Sacred Yes, Holy No Poem by Alla Bozarth

Save the Infinite Yes for God alone.
All others require a Positive No
from time to time, and often yes, also—
But learn your limits and avoid the naive yes,
the compulsive, needy, overly-responsible yes
that comes from feeling you need to justify your life
by becoming enslaved to service as a means of control
and to prove your self-worth, the yes that will overburden you
and make you resent your tasks, the yes that will add to your grudge sack.
And when No is necessary, remember that a gracious tone can ease the blow.


This poem is from the book Purgatory Papers by Alla Renée Bozarth,
copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.