Neuroses

The roots of all our neuroses lie here,
in the conflict between the longing for growth and freedom
and our incapacity or refusal to pay the price in suffering
of the kind which challenges the supremacy of the ego’s demands.

~ Hellen M. Luke

ego

legs will serve a runner well
in faithful transportation
but legs should never be called upon
to guarantee blood’s circulation

the ego may serve a person well
if freed for love and loving favors
but ego is a tragic thing
when strutting as another’s savior

© 2014 Dennis Ference

Distortion

Taking the ego-self too seriously
is like basing a wardrobe choice
on the image in a funhouse mirror.

© 2015 Dennis Ference
Photo by Sean: https://www.flickr.com/photos/spongemonkey/

Boxed and Shelved

It is the ego
itself that often
convinces me
its self-centered
concerns are safely
boxed and shelved
so it can continue
poking around
my world with
camouflaged
intent.

© 2014 Dennis Ference

Spiritual Ego-Trippin’

I eagerly surrender
to God, I declare,
the god of my
own invention.

I will boldly give service
to God, I assert,
when he nods to my
narrow intentions.

© 2014 Dennis Ference