Cheerleading For The Soul
For men who fight death daily,
Whose minds are their own worst enemy,
Breathe in an army of Angels,
Fight self loathing barbs
With sweet loving kindness,
Accept first, your ruthless hatred
Of your self
And overwhelm it
With acceptance,
Embrace your meanness tenderly
Forgive it-
It is not you,
It is your sickness,
And the shame that chokes you
Is its way of keeping you sick.
Applaud your smallest victory
And fight this fight continuously,
If your mind will not sleep
You must swing your weary sacred sword
Until your arms fall off,
And then continue swinging
With the relentless beat
Of your loving heart.
Stand up alone in the deepest center
Of your truest self
And scream at the top
Of your breathing lungs,
“You will not win!”
