(Frida Kahlo, Self -Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940)
What if you were kind to one person today?
What if that person was you?
What if you said
I'm enough
What if you allowed yourself to believe
That perfection is but a lie
And imperfection the masterpiece
That the things don't matter
That the what if's
And the if only's
Are the sleight of hand we use to hide the truth
Lies are told
By the empty sages who howl at the door
The musts
The shoulds
False prophets yell from street corners
To tell you the wrongs
The failings
The disappointment
The bruises and the hurts
Delivered and delivering.
Empty words
Bleat incessantly
Beat you down into submission
Ease in agreement
False beauty with talons
Acquiesce and be torn apart
Momentarily placated
Before
The goal posts move
And
Conflicting commands
Come from new corners.
Close your ears to sirens
Bind them
And fill them with daisies
Hold the silence
Listen for the first whisper of truth
Let it grow
The rhythm of the heart writes on the stone
Slow and steady
While the world around ebbs and flows
While beasts scream and claw
And clamber to cover and obscure
It continues below.
Waiting to be recognised
Waiting to be found
Feel
Vibration and resonance
Know
That it belongs
The song plays
While the mosquitos buzz
Hear the breeze
Gentle caresses on leaves above
Eucalyptus to cleanse
Hints of rosemary
For remembrance and clarity
Scent and sound.
Wipe the oils on your brow
And wrap the leaves round your heart.
Focus on the melody
Let the words rise
Enough
Worthy
Okay
Believe.
What if today you chose kindness?
