The Vigilance of Kindness

Difficult is this constant vigilance

to be kind with words to self,

not I made a mistake,

instead what have I learned

and harder still to look yourself in the eye

in the foggy bathroom mirror,

teeth unbrushed, wet hair dangling,

and feel a faint strength rising

from that place called the heart,
fingers gripping

the cold ceramic smoothness of the sink,

your chest falling, rising,

falling,

suddenly aware of your breath

as it leaves and comes back,

leaves

and comes back,

signaling the imperceptible letting go-

save the fact of your smile,

its brilliance.