A WRINKLE, IN TIME

Habits are like wrinkles.

Some, like our parents’ values, 

are permanently pressed into us.

But others fall from the fabric of our psyche naturally 

once we experience the gravity of life’s lessons.

Some of the good ones may just need

 a “What was I thinking!” shake or two 

--friendly reminders--and we’re ready to go.

Some, like a blouse stuffed in a suitcase,

may need a timely touch up of self talk. 

Some, like a new dress shirt propped up 

with pins and plastic and cardboard, 

need to go through a quick wash of mindfulness.

Then of course, there are some--the bad ones-- 

that are so stubborn that we have to iron them out.

One, like a wrinkle, in time may smooth out by itself,

--yet there are some that require galactic TLC.

They respond only to the heat of self discipline, 

the thus-far-and-no-further pressure of resolve, 

and perhaps the steam of some fervent emotion!

Whatever the case, once we tend to our wrinkles, 

the garment of who we are looks fresh and crisp

and we get that lovely well-put-together feeling 

when we look in the mirror of self-reflection.