Before I found my roots,
I gave to be seen.
I gave to be liked.
I gave to be admired.
I gave to be good.
I gave to save.
I gave to make it right.
I gave to appease.
I gave to soften the blows.
I gave for you to be kind.
One day something inside
said loud and clear:
I don’t have anything left to give.
I am just so exhausted!
I followed the voice inside
and found a deep tiredness within
it collapsed
and fell to the ground.
There I found my roots.
They whispered to me:
Give like a tree.
Rather than reaching out.
Go deep down.
Tap deep into the nourishment below.
Let your roots bring to you
everything you need
in order to grow.
Eventually the tree grows
tall and strong
It can’t help bearing fruits.
Until the fruits are so full
they burst
and fall to the ground.
To be found by those
who would like
to taste them.