I Almost Forgot to Love Myself

I almost forgot to love myself.

I don't know how it happened,

one day I was looking in the mirror and I didn't like what I saw

I criticized myself - my face, my body, my smile, my eyes, my thighs

I was even critical of the woman within.

For a moment - a long moment, much too long - 

I put my love for myself on hold

and forgot that it was there.

I lost my joy.

It wasn't gone, just misplaced.

I didn't know where to find it.

Then I saw a woman who looked like me

or who I could be

if I were fully myself

as she was fully herself.

I saw her love for herself on her face

and it was like looking into a mirror.

I saw the memory of my love for myself 

in her love for herself

and I remembered.

I almost forgot to love myself

and then I remembered

my first love, my true love.

Hello gorgeous!

Hello darling!

I love you.