You gave me love
Imprinted on my brain
Messages that lifted me
You are loved
You are strong
You are enough
You cradled me tenderly
In your comforting arms
Tangibly believed in me
And supported my dreams
And I sit here wondering
How I got so lucky
I can’t figure out why
That’s not true for everyone
That others’ precious souls
Were beaten down
Told they were worthless
Until they believed the lies
I have a responsibility
To share the kindness given me
And help those neural pathways
Form a gentler path
I will love them well
Until they can love themselves