Chariot
Grab the reins, choose the direction
Welcome, and a warm first hello to the newcomers. Thank you for joining today.
The Chariot in tarot represents self-discipline and measured action. When this card shows up, it’s a reminder to direct the situation from within, to maintain an internal locus of control.
Background music: The Lizzy Co Show, “Chariot”
Warming
When the weather is unpredictable, sunshine on the body is a gift
I’m ready for the warming to begin,
The days of sunsets coming low and late,
The season I can show a little skin.
The wind against my body feels so great.
Winter lasts forever in New England,
The girls ‘round here spend most days bundled up.
When it’s warm enough to let fresh air in,
Throw open windows wide and fill your cup.
The summer means it’s flowing sundress time,
New Englanders are not made for the heat.
A bead of sweat trails gently down my spine,
I ponder what we do when we first meet.
A winter bird has feathers that are thick,
A little sunshine ought to do the trick.
Freestyle: 3/5/24, 6:01-6:05pm
When a narcissist comes around, throw a sheet over your head and ghost
Get on my level,
Get yourself the fuck together.
I got sick of treading water,
Lost it when I lost my father,
Other folks’ complaining doesn’t move me anymore.
All I want to hear is if you’re looking for the open door.
It’s criminal,
Keeping a human life imprisoned
With what-ifs and could-haves and should-have-beens,
Sinners can be redeemed,
But only through finding their self-esteem.
Nobody rails against a system that keeps them well,
Keeps them healthy,
So listen fellas,
If you find yourself
Having to yell to get your needs met,
Best hit the bricks or start to throw them.
Educate yourself, get to know your enemy.
Every experience is a lesson and a trick.
To sift between the two is a rare gift.
Freestyle: 3/6/24, 1:53-1:58pm
The weight of being alive is lighter than the dirt of the grave
I see you there,
One who is struggling.
Feeling the pushing and pulling and tugging,
The weight of being alive,
The ball and chain of staying in the day,
Not retreating to the night.
I see you sweating,
Trying to get it right,
Doing your best to keep your side of the street clean,
Making real efforts to follow your dream,
Keeping it tight,
Finding the style that focuses
The prism of your light
Into a laser,
Something so powerful,
Something amazing,
Nothing could ever prepare you.
All you can do
Is continue to grow in awareness,
Keep being caring.
Lasers are miracles, it’s true,
And so are you.
Freestyle: 3/7/24, 2:49-2:55pm
Boundaries are a gorgeous tropical island
Nobody gets to fuck with me,
Hope you feel the same.
I’ve got some robust boundaries,
Keep my enemies tame,
Never be playing their game,
Always remembering my own name.
It’s a shame,
When people need to interact by bringing others down,
Sure, there’s fame to be found
In the perfect takedown,
Callout,
But how
Are we supposed to learn and grow if we can’t make mistakes?
Guess now
We have to show some empathy instead of placing blame.
It’s a waste of time
To deny that everyone is trying their hardest.
We have no right
To judge others if we lack the fullest context,
Which we never can have,
So it’s best we let it rest.
Let’s stop putting everybody through these motherfucking tests,
Let’s focus on ourselves and feeling our best.
Let’s stay blessed.
Power Differential
The one who stays silent the longest learns the most
When I arrive at choices to be made,
When forks appear before me in the road,
I’ve learned to take a beat, evaluate,
To wait and listen to the things I’m told.
I’ve learned to look for details that I missed,
To read the introduction to the book.
It’s worth the effort to resist the kiss,
When all you really needed was a look.
When mealtime comes, don’t settle for a snack,
You come to play, and babe, you know the game.
If they fucked up your order, send it back.
No other people’s mistakes on your name.
I only deal with equals, can’t you see?
No power differential here for me.
Freestyle, 3/8/24, 2:58-3:03am
Push and pull wears a rut over time
When the door will not push open,
I try pulling toward me.
That’s called empathy.
It takes different muscles
Than pushing and hustling,
Pulling means learning how to be loving
Toward the people I want to burn.
It means being the best of myself,
Not what they’ve earned.
Don’t get me wrong,
I don’t throw good money after bad.
Boundaries are important,
Best remember that fact.
But everyone is always doing their best,
Even the monsters.
It doesn’t do me any good at all
To put others through tests.
Either love em or leave em,
No need to pick em apart.
Better pull the door open
And lead with your heart.
Freestyle: 3/8/24, 3:19-3:22am
Sober living is a pretty good hang if you let it be
My strength is inexhaustible,
It’s impossible to wear me out.
I might have to take a beat,
Take a long rest,
But that’s a game mechanic,
Not a human weakness.
Strength only comes to bodies
That show they’ll give it a good home,
Use it to help and not harm.
Strength will thicken your arms
And your resolve,
Make you a star,
Give you a call when you’re lonely.
It lives inside you,
It’s viral,
It’s multiplying,
It’s going everywhere.
Look at how all of your cares are burning away.
You’re not afraid anymore.
You’re going to be ok.
Offer Your Hand
Forced volunteerism is no charity at all
In years of therapy, one thing I learned,
Which helps me take things one day at a time:
My precious eyes and effort should be earned,
Not taken from me, please let me assign
My love, my feelings, thoughts and wants and needs,
The beautiful creations that I make,
To those who gift me with their kindness, free,
An offering, a safe house by a lake,
I’ll do a favor any time, but if
It’s posed as a demand without a choice,
It stops being a lovely human gift,
And I begin to see a cobra poised.
There are so many creatures in this land.
Be careful which ones you offer your hand.
Thank you for joining the show! If you have a story about a time you took control of your own life, I’d love to hear it in the comments!
All my best,
I like these.
You a friend of Bill W.?
I've been one 12 years.
There's so much strength in your poetry. <3