I’ve lived
most of my life
with a closed heart —
emotionless.
It was my choice.
Nothing got in,
little got out.
Now,
my heart is open,
I’m flooded
with emotions.
I don’t know
what to do
with them all.
Most of them hurt:
Love hurts,
fear hurts,
loss hurts.
I’m learning
to control my thoughts,
to observe them
let them pass by,
not be a prisoner to them.
I’m learning
to love unconditionally,
without judgement,
and to act
with loving kindness.
Dennis Cardiff 