Restoration

Loving myself means

gathering up all 

the bits of me

I left behind

disowned

ran away from

turned my back on

ridiculed

bullied

taunted 

shamed

condemned

judged

locked in a box

buried it deep

The bits of me 

someone else didn’t like

or approve of

or think was good enough

I traded ME

for conditional acceptance

for conditional love

that is temporary at best

until they find

the next thing they want different

that isn’t quite 

what they want me to be

or look like

or act like

I am reclaiming myself

stepping up and out

looking within

fueling the fire of self love

creating a roaring bonfire 

feeding it with the old

self sacrifice

chameleon-like behavior

I gave away my power

because who was I

to be ME?

I place the crown of Self Sacrifice 

onto the bonfire 

and watch it turn to ashes

I claim my sovereignty

gathering my power to me

wrapping myself in self acceptance

I place the crown of Love 

upon my head

and reclamation is mine.