I requested that Poet Lorraine Brooks tackle the topic of ‘self love’ in her poetry on On February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
What if, when you make your list of valentines, you include yourself this time? Showing yourself and your diabetes health some love could be your sweetest decision yet….
If we don’t take the time to honor and appreciate ourselves, how can we expect that others will?
With this inspiration, we hope that you feel the love from everyone around you, including yourself – maybe not just today, but year round! Happy Valentine’s day!
Love to Me by Poet Lorraine Brooks
can I return my love to me
with stems of flowers by the sea
or maybe with a beating heart
that says our paths must never part…
i think my love can never say
the feelings I felt yesterday
and so I focus here and now
and try to love me anyhow.
My hair my eyes my brows my cheeks
the pound I lost, that took me weeks
my nose my mouth my chin and neck
my weight that I must keep in check.
impatience at the world I see
and people who look down at me
I love myself in spite of that
in spite of what I’m looking at.
I compliment my mirrored face
the age that fills my eyes with grace
the lines have formed around my smile
I’ve loved them now for, quite a while.
my body is another story
but still I love it in its glory
that’s a little harder task
acceptance there is all I ask.
i love myself enough to do
the things that help me follow through.
I tell myself I’m good enough
In fact, I think I’m quite hot stuff.
I’m happy I can look at me
And satisfied with what I see.
So please make friends with what you’ve got
Don’t make yourself an afterthought.
Be kind, be loving, and embrace
Your body, thoughts, and lovely face.
Hear Poet Lorraine Brooks read ‘Love to Me’ on-air during February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music by George Michael.
LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael podcast featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Laura Laria.
February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast is part of #DPodcastWeek in support of the “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign. “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive. (Artwork pictured by Lorraine Brooks)