Presents for a Valentine

by Erica B Donaldson-Ellison 

Gifting myself 

Some 

Essential 

Private time 

To explore and to 

Appreciate 

  every 

Elemental limb that is especially mine, because, sometimes  

There is no place where l would rather be 

 than 

Being here, alone, with me 

Prioritizing moments of 

Self- centred care is: Self- love, because 

Pouring into my community from an empty cup  is 

Detrimental to my own well being 

And, I am 

Granting me  

The permission  

To allow 

Myself to 

Stop. Moving. 

So that l can arrive  

Sit and visit 

 with me 

At last, the fear that l have been studiously avoiding,  because  

Instead, l am now choosing  

To meet with the reality of a free- flowing calm 

And to simply enjoy the discovery of 

How wonderful a self- centred selfish experience can actually be 

And, whilst some might say that it is only in this ultimate step towards 

Loving of self 

 and in the honouring of self- respect 

That there can be an investment in self- preservation  

As this really is a valuable act towards  

Cherishing the unique individuality of the singularily of a special human being 

I agree, that it is indeed a powerful potion 

And, ultimately an ingredient that we must add to our make-up in order to ensure a 

 healthy longevity 

So, surely  

No- one  

Should be ashamed to enact 

Neither, to shy away from such tasks  

but reach into being 

No longer embarrassed of the feeling of 

Doing something that is solely for our special only self, who is 

Deservedly unique 

 And, whose existence as a member of the global majority 

Justifies a constant regular celebration and not just, once a year 

On: Valentines Day. 

Acknowledge the trauma of the hurt that Microaggresions can bring but 

Don’t let the racism consume all that you are 

 Instead  

Take the time to escape from worties 

Care for 

You 

Allow and welcome the luxury of 

Caring for yourself as you would to a stranger who needs your help 

Your own hands can make habits that heal you 

Prioritize 

Yourself  

And in realising this 

I became 

The deserved recipient of my own amazing 

Valentine Gift. 

You can find out more about Erica’s work here and on her blog.