Love may not begin with self-love,
But it rarely makes it past its absence.
Exercise and forest air,
Water, sweat, and absent noise --
She finds that working at loving herself
Tends to achieve its objectives, at best,
Imperceptibly.

But she trusts the process, as they say.

To cultivate her mind, she is learning,
Exploring, venturing --
To cultivate her body, she is working,
Disciplined, sacrificing --
But to cultivate her heart, she must
Love what is closest to her, namely

Her