Eating Crow


Eating Crow

Knowing when your reality has skewed

Photo by Mark Olsen on Unsplash

By day, the Raven and Hawk joined hands
writing reality into existence
squawk, then screech, disagreement
throwing them in opposite directions.

Feeding on the innocent
devouring the meek and mild
with an unsettling taste in the mouth.

Perched on antagonistic branches of life
seeing the world crumble before them.

Empty is the pit,
deep within the bowels of thought
undigested morsels of pleasantries
uncertainties of Merlin’s creative hold.

By night, a Hooter calls out
a peaceful retort to day-to-day
squandering
illicit accusations fly.

My heart pours outwardly
rejoicing for those knowing
yesterday melting on hot summer’s day
forever holding true
to The Way.

Return of the feathered friends
joining in laughter
recalling the days before
hummingbird ebbs and flows.

~ Ani Po


Timely is this piece, for self and nobody other but true to self-understanding of how we carry ourselves in this broken world of realities.
My observations, having to eat crow or humble pie, as another puts it, allow me to reset my sails in this ever-changing wind called life.

My aim in writing is not about making money or gaining fame but more about helping another rethink their words or actions in their moments moving forward.

I rejoice, especially for those who find their way — footing on this broken ground, but surprisingly I come to another rejoice — of those painstakingly having to eat crow as I have once before, not for personal affirmation, but for feeling how it might sit within our digestive tracks.


Thank you, Literary Impulse, for housing these words and Somsubhra Banerjee for encouraging me to shine.

I leave you with inspiring words by Blondie, “Tonight, make it magnificent.”


Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and, more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash

Self Realizing Thoughts


Self Realizing Thoughts

Because I said so

Photo by Tomáš Vydržal on Unsplash

As we travel through life, following the advice of others and doing whatever everyone asks of us, we lose ourselves. In losing ourselves, we lose our true identity. Our true identity is that voice within, leading us here or there.

Following this voice, we find happiness. Abandoning that voice, we are left in misery. Some are lucky to find it early, and some never find it. We eventually come to a place of decisiveness…hopefully before it is too late. Through decisiveness, we declare I Am Here. As we discussed before, in the theory of Ani Po, Hebrew for I am here, we stand firmly in our own beliefs.

We no longer follow the crowd but carve our path for ourselves. We no longer believe what we’ve heard in the past, only looking to the future. In declaring I am here, our whole psyche and make-up changes. As our thoughts change, our world changes, and this is true. As our world changes, we make it So.

When declaring I am here, we are challenged by others who follow the belief system of the masses, challenging us to return to the false self or maintain course to our true nature. In challenging our thoughts, we are asked how we know things…Humbly we declare, “because I said so.” In these simple words, we adopt a self-declaration of I am here.

Tonight I met a friend for tea. We have learned through conversations about who we are and our responsibilities. Each of us understands our roles as parents, but also a higher purpose of shedding light on darkened areas. We laughed in agreement that we, as humanity, waste so much energy on things that have no meaning in our lives. Losing sight of what matters, we fall victim to the belief system of the expected norm of society. We agreed we could both stay on course with the rest of the crowd or carve our path in life, creating it as we see fit.

“Things are not always as they appear.” ~Sandy Popov Abbatiello

This quote sticks with me, living in ‘the Now’ each day. We could see it as everyone else sees it, or we can add our own beliefs to it, knowing it to be true. Whether true or not, we all have the innate knowledge of what we perceive as true…declaring ‘because I said so.’ Self-declaration is the final step to self-actualization, which defines our reality. When everyone else thinks we are crazy, we smile, giving gratitude for their observations…no longer worrying about what any one person thinks except for our reality to be true.

Stepping into the canvas with purpose, self-realization is activated within our being. Living authentically, we see everything as it is intended…beautiful in its own right. Returning to the self, we return to the beginning as what was meant to be…creative and awe-inspiring… every day.

On this day, I declare
purposeful and inviting
to light ever-lasting.

Furthermore, declaring
steps with care and ease
closer and closer, to self-mastery.

~Ani Po


Infinite Love and gratitude to Diana C., Ravyne Hawke, jules and Spyder for keeping sacred space within the walls of Know Thyself Heal Thyself.

Much gratitude for those who take time to read, ponder, and allow the inner workings of self to come forward. Grateful for the feedback, love shared, and, more importantly, the Dance with Inspiration. Deep Peace.

Joseph Lieungh

Photo by Javardh on Unsplash