I Approve of Myself
When the road is long and the instrument is dull, I approve of myself
Scratched into the cave walls when all is falling through
When the candle flickers as it is brushed by the cold night winds
I approve of myself
When my feet falter and my gaze cannot illuminate the future
I approve of myself
I forgive myself
I step back and use hammer and tongs to forge myself anew
And find a friend
Missing, but never lost
Amidst the smoky bellows and the liquid flames
Still here
When I am tired, I am half-choked, my eyes red with tears
And I am alone
I approve of myself
My cells quiver as they are deprived of connection
Deprived of touch
My tongue is dry
My heart races
Knowing I have grown too large and too weak
And I approve of myself
I know now only that I am
And that is forever enough
And I approve of myself