This compassionate heart
That grew inside me
Was born from pain
And desperate attempts
To keep away from old wounds
Lost in addictions and avoidance
Strategies that failed
And only brought me greater suffering
And suffering to those around me

When I gave up fighting
My world caved in
And the resistor was destroyed,
Broken up and dissolved
What remained, and it took many years
And many tears
Was this compassionate heart

I saw myself in everyone
I saw everyone’s pain and sorrow
I saw the patterns we weave
And the strategies we employ
I realized that only kindness really works
And only a compassionate embrace
Of all human troubles
Releases us to be who we are.