Love Thyself Like No Other

To My Daughters:

I will do my best to love you,
but in the end, no one will know how to love you like you.
Because I am your parent and you are my child
my best intentions will by your mind translate into false expectations
and an inner dialogue I would never wish upon you

And it will follow you, that dialogue, into every romantic relationship
but in the end, no one will know how to love you like you
You will play silly games, looking for another to fulfill you
all the while blinded to the ways you are loved because you know what
you need, but you won't give it to yourself

And you will grow frustrated, tempting to believe that you are unlovable
but in the end, no one will know how to love you like you
Then you will remember what I told you and correct that inner voice
 to sound like a mother, a sister, a best friend and a lover
 creating compassion within and opening your eyes to the self-love you've been missing


And one day, you will finally realize the Truth
That no one will love you like I love you