i wouldn’t dare to say true love has died
rare it may be, 
but i know it’s real cus i’m alive
i know when you love yourself fully and unselfishly
there’s a constant pull to love others

consider yourself a mug
and the kettle is full of love
you may choose to pour into others, 
but eventually you’ll be left empty,
in your goal to pour into others
you’re neglected

when you pour into yourself, 
you don’t have to worry about never filling up the way you wish to
instead of the sediment of worry you once had
you’ll realize it’s buoyant, and as your mug fills
worry rises to the top
soon it spills over and out

now that you’re overfilled, 
you will continue to overflow
but as your overflow ensues, 
you’ll notice your cup is pure

from here on out, 
anytime you pour love into yourself
your love flows not only through you
but back into the world
flowing through others, 
flowing through nature
flowing authentically
you will never again be drained of love
it will never be a chore
as long as you continue to love yourself
you’ll struggle not to love more

09/30/2023