Beats
life blood
hope
heart
I feel
you and your pain
moving in waves
across the space
those close
those far
I feel
there is sadness, struggle
stress, worry
we share this place
and my tender heart
opens to your pain
sensing
awareness
tingling
my tender heart
hears yours
opening
allowing it in
I feel
but see it
not as a weakness
a strength
to sense another’s pain
high sensitivity
an explanation
I understand
because I feel
there are moments
when it’s hard
I feel too much
taking on
like a sponge
the worry, stress, anger
around me
the crazy eyes of a homeless person
boring deep
I feel
the utter despair of
a toddler’s wail
the tight jaw
the clenched teeth
the work worry
the panic of a teenager
navigating this new world
I feel
even when they are not me
but this is not weakness
this is strength
because it gives me
insight
compassion
empathy
understanding
the ability to care
and other feelings too
are also there
the joy in a lover’s touch
children returning home
the flight of birds
sprouting of plants
slow unfurl of an orchid
the color of ripe plum
the pink etching the sunrise sky
I feel this with my
high sensitivity
super power
tingling
and rejoice
in a world with feelings
knowing my tender heart
helps me to understand
what works
what I need
how to care for myself
but still
be me
feeling
beating
tender heart.