances share

he stands and gestures to his chair.

a tiger slinks with one open eye

her striped flanks ripple, her claws bared

lightning passion ready to strike.

a beauty bends to brush her hair

tendrils of it release and fall

shining face captivating all.

three standing sisters link their arms

chanting of Guilt, Regret, and Shame

a fourth rests her head in her hands,

wet with a constant spill of tears.

in her lap the wolf of howling grief

becomes so loud, entranced, insane –

if they could only let me live!

but to my right rests Kanzeon,

half wise elder and half fae bride,

veils to her waist, warm at my side.

so when anxiety explains

every little thing I lack –

and when the spectre measures time,

taps his wristwatch, keeping track –

her slow calming hand touches mine

she slips her arm around my back.

Kannon, what will become of me?

what of my life? will I be okay?

and she whispers, it is and will be.

and I whisper back, as you say.