hearing my characters

my characters alive

using my words

interacting

with emotions of their own

exploring depths

i had never considered

for them

in the voice of my friend

quiet times of healing

quiet times of healing

seem to take away

from life

so much to be done

so many deadlines missed

so many ‘ought to’s

so many ‘need to’s

so much busy-ness

it is difficult to recognize

true priorities

and allow ourselves to hear

the still, small voice