A heart that is open to compassion

Compassion helps me realise

Other people are only human

And suffer and struggle too

Even if they appear to be strong

Or have powerful defences

They were also once, long ago

Just like you or me

A small defenceless child

Who had to find ways to survive

In a world that was not always so kind

I must remember this

When I am tempted to get too angry or resentful

It does not mean I accept

Abuse or mistreatment

It only means that I realise

There is a deeper reason why

People act in hurtful ways

That I keep taking steps forward

Without becoming paralysed by it all

And practice being

A warrior for love

With a heart that is open

Wide with compassion

Tempered in fires of wisdom