into subsistence-sized mouthfuls
only to achieve acceptable starvation.
I resolve to honor its messy,
bloody wholeness
filled with contradictions and dual realities.
I resolve to treat it gently
after hard days and harder decisions,
when even honoring the necessary and the true
bring out the covered-over bruises.
I resolve to make my heart
a partner, not an enemy,
to acknowledge the fighter it has always been,
and allow it the tenderness it always deserved.
That first stanza -- YOWZA! So powerful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra
DeleteThe tenderness you / we deserve. How lovely your resolution.
ReplyDeleteIt sure beats resolving to go without dessert. My heart wants dessert too, dammit!
DeleteYes, totally get that resolution... self-love/self-compassion has to be the theme as we move into yet another covid wave and imminent lockdowns.
ReplyDeleteI think I came out of 2021 with a greater appreciation for self-compassion. I could make a list full of things I think I did wrong, but that isn't helpful. Its much better to celebrate what was done right and be compassionate towards the big feelings that come around situations with no ideal options.
DeleteYes, poor heart! Treat it kindly!
ReplyDeleteWe all need to develop a better appreciation of how hard it works
DeleteOhhh! That is a perfect resolution.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosemary
DeleteSo lovely. I like the term acceptable starvation and how you use it here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen. I was pleased with myself when I wrote it down.
DeleteSounds like sound advice. Live! That first stanza is solid!
ReplyDeleteI intend to follow my advice as best as possible, LOL
DeleteI have Willis' words ("I am enough") written in my book of quotes. It is such a good one to remember. I liked your poem "muchly"!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bev
Delete"to stop portioning my heart
ReplyDeleteinto subsistence-sized mouthfuls
only to achieve acceptable starvation."
wow! this whole poem is just packed. this is a revolution i can stand behind... very well said
Thanks, Phillip
DeleteAh yes let tenderness endure.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
Much🥂love
Happy New Year to you too.
DeleteNice metaphorical poem. Tenderhearted, that's my choice over all the other hearted kinds.
ReplyDeleteNice prompt, thank you.
..
Thanks, Jim
Delete"I resolve to make my heart
ReplyDeletea partner, not an enemy,"
I picture a mischievous heart causing havoc in a world and the brain signing a peace treaty to end all hostilities.
Kidding aside, I read this three times and I see a melancholy reflection in my heart and an unsigned treaty still on the table.
I'm glad that there was a mischievous response to this piece too, because humor always has a place in softening the harder edges of life, at least for me. It can keep melancholy company when it needs it.
Deleteoh, a good resolution, giving your heart more love. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's much better than say, giving up chocolate. Who wants to do that??? :D
DeleteThis resolution makes perfect sense. May it come to fruition!
ReplyDeleteFor everyone who desires it, yes!
DeleteSelf-care, self-love, and self-acknowledgement of our own value is a fantastic resolution. Happiness wouldn't be so much of a mythological creature if more of us could do this. I am happy, happy, happy for how much this heart will be loved.
ReplyDeleteThe penultimate stanza of your poem is my favorite thing I've read this year.
LOL, well, we've got a lot of year still left to go :D
DeleteBut it would be a happier world if we all could do this just a little bit better
The opening stanza of this poem was powerful and beautifully written. Loving kindness is something we all owe ourselves. That, and a fudgey brownie topped with ice cream.
ReplyDeleteI am very pro-brownie too :D
DeleteThat's a resolution I could copy. Or should. Nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne
Delete