planned_givingI was moved by this poem by Derek Walcott, and thought I’d share it with you.

The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

Derek Walcott

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Therese Borchard
I am a writer and chaplain trying to live a simple life in Annapolis, Maryland.

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7 Responses
  1. Jeff Duggan

    Therese,
    What a great poem – Thank you for sharing.
    I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are able to start seeing the greatness in you.

  2. Theresa J. Pinkston

    Interesting and inspiring!

    I’m beginning to at least accept the stranger in the mirror (I used to think she was ugly) but I wouldn’t say I love her yet. Maybe I will soon.

    Also, I want to tell you and anyone else who reads this that I’m feeling better mentally after taking supplements such as Chromium and Vanadium for my hypoglycemia. I’m currently on a Gluten-Free diet (or at least mostly gluten-free) and I think that’s helping too!!!

  3. Deborah

    Found you today- I do not believe that things happen by “accident” I do believe that today, 1/25/17 I was supposed to find you, this poem, and all else that I believe I will gain from your newsletter and site. Thank you- not certain for what yet, but for starters, just thank you- I want to be a voice as well- a brutally honest voice- I have a tendency to say aloud what other’s think but do not have the guts to say in the open- some call it brash, impulsive, some thank me, some look at me longing to be able to be so bold and honest (not that I am out to cause pain or shame to anyone), I just can’t handle for example people who lie in therapy or in other words to themselves-(I have done it for so long that’s probably why) I’m looking forward and terrified of the journey ahead that I know must be done alone and by me-the stranger that I have neglected to love and nurture for her whole life-only to hide in loving others or being validated by others, and that is no longer how I wish to lead my life- Carpe Diem!