Pep Talks to Myself in the Imperative

(This is the first in a series of poems I wrote as a way of reflecting on Roman's 12, with the scripture as the last line. It's an experiment, so bare with me.)

Finish the thought,

lean-in and listen.

Scrunch your eyes

chew your lip.

Drink your coffee.

Risk the straight word,

yourself: angry or sad,

laugh and ignore

the heavy brow

disapproving eavesdroppers.

Reflect and return

with penance or prayer.

Be honest. Think long.

Be careful, when you can.

Let your love
be genuine.