Held

You have always been here
waiting to be heard.
But I ignored you.

You wanted too much,
needed too much.
You were too powerful.

Asking for things
I was scared to give
or didn’t know how.

Asking of me things
I didn’t believe I could do.
Wasn’t worthy of.

So you waited.

You signaled.
You called.
You begged.
Sometimes, you screamed.

But you never left,
and you’re still here,
asking to be held.

To be fully seen and heard.
Truly and honestly witnessed.
And I think I am ready.

I see now that I have witnessed
the pain and suffering you’ve endured,
the anger and sadness and joy you have felt.

But I never witnessed you…well, me.

This woman,
this body,
this soul,
this full and powerful presence,
that is me.

I never witnessed
because I had my gaze
turned out.

Or I was looking
for something to do
with or for
whatever came up.

But right now,
in this moment,
in this tiny cabin,
in the middle of the woods,
with no distractions,
I am here with you, with me.

Witnessing. Acknowledging. Adoring. Praising.

Just being. Held.