Apology To Myself Poem by Lisa AT

I owe myself an apology, long overdue,
For staying silent when my voice should've broken through.
For tolerating the intolerable, the pain and the strife,
For being too kind to others, while neglecting my own life.
I gave and gave, forgiveness, understanding, and more,
Believing in people's goodness, though it left me poor.
I cared for others endlessly, while forgetting my own needs,
A heart that beat for others, while mine slowly bleeds.
I let disrespect slide, with a smile and a sigh,
Carrying pain to keep others comfortable, while I said goodbye.
To pieces of myself, lost beneath the weight,
Of kindness spread too thin, without a thought for my own fate.
But today, I apologise to myself, with purpose and with might,
Promising to be gentle with my soul, and to hold it tight.
To be as kind to myself, as I've been to others all along,
To recognise that kindness shouldn't drain, but make me very strong.
It's time to be wise, balanced, and whole,
To choose myself, before anyone else, to heal my own soul.

No more silence, no more neglect, no more pain,
I deserve better, and from now on, I'll choose to love myself again.