Soulful Empathy
I wish someone had told me long ago
That empathy comes with a caveat, you know
It's not all about putting yourself in their shoes
And accepting the hurt they pass on to you
It's about understanding their pain and strife
And seeing why they lead a troubled life
But it's also about knowing when to draw the line
And not sacrificing your boundaries, which are yours and mine
For when we do that, we become a safe house
For all the demons that haunt and rouse
From within the ones we try to empathize with
And end up becoming their punching mitt
Their scars and wounds may be deep and raw
But they have no right to hurt you with their claws
And though they may not know how to heal
You cannot be their constant shield
For if you keep giving them excuses and room
To keep spreading their darkness and gloom
They'll never learn to do better, to rise
And you'll only be left with silent cries
So let empathy be a two-part tale
Of understanding and boundaries that never fail
Let us learn to be compassionate yet bold
And never let our own worth be sold.
Copyright © Maya Evans | Year Posted 2023
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