Timelines, and guidelines,
And the calendar turns.
Another page, another day,
Another feeling comes, and goes.
We're told we have to love ourselves
And our worth shouldn't rest in the opinions of others
We're told to value who we are,
Not decide our value based on how others value us
We learn how to love when we are young
And we find those who fit our needs
But what is love, to show ourselves,
When love is given, and not received?
Can we love ourselves when we don't fit what we see?
Should we be unlovable to all, if we can't love ourselves first?
What is our value when what we give never seems to be enough?
Or right?
Or wanted?
Or valued?
What is our value when the ones we give the most to
Only love half of us in return?
We're told to love for intelligence, wisdom, and wit.
Qualities that grow with us, and age
But do we become more lovable with the growth of these qualities?
Or less lovable as we gray in time?
Sag with the Earth?
Weather, and wrinkle with time's harsh winds?
Less desirable as the wear and tear of life takes its toll?

We set these ideals that we fail to achieve
Expecting of others what we won't even give
The understanding, and forgiveness
For just being flawed humans
Wanting acceptance
But offering judgement
Demanding passion
But living within our walls
Holding tight to our comfort zones
And later regretting our inaction

Can we love ourselves, truly,
When we won't even hold ourselves to the standards we expect of others?
Can we love each other, truly,
When we won't hold ourselves to the standards that we expect of each other?
Where does it start?
Where do we begin?
Maybe we should start by
Looking within our own skin

I don't believe we have to love all of ourselves
To be worthy of love
I don't think learning love is an independent task
I don't think learning love stops within childhood
We must always grow
And find our ways to be better
Not to be worthy of love
But to find new ways of loving ourselves
While making ourselves a person others want to grow with