I Approve of Myself

Timothy O'Neill
Sep 2, 2018 · 1 min read

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