I care for myself, I care for you

She had cooked a delectable dinner, she was famished

And looked forward to helping herself to some of it

Once the family was done with dinner-but of course

There was nothing left for her, she had to force

Herself to eat stale bread and butter once again

Her family appreciated her cooking, and that diminished the pain

Besides, this scenario was nothing new

Keeping her family well-fed was what she was expected to do

*

She had been rising early to get physical exercise

But with each passing day she was coming to realize

That there were too many chores that needed completion

For her family and herself to leave home in a timely fashion..

*

She was feeling unwell and wanted to make

An appointment with a doctor, but could not take

Time out of her busy day because the need

Of her family was greater indeed

The symptoms improved some, and she never did seek

Medical attention, just continued working while feeling weak

****

These scenarios are not unique, unfortunately

Women are used to making their families a priority

Ignoring themselves, this has been glorified ad infinitum

This image of women has the norm become..

*****

Can we demolish the paradigm that has epitomized

Women being self-sacrificing, women being expected to prioritize

Their families at the cost of their own physical and mental needs

This attitude harms both women and their families indeed

Because a woman who is unable to practice self-care

Feels exhausted and burnt out without being aware

And the family unit for which she is expected to sacrifice

Suffers too, this should not come as a surprise..

A woman who is able to care for herself adequately

Is able to better care for her family

She is not being selfish, but she is not sacrificial

She is just taking what should be a step logical

How can she fill the cup for her family

When her cup has been drained empty?