Love After Love
“The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.”
―
Derek Walcott
I really don't know what to blog lately. I'm kind of a drag right now really. I read this poem the other day and loved it. I know poetry is not for everyone but words have always held power for me and this one rang true. I'm not sure I've ever truly known myself, much less loved myself. I do know how it feels though, to see someone walking toward you whom you love. That rush of joy. To feel that about yourself would be quite extraordinary. I think the point of this poem is that to love yourself is the first step in loving others. To love yourself just as you are, long nose, flintstone toes, a witchy laugh and thighs for days. How can we expect someone else to love us unconditionally if we don't practice that same kind of love on ourselves?
