Find Your Middle Ground

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* Love After Love

These words fill me up with love and gratitude. It’s my pleasure to pass on the goodness from Derek Walcott 💛

coming home
Source: Pinterest

“The time will come

when, with elation,

you will greet yourself arriving

at your own door, in your own mirror,

and each will smile at the others welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.

bread and wine

You will love again the stranger who was your self.

Give wine. Give bread, Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored

for another, who knows you by heart.

Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,

peel your own image from the mirror.

Sit. Feast on your life.”

~ Derek Walcott, “Love After Love” 1974

 

Feast on your life and what has brought you here.

Let this awareness open your heart in loving kindness and gratitude.

And find your Self waiting with open arms ❤️

 

Val T Boyko
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72 responses to “* Love After Love”

  1. socialbridge Avatar
    socialbridge

    One of my all time favourites, Val. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I’m not surprised Jean 💛 Thank you for reconnecting to the wisdom and love in his words.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. soulspeak2013 Avatar
    soulspeak2013

    Reblogged this on At the Table, On my Plate.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  3. soulspeak2013 Avatar
    soulspeak2013

    Thank you Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      … pause … breathe… Thank you Deb for always seeing and relaying the goodness 💕

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  4. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    Beautiful feast of words. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Lets relish those words and the meaning beyond. Thank you Eliza 💛

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  5. Healing Grief Avatar
    Healing Grief

    A Beautiful meeting! Beautiful words 💕💜💕

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  6. Mary Lou Avatar
    Mary Lou

    I think I may have arrived at this place. Thanks, Val! 🙂
    https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      On arrival we may see that the journey is ongoing, with more insights to be ready for.
      Letting go of results and evaluations can be tough … until we see they are only imposed, and not the truth.
      xo

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  7. Sonnische Avatar
    Sonnische

    What a lovely idea! Today life’s challenges weigh heavy but another day the burden will lift and I with myself shall dance.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Poignant words Sunny…. there is a time for grieving, being with the flow and nurturing ourselves. Yet we also know that nature and universe evolves. We humans may get stuck in what we wanted to happen in the past or what we hoped for the future.
      What if what is happening is exactly what needs to happen, in order to bring about change and a different outcome? It may not be what we expected or hoped for … but it is what it is.
      I was asked this question earlier. It’s time to embrace it for what it is, and be ready to stand up and be passionate about what is so important to us 💕

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. Sonnische Avatar
        Sonnische

        Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful reply, Val. Hugs to you! 😻

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  8. mimijk Avatar
    mimijk

    Lovely!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Mimi 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    The bread and wine look like they could help in any situation.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I always think some cheese, or at least butter, will make it all so much more digestible.
      Thank you Dan 💛

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Dan Antion Avatar
        Dan Antion

        I would agree.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Val Boyko Avatar
          Val Boyko

          Thank you Dan 💛

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  10. Paul Handover Avatar
    Paul Handover

    So beautifully expressed. The heart of the truth that to love another first you have to love yourself.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So true Paul. Thank you 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Jill Weatherholt Avatar
    Jill Weatherholt

    So beautiful, Val. If this had been shared anonymously, I would have known it was shared by you. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Jill. 💛
      A lesser used part of my brain is considering if this about brand identity .. or inner authenticity.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  12. Val Boyko Avatar
    Val Boyko

    Thank you Paul. We forget. We dismiss. We remember what a dog or loving partner reminds us …. yet isn’t it such a gift that we can keep tuning into. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. nrhatch Avatar
    nrhatch

    Wonderful poem, Val.
    Here’s to being at peace with who we are.

    I am that I am. Let’s Feast!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Well said Nancy 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Jeannie Avatar
    Jeannie

    I have this poem hanging in my home. I love it. Thank you for sharing your love of it too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Jeannie! It’s one to keep coming back to as we go through the highs and lows of life 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    Really beautiful 💜

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Kristina 💛

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  16. David Kanigan Avatar
    David Kanigan

    Wonderful.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      It is. Thank you David 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. David Avatar
    David

    A clever analogy Val and many thanks for passing it on, I have a post scheduled for January … saying something similar looking at oneself, but not as succinctly. Love, David

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you David for being here and in synch 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. D. Wallace Peach Avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    Lovely, Val. Thanks so much for sharing Derek’s wisdom. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So glad you enjoyed it too Diana 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. prinxy Avatar
    prinxy

    Great Post Val… Thanks for sharing 💕💟💞💖💕

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Prinxy 💓

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. A Monday meander – breezes at dawn Avatar
    A Monday meander – breezes at dawn

    […] Love After Love. […]

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. Minuscule Moments Avatar
    Minuscule Moments

    I find comfort in these words, truly inspiring thanks Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Kath! It touched me as well. 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. iamorelbaz Avatar
    iamorelbaz

    Beautiful words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. asieaye Avatar
    asieaye

    https://pitbullandgoldfishes.wordpress.com

    Like

    Reply
  24. anany221 Avatar
    anany221

    Damn! That was amazing❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you anany 💕

      Like

      Reply
  25. Randi Richards Avatar
    Randi Richards

    Beautiful 😍

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Randi 💛

      Like

      Reply
  26. ahavaha Avatar
    ahavaha

    This is beautiful. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you for being here 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Auntie Hot Chocolate Avatar
    Auntie Hot Chocolate

    This is a great post.. if we fall back in love with ourselves. We will then Lear how to love others, give to other and care for others.. it all starts with self first.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  28. closetoyou2016 Avatar
    closetoyou2016

    This is nice! Congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  29. Waste Brain Avatar
    Waste Brain

    A good piece of thought

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  30. Letters to life Avatar
    Letters to life

    Beautiful! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. sana538 Avatar
    sana538

    Absolutely love it❤😍 do check out my blog posts and let me know what you think I’m new to the blogging world xxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Sana.💛 Welcome to the blogosphere!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. weareserendipityblog Avatar
    weareserendipityblog

    This was so inspirational!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I am so grateful you enjoyed this serendipitous post💛

      Like

      Reply
  33. underthesun12 Avatar
    underthesun12

    Aw. I needed this, thank you! This was stunning.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  34. Tamara Yancosky Moore Avatar
    Tamara Yancosky Moore

    Brilliant! I love this 💙 Love will get us through, but first we must love ourselves 💜
    Tamara Yancosky Moore

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  35. mick25117 Avatar
    mick25117

    Great words! We all need to welcome love more and spread through world. Love will heal world

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So true Michael. Thank you 💛

      Like

      Reply
  36. mountainmae Avatar
    mountainmae

    Reblogged this on mountainmae.

    Like

    Reply
  37. iamdiamara Avatar
    iamdiamara

    I’m new here and this has touched me so deep,since I’m going through a heartbreak myself..now I feel different thank you val Boyko 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Diamara 💛 I’m glad it brought some light for you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  38. Hannah Fearless Avatar
    Hannah Fearless

    Beautiful words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Hannah 💛

      Like

      Reply
  39. loversheartblog Avatar
    loversheartblog

    love thy self

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Indeed. 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. Joseph Avatar
    Joseph

    So touching,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  41. Biblical Signs That You Found The Right One – Good job well done

    […] you asking yourself if the person you’re in a relationship with is the right one?  Are you looking to settle down and wanted to make sure that it is really […]

    Like

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  42. mariewilliams53 Avatar
    mariewilliams53

    Awesome – a much laboured word: but how else could I describe this?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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