The Deadly and Dangerous Should

Beware of the large, creeping Should
That isn't a Must,
And isn't a Could,
That might have begun
In the mind as a Would,
Just something one thought
To oneself might be good!
Which somehow became
A potential for shame,
And even engendered
A feeling of Blame!

If you wish to enhance your delight,
Uncover the roots of this blight,
Weed out all your Shoulds, great and small
Replace them with Possibly Coulds
If indeed they need
Replacing at all
And be happy for what you can do.
Never Should on yourself, for it's true
The seeds of a Should
That begin as a Could
Or even a Would
May grow wild and devour your mind in a trice
Until you believe you are not being nice
If you do not give in to the Should.

The solution is simple to see:
Where the Shoulds in your life come to be
Remove them again and again
That they may not drive you insane
Devour your heart and your brain
Or cause you incredible pain.
Remove them before they can grow
Plant other things there that you know
Affirmations and Wishes and Prayers
For these will grow nicely in pairs
Then your garden will nourish your soul
And you'll never, no never grow old.