She says I’m to stand at the mirror,
look myself in the eyes and say it.
“I love you.” I don’t have to do it
with anybody around, just say it.
Out loud. Ouch!
How hard can it be? I can say it
to a near stranger in an email.
I can say it easily to my family,
my close friends. I know it’s true,
that I love everyone…at least biblically,
that I accept them, honor their rights
to life, to meet their needs, to thrive
though I can be angry at those
who occupy the headlines,
who show no awareness,
much less respect or love,
for their fellow humans.
I love everyone. Why can it be
that it’s so hard to stare at myself
and say I love the one there?