Filter

oh how I wish
I could turn off
the harsh filter
that evaluates
every word
every thought
every intent
so that I can just
release these dreams
to be as they are
not as the inner
critic expects them
to be

doctor
doctor
surely there is
a miracle cure for
this disease
that leaves scratches
on the back of the paper
crumpled up and tossed
into the bin
yes
indeed there is
but you aren’t going to
like it

the only remedy
for bypassing the filter
is to wear it out
you’ve got to
keep writing
keep typing
keep searching for that
sense
of nonsense
that makes even your harshest
critic
smile
laugh
or sigh
with exhaustion