They told me to pour my heart into everything I do, so I poured and poured and poured. I gave of myself, my passion, my soul, until I was emptied of all but echoes of my former self. Now they ask me why I’m so empty, and I say I want a little sugar, kindness in my bowl.

I gave my all, my love, my fervor, until I was a vessel drained of its essence. I poured my heart into the world, into the dreams, the hopes, the endeavors, until I was left hollow, yearning for the sweetness of compassion, the warmth of empathy, the tenderness of understanding.

They told me to give my all, and I did, until I was a vessel echoing with the emptiness of my sacrifice. Now, when they see the void within me, I ask for a little sugar, a sprinkle of kindness to sweeten the bitterness of my efforts. I long for the warmth of human connection, for the gentle touch of empathy, for the understanding that I poured out so freely.

Let me fill my bowl with the sweetness of kindness, let me savor the taste of compassion, and let me be replenished by the warmth of human connection. For in the pouring of my heart, I found that it is the kindness of others that fills me, that it is the sugar of compassion that sweetens the bitterness of sacrifice.

© Beatriz Esmer