YOUR JOY IS ENOUGH

She put her joy in shadow 
because she didn’t think it was enough 
to be loved.
So she followed her shoulds
and got serious 
and did the right thing.
And she ached inside.
A grief took over.
She missed herself. 
She longed for herself.
But having the joy felt unsafe,
not enough, 
not lovable.
That she would be considered dumb, 
not professional, 
nothing to take seriously.
But she needed her.
She needed her to know 
she is loved 
and welcome
And that she can come home now.