For Giving Love

We are our most vicious critic.

I should've.

I could've.

I would've.

What was I thinking?

Are all laments,

All dirges,

Sung off key

To knock us down

And bring us to our knees.

Are we really that bad?
How can we know,
Really know,

Who we are,

If we never become
Who and what

We are not?

Sometimes there's no other way

Other than to become

Who we are not.

Sometimes we must

Do mean, hurtful shit.
Yes, we lie,
Cheat, and steal
To get what we think,
What we hope,
What we pray
Will bring us joy.

But it is all too often

Short lived,
Temporary.
Self-deceiving ploy.

We can look at our past actions

And past omissions

And say, "That's not who I am.

I am better than that.”
And we are
We are so much

Better than that.
Better than we have allowed
Ourselves to imagine.
Each and every morning
Is new.
Brand new.
We can start anew.
Create a new me.
But first and foremost,

We need to forgive ourselves,
For delving into
Who we are not.
We need to forgive ourselves
For being self-correcting
Ever evolving

Versions of ourselves.

We need to forgive ourselves

For not already
Being the perfect
Finished
Product.
When accept our own self-forgiveness

We honor our humanity.

When we forgive ourselves,

We express love

To the one,

The only one

Who knows our deepest,

Most tightly kept

Secrets.

The purpose of forgiveness

Is for giving

Love.
Love to the one,
The one who needs it most.