The ultimate paradox of accepting fully our responsibility for our self-constructed prisons and yet fully forgiving ourselves for it.

I think that some of us
feel the soul and passion
of a world of swirling inhumanity,
the pain and suffering of so many,
and speak out against it,
fight it, feel enraged by it,
and lose ourselves in the fight,
because we keep our personal hearts
carefully locked up tight.

I think that has been me,
never allowing one to share
it with me.

Not everyone believes
that they deserve to be loved.
Or perhaps I never found
one that deserved me?

Life is complicated.

But what an interesting trek.