Turning Inward

I’ve spent my days with open hands,

A gentle heart, a listening ear,

I’ve built my life on love’s demands,

And wiped away so many tears.

I’ve carried burdens not my own,

Been anchor, shelter, guiding star,

But somewhere in the giving grown,

I lost the sense of who you are.

I’ve poured my light into the dark,

Lit candles for another’s way,

But let my own flame lose its spark,

Forgot to rest, forgot to stay.

Now something stirs inside my chest

A quiet plea, a whispered call

A longing just to tend and rest,

To fill my cup before it’s all

Emptied out by gentle giving,

To treat myself with patient grace,

To see the beauty in my living,

And meet my gaze with soft embrace.

It’s time to do a little more

For this tired soul I’ve left behind,

To open up a secret door

And see what treasures I might find.

A walk beneath the blushing sky,

A meal prepared with care and pride,

A moment just to breathe and sigh,

And let my weary thoughts subside.

To love myself as much, at least,

As I have loved the world outside,

To offer kindness, find some peace,

And let forgiveness be my guide.

For every heart I’ve helped to mend,

I owe my own the same devotion,

To be my comfort and my friend,

To move with gentle, healing motion.

So here I stand, and here I choose

To honor all I’ve been and done,

To give myself what I would lose

If always tending everyone.

I’ll water roots that run so deep,

I’ll tend the garden of my soul,

For only then can I truly keep

The love that makes the broken whole.