AUTHOR’S NOTE: Step One of the Twelve Steps of programs such as A.R.T.S. Anonymous is, “We admitted we were powerless over our creativity—that our lives had become unmanageable.”  

Too many people have told me they are not powerless
and their lives are not unmanageable.
It works for you,
but I’ll never give up my power.  

I hear you.
But do any of us have power?  

I could not stop
landing in a walker
and a wheelchair
despite losing 190 pounds.  

I could not stop
so many beloved
people and pets
from dying.  

I could not stop
AI from destroying
most of my
writing and editing business.  

I can ask for help.
I can meditate.
I can serve others.
I can change directions.  

Only by surrendering
the inevitable
can I embrace change
and, yes, power.