I Resolve

to stop portioning my heart
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.


34 comments:

  1. That first stanza -- YOWZA! So powerful!

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  2. The tenderness you / we deserve. How lovely your resolution.

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    Replies
    1. It sure beats resolving to go without dessert. My heart wants dessert too, dammit!

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  3. Yes, totally get that resolution... self-love/self-compassion has to be the theme as we move into yet another covid wave and imminent lockdowns.

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    1. I 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.

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  4. Replies
    1. We all need to develop a better appreciation of how hard it works

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  5. So lovely. I like the term acceptable starvation and how you use it here.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Colleen. I was pleased with myself when I wrote it down.

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  6. Sounds like sound advice. Live! That first stanza is solid!

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    Replies
    1. I intend to follow my advice as best as possible, LOL

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  7. I 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"!

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  8. "to stop portioning my heart
    into 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

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  9. Ah yes let tenderness endure.
    Happy New Year

    Much🥂love

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  10. Nice metaphorical poem. Tenderhearted, that's my choice over all the other hearted kinds.
    Nice prompt, thank you.
    ..

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  11. "I resolve to make my heart
    a 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.

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    1. 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.

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  12. oh, a good resolution, giving your heart more love. :)

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    Replies
    1. It's much better than say, giving up chocolate. Who wants to do that??? :D

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  13. This resolution makes perfect sense. May it come to fruition!

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  14. Self-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.

    The penultimate stanza of your poem is my favorite thing I've read this year.

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    1. LOL, well, we've got a lot of year still left to go :D

      But it would be a happier world if we all could do this just a little bit better

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  15. 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.

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  16. That's a resolution I could copy. Or should. Nice.

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