To love ourselves is to be able to hold the mirror up and to make honest assessment of what there is to see - both good and bad. Humility is the grace to accept what's there and from that platform to be able to both grow the good and reform what needs reshaping. Selfishness, on the other hand, leads us to become bitter, twisted and self-preoccupied, which sadly spills over into trying to cut everyone down to the minimal size we have made of ourselves. THIS is the world we seem to inhabit. You speak a wonderful message of the road to redemption here, Jude. And, like Chanti, I LOVE the play on "our selves"... I'm afraid one of me is enough for me to handle at present; not sure looking at myself in all my other personages is what I can handle right now there are probably too many of them/us! :))
Yes, such truth in these words Jude. The last lines were especially meaningful for me. 'To love our selves, Again and again'. I noticed that you used two words 'our selves' instead of ourselves and the meaning subtly changed. Perhaps this was just my own personal subjective interpretation but it worked as did the repeat of the word 'again'. Self love is a process that must include self forgiveness and an affirmation of one's worth. Thank you for sharing such insight.
~Chanti~
Reviewed by M. B. (Reader)
Reviewed on July 14, 2005
SELF LOVE sends a fabulous message in a most eloquent and graceful style.
For we have subconsciously concealed
How we collectively control
The way things are to be
Through the shared experience of our existence
wonderful poem. thought above so very true. sometimes I think it is our hellbent need to deny this truth and therefore act in a collusion designed to keep it concealed from which much evil springs. I too needed the simple reminder about loving ourselves. by doing this, we each can impact our shared reality. Dawn
Excellent words, Jude. This is so true but it has always been hard for me to get a grip on. I'm finally beginning to understand and practice loving myself. Thanks for this wonderful write.
For without self love you can never truly love anyone else
I believe that to be very true; if we cannot love and accept ourselves for who and what we are, how could we possibly love and accept another for who and what they are?
Your words ring in harmony with my spirit, Robert. To know and love thyself is the beginning of the acceptance of all things and the key to a happy life. To understand, share and teach love, we must first love ourselves. Excellent self-validating poetry, Robert. Your words are a refreshing drink to a parched and thirsty world.
Take care,
Sherry
The funny thing is many people equate loving ones self as being selfish. Of course the opposite is true , as you say it is the only way we can love others. In fact it is the only way we can find the compassion to care for and help others.
Very inspiring poetry, beautifully expressed
Love,
Eileen
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on July 12, 2005
Excellent message. Self love is the key to our dreams.
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Robin Ouzman Hislop's poetry is certainly in dialogue with some of the key architects of the 'poetics of indeterminacy' – both the Modernist strands represented by the likes of Beckett and Stein, and the postmodernist strands represented, initially,
Contraband Marriage, traveling along the hemline of loving after incarceration, is a love story written in lyric and free form, set in reality with a different ever after.
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~Chanti~
~Mari
TRASK
Paul;-)
How we collectively control
The way things are to be
Through the shared experience of our existence
wonderful poem. thought above so very true. sometimes I think it is our hellbent need to deny this truth and therefore act in a collusion designed to keep it concealed from which much evil springs. I too needed the simple reminder about loving ourselves. by doing this, we each can impact our shared reality. Dawn
Great write!
Love Tinka
I believe that to be very true; if we cannot love and accept ourselves for who and what we are, how could we possibly love and accept another for who and what they are?
...Michael
Peace, Carole
William .....Peace
Take care,
Sherry
Very inspiring poetry, beautifully expressed
Love,
Eileen
I'm nodding in affirmation. Good to read you again, Sir.
Tami