Today I cried for the little girl within me

for her who was left alone and to her own fate

who had no time to be a child and just play

who had to grow up way too early

and carry the burdens of a parent

who couldn’t do it on her own

I see you, my little warrior

I feel your broken heart

your pain that runs as deep as the deepest valley

your rage spiraling like an erupting volcano

showing all the ways

your boundaries have been crossed

your tears filling all the gaps of where

there should have been love

now it’s me who has to take care of you

in the best possible way

forgive me for all the times I did not

I was still shackled by the past

imprisoned by the only narrative I’d known

unaware of my self worth

the love that I am, the love that I am

the sacredness of my body, mind and soul

I see you now, I really do

forgive me for all the times

I looked outside myself

searching for validation, love

and a place to call home

I am a work in progress

still learning, an unfinished work of art

but nevertheless, a miracle of God

I can promise you this though:

I’ll always be growing towards you

into deeper self-love

and I hope that

when my branches grow heavy

it’s because the fruits ripened

by the labor of my love

are ready to be harvested

ready to be loved.