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when we rely on others
to validate our self-worth,

(as a byproduct of their loving us)

we are not only using their love
incorrectly,

we are subsequently loving ourselves
incorrectly;

we assume the love we have for ourselves
is something to be reached for---

something outside of us.

     but how can we reach for something
     that is already possessed?

     how can a rain drop find water
     when it holds the ocean inside of it?

it is there;
your love is possessed.

:::

he walks inside
shaking the cold off his coat.

---at the ready he grasps
a cup of coffee.

if it were not too forward,
i would ask this gentleman,

"i'm curious. i saw a very sweet moment
with you and that woman out there

and i wanted to know...
is that coffee as warm as how you feel

when you are with her?"

i imagine he would laugh---
even nervously at my approach

but maybe, maybe he would answer.

he would tell me,

since i met her,
my coffee has never warmed me up.

it doesn't wake me up.
and it doesn't even help me if i'm hungry.

at this point,
it's simply something that tastes.

:::

i will call her

Little Miss Executive.

she just strutted into the place---

a bleach blonde bun sitting on top

of hair cascading past her shoulders.

there is a white lace dress

paired with black fur boots, grey jeggings,

and rainbow aviators to complete her elite status.

her mom is also sporting a white lace top

and on the table in front of her is a laptop.

Little Miss Executive has a small laptop

of her own as well.

in fact, she originally walked in hoisting

a large laptop suitcase around her neck---

one of its corners almost dragging

on the wooden floor.

mom taps and types away with a coffee

accompanying her.

and i assume Little Miss Executive

has a warm hot cocoa at her service too.

rather than catching up on emails,

Little Miss Executive's interests are funneled into a 

furrowed brow of focus while she spreads

cream cheese on the half of a bagel.

it is hard work indeed.

all i can think of is the fortune 500 company

Little Miss Executive will oversee someday,

but right now

her sights are set on a bagel,

unaware half her tongue is sticking out

in the process.

i can be quick to judge Little Miss Executive,

yet what i see is a reflection of a daughter's love

for her mother.

---just another face shown in love's mirror.