Tribe’s Creative Corner: Dear Body

A poem to honor the relationship of body, spirit, mind and heart in this month of Mental Health Awareness.

Dear Body,
I loved you before I knew you.
Before the long legs and before the long nights.
Before the scars and before your eyes took in the moon.
Before you collected rocks at the beach and rubbed salt over your skin.
I loved you before I knew you, dear body.
Before the nerves kicked in and your knees fell to the floor over and over again.
Before you roamed alone along the trails and wandered on the open road.
Before you hugged and kissed and opened your heart and every corner of your body to them.
Dearest, I loved you before I knew you.
Before the stars stole your sanity and your ego.
Before you knew that so many years are wasted on trying to be for others.
Before you lost a loved one and realized you too would be lost to others one day.
Darling body, I loved you before I knew you.
I chose you.
I landed in you as you formed.
I wanted you to have me.
In return you grew for me.
You held me when I fell into the shadows.
You forgave me over and over again.
Dear body, I loved you before I knew you, I love you now and I’ll love you after you let me go.
Love,
Spirit

Written by Tribe’s co-owner Cari Rogers.

Creative writing and journaling are two practices that support one’s healing journey.